Club Rules

Article 1: Objective
The objective of the Club is to create, stimulate and extend strong links between cultured, committed, influential and open-minded people who wish to discuss and investigate the major societal issues of today and tomorrow, in a prestigious and welcoming setting.

The Club may undertake all actions directly or indirectly related to its purpose. It may also cooperate and take an interest in any similar activity.

Article 2: Administration and Governance of the Club
The Club is administered by TheMerode Board of Directors, which makes all decisions relating to the management of the Members Club. The Board of Directors will be supported by an operational team in the management of the Club.

TheMerode Board of Directors is assisted by an Advisory Board which assists in the strategic and event planning of the Club. The Advisory Board is composed at the discretion of TheMerode. Its function is to assist TheMerode in the planning and strategic direction of the Club’s programme. The Advisory Board does not have exclusive authority in this regard.

Article 3: Service offered
The membership of a member in the Club allows him/her to benefit from the following four pillars on which the Club’s activity is based:

• Access to a community of members who share several values and principles;
• Access to the Club’s entire programme: social, cultural, charitable or business-oriented events;
• Access to the Club’s facilities and advantages: access to the Lounge Bar and Restaurant, access to the coworking space, exclusive invitations to social and cultural events, preferential rates with the Club’s exclusive partners, etc.;
• Access to private and professional opportunities: mentoring sessions, networking events and workshops.

Article 4: Screening
TheMerode Board of Directors is responsible for the recruitment process of the Club members and Corporate members. They determine the maximum number of members as well as the profile of the members sought.

The operational team reviews and grants the applications for membership under the supervision of the TheMerode Board of Directors. Decisions do not have to be motivated in any way. The decision is based on the interview with the operational Team.

Article 5: Payments made within the Club
Within the framework of the Club’s activities, certain services such as the restaurant, the bar and the rental of spaces are subject to payment.

The bar and restaurant services are to be paid for directly on-site. Payments for reservations and space rentals must be made before the event and by the general terms and conditions of sale. Payments for paid events must be made before the event.

Article 6: Guests
Kindly remember that guests are only allowed in the club if they are together with a member. As a member, you can bring up to three guests with you at any one time. You can also bring one guest along to events taking place at TheMerode, depending on the demand and spaces available (please check individual event descriptions for full details).

Please make sure to register your guest in advance of their visit, in the app or via email to members@themerode.com. Failure to register guests may result in guest access being denied.

A guest is not allowed to attend TheMerode activities more than three times per year.

For any special requests, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Members Team.

Article 7: Presence of children
TheMerode is intended for adults of a minimum of 18 years old unless otherwise stated. If an event is suitable for children, the Club will notify its members. In this regard, children are under the permanent responsibility of their parents at all times while they are within TheMerode. Members shall also ensure that children are not left unattended at any time.

Children are not allowed to join members at club events unless otherwise specified.

Article 8: Dresscode
The Club does not impose any specific dress code. However, the Club assumes that all its members dress in a manner appropriate to their environment.

Article 9: Use of mobile phones & laptop
The Club aims to encourage human interaction and exchange. To this end, you are welcome to use your mobile phone anywhere in the building, but please be respectful of those around you and do not have your device on speakerphone. You can use your laptop anywhere aside from The Stables, which is a laptop-free zone during service times from 12 pm-3 pm.

The Club also asks its members not to film or stream during Club events and, particularly, never to share images, photos or videos of other members without their prior consent.

Article 10: Use of illicit substances
Illegal substances are not allowed anywhere within TheMerode. The use, possession, distribution or sale of illegal substances is strictly prohibited. Any member or guest in possession of illegal substances will have their membership terminated immediately without reimbursement of the membership fee.

Article 11: Food and drink
Please do not bring any outside food or beverages into TheMerode unless it is medically necessary.

Article 12: Privatisation and works
In the event of privatisation of areas or renovation works, some areas of TheMerode may not be accessible to members. In such a case, members are kindly requested to respect the confidentiality of all private events taking place in the Club and to refrain from communicating any information about the event to third parties, by any means whatsoever.

Article 13: Animals
No animals will be allowed in the Club, except for legally recognised and certified service dogs.

Article 14: Smoking
TheMerode is a smoke-free zone. Smoking and vaping are only allowed at the front of the building.

Article 15: Security
Members are requested to scan their badge / QR code when they arrive at the club. Members must also register their guests in advance of their visit, via the app or email to members@themerode.com. Failure to register guests may result in guest access being denied.

To guarantee the security of its goods and the goods entrusted to it, TheMerode uses video surveillance cameras. The recorded images will be kept for a maximum period of one month. The Member may request access to the images that concern him as long as the request made by him is sufficiently precise.

Article 16: Confidentiality & Privacy
Please respect the confidentiality of our events. We want to be a safe space for constructive dialogue and for this people need to know they can safely speak their minds. Please also respect the confidentiality of our members and do not share our members list or event attendee lists with other people.

Please respect and protect the privacy of your fellow members when taking photos in the space. No video or photo shoots can take place without prior written consent from TheMerode. If we have photos or videos at our events, we’ll always let you know on the day and give you the chance to opt-out.

Article 17: Sharing on Social Media
Feel free to snap and share away on social media (we are @themerode.brussels on Instagram) but please do not post any pictures or any information of other members or their guests without their prior consent. Harmful and demeaning content focused on TheMerode community is not acceptable. We encourage and appreciate feedback, so please come and talk to us directly if you have any concerns.

Article 18: Conduct at TheMerode
TheMerode is a safe place for all of its Members and its Team. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying based on religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability. Should you experience any such conduct please report it immediately to members@themerode.com. All reports will receive a response within 48 hours.

Article 19: Lost & Found
If you have lost something in the building, please call Reception as soon as possible so that we can try and track it down for you. Anything found in TheMerode will be kept for one month. We will make every effort to contact the owner of a lost item (if we can ascertain who it is). TheMerode is not responsible for your property at any time.

Article 20: Cancellation Policy
Members may cancel their participation in any Club event within 48 hours. A refund is not possible in case of late cancellation. In case of late cancellation or no-show, the member will receive a first warning. After 4 warnings, attendance at events can be temporarily suspended.

Article 21: Contact
If you have any questions about your membership and/or club rules, please contact us at members@themerode.com.