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Membership Protocol - DFW Chapter

 

The chapter currently has 55 members and a waitlist.  

 

Order for Membership

 

Members of the Chapter may invite friends and acquaintances to an event when they believe there could be an interest in membership.  Chapter members become the Sponsor with the presumption that the Proposed Member is of sound character and will contribute to the overall appreciation of Bordeaux wine. 

 

After the first event, the Sponsors are expected to notify the Mâitre of the Proposed Member’s degree of interest in membership along with a brief summary of his/her background, which will be shared with the Executive Committee. 

 

The Proposed Member will be invited to a second event after which Executive Committee members will be asked to respond to the Maître on the compatibility of the Proposed Member.  A unanimous affirmative vote by the Executive Committee is required to approve the candidate for membership.

 

The Proposed Member must have attended at least one or two events.  The Maître will initiate a casual meeting, along with the sponsor to discuss the process and to provide additional information regarding the Commanderie.  This also affords the Proposed Member an opportunity to raise questions regarding membership.

 

If approved, the Proposed Member will be notified in writing by the Maître with a copy to the Sponsors, and then invited to complete the New Member Obligations.

 

New Member Obligations

 

The Maître’s Letter of Invitation to join the DFW Chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux will describe the process for being initiated and provide details on the associated financial requirements.  

 

Annual Dues & Assessments

 

Annual dues are required from members in good standing. Amounts due are billed in January each year and payable by March 1st. Any member not paying their obligations within 30 days is subject to termination of membership in the chapter. 

 

Dinner Surcharges

 

It is the policy of the chapter to add an event surcharge to the cost for all outside guests, except spouses and significant others, Honorary and Emeritus Members, and Members of the National Board of Governors. The amount of the dinner surcharge will be periodically reviewed to assure that it covers a portion of the chapter’s event costs.

 

Dual Membership

 

If a member of another chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux wishes to obtain a dual membership with the DFW chapter, they will be evaluated within the context of the Order for Membership as a Proposed Member.   

 

Termination of Membership

 

With the exception of voluntary resignations from membership, a Member may lose membership in the Commanderie de Bordeaux - DFW upon a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.

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Wait List

Whenever the Chapter has a full complement of members, prospective members will be added to a Wait List once the Executive Committee has approved the recommendation.  The Maître is responsible for sending the candidate a letter of acceptance, and the date of such letter shall set the priority of entrance into full membership for all candidates.​  A prospective member from another Commanderie chapter is likewise subject to the same approval process.

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Active Status

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For the Chapter to remain vibrant, we need active members who are willing to participate in club events and assist in the planning of functions. We encourage members to attend as many events as possible and volunteer to assist in planning events.