Details and Dues

DUES
Annual dues are $15.

MEETINGS
A breakfast meeting is held the second Thursday of each month (February-December) at 7:15 a.m. Locations vary.

• The cost for breakfast is $5.

• The January meeting is held the Thursday prior to the Annual Banquet at the Civic Arena.

See the complete Diplomats Schedule in the Diplomats Club Calendar.

REQUIREMENTS
All Diplomats Club members should plan to do the following things:

• Attend ribbon cuttings/award ceremonies.

• Attend monthly Diplomats meetings.

• Serve on one Diplomats committee.

• Help decorate for the Annual Banquet.

• Attend Chamber events.

• Attend as many Diplomats-sponsored events and activities as possible including the Business After Hours, Annual Banquet and New Executives Luncheon.

• Deliver annual Chamber Membership Awards.

UPDATES
Diplomats will receive E-mail updates, meeting notices and reminders on a regular basis.

Updated information and events are available on the Diplomats Club section of the website.

NAME BADGES
Each member is required to purchase a Diplomats name badge.

The badge is to be worn when hosting, greeting or attending a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Name badges are an additional $15.

DIPLOMAT OF THE YEAR AWARD
At the November Diplomats meeting any Diplomat will have the opportunity to nominate another Diplomat from the floor to be considered for Diplomat of the Year. From that list, Diplomats will be given a ballot at the December meeting to vote on the Diplomat of the Year. Those nominated will be considered Chamber Stars. The Diplomat of the Year will be presented at the Annual Banquet in January.

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DIPLOMAT CLUB BYLAWS
Revised April 2002

ARTICLE I: NAME
SECTION 1.
The name of the organization shall be DIPLOMATS CLUB.

ARTICLE II: MISSION
SECTION 1.
The mission of the Diplomats Club of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce shall be to promote general membership services and to enhance goodwill for the Chamber of Commerce in the community.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
All Diplomats shall be members of the Chamber of Commerce.

SECTION 2.
Each member shall contribute annual Diplomats Club dues.
SECTION 3.
Each member, at their own expense, will be required to purchase a Diplomat’s identification badge and a navy blazer. Both the badge and blazer are to be worn at Chamber general membership functions when member is representing the Diplomats Club and ribbon cuttings. Badges should be worn at all monthly Diplomat Club meetings.
SECTION 4.
The Chamber’s Vice President of Membership Services shall be an ex-officio member (without vote) of the club. The Administrative Assistant for Membership shall serve as Secretary of the club.
SECTION 5.
Members should attend a minimum of six (6) monthly breakfast meetings a year to remain on the club roster. The Diplomats Club Chairperson and the Chamber’s Vice President of Membership Services shall review attendance.
SECTION 6.
If a member should miss a total of six (6) meetings a year, upon consideration of the Chairperson’s review, the member shall be removed from the club roster.
SECTION 7.
If a member should miss (3) consecutive meetings, the Club Secretary shall notify the Chairperson, who will investigate the cause for the absences.
SECTION 8.
Each member is encouraged to attend ribbon cuttings/award presentations and decorate for the Annual Banquet.

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ARTICLE IV: SUBCOMMITTEES SECTION 1.
Each member shall participate in at least one subcommittee.

SECTION 2.
The subcommittees shall include: Annual Banquet, Awards Business Mixers, Hospitality, New Executives Luncheon, New Member Contact and Community Relations.
SECTION 3.
The Chairperson may form ad hoc committees as needed.
SECTION 4.
The Diplomats Club Chairperson shall appoint the chairs for the subcommittees during his/her term.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS SECTION 1.
The officers of the Diplomats shall consist of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

SECTION 2. The duties of the officers shall include the following:

A.     Chairperson

1. Preside at monthly breakfast meetings.

2. Follow up on club members who have missed (3) consecutive meetings

Article III, Section 7. 3.
Give a formal presentation at the New Executives Luncheon and Chamber functions, as needed.

1. Represent the Diplomats Club at Chamber functions.

2. Review bylaws annually.

3. Serve as an ex-officio member of each subcommittee and ad hoc committee.

4. Submit a quarterly report of the activities and actions of all committees to the Membership Services Divisional Vice Chairperson.

5. Review attendance reports and act in accordance with Article III, Section 5.

6. Serve as the Diplomats Club representative on the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

B.     Vice Chairperson

1. Represent the Diplomats Club at Chamber functions.

2. In the absence of the Chairperson, preside over the monthly breakfast meetings.

3. The Vice Chairperson assumes the Chairperson position in January after serving a year as Vice Chairperson.

C.     Administrative Assistant, Membership Secretarial Duties

1. Reserve meeting sites at Chamber member establishments for all monthly breakfasts.

2. Prepare, present, and keep minutes of monthly meetings.

3. Monitors attendance at monthly breakfast meetings.

4. Review attendance records.

5. Report attendance to the Chairperson in accordance with Article III, Sections 5, 6 & 7.

SECTION 3.
In November, the current Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and ex-officio Chamber staff member will submit a recommendation of next year’s Vice Chairperson to the Chamber’s Membership Services Divisional Vice Chairperson.

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ARTICLE VI: CLUB MEETINGS
SECTION 1.
The Diplomats Club shall meet a minimum of eleven (11) months a year.

SECTION 2.
The monthly breakfast meeting shall be held the second Thursday of each month. Meeting time will be 7:15 a.m.

SECTION 3.
Reservations shall be made by each member no later than two (2) days in advance of the scheduled breakfast meeting.

SECTION 4.
Reservation cancellation is required and will be accepted by 12 Noon the day prior to the meeting.

SECTION 5.
A quorum will consist of the majority vote of those members present.

ARTICLE VII: BYLAW AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1.
Bylaw revision shall be brought to vote by amendment with prior meeting notice to the membership.

SECTION 2.
Amendments shall be passed by a quorum.