Statute

I.Objectives of Business Centre Club
II.Role and organization of Business Centre Club
III.Rules of Business Centre Club
IV.Authorities of Business Centre Club
V.Business Centre Club Lounges
VI.Membership
VII.Member's rights
VIII.Member's duties
IX.Code of Honour and member's ethic
X.Disciplinary Committee
XI.Final provisions

I. OBJECTIVES OF BUSINESS CENTRE CLUB

• BCC Members join the Club in order to:
  • build the prestige and strength of business community together,
  • provide mutual assistance and cooperate,
  • obtain a sense of business security, both at group and individual level,
  • derive satisfaction and pleasure from meetings with other members.
• BCC is a forum for cooperation and discussion on problems of the economy and of business environment.
• BCC pursues its goals by operating in the public arena, through presence in the media and through its own undertakings and projects.
• BCC cooperates with other organizations in the interest of its members and of the prosperity of the State.
• BCC seeks to elevate social prestige of business people and the degree of their public acceptance.
• A member's activity in the Club serves to confirm his membership of the milieu and the readiness to develop professional contacts within the framework of the Club's activities.
• BCC seeks to obtain the representation of the interest of business circles in Parliament, both directly (through presence) and indirectly (influence).
• BCC members accept the Statute of Business Centre Club as binding. They shall also be bound by detailed Club regulations.

II. ROLE AND ORGANISATION OF BUSINESS CENTRE CLUB

• The principal tasks of BCC is the provision of club services to its members, the representation of the interests of business milieux, the creation of the entrepreneurial lobby and formation of community and social ties.
• BCC acts in the interest of its members, representing them in relations with the society, parliament, president, government and other authorities.
• BCC is a flexible organization, adapting to members' needs and activity and external circumstances.
• On matters affecting the whole business community, the BCC position s consulted with Club members through the BCC Lobbying Institute.
• BCC acts in defence of the interests of Club members and offers them recommendation.
• BCC provides its members with access to the Club information system.
• BCC promotes Club members at home and abroad.
• BCC is the venue for establishing professional and social contacts, a forum for the exchange of ideas and views and for influencing the milieu's opinions.
• BCC maintains regular contacts with members, accepting their opinions and remarks and proposals regarding the Club's activities.
• BCC is an organization administered by Business Centre Sp. z o. o.
• The administration of BCC activities by BC Sp. z o. o. consists in planning and organizing BCC activities and managing the assets.
• Various standing and ad hoc bodies operating within the BCC system speak out on their own behalf.

III. RULES OF BUSINESS CENTRE CLUB

• The aims, role and organization of BCC are based on the following principles:
  • The principle of recruitment to BCC, which is based on:
    • individual and community intelligence about candidate firm,
    • analysis of recommendations and questionnaires,
    • analyses and decisions of BCC Board regarding the candidate.
  • The principle of voluntariness of accession to BCC, ordering services and paying membership fees, of acknowledging the rules and statutory principles laid down by BCC founders.
  • The principle that BCC authorities have no decision-making powers affecting members or vice versa and the principle of joint action based on mutual agreement.
  • The principle of member's affiliation to BCC Regional Chapters.
  • The principle of co-opting, i.e., of inviting members to sit on individual authorities at the request of members of these bodies or at the motion of:
    • members of those bodies,
    • other BCC bodies,
    • the persons concerned themselves.
  • The principle of elitist superiority of the winners of Polish Business Leader Statuettes from individual years and of the Council of Organizers and of Founding Members, i.e., those firms and their representatives who were the first to support the idea of establishing the Club and obtained the right to the title of Founding Member.

