FAQs

Q: Can anyone join a chapter?

A: BNI chapters are non-competitive. Only one person per profession is allowed to join.. e.g. Should you apply for the Residential Real Estate Position, and this position is already filled, in our chapter, we would refer you to another chapter. In case you also deal with commercial real estate, you could be eligible to join our chapter for the Commercial Real Estate Position.

Q: How do you know new members are reputable?

A: All applications ask for two business references and each chapter has a membership committee which checks those references.
As BNI is a close relationship networking organisation, any prospective member will have spoken to someone in the Chapter and/or been invited by someone in the group. They will also have attended at least one meeting, where they will have been in discussion with – and vetted by - members of the membership committee.

Q: What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?

 
A: Part of the membership committee’s responsibilities is to deal with any conflicts that might arise between members. Even though very seldom called on to exercise this responsibility, the membership committee takes it extremely seriously.
For the membership committee to be able to fulfill this responsibility, it is imperative that anyone who gives a referral and finds it was not satisfactorily handled – or has any other complaint against a fellow member - reports the situation and their concerns to the membership committee without delay.
The membership committee will investigate and seek to resolve the matter.

Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?

A: As far as BNI research has shown, any occupation and any business, which are looking to build long term successful business relationships and gain a steady stream of new business, benefit from networking.
However, it’s the individual and his/her approach that will determine success. It takes focus and commitment to make a business work and successful. If you combine those with a Givers Gain attitude, we would be very interested in talking to you about joining our group.

Q: Are members supposed to bring visitors?

 
A: BNI research shows that the bigger the chapter, the more business is passed around the table. Therefore it is in the interest of every member to bring along visitors, who they think would be pro-active members, a good fit for the group and in a profession that isn’t currently represented in the group.
If a member struggles to bring along visitors, the membership committee will be happy to share their knowledge and experience in growing the chapter.

Furthermore, there are dedicated training courses available for members to help them with this and other networking issues they might be facing. Those training courses are provided free of charge for members.

Q: Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in BNI?

A: 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 superceded 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.

Q: If I specialize in a field within my profession, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?

 
A: 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 the scope of their abilities.

Q: My profession does not let me directly solicit business. Is BNI still right for me?

A: 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.