FAQ

Registration is required for all Connect Now Business Network events at least one week in advance. You can RSVP through Meetup or Facebook Events here:

FACEBOOK EVENTS: https://www.facebook.com/pg/connectnowcommunity/events
MEETUP GROUPS: http://www.meetup.com/Fraser-Valley-Business-Network/

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• People who do not RSVP will not be permitted.
• People who repeatedly try to show up to meetups without RSVPing, their membership may be revoked.
• Summits and other larger events will have earlier enrollment dates.
• Please also note that some of the events also require pre-payment through the website, in addition to RSVPing online, so read the instructions for each event carefully: www.connectnowbusinessnetwork.com/events

Please respect the policies and culture of the group, while using best business practices and etiquette.  The benefits for you is expanding your reach. Our group is based on reciprocity and a philosophy and community and collaboration. Those who only show up whenever they feel like it, with no RSVP, and only for their personal gain, are being rude and disrespectful to the leaders, fellow members, and visitors. Don’t just be a taker.  Most of our members RSVP, so if you are doing that, this message is not for you, it’s for those who continually show up without RSVPing. If you do not want to follow the rules, then perhaps this group isn’t for you.

The Connect Now Business Network program is is a low-cost, affordable business meetup networking model. We have networking meetups throughout the month, and membership has benefits that will help you in growing your business.

No. In this low cost model, there is no exclusivity. However, with the variety of events and locations everyone will find a place where they can thrive. 

• This is for a typical networking when it’s in person.
• Upon arrival you pay your Connect Now Business Network meetup fee and give one business card for the draw.
• Networking starts at 11:15 AM.
• At 11:45 PM we order our food.
• While waiting for and during meals, each person says their 20 second “elevator speech.”
• Spotlight! One Connect Now Business Network member will be featured for 3 – 5 minutes maximum. There may be an educational component, provided by members. Spotlights are invited and scheduled by the leader. Spotlights can only be B2B or B2C businesses, not MLMs, network marketing, or C2C type businesses.
• Important note: Each person who attends the business networking lunch is required to purchase a meal.
• Enjoy your meals and continue networking until apx. 1:30 – 2:00, depending on the number of people who attend.
• Please note: each person is responsible for paying their lunch bill  directly to the restaurant at the end of each meet-up**

Focus on only 1 item per 20 second speech. If you have an event or other item to promote, mention it briefly after introducing your business. Your entire presentation must only take 30 seconds. Members can attend early and distribute information at each place setting. If you want to do this, please get authorization for your materials first from the Group Manager before distributing them.

Only paid annual members can distribute materials. If you are a member, you can attend a few minutes early to put materials out on each place setting.  Get all materials authorized by showing them to the host on the way in before distributing them. Do not distribute any materials that are not from your own business. Do not distribute materials for another business or business owner who is not in attendance. Only those in attendance are allowed to distribute materials. If you’ve had a marketing piece authorized, then you don’t need to get it authorized each time; authorization is only needed for new materials. External materials–those from businesses that are not in attendance, will not be authorized. Example Questions and Answers: 

1. “Can I distribute materials for a person I know who couldn’t make it today?” A. “No.”
2. “Can I distribute materials for a business owner who can’t make it on Wednesdays?” A. “No.”
3. “Can I distribute materials for both my business and my spouses business? A.“Only if your spouse is a member, and they are present at the meeting. Otherwise, no.

If you still need clarification about this or any other Connect Now Business Network topic, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Many people sign up right away, but some people would like to try it out before they join, so new visitors may attend 3 (three) Connect Now Business Network event maximum, before they must become a member. This is not a complimentary visit. Visitors must pay the attendance fees. Connect Now Business Network events include meetups, summits, masterminds, or any event provided by Connect Now Business Network. You must become a member to receive the member benefits and to continue attending.

The focus is to connect reputable business owners and managers for the purpose of enriching the community and exchanging referrals. The focus and intention of the Connect Now Business Network is for B2B and B2C business owners to connect. If you have a business and a C2C/MLM, please present your business (sole-proprietorship, partnership, or corporation) during your 20 second speech. As you build relationships, if you want to talk about your other ventures along the way, you can do that during one-on-one and group conversations. If you have no B2B and B2C business, and only a C2C/MLM type business, then feel free to present that. The important thing is that you must only present 1 (one) business during your 30 second speech. 

The meet-up and membership fees go towards expenses and operation of the the Connect Now Business Network.

For example: domain, web hosting, website, Meet-up.com account, Constant Contact email newsletter, social media marketing, SEO, equipment, printed materials (business cards, handouts, postcards, banners, etc), bags, draw prizes, promotional activities, administrative costs, operation costs, travel costs, staff and sub-contractor costs, and other technical costs.

