2d. FAQ

What is Marin Forum?

Marin Forum is a membership organization established to bring together men and women who are active in their professions and have accomplished top management status, in order to provide them with an opportunity to become acquainted with each other and to exchange ideas on topics of mutual interest, and to promote among them friendship, understanding and a state of cooperation.

How is membership determined?

Membership in Marin Forum shall be open to people who either live or work in Marin County. The organization maintains a regular membership of up to, but not more than, 70 members without regard to the number of Social members (see below). Regular membership consists of no more than fifty percent of one gender, and is inclusive of those who identify as neither male or female (nonbinary), with no more than 35 individuals who identify as men or as women. Applications for membership may be submitted to the Membership Chair by a member in good standing. New members are accepted by a vote of the Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled board meeting.

What is expected of a Member?

Regular Members are expected to attend the Forum’s monthly breakfast meetings, normally held the first Tuesday of each month. Each monthly meeting features a presentation by a local person of note on a topic of interest or import to the membership. Members unable to attend a breakfast meeting are expected to send a substitute in their place, with no charge for substitute attendance.

What is a SOCIAL Member?

To qualify for Social member status, a member must be in good standing and request Social member status. Social member status requires that the member must have retired from their business or profession and have completed five years of active membership, or have transitioned to a part-time position and completed 15 years of active membership. Social members pay a nominal annual fee and are required to pay the established cost of breakfast for each breakfast meeting they attend.

How much are Membership Dues?

Dues for all members, Regular and Social, shall be paid annually in January and are set by the Board of Directors to reflect the expenses of the organization. New members pay a pro-rata share of the annual dues based on the date of their membership acceptance. If dues are not paid within 90 days of billing in the case of a new member, or by February 28 in the case of a continuing member, membership status will be revoked.

How does the Board of Directors of Marin Forum work?

There are 8 Board members, nominated and selected by current Board members. Each Board member serves for 8 years. In years one and two, they are members at large, attending and contributing to monthly Board Meetings, with no other stated responsibilities. In years three to seven, each year they move to the jobs of Membership, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President, in that order. Each Board member stays on the Board one year after being President, as past President.

What ARE MEMBER introductions at EACH meeting?

Each member (or their substitute) introduces themselves at each meeting, briefly, sharing their name and affiliation. Guests are introduced by the member hosting them. It is customary to clap as a welcome.

How do we handle substitutes?

When members send a substitute, the substitute should check in at the entry desk. They will be given the nametag of the member for whom they are substituting. During introductions, they should introduce themselves and let people know for whom they are substituting.

How often can I send a substitute?

It is strongly preferred that each member attends every meeting themselves. Members are selected because the group values what they are bringing to the Forum. If circumstances keep you from attending, it is expected that you'll send a substitute in your place.

WHERE ARE THE MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETINGS AND WHAT IS THEIR TIMING?

The Forum’s monthly breakfast meetings take place in Marin County, at a central location with parking available. The current location is The Creekside Room at Dominican University, San Rafael. Meetings start with networking at 7:00 am, followed by breakfast at 7:30 am and the program at 7:40, which finishes at 8:30 am.