Can anyone join a chapter?
We only take one person per professional specialty. So if you are a residential real estate person and we already have one, we can refer you to another chapter, or allow you to open another chapter. Of course, if you are a commercial real estate person, you could be eligible to join this chapter.
How do you know new members are reputable?
To assess a new BNI member’s reputation, the Membership Committee observes their behavior in meetings for professionalism and engagement. Once the application is received, references are reviewed and a meeting is held to understand their business. Their online presence is checked for credibility, and feedback is gathered from other members while monitoring the quality of their referrals.
What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
BNI has a Code of Ethics that all members are expected to uphold. It is imperative that anyone who gives a referral and finds it was not handled satisfactorily reports it to the Membership Committee, who will investigate.
What occupations benefit the most from networking?
It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you’re focussed and you have a dream and you’re willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.
Are members supposed to bring visitors?
Members are encouraged to bring visitors from professions that are still open in the chapter. Each member has the potential to generate referrals for others.
Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in BNI?
BNI understands the importance of the ethical concerns governing certain professions and acknowledges that rules can differ by location. As such, BNI therefore requires its members to uphold the rules of its profession so as not to violate the professional’s ethical obligations. In the event that BNI’s general rules could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s rules are superseded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics’ code. Significantly, a primary objective of BNI is to educate its membership in ways to market and grow business. It is BNI’s intent to ensure that this is permitted.
If I specialize in a field within my profession, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?
BNI understands that many professions are broad and that people often specialize within their profession. BNI does not expect, nor does it encourage, any professional to participate in an area in which the professional does not have expertise. On the contrary, BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities.
My profession does not let me directly solicit business. Is BNI still right for me?
BNI’s primary objective is to assist its members in ways to improve their business and to educate them concerning how they can effectively network. Business people get business when their expertise is known and others reach a comfort level with them. BNI provides a forum that allows members to meet other business peers who need to know effective and efficient business people.
