Question:  How many meetings do I attend before I can join?

Answer:  Each guest is required to attend two (2) consecutive meetings before an application can be accepted.  An inspection of an applicant’s place of business is a requirement of acceptance.



Q:  How many votes are required for acceptance into the Chapter?

A:  Ninety percent of the club’s votes are needed to be voted in as a member and any no votes to the request for membership is reviewed by the Executive Board before acceptance.



Q:  How much does it cost to join a LeTip Chapter?

A:  The initial membership fee is established by LeTip International, Inc., and is separate from your local Chapter’s dues which are based on its individual operational costs. Costs for joining the LeTip of Longview Chapter are:

One-Time membership Fee:  $440.00 (total of International and local chapter)
International $390.00 – local $50.00, Quarterly Dues:  $135.00 – Includes weekly breakfasts, socials, newsletters and directory listing.  This fee is prorated at the time of membership.

Annual Dues to LeTip International:  $285.00 (includes discount for auto-renewal.)  You will be sent a billing on your anniversary date.



Q:  When are my dues required to be paid?

A:  We collect dues on a quarterly schedule, and the Treasurer will pro-rate new members’ dues when they join to get them on the Chapter’s cycle.  The Chapter’s Board of Directors establishes the amount for each Chapter.  There are NO paid positions or profits involved, only the actual costs.



Q:  Who will notify me when I’m accepted for membership?

A:  The Chapter’s Membership Chairperson and your sponsor (if a chapter member) will call you the day you are voted into the Chapter.  A message from the President will follow to welcome you to the Chapter.



Q:  Who pays for the guest’s breakfast?

A:  The Chapter will pay for two breakfasts for a qualified potential member to enjoy and then an decision to apply for membership needs to be made.



Q:  What’s the “Lunch Bunch” all about?

A:  Once every month, five (5) members will have their business cards drawn by the Chapter’s President.  This is an informal, non required lunch that is a way to get to know other members and more opportunity for them to know about your business.



Q:  What is a Qualified Guest?

A:  A Qualified Guest is a person whose occupation is not represented in the Chapter, and if permitted to join, would not be in conflict with any of the Chapter’s members.  Guests are invited for two (2) meetings, then a decision must be made by the guest to submit an application.



Q:  Once a member of LeTip, am I confined to conducting business only with other LeTip members?

A:  Your fellow LeTip members are your business’ best references, as you are theirs.  Member’s LOYALTY to each other explains why the best of LeTip chapters are so overwhelmingly successful and continue to grow every year.  Support your SALES FORCE and they will support you.



Q:  How many tips do I have to give?

A:  To maintain your membership – four (4) tips per month are required.  The real question is: How much business do you really want?  You will be rewarded according to your ability to help others.  The more you tip, the more tips you will receive.  It’s not a one-way street.



Q:  If I have a problem or a conflict with another member, who do I contact?

A:  Members are asked to talk directly with other members about any problems that arise.  Most of the time this will be an adequate solution.  If the problem persists, contact your Chapter Ethics Chairperson.  This is a person who is on the Board of Directors and will assist you with the problem.  Every issue is confidential and will be kept that way.  The Ethics Chairperson will take steps as necessary to resolve the issue using specific guidelines set by LeTip International.



Q:  What is the “Poker Folder” all about?

A:  The Poker Folder is a tool used by every chapter to encourage new members (white badge holders) to bring in a Qualified Guest to the following week’s meeting.  Members who bring a guest can take $5.00 out of the tip bucket.  While members who don’t will be required to drop $5.00 into the tip bucket and keep the poker folder for one more week.  LeTip’s rules maintain that no member may hold the Poker Folder for more than two weeks, although a member who hasn’t sponsored a minimum of three (3) new members is still an eligible Poker Folder candidate.



Q:  How long do I have to do my commercial?

A:  At each meeting every member receives 30 seconds to pass tips, pay fines, and do their commercial.  Begin by informing fellow members – “This is the way you can best tip me”. Make it count.



Q:  What do I do when I’m asked to be the Showboat person?

A:  Showboating allows each member to properly explain their business’ service and needs to fellow members.  Each week’s Showboater is asked to arrive and set up their company’s display of products or services by 7:01 A.M. SHARP.  Making a real effort to “DISPLAY” your business will have an enormous impact on the amount of tips you receive from fellow members.



Q:  How long do I have when I am the Speaker?

A:  Seven (7) minutes – when the Chapter has more than twenty (20) members because we will have two speakers.  Most Speakers receive more than their average weekly tip count at this single meeting.



Q:  When do I get to Showboat, Greet, and Speak?

A:  The Chapter’s Program Chairperson sets a schedule for the Chapter so everyone has an opportunity as they join the group.  The first week you Showboat; second week you Greet; and the third week you are the Speaker.



Q:  What is VISITATION day?

A:  At the first monthly meeting, all members are asked to visit another member at their place of business for 20 minutes to 1/2 hour to learn about their business.  At the third monthly meeting, you will give a commercial for that member when you receive the tip bucket.  If for some reason, you didn’t visit that person, you personally hand that member ten dollars at the meeting.



Q:  Can someone attend meetings in my place?

A:  Only as specified by LeTip International, an alternate may attend six (6) times per year, and never more than two (2) consecutive meetings.  That person must be a qualified substitute, not a spur of the moment stand in.



Q:  Who tracks my attendance and who do I call if I’m going to miss a meeting?

A:  The Vice President keeps the attendance logs.  Always call if you’re going to miss a meeting.  You must attend at least 80% of all meetings.  This amounts to missing only four meetings per quarter.  An excused absence still counts as an absence.



Q:  Why do we have fines?

A:  The answer is one of accountability.  Fines are not meant to be punitive.  Most of the fines LeTip imposes on its members are small and only serve as a reminder that you have certain obligations to your fellow members and your chapter as a whole.  In actuality, fines only amount to $1.50 a month for most LeTip members.



Q:  What does LeTip International, Inc. do for me?

A:  LeTip International, Inc. is a support structure for over 400 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada.  They provide most of the materials necessary for your chapter to operate at no charge to you, and make sure those materials are only a phone call away.  We also provide a full-time, paid staff to assist your chapter in the areas of leadership and growth every step of the way.  This includes seminars for your Chapter’s President and Board of Directors.  Their staff also includes full-time Regional/Area Directors and Managers, as well as regional Chapter Ambassadors to ensure that every chapter is receiving the necessary support it requires to focus and expand its membership.



Q:  Who can I call if I have more questions?

A:  First you can contact LeTip of Longview’s President.