IV. AUTHORITIES OF BUSINESS CENTRE CLUB

• The authorities of Business Centre Club shall be:
  • the Council of Organisers
  • the Chief Council
  • the Convention
  • Board
  • the Council of Chancellors
• The Council of Organisers:
  • The Council of Organizers is made up of the architects of the idea of Business Centre Club and the most active members of the organization. Its goals consist in determining the BCC strategy taking into account the socio-political changes taking place in Poland.
  • The Council of Organizers cooperates directly with the Board of BCC as a source of inspiration for the latter.
  • The Council of Organizers passes opinions and accepts, at the request of the BCC Board, the Chief Council or the BCC Convention all the important decisions concerning Business Centre Club.
  • On matters concerning Business Centre Club, the Council of Organizers passes statements, whereas decisions of a general nature are passed in the form of resolutions.
  • The Council of Organizers submits its statements and resolutions to the Board of Business Centre Club.
  • The Council of Organizers examines reports on the activities of Disciplinary Committee, the work of the Chief Council of Business Centre Club, the Council of Chancellors and the Convention and passes its judgement on them.
• Chief Council of Business Centre Club
  • The Chief Council of Business Centre Club is made up of outstanding Polish business people and persons merited for the development of free enterprise and market economy in Poland, invited to take part in its work by the Council of Organizers at the motion of the Board of Business Centre Club.
  • The Chief Council defines the strategic lines of action of Business Centre Club as a promoter of the market system and a centre of self-organization of the middle class and of defence of the interests of business milieux.
  • The resolutions of the Chief Council of Business Centre Club are passed by a simple majority of votes. The Council orders the Board of Business Centre Club to implement these resolutions.
• The Convention of Business Centre Club
  • The Convention is made up of BCC members embarking on operational activities, including contacts with government and parliamentary committees, cooperation with domestic and international organizations and consulting of draft legislation.
  • The Convention cooperates directly with the BCC Board as source of inspiration for the latter.
  • The Convention passes its decisions in the form of statements or resolutions.
• The Board of Business Centre Club
  • The Board of Business Centre Club is made up of members of the Board of Business Centre Sp. z o. o. and coopted persons.
  • The Board of Business Centre Club is the executive arm of BCC. In handles its day-to-day operations, supervising the execution of the packet of services for members by the BCC Bureau, and in particular:
    • the organization of Club meetings and provision of technical services,
    • the formulation of statements to be released outside the Club,
    • the structuring of the composition of BCC authorities, preparation of draft resolutions and statements and submitting them to the Council of Organizers, the Chief Council of Business Centre Club and the Convention for approval,
    • the maintenance and broadening of domestic and international contacts of Business Centre Club,
    • keeping a register of BCC members,
    • organization of exhibitions and fairs and helping members to participate in fairs and exhibitions organized by other units, as well as preparation and distribution of information materials on BC activities,
    • organization of training for BCC members,
    • arranging the publication of statements and resolutions of the Council of Organizers and of the Chief Council of Business Centre Club in BCC publications,
    • keeping the Club library and reference archives,
    • holding the annual Polish Business Leader competition.
  • The Board of BCC supervises and organizes the activities of the BCC Lobbying Institute.
  • The Board of Business Centre Club adapts BCC to the projected development of the domestic and international situation.
  • The board of BCC arranges other actions consistent with the Club's goals and/or the packet of services for members.
• The Chancellor's Lodge of the Business Centre Club
  • In the Chancellor's Lodge there are the Chancellors of the BCC Regional Lodges who organize and coordinate the activities of the BCC Regional Lodges.
  • In the Chancellor's Lodge of the BCC determines and coordinates the BCC's lobbying in the sphere of cooperation with the BCC Institute of Lobbying.
  • In the Chancellor's Lodge of the BCC transfers to the BCC's Management Board its remarks and motions concerning the operation of Regional Lodges and suggests appropriate solutions.

V. BCC LODGES

• All BCC members are assigned to one of the following three lounges, depending on length of membership:
  • blue - after two years of membership,
  • silver - after four years of membership,
  • gold - after five years of membership
• Companies and persons that were the first to support the ideas embraced by BCC and received the title of Founding Members when joining the Club, are entitled to sit in the special Founders' Lounge.
• BCC members who have received Polish Business Leader statuettes and diamonds sit in the Leaders' Lounge.
• BCC may invite persons who are not Club members but are especially merited for the BCC ideals.
• Each Lounge may have its own Emblem and Ribbon, specified by decisions of BC authorities.

