We’re so happy you are ready to join our growing PNAnw Family! Your next step is to fill out the application! Download our Membership Form and fill out in full, print and bring to your Chapter’s Membership Coordinator to get the ball rolling! Make sure those References are filled out so we can process your submission ASAP! Pending any issues or concerns, you’ll be contacted within 3-4 business days. We also ask that you wait to attend any more PNAnw meetings while your Membership Submission is being processed!
Business Categories
PNAnw permits one representative per category in each chapter. Like-Professions are allowed within groups if existing members are allowed to voice concerns & have a vote regarding if an applying like business is accepted
Membership Submissions
All membership applicants are treated equally and go through the same vetting process. The VP of Membership at each chapter handles this process. Each Chapter’s current officer group votes to accept each new applicant. To protect our members, applicants are voted in, so that on the off chance there is ever an issue with that member, they can be legally voted out after appropriate steps are taken to resolve any issues. It is never assumed an applicant will be approved until they are contacted by the VP of Membership. Once an applicant submits, they are requested to not attend any other PNAnw meeting until they are approved or not. The Membership Coordinator should announce any candidates to the group prior to processing applications. It is any member’s responsibility to file a concern with the Membership Committee of the chapter if a visitor “who submits an application” in any way conflicts with the member’s classification. If there are no complaints, the Membership Committee will “assume their consent.”
Members should represent their Primary Occupation, not a part-time business
We encourage this rule because we want to ensure that every member is 100% focused on goals of growth of other members, the group, and their own individual ROI. This also encourages that members become active in his/her community listening for quality referrals to bring back to the group. Please note that “Recruiting” is not allowed at PNAnw. While there has been successful MLM/Multi-Level Marketing businesses in our PNAnw environment, but we ask that members respect the focus and wishes of individual business owners and do not recruit. A member could gain participants over time under their business model for products or services, but openly asking or recruiting or speaking of is not allowed at our meetings
Category Changes
Category Changes are allowed in a PNAnw group, as long as the change is to an available category. Changes must be submitted in written form to the serving Officer Body which reserves the right to approve or disapprove the new company or category. If approved, a Category change can occur with a (member- owed) $75 processing fee.
1. Member Transfers between Chapters are allowed if the proper paperwork is filled out completely and approved between both Chapters effected. The Leadership Committee of the destination Chapter must verify there is no competing business or category already filled initially. If none, the transfer can be approved. ALL Member Transfers will incur a $75 processing fee. This is not just due to administrative needs to accomplish this, but also to discourage leap-frog memberships.
Employee Turnover
Employee Turnover is a reality with any business. If an employee that is part of a PNAnw group leaves or is terminated by a company, the company reserves the right to fill that available position within 30 days, before the category is considered “open.” While the membership fees would be accredited for time remaining in a term (1 year) the new prospect member will still be required to go through the standard application & vetting process with the understanding that they will not be immediately considered a viable candidate until standard processes are complete and credited membership application fee & dues are taken
An individual cannot be part of two PNAnw groups
However, Corporate Memberships are allowed. If a business has multiple employees covering different regions/territories, they may participate in multiple PNAnw groups representing the business. They will still need to go through the standard application & vetting process with the understanding that they will not be immediately considered a viable candidate until standard processes are complete and membership application fee & dues are taken.
Corporate Membership Exemptions
However, Corporate Memberships are allowed. If a business has multiple employees covering different regions/territories, they may participate in up to three (3) TOTAL PNAnw groups representing the business. Each member per location will still need to go through the standard application & vetting process with the understanding that they will not be immediately considered a viable candidate until standard processes are complete and membership application fee & dues are taken.
CM TERMS: To further clarify, One business can have up to three (3) members in different chapters. Counting the initial business member, the other two (2) new members will not be charged the Registration Fee. If a Corporation is sold, membership is terminated. Membership is not transferrable to new owners. New owners may apply for a new CM and pay all associated new member fees.
Attendance is an important part of membership
While we do not have a strict enforcement policy regarding attendance, it should be clearly stated that members are expected to attend meetings on a weekly basis. Members are allowed one (1) excused absence per month. If a second absence is required, the Member must provide a substitute from their company or another business represent them when possible so it will not count as an absence. If consistent absences repeat, a Member will be approached by Chapter officers and encouraged to follow attendance guidelines. A 60-day Probation period will be put into place, and if a member cannot re-commit to the minimum attendance policy that that time, PNAnw will attempt to offer suggestions. This may include a potential Transfer to another chapter location/time if applicable. Only if there are no other options, will PNAnw and the Member part ways. There are no refunds for memberships after 60 days, so members are responsible for their attendance and commitments to a chapter.
If a Member requests a “leave of absence”; they are required to request this from the current serving officer body of a chapter. On a case-by-case basis, PNAnw is often able to reserve the category for up to 60 days so Members can attend to their needs outside of the chapter. Durin this time, their membership will be locked in. If it becomes clear after a maximum of 60 days that a member will not return, and proves unreachable; the member’s business category will be opened for new membership.