We don’t create or provide invoices. We provide receipts that are generated by our payment system, which are 100% compliant with CRA. For live networking meetups, when people pay cash at our events, the leader of each group provides receipts from their own company.  Posting the GST# is not required on receipts, because we are not a non-profit, but the leaders do provide it on their receipts. As the owner of the network and leader of the Abbotsford chapter, I put my GST on my receipts for those things. Also, when memberships are purchased manually, a digital receipt is generated, as mentioned above. If you received a receipt that does not have the GST# on it, you can see it here: GST 841262801RT0001

No. This is not a registered charity, non-profit, or society. There are no committees or boards. To be very clear, the Connect Now Business Network is not structured as a community group, and is a program offered by Katie McKay Kasdorf. Most meetups find it too costly to become registered as a non-profit. As with many meet-up groups, the income and expenses are accounted for through the sole proprietorship or corporation of the founder, in compliance with CRA. In this case, this group was founded by Jennifer Henczel of Affective Communications. The Connect Now Business Network was founded by Jennifer Henczel, as a service of her sole proprietorship. Revenues are absorbed and reported by a private, for profit business.
In 2018 Connect Now Business Network was purchased by Katie McKay, and expanded in 2020. She operates the group alongside a Board of Directors, sets program policies, hosts the meet-ups and other group activities. As with any business service, we make up any extra costs associated with Connect Now Business Network programs, and absorbs any profits that may be generated by the Connect Now Business Network. While the BOD often takes group feedback into consideration, and implements many of the suggestions, all final decisions in regards to the group are made by our team. Please feel free to contact Katie McKay with any questions about the structure of the group: 778-809-8520

Revenues do not go to a charity. Revenues are absorbed and reported by a private, for profit business in compliance with CRA. With that said, this is intentionally a low cost model, and little if any profit is not expected. Any monetary benefits are expected only from the nature of networking itself.

However, the founder is involved with community volunteering, so fund raising opportunities may be introduced into the group now and then. The fees are on the low end of standard pricing in the industry and are intended for maintenance, towards the mutual benefit of all members, as described in the associated costs above. 

Although the Connect Now Business Network program is technically operated as a profitable business, significant revenues are reinvested back into the Group with regards to raising the Group’s profile within the local business community. We can all agree that the greater the Group’s profile, the more business opportunities there will be for everyone.

No refunds. Meeting fees, membership payments, events, workshops, retreats, coaching, masterminds, and any service of any kind are not transferable and are not refundable in any way. 

When you join our Group, you will be a valued member. Any ideas you may have to help the group achieve it’s objectives, will always be welcome and given the due consideration it deserves.

We are fortunate to have so many amazing create people associated with this group. Your ideas are valuable. Where the request or idea requires further investigation, the member who first raised the idea/suggestion, will be asked to look into it further. This approach helps ensure that members fully consider their ideas before bringing them up for review.

All visitors and members must adhere to the policies on this page, standard business etiquette. The list of questions and policies here are not exhaustive, but posted as a guideline to provide some initial direction. if additional concerns are raised with you by the management of the group, you will be responsible for responding appropriately. For example, If a member repeatedly shows up to meetups without RSVPing their membership may be revoked. The policies and guidelines here may be updated and changed at the discretion of the group management. 

The following Polices are introduced to help the Group run more smoothly and many of the ideas have been requested or first put forward by other Group Members.

As a member of this group, you are responsible for being professional and courteous to the restaurant staff and facilities. If you have a problem with the restaurant, report it directly to the leader. If it is not settled, please contact us to discuss any issues that may arise. It is critical that we keep good working relationships with the business owners. 

Connect Now Business Network Facebook GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/connectnownetwork

Connect Now Business Network PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/connectnowcommunity

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Connect_NowBN

Here is a peak at the list of duties are complete on a regular basis:

• Enforcement of Connect Now Business Network policies
• Maintains the website
• planning and promoting the meetings
• Curriculum development
• Presentations (Mastermind Groups)
• Liaison with venue owners and guest speakers (Mastermind Groups)
• All administration, including setting up and providing a system that issues receipts.
• Developing Marketing literature and overseeing the Group Marketing Plan.
• Preparing weekly Meeting Agendas.
• Helping to ensure lunch Meetings and mastermind groups run smoothly and on time.
• Recording weekly, Member and Guest visits and ensuring fees are paid.
• Preparing facilities for lunch Meetings and other Member events.
• Member presentation and what assistance they are looking for.
• Processing new Members and ensuring subscriptions are up-to-date.
• Recording and processing member suggestions and ideas.
• Introducing new policies as needed.
• … and more!

You can see the events on the Facebook Page here, and on the Website here.

These policies will be added to and change as the group progresses. Please check back often.