Q1: Can anyone be a member of a chapter?
A: We accept one person per business specialty in a BNI Chapter. So if you are a residential real estate person and we already have one, we can refer you to another Chapter, or we may work with you to open another Chapter. Of course, if you are a commercial real estate person and that position is not taken, then by applying you may be eligible to participate in this chapter. The decision of the Membership Committee of a Chapter is final in all instances.
Q2: How do you know new members are reputable?
A: There is an Application and rigourous vetting process. Each chapter has a Membership Committee that conducts interviews and reference checks.
Q3: What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
A: We have a Code of Ethics and it's the Membership Committee's job to make sure it's respected. It is imperative that anyone who gives a referral and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the Membership Committee, who is trained to investigate in a professional manner.
Q4: What occupations benefit the most from networking?
A: It is not the occupation, it is the individual. If you're focused, accountable and you're willing to take positive actions to grow yourself and your business, you are the person we want in the group.
Q5: Are members supposed to bring visitors?
A: Members are encouraged to bring visitors to help promote the Chapter and the other Members.
Q6: 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. BNI therefore requires its members to uphold the rules of their profession. In the event that BNI’s general rules have the potential to violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s rules are superseded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics code. We have over 6,000 businesses in BNI in Australia today, and in our experience this is not a big issue with Members.
Q7: If I specialise in a field within my industry, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my industry?
A: BNI understands that many industries and professions are broad and that people often specialise. BNI does not expect, nor does it encourage, any person to participate in an area ouside their expertise.
