Key Executive Forums (KEF)

what is KEF?

Key Executive Forum (KEF) is an opportunity for EO Members’ senior executives to experience-share and learn among peers, in the same format as EO Member forums.

This is an amazing professional development opportunity to leverage and build leadership teams in the structured and safe gestalt environment. The program goal is to create accelerated professional development that will transfer immediately back to our EO companies.

Details for the Key Executive Forum program:

KEF forums operate exactly like the member forum program, providing a completely confidential structure in which participants can capitalize on the wisdom that fellow KEF members have to offer.

  • For key executives in EO member companies.

  • Monthly three-to-four-hour forum meetings using the standard EO Forum format

    • Must attend forum training prior to attending your first forum meeting.

    • Each forum group will elect a moderator who will attend moderator training and will attend monthly moderator meetings.

    • Meeting time and date selected by forum members

    • Meeting location selected by forum members

    • Discussion of business, personal, and family life

  • Optional forum retreat, this is a best practice for EO member forums.

  • Invitation to EO Philadelphia Chapter Learning events and EOA Learning Days. Guest fees apply.

  • Cost is $1,500/year (pro-rated for the EO FY, July-June), plus a one-time initiation fee of $500.

KEF FAQs:

  • Key executive forums are comprised of approximately 6 to 10 EO members’ key executives. There are no rules regarding the demographics or composition of these groups. However, there is a “business conflict rule” which does not allow key executives of competing business owners to join the same forum group. This situation can create a major barrier to trust and bonding.

    • Forums will be launched once we have a minimum of 6 key executives per group.

    • The ideal size for a group is 6-10.

    • Additional forums will be launched periodically with a minimum of 6 key executives.

  • The key executive forum environment is a completely confidential setting of trusted peers. Strict behavior codes prohibit the sharing of any information outside of the private monthly meeting. These behavior codes are enforced by the group itself. Your forum will establish its own rules about confidentiality conduct and penalties if it is violated (i.e. removal from the forum group).

  • Forum groups meet on a monthly basis. Exceptions to this monthly schedule would include any planned retreats or group outings, emergency meetings (called by the Moderator due to the specific need of one member), or make-ups for meetings canceled. All groups are encouraged to have a MINIMUM of 11 meetings per year.

  • Typically, one member will present an issue that is greatly affecting his/her life— this issue could be business, personal or family-related. This is a forum to discuss anything where you feel peer experience share would be beneficial. The presenter provides the background to his/her current situation and specifies the kind of assistance they are seeking. Then, when it is time for other members to share their experiences, important forum language, and behavior protocols ensure that each speaks only from his or her past experience and not from a personal judgment or belief. Forum is the perfect setting to explore complicated issues in a private and trusting environment.

  • EO will send a professional facilitator to your city to run a full-day training session for you and other new members of an EO-Member or Executive Forum. In this training, you will hear about the history of the Forum, learn listening skills and communication techniques that are unique to the Forum environment, and have the opportunity to practice these skills in a mock Forum meeting. Mixed throughout the day are self-awareness exercises and activities aimed at creating group bonding.

  • Annual membership dues are $1,500 and a one-time initiation fee of $500. Participation will follow the EO Fiscal Calendar (July - June), so dues will be pro-rated based on the join date.

    • Participants in the KEF program will have access to EO Philadelphia Chapter events and EOAccelerator Learning Days at the guest fee rate.

  • Once joined, the KEF member may remain in their forum for the remainder of the FY as long as the EO member remains a chapter member in good standing, and the KE does not violate the KEF’s individual constitution. No fees will be refunded should a KEF member leave the forum for any reason prior to the end of the FY. If the KE leaves the EO member’s company, he/she will be removed from the forum.

    • Please fill out our EO Philadelphia Key Executive Forum Application using the link below.

    • Your application will be reviewed for acceptance.

    • Once this is complete we will send you the Key Executive Forum Agreement which your sponsoring EO Member will be required to sign.

    • We will begin the placement process which will include a required full day of training (Forum Training).

    • Questions? Please contact Katie@eophiladelphia.com