FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Q: Are you a leads group?
- A: No. BNI is a referral organization, not a "leads group." Leads groups are generally small business groups that meet occasionally and have no attendance policies. Some groups meet for the sole purpose of passing around business cards. While this may work for some businesses, BNI has a different approach. When you become a member of BNI, you're making an investment in your business. And as a referral organization, our goal is to to pass business through qualified referrals. Our membership fee makes sure that our members are committed to the group, and our attendance policy ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to pass and receive referrals.
- Q: Can I drop by for a visit?
- A: Certainly! We welcome visitors. Anyone who wishes to is welcome to visit twice without becoming a member. But we're always looking for qualified professionals, so if you come, make sure you come with a checkbook or credit card—because you may decide to join the first day!
- Q: What does it cost to visit?
- A: $11.00 per week includes breakfast and room setup fees. If you choose to have just coffee and/or jiuce it is free. We can only accept cash or check at this time for weekly costs.
- Q: If I become a member, am I required to bring a referral every single week?
- A: No. While some groups do have minimum numbers of referral required, this is not the case with our BNI chapter. While the goal is obviously to encourage a large number of referrals, our focus is on the quality—not the quantity—of the referrals you bring. It works better for everyone if you're able to bring a highly qualified referral to the group, rather than a large number of unqualified leads.
- Q: What's the time commitment?
- A: Technically, it takes about three hours a week. But that's just to show up at the meetings. The real power behind a BNI chapter is what happens after the meeting is over. That's where the relationships are made, business transactions are conducted, money is spent, friendships are deepened, and you get your money's worth. You'll be required to hold "One-to One's" each week (a one-on-one meeting for one hour with another member of the group) which you'll enjoy anyway, and you'll find are a major boon to your business. The more you have opportunities to meet with other businesses in an environment such as these, you will succeed in your business.
- Q: Is there an attendance policy?
- A: Yes. BNI's attendance policy is the most popular policy ever instituted since its inception in 1985. The idea behind the policy is very simple: if you are considering joining a group that meets weekly and is focused on passing business between the members, you would want your fellow members to be as involved and committed as you are. So we require that you miss no more than 6 meetings per year.