A Worldwide Committment to Quality

BNI exists all over the world, with over 2,500 chapters in over 14 countries. In fact, it is the world's largest referral organization, with nearly 2.8 million referrals passed last year. With a solid history, a good reputation and a bright future, BNI continues to grow at an amazing rate. Ask any president of a successful BNI chapter and he or she will undoubtedly acknowledge that it is the result of adhering to the following BNI policies.

Membership Considerations

Classifications
Only one person from each profession Classification is permitted to join a chapter of BNI. Membership Committees of each chapter have final authority relating to classification conflicts. Members who wish to change their classification must submit a new membership application and get approval from the Membership Committee for that classification change. Any member's classification may be opened for failure to comply with the policies and/or the code of ethics of BNI. Membership Committees of any chapter may open classifications. In the absence of a Membership Committee, the Leadership Team may fulfill that responsibility. It is the member's responsibility to file a concern with the Membership Committee of their chapter if a visitor "who sumbits an application 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."
Primary Occupation
Members must represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business.

Attendance

As BNI members attend weekly meetings, attendance is critical to the group. The weekly meetings last for 90 minutes, and members need to arrive on time and stay for the entire meeting. If a member cannot attend, you may send a substitute (not a member of your chapter) to the meeting. This will not count as an absence. A member is allowed three absences every six months (April through September and October through March). More than this and the member's classification is subject to being opened by the chapter's Leadership Team or Membership Committee.

Absence

There are no leaves of absence except for medical leaves. A member may take up to eight weeks medical leave with the Memership Committe's prior approval if their fees are pre-paid for that period of time and they attempt to have someone "fill in" during their leave.

Referrals

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.