Frequently Asked Questions From Visitors To The Hoos Hoo Chapter
What is the Cost of Membership?
All applicants, including replacement members, pay a registration fee of $100. They then choose a membership option. The options are:
One Year $330
Two Years $510
Members Must Bring In Bonafide Referrals, And The Chapter Keeps Track Of How Many They've Contributed. Isn't That A Lot Of Pressure On Your Members?
BNI Chapters work like a team. Each team member needs to make an effort for the team to be successful. We will teach you the skills you need. The only way to fail is to not try.
How Often Do You Expel Somebody For Not Coming Up With Enough Bonafide Referrals?
It's rare. This is not rocket science. Everyone can learn this process. All we need to do is teach them how. We have training we will give you. All you need is a good attitude and be willing to learn.
Who owns the membership in BNI, the member or the company that employs them?
The member owns the membership. If that member departs the company but stays in the same profession, the Chapter Membership Committee can decide to retain the current member or allow the company to send another applicant for that category. If the Membership Committee decides to retain the current member that member must reimburse their former employer for any unused portion of their dues, if the company paid for the membership.
What If A Member Gets A Referral And Does Poor Work?
First, you should speak to the member who did the work. This usually resolves the situation quickly. Members are human. They can drop the ball when they get real busy, but they usually go to great lengths to correct a problem that is brought to their attention. On the rare occasion when this does not work, you can take your concerns to the membership committee. They go through formal training on how to deal with problems.
Are Members Supposed To Bring Visitors?
Visitors and Referrals are equally important to a chapter. You are encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open. After the visitor has been prescreened they become a viable candidate for membership.
What If Someone Comes In And Has Nothing To Say?
They can't. The meeting is a process. Everyone needs to stand during the meeting and say something. You are required to stand. It's a part of the meeting agenda. The first time is your Sales Manager Moment. You treat the group as your sales team. We will teach you how to do everything required. You will discover that it is not difficult, and it is fun!
What If You Are Afraid Of Speaking In Public?
Speaking at a BNI Chapter meeting is similar to speaking at a family dinner. Everyone there will care about you and give you whatever help you may need. We encourage new members to write down, and read their Sales Manager Moment at the meetings. This helps to overcome any initial nervousness. We have many long-time members that do this every week. The hidden message this sends to other members is, this person took time to prepare for the meeting.
Can Anyone Apply For Membership?
We only take one person from each field in a chapter. If you are a residential real estate person and we already have one, we can refer you to another chapter, or refer you to our Director to explore the feasibility of opening a new chapter.
How Do You Know New Members Are Reputable?
It's word-of-mouth. Before they even come to a meeting they have spoken to someone or been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a sponsor, or one is assigned to them, and the sponsor or membership committee interviews them. The application asks for references and we have a membership committee that checks them.
What Occupations Benefit The Most From Networking?
Success in BNI is more about the individual and their attitude, not their occupation. If you're focused, have a dream, and you're willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.
Are You Heavy On Any One Occupation?
Attorney is the most common profession in BNI. Most chapters have at least two attorneys, each representing different areas of expertise. (We no longer have a category for general practice attorney. Each must designate an area of specialization.)
The Insurance and Financial Industry categories are almost always filled. It's very rare to find an opening in a current chapter. Residential Real Estate and Mortgages are a close second. We rarely have an opening.
If you are in a profession where it is difficult to find an opening you should contact the Area Director in your area for information about applying in a chapter that will soon be forming.
What Are The Attendance Requirements?
You can miss up to three meetings each six-month period. You can send a substitute to a meeting when you cannot attend, and this counts as an attendance provided you do not abuse this privilege. (Being there, arriving on time, and staying for the entire meeting is the single biggest relationship maker in a chapter. Not being there, arriving late, or leaving early is the single biggest relationship breaker in a chapter.)
Can I Get My Money Back If I Decide This Is Not For Me?
Our policies do not allow for a monetary refund. This policy is to protect chapters from someone that may try to get as much as they can, and leave. We call these people “networking hunters.” However; Members departing in good standing can apply for a letter-of-credit for any unused portion of their dues. This letter can be used the same as money if you decide to re-apply for membership.
How Big Are BNI Chapters?
They vary in size from 15 to 50 members. Lunch groups tend to be larger on average than breakfast groups. The size of a chapter depends more on the recruiting efforts of the members. Chapters that maintain an average size of 30 or more members will pass three times as many referrals as a smaller chapter, and produce at least four times the referral value. Additionally, these chapters tend to be the chapters passing the million dollar referrals. It all gets easier, better, and more fun when you work at growing your chapter.
Do Ethical Rules For Certain Professions Prohibit Participation In BNI?
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. In no case can these professional standards be less stringent than the BNI Code of Ethics and Policies. Strict ethical standards are the foundation of the trust building process.
If I Specialize In A Field Within My Profession, Am I Expected To Be An Expert In All Aspects Of My Profession?
No! 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. BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities.
My Profession Does Not Let Me Directly Solicit Business. Is BNI Still Right For Me?
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.
Can I Offer A Monetary Reward To Members Who Give Me A Referral?
NO! Giving referrals to each other is what we do. If a member gives you a really great referral you can invite them out for a one-to-one meeting at a nice restaurant. (You can pick up the check, to show your appreciation, if you feel it is appropriate.) Spending your valuable time with another member is a large part of the relationship building process. BNI encourages one-on-one meetings with members as a means of learning about each other, building trust, respect, and hopefully a commitment to helping each other.
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