Thank you for your interest in the Santa Clarita Valley Business Group. Following is some information on membership in our group and the process for getting there.

STEP 1: CONFIRM THAT YOUR CATEGORY IS OPEN.

Check with a current member of the group or contact Membership Chair, Carolyn Nelson carolyn@capitalofficeproductsca.com or 818-362-6168. Inform her about your business and she will let you know if there is an opening for you at this time.

STEP 2: ATTEND YOUR FIRST MEETING AS A GUEST.

Once you’ve confirmed that your category is open, check the SCV Business Group calendar and find the next two consecutive Friday morning meetings you will be able to attend. (You must attend two consecutive meetings to qualify.) Your first meeting is free. Plan to be introduced and given a one minute opportunity to tell the group about your business. Please arrive between 6:30-6:45 a.m. This is a great opportunity to begin networking with our members. We do not permit arrivals after 7:00 a.m.

STEP 3: ATTEND YOUR SECOND MEETING AS A GUEST.

Do not skip any meetings between your first one and this one or you will have to start the process again. Please arrive between 6:30-6:45 a.m. This is a great opportunity to begin networking with our members. We do not permit arrivals after 7:00 a.m. At this meeting you will be charged $20.00 for your breakfast and, once again, be given an opportunity to introduce your business. At the end of this meeting you will be given an application and told that one of our Directors will meet with you before the next meeting. That will be your “inspection.”

STEP 4: INSPECTION

A member of the SCVBG Board of Directors will contact you to set up your “inspection.” This meeting should be in your place of business and you can expect it to last 30 to 60 minutes. It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate and explain your business to the “inspector” who will be reporting on your behalf at the next Friday meeting. If your business requires licenses, permits, bonds, or specific insurance, have those ready to share. The inspector will go over the membership application with you and explain all fees and referral and attendance requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have. Before the inspector arrives at your location, complete the top portion of the application and prepare a check for your initiation dues in the amount of $200.00.

STEP 5: VOTING

You will not attend the meeting that follows your inspection. At this meeting, your inspector will give a report about their visit with you and answer any questions posted by the membership. The group will vote and you will be notified shortly after the meeting if you have been approved or not.

STEP 6: BEGIN ATTENDING MEETINGS AS A REGULAR MEMBER!

Upon approval into the group, a name badge will be ordered for you and you will be added to the membership roster. Attend the first meeting following your approval. You will be introduced as “our newest member!”

FEES

• The first year’s annual dues (“initiation dues”) are $200.00.
• Annual dues are $150.00 for each year after that.
• Each member also pays Quarterly dues to cover the cost of their breakfasts. The quarterly dues are $270.00. These dues may be reduced by $25 for recruiting a new member.

ATTENDANCE COMMITMENT

• Members are required to attend every meeting. 4 absences are allowed per quarter.
• Members are considered “absent” if they arrive after 7:00 a.m. or leave before 8:30 a.m.
• Meetings are scheduled 7:00am to 8:30am (running over occasionally when the agenda is full or attendance is exceptionally high). Members are expected to stay until the meeting is adjourned.
• One evening “social” is also mandatory each quarter. There is a cost to the member for the social and it varies based on the type of event held.

REFERRALS

Five (5) referrals each month are required to remain “in good standing.”