If you are a New Member Process, or aspiring to become a member, please take a moment to read through some of the more common questions our members have asked in the past.

What is the purpose of Omaha Executives Association?

Omaha Executives Association is an organization of member businesses who whose primary purpose is to increase the sales of goods and services of its members through the exchange of business information, networking and leads. The members assist one another through the exchange of business leads, the conduct of business between members, and the opportunity to give periodic craft talks to the Association members promoting their businesses. The members also enjoy the interaction among members at their weekly luncheons.

How is the Association governed?

The Association has a president, two vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. These positions are filled by the primary representatives of the Association members. Elections are held for these positions every 6 months. The Association has a Board of Directors that includes the officers of the Association, designated past presidents and members elected at large from the primary representatives. Board members generally serve two 6 month terms in succession. The Association also has an Executive Director, who is an employee of the Association and performs the administrative functions for the Association. There are a number of standing committees of the Association that deal with leads, membership, attendance, and programs. All primary representatives are eligible to serve on committees of the Association.

Who can become a member?

Membership is open to most every type of business in the Omaha metropolitan area, including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, financial institutions, retailers, service contractors, transportation, communications and professional classifications. Only one member is allowed, however, for each business classification. Applicants for membership must meet the membership criteria and must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Association.

How can I become a member?

If you meet the membership criteria and your business classification is available, you must complete an application for membership and submit the completed application to the Executive Director for the Association. After review of your application, and publication of you application in the Association newsletter, the Board of Directors will decide whether to invite you to join the Association.

What are the membership criteria?

All members and their representatives must be of good character, financial responsibility, and good business reputation. In addition to the requirement of only one representative for each classification, the other membership criteria are as follows:

• The applicant must be a firm, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or association, which has been in business in that business classification for a minimum of two (2) years. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, waive the two (2) year business requirement for a new business where the prospective primary representative of the member has a prior proven record of good character, financial responsibility, and business reputation.
• The member must be represented in the Association by individuals who can further the purposes of the Corporation due to their positions of ownership and authority in their companies and organizations. As such, representatives of members must fall within on of the following categories:
• • Sole Proprietorships
    Shall be represented by the owners of their businesses.
  • Partnerships
    Shall be represented by a general partner.
  • Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Unincorporated Associations
    Shall be represented by an officer or a manager who exercises significant managerial and decision making authority in the operation of the business and who has authority to transact business on behalf of the representative’s company or association with other members of the Corporation.
  • Governmental Agencies and Subdivisions
    Shall be represented by an officer or manager who exercises significant managerial and decision making authority in the operation of the governmental agency or subdivision. Meeting the criteria listed above does not assure that an applicant will become a member of the Association. Membership is achieved only by invitation of the Board of Directors of the Association.

May I have more than one representative for my business?

A member may have only one primary representative. The primary representative must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Association. After the member has belonged to the Association for a year, the member may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, also designate an associate representative. Both the primary and the associate representatives must each meet the following qualifications:

• Be able to accept and follow up on leads and commit the member to the transaction mentioned in the lead in terms of price, schedule, quality, terms, warranty, responsiveness, reliability and competency.
• Resolve problems that arise in the transaction.
• Provide high quality leads to the Association members.
• Have sufficient knowledge and authority in the member’s business to know where the business is going, what changes are being contemplated and how they will effect the business operations.
• Be able to attend Association meetings on a regular basis and be expected to continue as the representative for the member for the foreseeable future.
• Are a part of management

How is my business classification determined for membership?

The classification of the member firm shall be determined by the type of business that accounts for 60% or more of the annual earnings of the business.

Once I become a member, what are the requirements to maintain my membership?

The basic requirements for continued membership are as follows:

• Attendance of at least 60% of the weekly meetings during each 6 month term.
• Payment of quarterly dues on a timely basis.
• Submission of an average of 3 leads on a weekly basis.

There can be other factors that could affect the continued membership of a member in the Association, such as a change in the member's business, failure to comply with By-Law requirements and the like. Ultimately, the continuation of any membership is the decision of the Board of Directors.

What are the costs associated with membership?

• Initiation fee for new Active members: $200.00
• Quarterly dues for Active members with only a primary member: $75.00
• Additional quarterly dues for an associate member: $45.00
• Quarterly Prepaid luncheon cost for the primary representative: $157.00
• Special event are charged to members on a per event basis to cover costs of the event.

What do I need to know about leads?

• - 1 Point Lead - One Star: You get credit for one lead by observing something that is happening that is a potential business opportunity for another member and reporting it to the OEA office for publication.
  ( See #3 below for additional credit available. )
• - 2 Point Lead - Hot Lead: You get credit for two leads by observing something that is happening that is a potential business opportunity for another member and reporting at the OEA lunch meeting.
  ( See #3 below for additional credit available. )
• - 1 Point Lead - Suspect Lead: You get credit for one lead by suggesting that a prospective customer call on another OEA member to do some business with that member.
• - 3 Point Lead - Prospect Lead: You can get credit for three leads in the situation outlines in #1 above by providing a lead directly to an OEA member who can use that leads and providing the member with all the particulars about that lead.
• - 3 Point Lead - Three Star: If you do business with another OEA member, you get credit for three leads.
• - 3 Point Lead - Contract Leads: If you have business with an OEA member on a regular and recurring basis.

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