Member Requirements
Below are the membership requirements and DTBC Code of Conduct for all members.
Attendance
As a member of the Deep Thinkers Book Club, you agree to make an earnest commitment to attend eight (8) meetings during the club's 11-month period of each calendar year to remain a member in good standing.
If a member attends fewer than eight (8) meetings during the 11-month period, the Chairman will contact the member to determine whether he/she would like to continue to participate in the club.
Dues
As a member of the Deep Thinkers Book Club, annual membership dues in the amount of $300 will be assessed to pay for the club's meeting space and the refreshments provided.
Dues are to be paid at the start of each year no later than the club's second yearly meeting held in March.
Officer Selection
Deep Thinkers Book Club Officers (Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary) are selected via volunteer appointment. Each position is held for one (1) calendar year.
Officers are selected every December for the subsequent year.
New Members
Active Deep Thinkers Book Club members can nominate new members by submitting the potential member's details here.
Potential new members will be required to attend a monthly meeting as an informal meeting and "get-to-know-you" prior to officially joining.
DTBC Code of Conduct
RSVP
This is a requirement.
Let the club, especially the Book Leaders and Refreshment Hosts, know if you'll be able to make it to the meeting - whether in-person or via Zoom no later than the Wednesday prior to the date of the meeting. Also, be sure to update your RSVP if your availability changes.
Monthly RSVPs are easily managed exclusively via the DTBC website.
Arrive on Time
Don't keep your fellow DTBCers hanging! This applies whether you are attending in-person or via Zoom for virtual discussion.
Read the Book!
If you haven't finished the book, please DO NOT attend the meeting.
Life happens, and sometimes we don't get to do as much reading as we'd like, but it's not cool to keep everyone else from talking about the ending of the book just because you didn't finish.
Come Prepared & Speak Up
Spend some time before the meeting thinking about the book. (Bonus points for bringing or emailing additional discussion questions to the book leaders.)
Contribute to the discussion! Book clubs work best when everyone participates,
Listen to Others
Your fellow book club members want to hear your opinion — but they also want to hear everyone else’s. Don’t interrupt or dominate the discussion.
This is particularly important for those attending via Zoom, where it can be harder to tell if someone wants to add to the book club discussion. In addition to not interrupting or talking over another member, our Zoom attendees will take advantage of features like virtual hand raising to make sure everyone gets a turn to contribute.
Be Honest
Most of us join a book club because we want a richer reading experience through discussion. That can only happen when we share what we really thought or felt about a book. It’s completely fine to dislike — or even hate — a book that someone else loves. Having different tastes in books is part of what makes book club's fun. And polarizing books are often the best books to pick for book club! However:
Be Respectful
You can disagree with someone, but always do so respectfully. Ask questions. Avoid personal attacks. And keep an open mind.
Have Fun!
Why are we book clubbing if we’re not having fun? Don’t worry so much about the book club rules and expectations that you’re not enjoying book club.