Russian Connections is an organization designed to further the growth of local businesses in South Florida.  The purpose of the organization is to bring local businesses together who have a common thread in the Russian Community.  The concept is Helping Each Other through the exchange of quality referrals. It’s not WHAT YOU KNOW….  IT’S WHO YOU KNOW!!!

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• You have EXCLUSIVITY.  You will be the only member within your area of expertise.  For example, there will only be one real estate agent; one mortgage broker; one florist.  If you have a broad profession such as an attorney; there will only be one attorney per specialty; such as one personal injury attorney, one criminal attorney and one immigration attorney. The same will hold true for doctors and other professions which have a broad spectrum.
• Get REFERRALS
• Create professional business RELATIONSHIPS to further growth of your business.
• You will have significant EXPOSURE at numerous co-sponsored events
• Become a LEADER in the Russian Community
• You will have exclusive positioning on Russian Connections WEBSITE with a direct link into your website.
• You will have a free listing in The Free Russian Newspaper.

 

WHAT DOES RUSSIAN CONNECTIONS PROVIDE?

• Russian Connections will hold bi-weekly meetings to ensure you become acquainted with your fellow members and increase the exposure of your business.  You will also have the benefit of marketing your business to guests who attend member meetings, guest events, and community events.
• You will have the opportunity to give a 60 second commercial at every member meeting.
• Each business will be able to present a 10 minute presentation showcasing their business on a rotation basis.
• Russian Connections will monitor the exchange of referrals to ensure your business is being recognized.
• Russian Connections will co-sponsor guest events. Each event is free for the guests and will include drinks and appetizers. Russian Connections will contribute to co-sponsor the guest event {not to exceed $ 150 per guest event}. The member of who is being showcased will pay for the remainder of the guest event expense. * The showcase of your office is optional. 
• Periodically Russian Connections will co-sponsor a large guest event open to the entire Russian Public. An invitation will be published in the Russian magazine inviting the Russian Community to attend an event co-sponsored by Russian Connections. Guests will receive free drinks and appetizers.  This will allow you the opportunity to market your business and network with everyone in attendance.  This will bring incredible exposure to your business.
• Russian Connections will advertise the group and publicize our events and website.  You receive continuous publicity without directly paying for the expense.
• Russian Connections will host a website where you will receive exclusive positioning and a direct link into your website.
• Russian Connections and its owners are not liable in the event that Russian Connections should cease operations due to insolvency or other emergency situation.
• Russian Connections reserves the right to rescind your membership if you are unable to meet your obligations to the group.

 

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

• Attend Biweekly Meetings (1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month).  Meetings will take place at 8:30 a.m. and will last approximately 1.5 hours.  The meetings will take place at:
  Crown Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort
  4000 South Ocean Drive
  Hollywood, Florida 33019
  * Notify the valet you are there for the Russian Connections meeting
• Attendance at meetings is crucial in order to ensure your success in the group. However, as emergencies can arise with our professional and personal lives; each member will be permitted one excused absence per quarter and one substitute absence per quarter.
• Attendance at scheduled guest events which will be co-sponsored by Russian Connections.  They will take place in the evening at a different member’s location each time.  You will be permitted two absences to a guest event during your 6 month membership term.
• Must be a reputable person or company in good standing and employ at least one Russian speaking person in your company.
• Give 2 referral per month.
• Bring one new guest to a member meeting during the course of the 6 month membership terms.
• If you bring a guest who signs up and becomes a member, you will receive $100 off your renewal membership.
• Maintain your account dues current.

 

WHAT ARE THE DUES?

• $ 300 for 6 month membership term (non-refundable)
• Quarterly dues for breakfast are $ 90.00 ($ 15.00 each meeting includes breakfast and parking) and must be paid in advance of the quarter.  Meal fees will not be refunded if you are absent.
• Optional (you can co-sponsor an event at your office)

 

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:

• Any member may resign from membership by providing written resignation to the Board of Directors.
• Any member may be terminated from membership for conduct unbecoming by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
• For member renewals, if semi-annual dues are not paid within 30 days from the date of renewal, membership will be terminated and may be reinstated upon receipt of renewal dues (ONLY IF another member has not joined in same category which would prevent the member from renewing due to exclusivity).

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Each member of the board of directors will be given responsibilities to meet.
• Directors are expected to attend all board member meetings. Board Member Meetings will take place on the FIRST Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. at locations to be determined
• Unexcused absences of a Director: 3 board meetings in a 12 month period shall be construed to serve as an automatic resignation from the Board.
• Special Meetings or Emergency Meetings for board members may be scheduled upon proper noticed to all board members.
• Due to time restraints, many discussions and votes/decisions take place via email and telephone. Board Members must participate in all discussions, votes/decisions timely.
• Board of Director Term:
• There is no specified term for serving on the board.
• If board members wish to resign from their board responsibilities they must give 30 day notice to remaining board members.
• Board member may be terminated from the board of directors for unexcused absences as stated above, not meeting responsibility requirements, failure to timely communicate with the board on a regular basis via email and telephone or conduct unbecoming a board member. Termination of a board member must be a majority vote of the board.

 

BOARD MEMBERS

• Julia Rossina
  Florida Russian Magazine
  786-252-6616
  
  
• Alla K. Rios
  Law Office of Steven S. Farbman, P.A.
  954-292-1397
  
  
• Irina S. Voronkova
  Atlantic VIP Realty Group L.L.C.
  954-592-5574
  
  
• Dr.Vladimir Turovskiy
  Center for Integrative Medicine
  305-466-1977
  
  
• Evgeniya Burganova
  E.V. Burganova, P.A.
  786-453-3362
  
  

For information on Russian American Chamber of South Florida, please visit www.racsouthflorida.com