Purpose:
· Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (known as JACC hereafter) Young Professionals Network (known as YPN hereafter) is organized for the mission of “Connecting, Developing and Empowering Young Professionals to lead our Community.”

Membership:
· Any persons, within the ages of 21-40, may submit an application for membership for review by the Chamber liaison and then recommended to the Executive Committee for final approval. This membership may be accepted or rejected, based on the clarification of information submitted. All decisions made concerning the acceptance or rejection of any proposed member, are within the full discretion of the Executive Committee and are final. Membership does not require the applicant’s place of employment to be a member of the JACC. Memberships are “owned” by either the individual or company, depending on information given on application, and would transfer with them if member’s employment status changes to another business.

· In addition to the acceptance by the Executive Committee, the proposed member must also pay membership dues at the rate schedule prescribed. payable in advance, annually. Each member of the YPN shall continue to be a member until written resignation is received by the Executive Committee or through termination of membership for non-payment of dues. Any member may be expelled by the Executive Committee for nonpayment of dues after 45 days from the annual due date for said membership dues.

· Any member may be expelled by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting, which is then recommended to the governing body of the JACC’s Board of Directors for final approval, thereof for conduct unbecoming a member or prejudicial to the aims or repute of the YPN or JACC, after notice and opportunity to speak before the Executive Committee, to include the Chairman and appropriate Division Vice-Chairman from the JACC’s Board of Directors, at a closed session meeting are afforded the member complained against. Such member may reapply to the network, one year from expulsion for reconsideration of membership.

· General YPN membership does not have voting rights and shall not be entitled to vote on any matters of the network. All actions will be approved by the Executive Committee.

Executive Committee:
· The purpose of the Executive Committee is to provide oversight of vision, goals and objectives of the YPN as general direction for the future.

· The number of Executive Committee members, serving three year terms, shall be 11 and must be members in good standing (current on YPN dues and within the required age limitations at first seating on this committee). Division Vice-Chairperson (representatives from the JACC’s Board of Directors) may be present at any Executive Committee meeting, as their purpose is to offer counsel, support and liaison role.

· Terms may be extended due to leadership appointments.

· Executive committee members may be subject to removal if absent from three meetings within the year

· Executive Committee will be comprised of a Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Past Chairperson, Presenting Sponsor’s representative, a JACC staff liaison and general committee members.

o The Chairperson’s role, one-year term, is to conduct and preside over all Executive Committee meetings and see that all approved motions are carried into effect, along with other roles normally assigned to this office.

o The Co-Chairperson’s role, one-year term, is to step into the Chairperson’s role at meetings in the absence of the Chairperson, along with other roles normally assigned to this office.

o JACC staff liaison's role is to facilitate the support needed to carry out all goals/objectives of the YPN, be an additional liaison between the Executive Committee and the JACC’s Board of Director, maintain the integrity and mission of the JACC, and manage and authorize the financial responsibilities of activities and programs conducted through the YPN.

o Presenting Sponsor may designate a representative to serve on the Executive Committee for a one-year term as an Ex-Officio member.

· Any vacancy among the Executive Committee, regardless of cause, shall be filled from the Nominating Committee process and the elected committee members will serve the remaining term of their predecessor. After the remaining term, elected committee members will be eligible for re-appointment of their own term.

· Additional Ex-Officio appointments may be added to the committee, based on need and partnerships for the future.

Executive Council:
· The purpose of the Executive Council is to provide immediate leadership advice and decisions in time-sensitive and emergency situations. This council will be comprised of Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and the Chamber staff liaison. This council will meet on an “as needed” basis.

Nominating Committee:
The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to:

o Nominate individuals, in February, to the Executive Committee Co-Chairperson slot, which is then brought before the Executive Committee for final approval. Nominated individuals must be from the Executive Committee member roster, excluding Ex-Officio.

o Nominate individuals, from the general membership of YPN, to fill open seats on the Executive Committee, which is then brought before the Executive Committee for final approval.