Legal Terms and Conditions

1. Contract Duration

• A 10% discount is available for self-employed entrepreneurs (excluding corporations and banks) who opt for a one-time annual payment.
• Membership services are provided on the understanding that payments will be made throughout the year.
• The contract automatically renews every 12 months unless a written termination notice is received.
• If you wish to terminate after 12 months, a one-month written notice is required by the 11th month.
• Membership cannot be canceled without a signed written notice (email is accepted, but text messages or other forms of communication are not).
• If no notice is received, the membership will continue to renew until written notice is provided.
• The notice period begins upon receipt of written termination notice.
• During the notice period, an overlap may occur between the exiting and incoming members.
• Monthly membership fees remain unchanged for a 12-month period. If a member leaves and later rejoins, the fee structure may change.

2. Refund Policy

• No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.
• If a member must leave for valid, verifiable reasons, they may nominate a replacement.
• The nominee must not be a current member and must be approved by T.E.N. CO., INC.
• The original member remains responsible for payments until the nominee is approved.

3. Payment Processing

• Payments are processed via PayPal for security purposes.
• Credit card information is stored securely by PayPal and not by T.E.N. CO., INC.
• Members must not provide credit card details to any Director, Employee, Franchise Partner, or Regional Director.
• Any payments not processed through PayPal or our website may void the membership.
• Monthly receipts are issued through PayPal and can be used for tax purposes. Members should consult their accountant regarding tax deductions.
• For pre-authorized debit payments (AFT), a void cheque or pre-authorized debit form must be submitted. The AFT contract must be signed by the member and the company President, Lucy Jeffrey, to be legally binding.
• Unpaid AFT payments incur a $25 fee, covering bank charges and handling costs.

4. Taxes

• Membership fees currently include applicable government taxes.
• T.E.N. CO., INC. reserves the right to adjust tax inclusions upon sufficient notice to members.

5. Debt Collection

• Termination of the contract or change in payment method does not relieve a member of their payment obligation.
• T.E.N. CO., INC. may pursue legally acceptable debt collection measures, including credit bureau reporting and small claims court action, if payments are overdue for more than two months.
• If membership is terminated, a final bill covering remaining annual dues and collection costs (including legal fees) will be issued.
• T.E.N. CO., INC. may offer payment options to members facing financial difficulties upon reasonable request.

6. Dispute Resolution

• Both parties agree to cooperate in resolving disputes.
• If no resolution is reached, mediation will be considered before pursuing legal action.
• Legal proceedings will be held in London, Ontario, Canada.
• Each party is responsible for their own legal fees unless otherwise ruled by a court.
• T.E.N. CO., INC. reserves the right to terminate a membership if a dispute negatively impacts the business relationship.

7. Liability Release

• T.E.N. CO., INC. is not liable for claims arising from the actions of members or third parties.
• Members release T.E.N. CO., INC. from any civil claims resulting from disputes between members or third parties.

8. Electronic Documents and Signatures

• E-signatures are legally binding.
• Non-response within seven (7) days of receiving an electronic document implies agreement to its terms.

9. Force Majeure

• T.E.N. CO., INC. is not liable for interruptions due to unforeseen events such as war, pandemics, natural disasters, or government actions.
• If in-person meetings are disrupted, virtual meetings will be arranged.
• Members are responsible for attending scheduled meetings, whether in-person or virtual.

10. Pandemic Policy

• Meetings shall only be held in restaurants that follow health regulations, or via Zoom when necessary.
• Members attending in-person meetings are responsible for verifying health and safety compliance of the venue.
• T.E.N. CO., INC. is not liable for any health-related issues arising from in-person meetings.
• Temporary measures during pandemics:
  • No exchange of business cards or physical paperwork.
  • Contact details should be exchanged virtually.
  • Face masks required if social distancing is not possible.
  • Hand sanitization mandatory upon entry.

11. Age of Majority

• Members must be at least 19 years old or have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction.
• If underage, a parent or legal guardian must sign the liability waiver on their behalf.

12. Solicitation Clause

• Members (current or former) may not solicit others to leave the network or join a competing network.
• A member who solicits others to leave must compensate T.E.N. CO., INC. for lost income and related costs for up to three (3) years.
• Exiting members may not recruit active members, as it disrupts the business model and benefits of the membership.

13. Electronic Communication

• Official notices will be published on our website and sent via email to all members.

14.E-COMMERCE LEGAL ACCEPTANCE

• Our marketing and advertising platform is heavily based on social media. We may feature you in social media posts, flyers, and photos              while promoting either your business or T.E.N. CO., INC. events.
• We may also post paid advertisements on various social media platforms to promote your business. If we do so, your information may appear on search engines.
• For licensed professionals, we will not mention the company you work for or the specific services you provide unless you have given explicit consent. We respect licensing regulations and will only promote you, not your company, unless a contractual agreement exists. If you have specific regulatory requirements, please provide them in writing.
• Rules regarding the use of member photos on social media align with the magazine guidelines outlined below.
• All members are encouraged to follow our social media channels to stay updated.

• Members may be featured on T.E.N. CO., INC. TV in collaboration with mainstream TV stations. Video recordings for TV use follow the same rules as the magazine.
• TV episodes featuring you remain the property of T.E.N. CO., INC. and may continue to be aired even after your membership ends. By participating, you grant express permission for T.E.N. CO., INC. to feature these episodes on Rogers TV and other social media platforms without requiring further approval.
• By agreeing to appear on Entrepreneur TV, you consent to unlimited use of the episode across our media channels. You accept full responsibility for any content you submit, ensuring you have approval from all individuals or organizations referenced.

