Terms of Business

Ladies Network Terms of Business

Objectives/Aims

To promote and support each others’ businesses

To provide quality referrals without pressure or obligation

To provide a confidential forum to discuss business issues and concerns and seek advice

Categories of Business

Only one category of business is permitted in the group at any one time.

Payment terms

Annual fee of £50 pa on joining or calendar date of renewal, plus standing order of £24.50 per month to cover cost of lunch 1x per month plus incidental expenses of managing group.

Refunds

Providing the £24.50 standing order has been received for the month in question a refund of £24.50 will be made at the following month’s meeting,  if apologies addressed to the Leader of the group are received at least 4 days before the upcoming meeting.  If apologies  are received after the cut-off time no refund will be made.

No refund will be made for the annual fee if a member resigns their place during the subscription year.

Guests

Guests may be invited by members as long as they do not work in the same category of business as existing members; queries should be directed to the Leader of the Group and the existing category member.  Guests may visit on two occasions prior to joining and will be charged £30 per visit.

New Members

On receipt of an application form the Leader of the group will email all members with the name of the proposed new member so that they can approve or raise any objections prior to accepting the application.  All current members will be required to approve new members; any objections or concerns should be raised and discussed at the next available meeting and prior to any application being accepted.

Absences

Regular face-to-face attendance at monthly meetings is critical to the success of the group and prospective members should consider this commitment before joining. Three planned absences will be permitted during the subscription year, as long as notice is given.  (see above).  Repeated unexplained absence may result in membership being withdrawn. We are however mindful of personal circumstances and situations beyond anyone’s control and reasonable discretion will be granted in certain circumstances; any queries in this respect should be raised with the Leader of the group.

Confidentiality 

We rely on the confidentiality and discretion of our members as we discuss sensitive and personal issues relating to our business and private affairs.  We operate ‘The Chatham House Rule’ which is as follows:

“When a meeting or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are not free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker, nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”

See this link for further information http://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chathamhouserule

Any member found in breach of this rule will be asked to leave the group immediately; any visitor found in breach of this rule will not be invited to join the group.

Additionally, all members will be asked to sign a separate confidentiality agreement.

Social Media

The Chatham House Rule can be used effectively on social media sites such as Twitter as long as the person tweeting or messaging reports only what was said at an event and does not identify – directly or indirectly – the speaker or another participant. This consideration should always guide the way in which event information is disseminated – online as well as offline.