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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can anyone join a chapter?
A: Only one person per profession is allowed in each chapter. For example, if you are a residential real estate person and a chapter already has one, we can refer you to another chapter, or we may allow you to start a chapter of your own. Of course, if you are a commercial real estate person, you may still be eligible to join a chapter with a residential real estate person.
Q: How can I acquire a membership application?
A: Membership applications are available by either coming to a meeting and requesting one or by clicking here.
Q: How do you know new members are reputable?
A: First, it's word of mouth, so before they even come to a meeting they have to have spoken to someone or been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a sponsor, or one is assigned to them so that they may be interviewed. Then, the membership application asks for references and a membership committee reviews the application for approval.
Q: What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
A: We have an ethics committee and it is imperative that anyone who gives a referral and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the membership committee. They in turn will investigate and report back to the individual who gave the referral.
Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?
A: It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you're focused and have a dream, if you're willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.
Q: Are members supposed to bring visitors?
A: You're encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open in the chapter. After the visitor has been prescreened and if they're a viable candidate, they can become a member of that chapter.
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 In the event that BNI's general rules could potentially violate a professional's ethical code, BNI's rules are superceded by the dictates of the professional's ethics code.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 members in ways to market and grow their business.
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 of 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.
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