A: MWBN events are held on the eastside, westside, and southside areas. We rotate these events monthly so that an event should be in your area at least once per quarter. MWBN may also hold additional events throughout the year. Please check the MWBN calendar for more details.
Q: What is the cost to attend a MWBN event?
A: Effective January 1, 2010, the regular event cost will be $25.00 for MWBN members, $35.00 for non-members/guests, and $45.00 for all walk-in's. This change is due to our outstanding growth rate which now requires us to seek party/banquet facilities that can comfortably accommodate our group, the ever-increasing cost of food which is passed on to us by the various restaurants/caterers we use, as well as additional registration processing fees which MWBN is responsible for.
Q: What does MWBN do with the event registration money collected?
A: Your event registration typically covers the cost your lunch and is turned directly into the restaurant, banquet/party center, or country club hosting the event. Lunch prices typically range anywhere from $16.00 - $39.00 a plate, plus 18% - 20% gratuity, and 6.25% - 7.75% sales tax. If you are paying your registration via PayPal, MWBN is also assessed fees ranging between $1.03 - $1.61 for each transaction to use their service.
Q: Are MWBN Directors compensated for their time?
A: MWBN Directors are volunteers. The time put in by the Directors is at their own expense and they are not compensated for their appearance or their many hours of hard work and dedication to make this group a success.
Q: What does MWBN do with the proceeds raised by selling raffle tickets at each event?
A: All of the proceeds to go directly towards funding MWBN events. This includes room rental fees, restaurant/caterer payments, equipment rental (projectors, screens, podiums, audio equipment, etc.), name tags, various paper used, printer cartridges, raffle tickets, raffle boxes, picture frames to display information, signage, tables, table cloths, table skirts, balloons, bags, accounting software to keep the books, advertising, etc.
Q: When I try to register for an event, each time it says the event has been sold out? Can you find larger venues to hold your events?
A: MWBN has grown tremendously over the last year, partly due to everyone's support, the advertising we have done, and the many referrals we receive. We encourage participants to register early for these events. By registering early, it allows us to plan for larger venues as the group grows. By registering at the last minute, often times 1-2 weeks before an event, it does not give us enough time to either find a larger venue for the event or be able to plan for larger venues in the future. We appreciate early registrations. It makes our jobs much easier.
Q: Does MWBN have any restrictions on attending MWBN events?
A: Effective January 1, 2010, no more than 2 individuals from the same company can attend per regular event. Also, MWBN members are given priority seating to all MWBN events. In the event we exceed seating capacity, all guests (i.e., non-members) will be added to a waiting list and confirmed 1 week prior to the event if remaining seats are available.
Q: I own more than 1 business. Can I represent all of my businesses at MWBN events?
A: No. MWBN requests that members, non-members/guests focus on 1 line of business. MWBN will prepare name badges with only 1 company name. We have found that individuals representing many different businesses will only confuse your audience and it does not leave a clear impression of what you do. We call this "spraying", so please select a primary line of business and stick with it throughout your involvement with MWBN.
Q: Do I have to attend every month?
A: No, attend just the events that are convenient for you. Most find attending quarterly works well for them.
Q: I would like to have my contact information listed in the Member Directory. Can I do this if I am not a member?
A: No, unfortunately, listings are for members only. We would be happy to include your contact information on the site once you become a member.
Q: I would like to have my event information posted on the MWBN General Event Calendar. Can I do this if I am not a member?
A: Effective January 1, 2010, the General Event Calendar will only be available to current MWBN members. Please forward your information to one of the MWBN Directors and we will be happy to post this information for you free of charge. Please send this information at least 2 weeks prior to the event. We cannot guarantee that information received late will be posted.
Q: I am currently not a member. Can I directly solicit the members listed in the MWBN Member Directory?
A: No. Direct solicitation through e-mail or by phone are not permitted. We encourage all non-members/guests to attend a monthly event to network and formally build relationships with our members.
Q: I'm a MWBN Member. Can I obtain access to the e-mail list that MWBN uses?
A: No. MWBN must abide by strict privacy laws and is unable to distribute this list to anyone. MWBN will not sell or redistribute our list to anyone. MWBN recommends obtaining this information by attending events and asking members and non-members/guests for their permission before adding them to your mailing list. This will keep things running smoothly and eliminate any problems for both the individual and MWBN.
Q: I attended a recent MWBN event and I would like to send my newsletter to those that I met. Can I do this?
A: Please talk with each MWBN member and/or non-member/guest and ask their permission to add them to your mailing list. Nothing is worse than getting information from someone when you did not request it or if the person is not interested in your product/service.
Q: I attended a MWBN event and am now receiving spam from other members and non-members. What should I do?
A: MWBN cannot be responsible for individuals (members and non-members/guests) who pick up business cards at events and directly solicit their particular product/service. MWBN recommendeds that individuals who do not wish to be directly solicited contact the individual(s) and ask to be removed from their mailing list(s). If your name is not removed from a list and you believe they are a MWBN member, please contact a MWBN Director immediately to report abuse and MWBN will provide remediation (i.e., verbal or written warning). If the warning is not abided by, the MWBN member will be removed from the group, the member directory, and no membership refund will be given.
Q: What if I registered for an event, but then need to cancel?
A: MWBN understands the need to cancel due to sickness, death in the family, or your schedule. MWBN allows an attendee the ability to cancel and receive a full refund up to the third Monday of the month. The reason for the the third Monday is because MWBN must turn in a lunch count to the restaurant/catering facility on the third Tuesday of the month. Once we turn in the lunch count, we are not able to adjust the count down, only up, so this means MWBN will be required to pay for any forfeited lunches. If you meet this criteria and paid by credit card, your credit card will be fully refunded. MWBN cannot give full or partial refunds after the third Monday of the month.