VI. MEMBERSHIP

• BCC membership is open to natural and corporate persons and companies without the status of a legal person professionally engaged in economic activity in their own name, as well as representatives of entrepreneurs who are accepted by the Board of BCC on the basis of an invitation or recommendation.
• The Board of BCC makes a decision on membership following the submission by the candidate of a written application containing completed declarations and questionnaires required by BCC. For the candidacy to be accepted a recommendation of two BCC members, a representative of BCC or a Regional Lodge Chancellor is required. The Board may also directly invite an entrepreneur or his representative to join BCC .
• Membership is awarded to entrepreneurs and their representatives who obtain a positive decision of the Board of BCC pursuant to the provisions of point 2, and pay the appropriate fee for the services rendered by BC Sp. z o. o., with the number of persons entitled to use the service package taken into account.
• Membership in BCC runs for 12 months from the day of the BCC Board's decision to admit the candidate, subject to the remittance of the service package fee referred to in section 3 and observance of the provisions of the BCC Statute.
• Membership in BCC is extended for another year upon the payment of the fee referred to in section 3, prior to the expiry of the previous term of membership.
• Membership is based on a civil law contract and consists in members taking advantage of the package of services rendered by Business Centre Sp. z o.o.
• Membership in BCC is a form of public activity of members for the good of the business community and the State.
• Persons accepted by BCC who meet ethical and moral standards, observe the law as well as mercantile ethics standards, exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations may be members of BCC.
• Membership may be terminated as a result of:
  • failing to complete the formalities referred to in section 5,
  • member's decision,
  • exclusion by the Board of BCC on a motion of BCC governing bodies or individual members.
• Natural persons, or persons who cease to be representatives of an entrepreneur who is a BCC member, may be offered individual membership for specified time by the Board of BCC.
• On a motion of the governing bodies of BCC the Board may award honorary BCC membership, particularly to persons who:
  • received the BCC Special Award,
  • contributed to the development of the economy, free market and entrepreneurship,
  • retired as Club Members - on a motion of the interested parties.
• By virtue of a separate decision of its competent body enclosed with the membership declaration each BCC member may also join the BCC Union of Employers, thus acquiring additional means of protection of their rights and representation in relations with the trade unions, State and local authorities.

VII. MEMBER'S RIGHTS

• Members have the right to use the title "Member of Business Centre Club" in domestic and international contacts.
• BCC members are entitled to use the full packet of club services, published as a separate document.
• BCC members receive Club attributes: certificate with appropriate title, Club card, badge and others.
• BCC members are entitled to the packet of rebates as holders of Club cards.
• BCC members are entitled to full activity inside the Club: initiation of and participation in Club undertakings and actions.
• BCC members may recommend their candidates for Club membership to BCC Board.

VIII. MEMBER'S OBLIGATIONS

• BCC members are bound by the principles contained in the Statute of Business Centre Club and by the general rules of business ethics and good manners.
• In particular, the duties of members include:
  • abiding by the principles of membership specified herein,
  • cooperating with BCC Board,
  • notifying the Club about changes in their particulars,
  • timely payment of membership fees,
  • abiding by the BCC Code of Honour,
  • presenting opinion on political and economic issue when requested by BCC,
  • honouring the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee,
  • assisting in the organization of Club events,
  • maintaining regular personal and telecom contacts with BCC,
  • participation in actions significant for the country, for free enterprise, free market and the BCC principles,
  • defending the good name and the logo of BCC,
  • abiding by the Club Bylaws (concerning conduct on Club premises),
  • submitting business offers to fellow Club members in the first place,
  • awarding rebates for the purchase of his products and services to fellow members, whenever possible,
  • cooperation with Gazeta BCC,
  • timely renewing of the membership.

