BNI-Policy

Your BNI Account

BNI'S Philosophy

Success in BNI means you need to be a positive and supportive member of an organisation based upon mutual support. This requires commitment to your fellow members as well as to the philosophy of 'Givers Gain': by giving business to others, you will get business in return.

Code of Ethics

Followed by members:

I will provide the quality of services at the prices that I have quoted.
I will be truthful with the members and their referrals.
I will build goodwill and trust among members and their referrals.
I will take responsibility for following up on the referrals I receive.
I will live up to the ethical standards of my profession.
I will display a positive and supportive attitude with BNI members.

General Policies

Only one person from each professional category or classification is permitted to join a Chapter of BNI. Membership Committees of each Chapter have final authority relating to classification conflicts.
Members must represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business.
The weekly meetings begin promptly at 7:00 am and run until 8:30 am. Members need to arrive on time and stay for the entire meeting.
An individual may be a member of only one Chapter of BNI at any given time.
Attendance is critical to the group. If a member cannot attend, they may send a substitute (not a member of their own Chapter) to the meeting. This will not count as an absence. A member is allowed three absences in any six month period. More than this and the member is subject to removal by the Chapter's Leadership Team or Membership Committee.
Members are required to bring bona-fide referrals and/or visitors to their Chapter of BNI. Chapters may establish a minimum number of referrals and/or visitors that is acceptable to maintain membership.
Visitors may attend Chapter meetings up to two times.
Speakers must bring a door prize. Only members bringing a visitor or a referral are eligible for the door prize.
All new members must attend Member Orientation training in their region within the first 60 days of joining. Only after attending the training may the new member be added to the 'speaker rotation' for that Chapter. Any new members not attending the orientation training within 60 days of induction into the Chapter, will be subject to having their classification opened by the Membership Committee.
There are no leaves of absence other than for exceptional medical circumstances. A member may take up to eight weeks medical leave with the Membership Committee's prior approval if their dues are pre-paid for that period of time and they attempt to have someone 'fill-in' during their leave.
It is the member's responsibility to file a concern with the Membership Committee of their Chapter if a visitor in any way conflicts with their classification. This should be done before the visitor is approved for membership. If there are no complaints, the Membership Committee will 'assume their consent'.
Members who wish to change their classification must submit a new membership application and obtain approval from the Membership Committee for that classification change.
Transferring members must submit a new membership application to the Membership Committee of the Chapter they are transferring to for approval. If approved for transfer, all fees are transferable.
In case of problems with a member, Membership Committees may, at their sole discretion, put a member on probation relating to the member's business practices or commitment to the Chapter.
Memberships may be revoked for failure to comply with the policies and/or the Code of Ethics of BNI. Membership Committees of any Chapter may revoke memberships. In the absence of a Membership Committee, the Leadership Team may fulfil that responsibility.
BNI Policies are subject to change. All proposed policy changes need to be reviewed first by the Board of Advisors.
If the Leadership Team fulfils all responsibilities throughout their term, then they will receive compensation for their fees. The Leadership Team must agree to the terms outlined in the Leadership Team Agreement in order to hold a position and must go through training before participating.
In the absence of a Membership Committee, the Leadership Team may act as an ad-hoc Membership Committee until one is established.
An individual member cannot belong to a second Chapter nor any other group that allows only one person per profession and/or whose primary purpose is to pass referrals to one another because it substantially reduces their commitment to the Chapter members. Membership Committees have full authority in this area.
BNI Membership lists are for the purpose of 'giving' referrals and not for soliciting (via e-mail, direct mail or other means) BNI members without their prior approval.