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FAQ's
Q: What is BNI?
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A:
A business marketing program that allows one
person from each profession to join a chapter.
The sole purpose of the chapter is to increase
business through a structured system of giving
referrals. |
Q: WHERE does the
Chester BNI Chapter meet?
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A:
We meet on the 2nd
floor of the Bon Secour building in
Chesterfield, off of Rte 10 (Ironbridge Rd.)
across from Brock's Bar-B-Q. - Click
here for map |
Q: WHEN does BNI
meet?
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A:
Every Thursday, so that members maintain contact
and exchange regular referrals. We meet from
7:30 am - 9:00 am. |
Q: WHY visit and
join BNI?
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A:
Because what goes around comes around! people
that GIVE business referrals GET business
referrals! Visit and see BNI in action! |
Q: HOW do you
benefit from BNI?
A:
In many ways:
- By allowing members the opportunity to present
and promote their business to all members in a
group exclusively without competing
professionals. Each profession has only one
representative per chapter.
- By an increased awareness of your profession
from other networking members who will use or
recommend your services once they know and trust
you.
- By substantially increasing and expanding your
business through referrals.
- By exposing your service and knowledge to
businesses and success oriented people
throughout the community.
- By gaining knowledge from information on other
networking members' professions.
- By using a professionally designed forum to
promote yourself and your business efficiently,
effectively and economically.
- By routinely meeting with other focused,
motivated business professionals. |
Q: Can anyone join
a chapter?
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A:
We only take one person from each profession. So
if you are a residential real estate
professional and we already have one, we can
refer you to another BNI Chapter or we may help
you open another chapter. |
Q: What occupations
benefit the most from networking?
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A:
It is not the occupation, it is the individual.
The occupation can be anything. All professions
can prosper from BNI given you take the time to
learn how to target market and teach your fellow
members what you are looking for in referrals. |
Q: How many members
are in a typical BNI chapter?
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A:
A good mature BNI chapter typically has between
25 and 30 members. Some BNI chapters have as
many as 60 members! Ours currently has about 15-
20 but is growing quickly. |
Q: Are there any
other events besides the weekly chapter meetings?
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A:
Yes. Member Success Programs, monthly advanced
training and from time-to-time there are
regional workshops and other educational events.
Some regions have golf outings and awards
banquets as well. . |
Q: Are members
supposed to bring visitors?
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A:
You're encouraged to bring visitors for those
occupations that are open. After the visitor has
been prescreened and joins, their profession is
then closed. BNI is primarily an invitation-only
organization and members only look to invite
visitors who are interested in joining BNI. |
Q: If all of the
current chapters have someone in my profession, what do
I do?
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A:
Contact the local Director. You will then
be given information on how to start your own
chapter. |
Q: How do I join
BNI?
1.
Attend a chapter in your area as a visitor. You
are allowed to attend a maximum of two meetings,
after which time you will be asked to make a
decision if you would like to apply to that
chapter.
2. If your classification is open in that
chapter, you must obtain a sponsor in that
chapter. You will be given an application along
with a visitor's pack which contains additional
information about BNI.
Since BNI only accepts one person per
professional specialty, if your position is
already represented in the chapter, you can
contact the Director to learn about openings in
other chapters or to start your own BNI chapter.
3. When you apply, complete
the application and return it to the Vice
President of the chapter, along with your
payment for annual or bi-annual dues, and the
registration fee. The Membership Committee of
the chapter will evaluate your application,
verify your references and interview you and
your sponsor. A decision will be given before
the next meeting. |
Q: How do you know
new members are reputable?
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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. |
Q: What if a member
gets a referral and does poor work?
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A:
We have an ethics committee and it is imperative
that anyone who gives a referral and finds out
it was not satisfactorily handled must report
that to the membership committee, who will
investigate.
The cost to join BNI is $295 annually, for a
1-yr. membership with a one-time $75
administrative fee due in the first year. In
addition, chapters collect a breakfast fee which
covers the cost of the meeting space room rental
and a light meal, such as a continental
breakfast.
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