IX. CODE OF HONOUR AND MEMBER'S ETHICS

• BCC members support the formula of a lawful, democratic and competent state.
• BCC members treat state authorities with due respect.
• BCC members support the ideals of free enterprise and market economy.
• BCC members - economic entities see to it that they are represented in the Club by persons who:
  • are key figures in the company,
  • possess high personal, professional, ethical and social traits,
  • enjoy good reputation in their social milieu,
  • have not caused an enterprise to collapse,
  • have not been convicted for fraudulent practices,
  • are acceptable to their professional milieu,
  • do not default on their obligations toward the state,
  • participate actively in public life.
• BCC members should be exemplary citizens and role models.
• BCC members are aware of the duties of the business community toward the part of society that is weaker from the economic point of view and devote part of their attention to help for those in need of economic and organizational assistance.
• BCC members strive for the growth of their enterprises.
• As organizers of work of other people, BCC members endeavour to create new jobs and improve the organization of work.
• BCC members are well informed about the political, social and economic life of the country.
• BCC members participate in the country's cultural life as members of the audience and as sponsors.
• BCC members take into account the requirements of the social and natural environment.
• BCC members are guided in their activities by the principles of integrity and honesty and always uphold the law and good business conduct, in particular:
  • BCC members conduct business in an elegant and fair manner,
  • BCC members carry out the contracts on time and to the letter,
  • BCC members treat with respect their clients, partners, employees and labour organizations,
  • BCC members are characterized by exquisite manners,
  • BCC members care about a dignified and restrained lifestyle,
  • BCC members look after order and a good atmosphere in their enterprises and their community,
  • BCC members strive to raise their own qualifications.
• BCC members actively participate in the work and activities of the Club.
• BCC members abide in particular by the following principles:
  • BCC members help each other and provide advice, both on business and personal problems,
  • BCC members care about the good name of Business Centre Club,
  • BCC members seek to resolve any disputes by mutual agreement in the first place,
  • BCC members exchange information with fellow Club members, in particular they inform them about their business opportunities,
  • BCC members inform Business Centre Club about economic developments the regard as important, both on the local and the national scale,
  • BCC members see to it that social contacts in the Club proceed on the principles of mutual courtesy, respect, good will and sympathy,
  • BCC members extend priority treatment to fellow members in the exchange of information and experience and in doing business.
• BCC members support the idea of integration of business community, cooperation with other business organizations and active participation of the milieu in parliamentary elections.

X. DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION

• A Disciplinary Commission of two instances is being established in order to examine disputes and complaints.
• The Disciplinary Commission of the first instance is composed of three persons selected by the Chief Council of Business Centre Club by way of a draw; the persons concerned must represent other branches of the economy than those in which the parties to the dispute operate. The chairman of the Commission is elected by the members from among themselves.
• Subject to consent of the parties to the dispute, the Disciplinary Commission can be headed by a member of the Board or of the Council of Business Centre Club. In that case, only the other two members of the Commission are selected by way of a draw.
• When considering disputes, the Disciplinary Commission seeks to get the parties to reach an agreement.
• When examining complaints against Business Centre Club members or instances of violations of this Statute, business ethics or other actions exposing the good name of Business Centre Club to risk, the Disciplinary Commission may administer the following sanctions:
  • reprimand,
  • suspension of membership rights of Business Centre Club for three or six months,
  • expulsion from the list of members of Business Centre Club The BCC Board is the body responsible for carrying out the decision of the Disciplinary Commission.
• The rulings of the Disciplinary Commission may be appealed within two weeks of the date of the ruling.
• The appeals are considered by Disciplinary Commission of the second instance, composed of different members, with the provisions of points 2 and 3 above applying as and where appropriate. This Commission may lift the ruling of the Commission of the first instance or uphold it, rejecting the appeal. Its rulings are not subject to appeal.

XI. CLOSING PROVISIONS

• This Statute was adopted by the Board of BCC and the Organisers Council on 12 April 1994 and has remained in force together with the amendments made on 29 October 1998 and 2 October 2003.