MEMBERSHIP

COO Forum Membership Criteria
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The COO Forum is open to all business leaders who are responsible for the operations of their company or division.
Our members are usually in the Second-in-Command role and most likely hold one of the following positions:

• Chief Operating Officer
• President
• Chief Financial Officer
• General Manager
• Chief Information Officer
• Managing Partner
• Executive Director
• Chief Marketing Officer
• Executive Vice President
• Senior Vice President

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We value diversity at the COO Forum and welcome companies throughout the world of all sizes and industries​.

 

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

​The COO Forum foremost is a place where individual senior business leaders grow, learn, increase their effectiveness, and enhance their decision making. We leverage extensive knowledge and experience of COOs and Second-in-Command executives to support fellow member’s professional development.

Peer-to-Peer
The success of peer learning in safe, confidential, and collaborative environments has been documented and empirically shown worldwide. The role of Second-in-Command, sandwiched between the CEO/Board and the leadership team, is challenging and at times lonely. Having a community of peers as guides and advisors becomes a terrific solution​.

Emerging Best Practices
COO-specific Best Practices is at the heart of our professional development objective. COO Forum Members challenge each other to seek new visions and trends-Emerging Best Practices. We work collaboratively to assess new and emerging ideas, solutions, processes, and tools.

​Responsibility
Members support each other with guidance and support combined with a sense of respect and responsibility. C-level protocol and confidentiality exist throughout.

Specific Fresh Thinking
Senior leaders receive significant input from many constituents: Boards, CEOs, subordinates, industry contact, friends, and spouses. The COO Forum community is one which knows the Second-in-Command role well and it provides new and focused insight and input. Trusted colleagues give honest and thoughtful advice without an agenda.

Results
Our aim at the COO Forum is to enable each Member to execute their role with more successful outcomes. We strive to prepare those COOs and Second-in-Command Executives who choose to go on and become CEOs. We promote an environment focused on Member’s company results derived through more effective Second-in-Command Executives​.

 

MEMBERSHIP FEES

COO Forum Membership is available Annually or Quarterly. Members may choose to pay the Annual Fee by credit card online or request an invoice to pay by check. Quarterly Fees are payable by credit card online only. If you wish, you may contact Laura Weikle at lweikle@cooforum.org or (408) 206-7953 to share your payment information directly or to discuss payment options.

 

FAQS

Is there any obligation of my time to the COO Forum as a Member?
No. There is no formal obligation of your time with the COO Forum. The level of time commitment is yours to decide. We welcome your participation in Chapter Meetings, the COOeForum, and other activities at your discretion.

If there is no Chapter Director can I become its Director?​
We are actively seeking Chapter Directors. Please feel free to talk
with COO Forum Founder & CEO Bill Shepard. Send him an email bshepard@cooforum.org and let him know of your interest .

Is the COO Forum a non-profit organization?
No. The COO Forum is a for-profit professional development association owned by the Chief Operating Officer Business Forum, Inc, a California corporation. The COO Forum®, COOeForum®, and The Chief Operating Officer Business Forum® are registered trademarks of the Chief Operating Officer Business Forum, Inc.

What industries are represented at a meeting?
The COO Forum includes all industries and every chapter is different in its industry composition. To learn about a specific chapter it’s best to contact the local chapter director.

​How many people attend each meeting?
We work in small group format, so our most productive meetings include 8-12 seated COOs and other Second-in-Command Executives, providing for great peer-to-peer discussion. 

If there is no Chapter in my area can I still become a Member?
​Yes. You can become a member with or without a Chapter. Our COOeForum, National Telemeeting and Networks will be available to you. We are underway to have Chapters serving most Members. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in leading a Chapter, please contact COO Founder & CEO Bill Shepard at: bshepard@cooforum.org.

​I am not one of the titles mentioned but feel I fit, can I become a Member?
If you are one of those responsible for the operation of your company or division, but don’t hold one of the titles listed in the criteria, it’s still a good bet you can become a Member. The COO Forum welcomes companies throughout the world of all sizes and industries. To confirm that you are eligible, go to the JOIN button on the home page and follow the steps. We will get in touch with you once we receive your contact information.

Do you offer a refund if I am not satisfied?
Yes, we offer full refunds on memberships within the first 30-calendar days of your membership date if you are not satisfied with your time and participation at the COO Forum. If you have any questions about our policy or to request a refund, contact lweikle@cooforum.org or (408) 206-7953.