Membership

• Membership Benefits
  • Build strong working relationships with other members to assist one another in generating business. Meetings are structured but participation in discussions is encouraged to build interaction between members.
  • One-on-one meetings are promoted at every meeting to help each member learn about the other members professionally and personally.  Personal relationships are as important as the professional relationships.
  • Members have the free use of our SharePoint site where information that further helps in the marketing of their business and other members’ businesses is posted and shared by members.  Here we have a calendar that lists networking and other events that may be of interest to all members.
  • Individual page listing on this Web site featuring: complete contact information; links to social media pages; listings of professional and business associations; and member biography.
  • A distinguishing characteristic of the Leading Edge is that not only strong business relationships are formed, but there is a genuine friendship between members that comes from members supporting one another’s business and other activities such as fundraiser events and volunteer participation.

• Membership Guidelines
  • Prospective members
    • A prospective member may attend three meetings as a visitor. Thereafter they must complete the application and submit it together with the application fee, to the Membership Committee for review. The Membership Committee will complete the screening process and notify the prospective member before the next meeting. Upon acceptance the President will then announce the new member at the next meeting.
  • Membership Application:
    • The Membership application is to be submitted for consideration with the first year’s membership dues.
    • All applications are subject to approval of the membership committee.
    • CLICK HERE for Membership Application
  • Membership dues
    • $240.00 per year of membership. There are no additional fees charged to members. The dues collected cover all operating costs including meeting space rent, annual Guest Day Breakfast meeting, Web site domain and hosting, and contributions to charitable organizations.
    • Membership renewal dues are to be paid on or before the membership anniversary date.
    • Membership dues are non-refundable.
  • Industry Exclusivity
    • As with many referral groups, only one member from each industry/profession is allowed. If there is a conflict, the member and the prospective member will go before the Membership Committee for review of the issues.
    • Members may not belong to other industry-exclusive referral organizations, as loyalty to the other Leading Edge members is expected. Members with multiple businesses must choose which single business he or she will represent.

• Attendance
  • Weekly attendance of meetings is required for all members to maintain the success of the Leading Edge.
  • It is advised that a member who cannot make a meeting have a substitute fill in for them at that time.
  • Members may be absent 3 times without sending a substitute within a 6 month period.
  • Members are entitled to an additional 3 absences within a 6 month period with a substitute.
  • Excessive absences by a member will result in the Membership Committee requesting a meeting to determine his or her commitment to the group.

• Referrals
  • Participation in the referral process is necessary for all members. All members should actively be giving and receiving referrals.
  • Quality referrals are much preferred over leads. Members are not measured by the number of referrals made.

• Candidates
  • Prior to submitting the application for membership guests can attend up to 3 regular meetings, except for those occurring on the first Friday of the month.