Can anyone join a chapter?
We only take one person per professional category. So if you are a residential real estate person and we already have one, we can refer you to another chapter. Of course, if you are a commercial real estate person, you could be eligible to join the same chapter.
How do you know new members are reputable?
Our BNI Membership application asks for references that can vouch for the applying member. Every chapter has a membership committee that checks these references.
BNI works off word of mouth, before an applying member visits a meeting they will have been spoken to by someone or invited by someone already in the group.
What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
We have a membership committee that upholds the ethics of BNI. It is imperative that if anyone gives a referral and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled, they report that to their membership committee, who will investigate. Our reputations are our currency and therefore every member is sworn in by the BNI Codes of Ethics, which they are expected to abide by.
What occupations benefit the most from networking?
It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you’re focussed and you have a dream, you are the person we want in the group.
Are members expected to bring visitors?
Visitors are the life blood of a BNI Chapter! As a member you are encouraged to bring visitors for the categories currently open in your chapter. BNI offers support and education on different ways to help with inviting visitors.
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 In the event that BNI’s general rules could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s rules are superseded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics’ code. Significantly, a primary objective of BNI is to educate its membership in ways to market and grow business. It is BNI’s intent to ensure that this is permitted.
If I specialise in a field within my profession, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?
BNI understands that many professions are broad and that people often niche 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. On the contrary, BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities.
Contact Us Directly
Phone
07942 729717
contact@bni-walthamforest.co.uk
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