TERMS & CONDITIONS

• PoD Business Network Ltd 
• PoD Business Network Pty Ltd

known as the

• PoD AU-NZ Business Network

PoD Structure and Leadership

The Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd are committed to continuing to cultivate an inclusive culture with strong leadership. It is the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd who ultimately reserve the right to open and close PoDs, make changes to meetings, days, times, venues, frequency and where necessary, to put PoDs on hold. As far as possible, a PoD membership, together with the leadership will agree on and help suggest and work towards changes for the health of that particular PoD. 

In alignment with being an open and inclusive network, the PoD AU-NZ Business Network has a leadership structure that empowers a leadership team within each PoD to run their own PoD meetings and events. The network has a centralised Head Office support which provides all the brand guidelines, marketing material, meeting resources and set up and administers all combined PoD events across the network. 

The PoD AU-NZ Business Network has an open feedback system and is constantly looking to innovate and provide opportunities for extra value and business growth to members where it can. All PoD AU-NZ Business Network leadership have the opportunity to participate in leadership forums, training and to actively grow the network as well as their own personal self-development.  Leadership roles are taken up by invitation from the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd.  

Code of Conduct

The PoD AU-NZ Business Network seeks at all times to be a network that is trustworthy, has credibility; one that is continually building a reputation for being positive, genuine and professional. It is actively embracing of diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, education and disability. 

Given this strong, positive stand, members are expected to treat each other and visitors to meetings and network events with respect and professionalism. Members are also expected to commit to building a positive, uplifting culture within their PoD meetings, relationships and events.

The Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd consider any destruction of morale or unprofessional behavior whether verbal, written or physical that might be damaging either to members, to the network or individual PoD or to the leadership or Directors to be extremely serious in nature and they reserve the right to  ask a member to leave the network in such instances.   

Ownership of Membership

People do business with people and in the spirit of quality relationships, membership in the PoD AU-NZ Business Network belongs to the member, not the company that the member might represent. A member might be in the network for many years and change companies a number of times. They will still retain their PoD membership. In the case where a member changes company, they may transfer to another PoD if their industry focus changes as well  or if they move to a different location. In the instance where a member’s company has paid for their membership and then the member subsequently leaves the company, it is up to the member to negotiate paying their company out for the remainder of their annual membership for that year. In the case that the member is no longer able to continue with membership after moving companies, then the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd reserve the right to not accept a person other than the business owner as a replacement for the original member. If a company wish to replace a member of Staff with another member of Staff in a PoD this will be considered but it is the decision of the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd and is not automatic.

Allocation of a Business Classification

All members of the PoD AU-NZ Business Network are allocated a particular business classification in a PoD upon application to the network and it is expected that members will respect this allocation and promote business accordingly. Members are able to change their business classification but must apply to the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd to approve and organize the change. In some instances, it might be necessary or recommended that the member transfer to another PoD as their new business classification might be a better fit elsewhere in the network.

Membership Renewal

Renewal of annual membership is not automatic. It is a privilege to be invited to renew at the end of each membership period. The PoD AU-NZ Business Network reserves the right to replace a member at the end of their current year membership and not offer renewal of membership.

Promotion of Other Networks

The PoD AU-NZ Business Network is an open and inclusive network which embraces members from other networking groups and organisations and where appropriate seeks to establish collaborative relationships that may be of benefit to members, especially on a global basis.

It is expected that members respect this inclusiveness and agree to use discretion when promoting other referral based networks, groups or business associations to PoD members. There are obvious synergies which are encouraged such as those networks which are markedly different to the PoD AU-NZ Business Network such as women only organisations, local business associations or industry specific organisations that are made up of membership entirely from one industry.

Attendance

• All members agree and understand that all PoDs meet on a Fortnightly/Bi-weekly basis.  For a PoD to work, it is important that all members attend as many meetings as often as possible. Members are expected to put in their apologies through the online event system. If the apologies are just before the meeting then members are expected to contact either the Chairperson or PoD Administrator to let them know they are unable to attend the meeting.  Unless members inform otherwise, it will be assumed they will attend every meeting. Any member who is consistently absent and unable to attend meetings may have to resign or have their membership put on hold. Our leadership is human and we understand events such as serious illness or sudden changes in personal circumstances. The Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd will decide if a member will be allowed to continue their membership or asked to resign so that a new member can take their exclusive position in their PoD.

• To ensure we continue to build a committed, vibrant network, we have an expectation that all members will aim to attend all meetings. The Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd reserve the right to terminate membership if a member has attendance of less than 65% over any given 6 month period or if they miss 4 consecutive meetings without good reason.  Members who are aware that they will be unable to attend for a greater period than this are expected to inform a PoD AU-NZ Business Network Director as soon as possible. Based upon the circumstances of the upcoming expected absenteeism, the Director will decide whether to place their membership on hold or not.

Substitutes / Substitution 

People do business with people and in the spirit of quality relationships, membership in the PoD AU-NZ Business Network belongs to the member, not the company that the member might represent.

As attendance is essential to a Business PoD, should a member be unable to attend a meeting they may use / send a substitute in their place.  The sole purpose of a substitute is to represent the member (and their business) who cannot attend the meeting.  The PoD AU-NZ Business Network, and individual Business PoDs, are centred on relationships so when a member repeatedly sends a substitute the member is missing out on developing lasting relationships with other PoD members.

