Eligibility of Membership
How to Become a Member
Step 1: Initial Inquiry
- Visit our website: www.greencecl.com
- Call hotline: +880 1308-234251
- Visit head office or any District Green Hub
- Attend a free orientation session (held monthly)
Step 2: Application Submission
Required Documents:
- National ID Card/Passport copy
- 2 passport size photographs
- Educational certificates
- Business plan or business idea description (2-3 pages)
- Bank account details
- Recommendation letter from existing member (if available, not mandatory)
Application Form Sections:
- Personal information
- Educational background
- Current employment/business status
- Business idea or existing business details
- Why you want to join GCECL
- Expectations from membership
- How you can contribute to the community
Step 3: Application Review
Evaluation Criteria:
- Commitment to entrepreneurship
- Alignment with GCECL values (especially environmental consciousness)
- Potential for success with support
- Willingness to contribute to community
- Financial capacity to pay membership fee
Timeline: Applications reviewed within 7 working days
Step 4: Interview (For Lifetime Membership)
- 30-minute conversation with GCECL team
- Understanding motivations and goals
- Explaining membership benefits in detail
- Answering questions
- Business idea feasibility discussion
Step 5: Approval & Payment
Payment Options:
- One-time full payment (Lifetime: BDT 100,000; Associate: BDT 5,000)
- Installment plan (Lifetime only): 3 months (BDT 35,000 × 3)
- Bank transfer, bKash, Nagad, card payment accepted
Payment Methods:
- Bank Account: [Account details provided after approval]
- Mobile Banking: bKash 01308234251 (Merchant)
- Office Payment: Cash/card at head office
- Online Payment: Through website payment gateway
Step 6: Onboarding Program
New Member Orientation (First Month):
Week 1: Welcome & Introduction
- Welcome kit received (ID card, certificate, directory, handbook)
- Introduction to GCECL history and vision
- Tour of facilities and resources
- Digital platform account setup
- Assignment of personal onboarding mentor
Week 2: Business Assessment
- One-on-one business consultation
- SWOT analysis of business idea/existing business
- Resource needs identification
- Setting goals for first year
- Creating action plan
Week 3: Network Building
- Introduction to relevant sector network
- Meetup with 10 established members in your field
- Buddy assignment (experienced member partner)
- District hub introduction
- Online community participation training
Week 4: Skills Assessment & Training Planning
- Skills gap analysis
- Personalized training roadmap creation
- Enrollment in upcoming workshops
- Mentorship matching based on needs
- Integration into project/research groups
First 90 Days Support:
- Bi-weekly check-ins with onboarding coordinator
- Priority support for questions and issues
- Expedited access to business development services
- Invitation to all events as observer
- Gradual integration into leadership opportunities
Testimonials from Members
“Joining GCECL was the best BDT 100,000 I ever invested. Within 2 years, I recovered my investment through dividends alone, not counting the business growth from training and connections.”
– Rifat Ahmed, Technology Entrepreneur, Dhaka
“As a woman entrepreneur, I faced skepticism everywhere. In GCECL Women’s Network, I found sisters who understood my struggles and helped me overcome them.”
– Sharmila Begum, Fashion Designer, Chittagong
“The international opportunity program changed my life. I learned export business and now sell Bangladeshi handicrafts to 5 countries.”
– Abdul Hamid, Handicraft Exporter, Gazipur
“I came for business training, but found a family. When my father fell sick and I needed money urgently, members helped me without hesitation.”
– Priya Dhar, Food Processing, Jessore
“GCECL is not just teaching us to make money; they’re teaching us to create impact. My business helps the environment and provides livelihoods. That’s success redefined.”
– Imran Khan, Renewable Energy, Khulna
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who can become a GCECL member?
A: Anyone committed to entrepreneurship can join. We welcome:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs with business ideas
- Existing business owners wanting to grow
- Students planning entrepreneurial careers
- Professionals considering business transition
- Women, marginalized communities especially encouraged
- Age 18+ (no upper age limit)
- Any educational background (no minimum qualification)
- All religions, ethnicities, genders welcome
Q2: What if I don’t have a business idea yet?
