You'll find answers to some of your questions about BNI and the Rose City Chapter here, but we encourage you to contact us with any other questions you might have.
A: Business Network Int'l was started in 1985 with a single purpose: to develop the referral business of the members. From that point, BNI has grown to the vast networking group it has become. BNI is in 42 countries with over 100,000 members. There are almost 1,500 members in Connecticut in almost 60 Chapters. We allow one person per profession to join each chapter, thus guaranteeing exclusivity to the members in their business category.
A: 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 In the event that BNI's general rules could potentially violate a professional's ethical code, BNI's rules are superceded by the dictates of the professional's ethical code.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.
A: Last year, members of BNI passed over two million referrals which generated over a billion dollars' (U.S.) worth of business for the members! BNI is a business and professional networking organization that allows only one person per professional classification or specialty to join a chapter.
A: We only take one person per professional specialty. So if you are a residential real estate person and we already have one, we can refer you to another chapter, or allow you to open another chapter. Of course, if you are a commercial real estate person, you could be eligible to join this chapter.
A: The application asks for references and we have a membership committee that checks them. It's word of mouth, so before they even come to a meeting they have to 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 they interview them.
A: Rose City 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. On the contrary, BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities.
A: Rose City 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.
A: You're encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open, after the visitor has been prescreened, if they're a viable candidate. It's pretty much a closed meeting except for potential members.
A: It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you're focused and you have a dream and you're willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.
A: We have an ethics committee and it is imperative that anyone who gives a lead and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the membership committee, who will investigate.
A: The Rose City BNI Chapter membership fee is $330.00 per year, plus at one-time $100 registration fee. We also charge $100 per quarter for facility fees. Facility fees cover the cost of renting meeting space and hospitality.
A: Your yearly BNI membership fee is $330.00 per year.
A: If the Norwich Public School System cancels or delays school, there will be no meeting. However, if the school system is NOT delayed or closed and you are unable to make it to the meeting due to weather conditions in your area, as long as you notify either Melissa Biggins or Jim Daly, your absence will be excused. Your safety is first priority and I know that you will make every effort to attend the meeting, even during less than ideal weather. School closings will be listed at http://www.wfsb.com/closings/index.html and on the Channel 3 news, as well as announced over many of the local radio stations. Also if you go to this link, http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/weather/school-closings/, you can sign up for email or text message alerts that the Norwich Public School Systems are closed.