Membership Conduct
PNAnw Chapters are a place of business. We expect our members to communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, handling dissent or disagreement with courtesy, dignity and having an open mind. Members must also be respectful when providing feedback and being open to alternate points of view:
a. When sharing information about the organization or any other PNAnw members via public communication channels, PNAnw expects its members to share responsibly and clearly distinguish individual opinion from fact.
b. PNAnw members are committed to providing a friendly, safe, supportive and harassment-free environment for all members, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability,physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity.
Unacceptable Behavior
PNAnw does not tolerate unprofessional behavior or harassment of its members, or other persons involved in PNAnw activities in any way, shape or form.
1. Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments, and negative behavior, either in real or virtual space, including those which are related to or are based upon gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, relation or other group identity. Harassment also includes display of sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and unwelcome physical contract or sexual attention.
2. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any member venue, including events, talks, workshops, social events, and social media.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
1. If an PNAnw member, in either real or virtual space, engages in inappropriate, harassing, abusive or destructive behavior or language the PNAnw Founders, once alerted by a Chapter Officer, will determine and carry-out the appropriate course of action, including warning the offender, suspension or expulsion from membership in accordance with PNAnw Policies with no membership refund, and/or banning the offender from future PNAnw membership, events and activities.
2. All PNAnw members are expected to observe these rules and behaviors in all PNAnw membership venues, including online venues and conference social events where members seek to learn, network, and enjoy themselves, free from any type of harassment. Please participate as an PNAnw member responsibly and with respect for the rights of others.
What to Do
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns about an individual’s potential membership submission or current member’s conduct, please follow the incident reporting procedures below:
a. To report an incident or problem, please file a written complaint to the PNAnw Membership Coordinator who has this document available. It can also be downloaded at www.PNAnwnetworking.com/forms.
b. The Officer will evaluate the concern and will communicate all findings to his/her Chapter President, Vice President and PNAnw Founders. The following results and/or next steps will occur:
i. A PNAnw Founder will contact the complainant and/or the offending member directly for further explanation.
ii. Based on results, a decision will be made for handling according to the PNAnw Member Conduct guidelines.
iii. A decision will be made to/or not to revoke the offending member’s membership with no refund.
iv. This Membership Conduct policy is regularly reviewed and revised by the PNAnw Founders.
Meeting Agenda
Every PNAnw meeting is required to follow a set agenda in order to ensure that a professional and organized meeting occurs weekly. This is a vital component not only for existing membersto be part of, but important for guests to see the meeting flow and experience our process. A meeting is comprised of the following:
1. President’s Welcome, Introduction of PNAnw leadership
2. Membership Coordinator, Introduction of Guests
3. Vice President’s Report
4. 45 second Commercials of each member & Guests
5. 1st Speaker of the Day, 8 minutes – Speech Breakout session to follow, 4-6 minutes
6. 2nd Speaker of the Day, 8 minutes – Speech Breakout session to follow, 4-6 minutes
7. Referrals & Testimonials
8. Door Prizes
9. Announcements
10. Meeting Adjourned
Meeting length
Standard PNAnw meetings last for 1 hour (60 minutes). If a group grows to the capacity of 30+ members and decides to extend the meeting length, it is up to the serving Officer Body to bring this to the attention of the group and determine the new finish time.
Membership Dues
Physical locations of PNAnw chapters cost $300 per year with a one-time Registration Fee of $75.00. PNAnw does not have monthly dues that it requires its members to pay. Often a breakfast (or lunch) is served or available as a choice, but not required. It is greatly encouraged that all our members considering ordering a meal or beverage at our supporting venues. We work hard to find locations that do not have dues-based requirements, but still believe in helping these locations.
Our newest 100% online, DigitalPNA covers the entire State of Washington and is NOT Category closed. It’s a different format and feel, and due to it’s demographics; it’s a $600 annual membership with the same $75 registration fee.
All members who join throughout the year will receive a renewal invoice 30 days from their respective initial month with PNAnw. As of 2024, Dues are no longer prorated.
One-To-Ones
Every PNAnw member is encouraged to take time out of the normal meeting schedule to meet with other members to learn about each other’s businesses. Members should take approximately 30 minutes each to describe in depth their business, and leave time as permitting for a Q&A. This is a key factor in becoming a better referral partner.
Referrals
Referrals are the lifeblood on all our PNAnw networking groups. PNAnw doesn’t hold its members to strict requirements or a weekly quota, but it is expected that members do their very best to contribute to the group by way of making sure they learn the methodologies of what a good referral is, how to listen for one, and what to do when an opportunity is found. However, PNAnw does not require members offer up referrals as to maintain membership. We understand that it can be difficult and recognize that certain businesses may have more exposure and opportunities than others to drive referrals. We also know that if members get to know every individual in their group they will become a well-educated extension of that person’s sales team. Referrals will come naturally over time, and a good goal for Chapters to consider would be “1 referral for every meeting.” Certain categories, such as lawyers/attorneys have ethical rules regarding this practice, which is another reason why we do not require referrals.
Policies are subject to change. The Leadership Team in all Chapters will be notified regarding all changes.