Below we have listed some of the most important policies. We hope you find them useful.
General Policy No.1
Only one person from each profession or classification is permitted to join a Chapter of BNI. Membership Committees of each Chapter have final authority relating to classification conflicts.
General Policy No.2
Members must represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business.
General Policy No.3
The weekly meetings begin promptly at 7:00am and run until 8:30am. Members need to arrive on time and stay for the entire meeting.
General Policy No.4
An individual may be a member of only one chapter of BNI at any given time.
General Policy No.5
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.
General Policy No.6
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.
General Policy No.7
Visitors may attend Chapter meetings up to two times.
General Policy No.8
Speakers must bring a door prize. Only members bringing a visitor or a referral are eligible for the door prize.
General Policy No.10
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.
General Policy No.11
It is the members 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 concent.
General Policy No.20
BNI membership lists are for the purpose of giving referrals and not for soliciting (via email, direct mail or any other means) BNI members without their prior approval.