A: That’s perfectly fine! Our programs help you:
- Discover your interests and strengths
- Identify market opportunities
- Generate business ideas
- Test ideas before full commitment
- Many members join without ideas and discover them through our ecosystem
Q3: Is the lifetime membership fee refundable?
A: No, membership fees are non-refundable. However:
- You own a share in GCECL assets
- You receive annual dividends
- Benefits continue for life
- You can transfer membership to family member (with approval)
- Think of it as an investment, not an expense
Q4: Can I upgrade from Associate to Lifetime membership?
A: Yes! You can upgrade anytime:
- Pay difference: BDT 95,000 (100,000 – 5,000)
- Previous associate year counted toward seniority
- All lifetime benefits activated immediately
- Many members start as associate to “test” before committing
Q5: What if my business fails?
A: Failure is part of entrepreneurship. GCECL provides:
- Psychological support and counseling
- Business restructuring advice
- Pivot guidance to new ideas
- Debt management consultation
- Connection to new opportunities
- Continued membership and support
- You’re still part of the family
Q6: How much time commitment is required?
A: Flexible based on your needs:
- Minimum: Attend 4 annual training programs (8-10 days/year)
- Recommended: Monthly meetups and quarterly events (2-3 days/month)
- Active involvement: Volunteer in programs, join committees (5-10 hours/week)
- You control your level of engagement
Q7: Can I bring business partners to join?
A: Yes! We encourage it:
- Each person must apply individually
- Partners can work on same business
- Collaborative projects supported
- Referral bonuses for bringing quality members
- Group discounts for 3+ people joining together
Q8: What languages are programs conducted in?
A: Primarily Bengali, with English options:
- Most training in Bengali
- English language programs available
- Bilingual materials provided
- Interpretation services when needed
- Regional language accommodation where possible
Q9: Is this a pyramid scheme or multi-level marketing?
A: Absolutely not:
- We’re a legitimate company registered with RJSC
- No recruitment commissions structure
- Income from real business activities
- Transparent financial reporting
- Asset-backed membership
- No “get rich quick” promises
- Focus on real entrepreneurship skills
Q10: How do you ensure quality of member businesses?
A: Quality assurance through:
- Initial screening of applications
- Ongoing business mentorship
- Ethical business guidelines
- Customer complaint resolution
- Quality standards enforcement
- Removal of non-compliant members
- Regular business reviews
- GCECL Certified Business badge criteria
Q11: Can I access benefits from any district?
A: Yes, membership is nationwide:
- All 64 district hubs accessible
- Attend events anywhere in Bangladesh
- Online services available everywhere
- Relocation support if you move
- Travel benefits at other districts
Q12: What about intellectual property protection?
A: We take IP seriously:
- NDA signing for sensitive discussions
- Guidance on trademark/patent registration
- Legal support for IP protection
- Confidential mentorship sessions
- Respect for member innovations
- IP education workshops
Q13: Are there age limits for children of members?
A: Family involvement encouraged:
- Children can attend family events
- Youth entrepreneurship programs (14-17 years)
- Junior membership for 16-18 years (reduced fee)
- Internship opportunities in member businesses
- Family business succession planning support
Q14: What if I have full-time job? Can I still join?
A: Yes, many members have jobs:
- Side business development supported
- Weekend and evening programs available
- Transition planning from job to business
- Flexible participation options
- Part-time entrepreneurship guidance
- Risk-managed approach to leaving job
Q15: How is GCECL different from other business associations?
A: Key differentiators:
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Not just networking, but real business building
- Comprehensive Support: Training, funding, mentorship, market access – all in one place
- Green Mission: Environmental responsibility core to our model
- Profit Sharing: Members share in organizational success
- Asset Ownership: Real ownership stake in growing organization
- Social Impact: Beyond profit, creating jobs and helping communities
- Technology-Enabled: Modern digital platform for collaboration
- Inclusivity: Special programs for women and marginalized groups