HKBN / HKS Members Area
Code of Conduct

1) Application of membership

1.1 Application for membership shall be made through this website. All members need a proposer and a seconder. These should be either existing Hong Kong Society or Hong Kong Business Network Members or be employed by a Hong Kong Association corporate member. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Executive Office usually by an in-person meeting.

1.2 The Executive Office shall vet and determine all applications for membership. No reasons need be given to any candidate for membership whose application is rejected although a written appeal can be made to the relevant organisation’s Committee. The decision of the Committee on such appeals shall be final and binding.

1.3 Once approved, membership will be awarded on payment of the relevant subscription.

2) Expected conduct

2.1 Members are expected to conduct themselves politely and with consideration of others at all times.

2.2 Failure to do so will result in a warning from the Executive Director (please see next section in case of a second incident or complaint).

2.3 Illegal or violent behaviour will result in immediate expulsion with no recourse to a membership fee refund.

2.4 Failure to comply with Articles 4 and 5 in this Code of Conduct Articles may result in immediate suspension and ultimate expulsion from the membership.

3) Suspension or expulsion of members

3.1 The Executive Office has the right at any time and from time to time to suspend or forfeit the membership of any member without giving reasons for so doing. (This will be done by email to the member concerned.) Any member whose membership is so suspended or revoked may appeal to the relevant Committee against the decision within 28 days of receipt a notice of forfeiture. The relevant Committee shall consider the appeal and its decision on the appeal shall be final.

3.2 Complaints of misconduct by members must be made in writing to the Executive Director, who will investigate the matter and consult with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the relevant Committee whether further action is needed.

3.3 The offending member may be suspending pending a full review by the relevant Committee at the next Committee Meeting The member will be afforded an opportunity of explaining the circumstances to the relevant Committee and of defending his or her conduct or action in writing

3.4 The Committee’s decision on whether to dismiss the complaint, suspend membership for a limited period or revoke membership will be final. 

4) Confidentiality

4.1 All events of the Hong Kong Business Network and the Hong Kong Society are conducted on a strict ‘off the record’ basis and as such are confidential.

4.2 Opinions may be freely expressed but are not for public consumption as detailed in Article 5.

5) The media

5.1 No communication of any aspect of the Hong Kong Business Network or the Hong Kong Society's affairs shall be made by any member in the media without the permission of the Executive Director. Members in breach of this rule are liable for suspension or expulsion in accordance with Article 3.1.

5.2 Members whose actions, whether personally or by publicly, in the opinion of the

Executive Office cause the name of the Hong Kong Business Network or the Hong Kong Society to be brought into disrepute, shall be liable to suspension or expulsion in accordance with Article 3.1.

6)HK Postings – advertising goods and services via the Members Area

6.1 Only HK Business Network members may advertise commercial enterprises on the website. HK Society only members who wish to advertise their commercial interests will need to upgrade to HK Business Network membership to do so.

6.2 Any business advertising from a HK Society only account will be taken down and access rights to any further postings will be imposed with continued infractions leading to revoking of membership with no recourse to complain.