Section 1:  Membership Eligibility & Applications.

a.      Eligibility includes individuals, organizations and associations in good standing with the requirements to do business or operate in the state of Hawaii at the time of application. All other persons not actively in business or profession, such as government employees, clubs, organization representatives, industry representatives, retired, or who are committed to the mission of the Chamber, may be eligible to be an associate member of the Chamber.

b.      Applications for memberships, in a form approved of by the Board of Directors from time to time, shall be submitted to the Chamber by the applicant. Upon approval for membership, member agrees to comply with the articles of incorporation, bylaws and other policies, rules and regulations of the Chamber.

c.       Nominations for honorary membership shall be submitted to the Board of Directors. A majority affirmative vote of the Board of Directors is necessary for the election to honorary membership.

Section 2: Classifications of Membership. There shall be five (5) classifications of membership as follows:

a.      General Member – shall consist of those employers, professionals or businesses that have been accepted as members of the Chamber and are in good standing. A general member shall be listed as a member, pay annual dues, be entitled to membership privileges, be entitled to one (1) vote at chamber business meetings and may be elected a director or officer.

b.      Not for Profit or Charitable Member – shall be a designated 501(c) organization. A not for profit or charitable member shall be listed as a member, pay annual dues, be entitled to membership privileges, be entitled to one (1) vote at chamber business meetings and may be elected a director or officer.

c.       Trustee Member – shall be those professionals or business entities desiring to further the activities of the Chamber by being more financially involved. Trustee member shall be listed as a member, pay annual dues, be entitled to membership privileges and trustee benefits, be entitled to one (1) vote at chamber business meetings and may be elected a director or officer.

d.      Associate Member – shall be those individuals, professionals or business entities providing products or services to members of this Chamber. Associate member may be listed as an Associate Member, pay no membership dues, hold no office, and cast no vote.

e.      Honorary Member – shall be those individuals, professionals or business entities having performed distinguished public service with regards to the mission of this Chamber. Membership is by vote of the Board of Directors. Honorary member shall be listed as a member, hold an honorary title, and are not entitled to membership privileges. Honorary members shall pay no membership dues, not hold office, and cast no vote.

Section 3:  Dues

a.      Membership dues for all classifications of membership, except associate or honorary members, shall be due and payable annually on January 1. Membership in the Chamber shall be terminated for nonpayment of dues after sixty (60) days from the date due, unless otherwise extended for good cause by the Board of Directors.

b.      Increase or decrease in dues may be approved by vote at the annual meeting of members.

c.       No interest, earnings or direct financial return is provided to members as a result of payment of dues.

Section 4: Expulsion of a Member

a.      A member shall be expelled from membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for failure to comply with the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other adopted policies, rules and regulations of the Chamber. Such member shall be given reasonable notice of a meeting at which such expulsion will be considered and shall be given a hearing by the board.