4. Service Providers Service providers must uphold high standards. They cannot create a separate membership model within T.E.N. CO., INC. If a service requires recurring payments, this must be disclosed upfront for approval. A service provider who charges a monthly membership without prior approval may be asked to leave.

5. Member Perks and Optional Offerings

         T.E.N. CO., INC. may, from time to time, offer optional member perks, which may include but are not limited to: TV Broadcasting                     opportunities, After Five Business Mingle Events, the Annual Gala, Training and Coaching programs, Members Club introductions,                   LinkedIn promotions, and public shout-outs.

         These perks are not guaranteed entitlements of membership and are offered at the sole discretion of T.E.N. CO., INC. Members             who wish to access any such perks must (i) submit a formal request, (ii) agree in writing to participate, and (iii) comply with all                           applicable event or program policies and procedures.

         The availability, format, and frequency of these perks are subject to change without notice, and The Entrepreneur Nation® shall not be            held liable in the event that a perk is unavailable, modified, or discontinued. Participation in these optional offerings is entirely                           voluntary and does not alter or reduce a member’s obligations under their membership agreement.

6. Referral Program T.E.N. CO., INC. does not guarantee client referrals. We facilitate lead generation through events and marketing. Members are responsible for converting leads into clients. Members must verify details and vet service providers independently. T.E.N. CO., INC. is not liable for business arrangements between members.
7. Chapter Assignments and Exclusive Rights

   • Exclusivity of Membership
     Membership in each Chapter shall be exclusive to one professional per category, unless a shared arrangement has been expressly authorized in writing by T.E.N. CO., INC. headquarters.

   • Assignment Criteria
     Chapter assignments shall be based on the Member’s residential location. All Members assigned to in-person Chapters must reside in reasonable proximity to the Chapter location to ensure effective collaboration with other Members in the local cities. This geographic requirement shall not apply to virtual Chapters.

   • Approved Categories
     Membership categories within each Chapter shall be limited to those pre-approved by T.E.N. CO., INC. headquarters. Any category not within the approved criteria must be submitted by Regional Directors for express written approval by T.E.N. CO., INC. headquarters prior to acceptance.

   • Switching Chapters
     Any request by a Member to switch Chapters must be supported by a valid reason and shall be subject to prior review and written approval by T.E.N. CO., INC. headquarters.

   • Non-Solicitation Between Chapters
     Members are strictly prohibited from soliciting or attempting to solicit clients from another Chapter where a professional offering similar services is already a Member. Any violation of this provision shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of membership.

•   Each member is assigned to one chapter on an exclusive basis.
•    A member may be approved for a maximum of two chapters subject to availability, but only after demonstrating consistent attendance and reliability for at least 12 months in their first chapter.
•   If a member has a team, different individuals from that team may each hold seats in different chapters, subject to the same one-chapter-one seat-per-person rule.

9. Attendance Policy

   • Mandatory Attendance. Each Member shall attend all scheduled Chapter meetings or, in the alternative, send a designated representative.

   • Exclusivity Obligation. Membership is seat-exclusive. Regular attendance, either personally or through a representative, is a material condition of membership. Failure to comply compromises the exclusivity and integrity of the Chapter.

   • Consequences of Non-Compliance. Any Member who fails to comply with the attendance requirement during their contract term shall be deemed in material breach of this Agreement. At the sole discretion of T.E.N. CO., INC., such Member’s exclusive seat may be immediately reassigned and membership privileges may be suspended or terminated. In such event, the Member shall have no right to any refund, credit, or transfer of fees already paid. The Member may, however, continue to participate in non-exclusive events, including but not limited to the After 5 Business Mingle.

   • No Excuse Policy. Members are not required to provide reasons for non-attendance. T.E.N. CO., INC. is not an employer and shall not assume responsibility for managing Members’ personal schedules or seeking explanation for absences. The requirement is absolute: attend or send a representative in order to retain exclusive seat.

   • Payment Obligations. Non-compliance with the attendance requirement shall not, under any circumstances, relieve, suspend, or waive the Member’s financial obligations under this Agreement.

10. Representation at Chapter Meetings

• Limit on Representation
  A member may be represented by an authorized delegate at a chapter meeting no more than two (2) times within any twelve (12) month membership term. Attendance beyond this limit shall constitute non-compliance with the attendance requirements of The Entrepreneur Nation®.

• Qualifications of Representatives
  When appointing a representative, the member shall ensure that such individual possesses a professional background and level of experience comparable to that of the member and consistent with the professional standards upheld by The Entrepreneur Nation®. As most members have a minimum of five (5) years of business or professional experience, the representative must be of similar calibre and competence.

• Member’s Responsibility
  The member shall be solely responsible for briefing their representative on the purpose of the meeting, the expectations of participation, and the professional standards of conduct. This includes, without limitation, adherence to the prescribed business professional dress code and familiarity with the network’s meeting protocols and etiquette.

• Accountability
  The conduct and participation of the representative shall be deemed that of the member, and any breach of the organization’s standards or policies by the representative shall be treated as a breach by the member.

• The terms and conditions outlined in this contract.
• Our annual contract, membership policies, and advertising policies.
• Compliance with all applicable laws including Canadian e-commerce laws.
• Regularly reviewing policy updates on our website.