Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can anyone join a chapter?
A: We welcome all applicants. Once an application is received, the Membership Committee will contact you to discuss your membership.

Q: How do you know new members are reputable?
A: When a new member applies for a seat within our chapter, part of the process is an interview with one of the members of the Membership Committee. This member reviews the application with the applicant and contacts the references that are given. In doing so, we feel that we have a good background on the reputation of the applicant.

Q: What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
A: Part of the Membership Committee deals with this issue. There is policy in place to ensure a smooth handling of the situation.

Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?
A: It is not the occupation, it is the individual. We have members from many varied industries. The individuals that do best within BNI are dedicated professionals that are willing to learn how to use networking to their best advantage and are willing to give in order to gain.

Q: Are members supposed to bring visitors?
A: In BNI we have several goals and having visitors at our meetings are one of those goals. Visitors are very important to our chapter for many reasons: They give business, receive business and may become a member themselves. In order to reach our goals the members are encouraged to bring visitors to our meetings.

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 In the event that BNI’s general rules could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s rules are superseded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics’ code.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.

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.