Serial and ongoing / regular substitution is not accepted.  When a substitute regularly attends PoD meetings it can weaken the Business PoD as a whole, diminish membership relationships and result in fewer referrals across the Business PoD.  Substitutes are there on a particular date to fill in for an absent member.  Substitutes cannot regularly visit a Business PoD.

An individual may substitute at a Business PoD up to three times in a six month period, no matter who they are substituting for.  

The PoD AU-NZ Business Network recommends minimal use of substitutes.

Visitors and Guests

Visitors and guests are the life blood to the growth of our network and are warmly welcome to visit any PoD where there is a current vacancy for their particular industry. The PoD AU-NZ Business Network leadership will endeavor as far as possible to make sure that visitors are only confirmed to visit PoDs where they are not in competition with current members. As long as the vacancy is still there, visitors are welcome to visit a PoD twice  before deciding to formally take up membership. The PoD AU-NZ Business Network leadership actively looks out for vacancies for visitors across the network and endeavours to recommend membership in PoDs that are most suited to the needs of the person, whether that be location, day, time of meeting or opportunities in that particular PoD.   

All members are encouraged to be guests at other PoDs where they are not in competition with current members. Members are welcome to visit each PoD where there is a vacancy for their industry twice in a 12 month period. Trans-Tasman PoD visits are also encouraged and exceptions may be made for Australian members who practice in the same industry as a current NZ member to attend that NZ PoD and vice versa, especially when the member is only registered to practice in their own country. 

Meeting Fees 

Meeting and event fees and tickets are separate to the one off registration and annual membership fees. Fees for the fortnightly meetings are to be paid on arrival at each PoD meeting. The preference is for the fees to be paid in cash so that a portion can be allocated to network social events and functions.  In the spirit of building relationships, all PoD meetings include a meal (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or tapas and canapes). Sometimes the meeting fee will include a beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) but this information will always be clearly communicated on the PoD Meeting page and on all collateral and communication.  The Leadership Team of each PoD does reserve the right to require a member to still pay their meeting fee if they have confirmed attendance and then failed to show up. It is common courtesy and respect to put in an apology and a meeting that has empty spaces reserved around its table is entitled to require those members to pay.  

PoD Referral Reward e-Voucher 

The PoD AU-NZ Business Network is a valuable forum for members to invite their clients, contacts and pipeline to. In the spirit of community, all members who introduce a person who subsequently becomes a member of the network (anywhere in Australia or NZ), receives an e-Voucher $50 AUD or $50 NZD that they can put towards their second or subsequent year’s membership. All members pay for their first year of membership. The e-vouchers apply to the second and following years only. The e-voucher has no monetary value and is non-refundable.

Refunds Policy

Our refunds policy forms part of our Terms and Conditions and can be viewed here : Refunds Policy

Membership Fees

Members are required to pay a one off registration fee on application to join an existing PoD or a brand new PoD that is in "Start-Up". Annual membership fees are payable in advance upon invoice which are emailed following application acceptance. Fees are NON REFUNDABLE on receipt of membership application and subsequent membership acceptance. Members who pay the one-off registration fee also agree to pay the annual membership fee within 14 days of being invoiced.  Fees are payable within 14 days from the date of invoice. Late fees may be applied to overdue payments. Should a Collection Agency be engaged to collect any overdue fees, the Member is responsible for all / any associated collection costs.

If a member registers for a brand new PoD that is in "Start-Up" and then decides they no longer want to continue their membership they simply resign. The registration fee they have paid is non-refundable.  The exception is if they resign within one month of the launch date of the PoD. In this instance 90% of membership fee is payable. This 90% payment also applies to any member who pays the registration fee to rese`rve their exclusive place at an existing PoD and then fails to pay the invoice for their first year membership.  

If a brand new PoD remains in "Start-Up" and does not launch within 12 months, members who have registered for membership may apply to the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd for a refund of their registration fee. 

Transfer between PoDs

The PoD AU-NZ Business Network understands life and business changes. From time to time, it may be necessary or more convenient for a member to transfer to another PoD, particularly in the event of the member moving to another State, City or between Australia and NZ. Members are able to transfer to another PoD but must apply to the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd to approve and organise the transfer which is not automatic. 

If Terms and Conditions of Membership are Breached

The Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd expect members to respect their right to suspend membership if there is a breach of the above Terms and Conditions. Any membership to the PoD AU-NZ Business Network can be reinstated at any time by the Directors of PoD Business Network Ltd and PoD Business Network Pty Ltd.

About these Terms

We may modify these terms or any additional terms that apply to a Membership to, for example, reflect changes to the law or changes to our Membership services. Members should look at the terms regularly. The PoD AU-NZ Business Network will post notice of modifications to these terms on this page. Members will be notified of any modification or additions to the terms. Changes addressing new functions for a Membership or changes made for legal reasons will be effective immediately. If there is a conflict between these terms and the additional terms, the additional terms will control for that conflict.

These terms control the relationship between the PoD AU-NZ Business Network and its Members. They do not create any third party beneficiary rights.  If Members do not comply with these terms, and the PoD AU-NZ Business Network does not take action right away, this doesn’t mean that the PoD AU-NZ Business Network are giving up any rights that they may have (such as taking action in the future). If it turns out that a particular term is not enforceable, this will not affect any other terms.

The laws of  Australia or New Zealand (depending on where the membership is held) will apply to any disputes arising out of or relating to these terms or the Membership. All claims arising out of or relating to these terms or the Membership will be litigated exclusively in the court of Australia or New Zealand (depending on where the membership is held) and all Members and the PoD AU-NZ Business Network consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.