Member Duties

Membership is a privilege. Each member is expected to act in a professional manner with integrity, honesty, respect and courtesy. Members are asked to refrain from offensive jokes or comments in the meeting. Meetings are positive and members should show respect and support for each other.

Meeting dress is business casual attire. This specifically prohibits denim, shorts, t-shirts, and athletic shoes. (Further guidance may be provided by the meeting facility.)

Members are required to have a referral or an activity every meeting. Members must pass at least one referral every four weeks. Failure to do so is sufficient cause for termination of membership.

Members are expected to respond to referrals quickly and professionally. Members are encouraged to do business with each other. Members should not offer or pay referral fees to other members.

Don’t worry we are a very warm, fun group and we will make you feel welcome! If you are still a little worried check out this page Networking Tips

Some people are more outgoing extraverts and others are more introverts who speak to 1 person at a meeting for 2 hours. Both are great for networking groups like the BDC and we have both in our group, so whatever your strengths are, we have someone here you can talk to!

Most of our members have been a part of this group for over 10 years, so no 🙂

Every new member is vetted to make sure they are in good standing in the community with great reviews and referrals. IF we don’t trust them in our homes to do their work, they won’t be a part of our family here at BDC.

We ask everyone to be there in person UNLESS you have a medical reason you can’t meet in person and we will make decision on a case by case basis. We currently have a few who meet with us virtually due to health concerns, but we prefer to be together in person.

Attendance

Each member is allowed a maximum of three absences with a substitute and three absences without a substitute per six-month period. The six-month periods run from January 1 to June 30 and July 1 to December 31. An absence with substitute is when a member is unable to attend a meeting and they have a substitute attend in their place. Substitutes must be prepared to give an infomercial for the member’s business, share BDC activities on the member’s behalf and participate in the brain sparking. Members may not have more than three unrepresented absences. Members may not substitute for other members. Members exceeding six absences in six months forfeit their membership. Expelled members may reapply. Membership Committee has the discretion to approve or disapprove any reapplications. Payment of annual membership fee and application fee will apply to reapplications. Absences of prior employee in a business owned membership do not count against the replacement employee of the same membership.

Habitual late arrival or early departure may be grounds for forfeiting membership (as determined necessary by Senior Advisors). Arriving after 7:30 am or leaving before 8:00 am will count as an absence.

An Emergency Leave of Absence will only be considered for members who are current on both membership and breakfast dues. Members who need an emergency leave should apply in writing to the Membership Committee. Businesses that lose an employee occupying a business owned membership will be considered for an Emergency Leave of Absence and should also apply in writing to the Membership/Visitor Host. An Emergency Leave of Absence granted to a business membership will not exceed 6 weeks. Greater than six weeks must be approved by the Senior Advisors. The Membership Committee has the right to grant an Emergency Leave of Absence. The Membership Committee may forward a request to the Senior Advisory Board if desired. Dues will continue to be paid during the leave.

Members changing classification or their company will submit a new application to the membership committee for approval. Their former classification will be reopened for a candidate for membership. A company “name change only” does not require approval.

Every Tuesday morning.

Attendance

Each member is allowed a maximum of three absences with a substitute and three absences without a substitute per six-month period. The six-month periods run from January 1 to June 30 and July 1 to December 31. An absence with substitute is when a member is unable to attend a meeting and they have a substitute attend in their place. Substitutes must be prepared to give an infomercial for the member’s business, share BDC activities on the member’s behalf and participate in the brain sparking. Members may not have more than three unrepresented absences. Members may not substitute for other members. Members exceeding six absences in six months forfeit their membership. Expelled members may reapply. Membership Committee has the discretion to approve or disapprove any reapplications. Payment of annual membership fee and application fee will apply to reapplications. Absences of prior employee in a business owned membership do not count against the replacement employee of the same membership.

Habitual late arrival or early departure may be grounds for forfeiting membership (as determined necessary by Senior Advisors). Arriving after 7:30 am or leaving before 8:00 am will count as an absence.

An Emergency Leave of Absence will only be considered for members who are current on both membership and breakfast dues. Members who need an emergency leave should apply in writing to the Membership Committee. Businesses that lose an employee occupying a business owned membership will be considered for an Emergency Leave of Absence and should also apply in writing to the Membership/Visitor Host. An Emergency Leave of Absence granted to a business membership will not exceed 6 weeks. Greater than six weeks must be approved by the Senior Advisors. The Membership Committee has the right to grant an Emergency Leave of Absence. The Membership Committee may forward a request to the Senior Advisory Board if desired. Dues will continue to be paid during the leave.

Members changing classification or their company will submit a new application to the membership committee for approval. Their former classification will be reopened for a candidate for membership. A company “name change only” does not require approval.

Membership is an annual fee of $300 with a 1-time $25 application fee when you first join.

Each member pays breakfast dues subject to the cost of the facility at which it meets. Members more than 30 days late forfeit their membership. Breakfast dues are to be paid in advance and are due regardless of whether the member eats or not. Members pay breakfast dues on a monthly basis via automatic credit/debit card transaction.

1 You can check our members page

2 Still not sure? You can fill out Visitor form and we will get back to you ASAP.

While we are not registered as “non-profit” however, all membership dues go to pay for meeting space etc and anything left at end of year is donated to the South Carolina Special Olympics.  There is no “owner” of franchise that is making $$$ by trying to fill as many spots as possible.  We are selective of new members based on compatibility and desire to give back to other businesses and our community here in Columbia SC.

Business Casual, no jeans, hats etc per Capital City Club dress code.

Capital City Club Downtown Columbia SC

Every Tuesday at 7am we share breakfast and meet with other professionals looking for companies just like yours to share referrals with. Imagine the power of a room full of community business leaders who are always on the lookout for your perfect customer.