Founding Member Interest Form

Contact Information

Full Name *

Please enter your full name.

Email Address *

Please enter a valid email address.

Phone Number *

Please enter your phone number.

Business Information

Company / Business Name *

Please enter your company name.

Professional Classification *

Please select a Professional Classification from the list.

BNI History

Have you been a BNI Member before? *

Yes No

Please select an option.

Which Chapter(s) were you a Member of?

Who referred or invited you? (optional)

Membership Term

Select your preferred membership term *

1 Year

$1,206 membership + $299 application fee

$1,505 total

2 Year

$2,075 membership + $299 application fee

$2,374 total Save $337

5 Year

$4,223 membership + $299 application fee

$4,522 total Save $1,807

Please select a membership term.

Founding Member Expectations

Expectations of Founding Members

Sponsor 2 new Members into the Chapter
Attend each Core Group meeting or send a Substitute if not able to attend
Serve in a Leadership Team role as we launch the Chapter
Uphold BNI's Core Values
Agree to paying any venue and startup fees the Chapter budget requires

I understand and accept the Founding Member expectations listed above above. *

You must accept the Founding Member expectations.

I agree to BNI's membership policies and code of ethics. *

You must agree to BNI's membership policies.

BNI Policies & Procedures

Attendance Policy

BNI Members are expected to attend their Chapter's weekly meeting. If a Member cannot attend, they may send a qualified substitute. Members who miss more than three meetings in a rolling six-month period without sending a substitute may be subject to review by the Membership Committee. Consistent attendance and active participation are fundamental to the success of the Chapter and its Members.

Classification Policy

Each Member holds one exclusive Professional Classification within their Chapter. No two Members in the same Chapter may hold the same classification. It is the responsibility of each Member to represent their classification honestly and to refer business only within their area of expertise.

Referral Policy

Members are expected to actively pass referrals to fellow Chapter Members. All referrals should be qualified, meaning the Member has spoken with the contact and obtained their permission to be contacted. Referrals should be timely, professional, and passed in good faith.

One-to-One Meetings

Members are encouraged to conduct regular One-to-One meetings with fellow Chapter Members to build deeper relationships, understand each other's ideal referral, and strengthen the Chapter's referral network. These meetings are a cornerstone of BNI's success system.

Visitor Policy

Members are encouraged to invite qualified visitors to their Chapter meetings. Visitors must represent a classification not currently held in the Chapter. A Member who invites a visitor is responsible for orienting them to the BNI experience before the meeting.

Membership Fees

Membership dues are due and payable according to the term selected at the time of application. Members agree to pay all applicable fees, including venue fees and any startup fees required by the Chapter budget. Failure to maintain dues in good standing may result in suspension or termination of Membership.

Termination Policy

BNI Membership may be terminated by the Member or by the Chapter's Membership Committee in accordance with BNI policies. Members who are terminated or who resign forfeit their classification exclusivity within that Chapter. BNI dues are non-refundable except as provided under the BNI Money-Back Guarantee for new Members.

BNI Code of Ethics

As a Member of BNI, I hereby commit to the following principles of conduct:

I will provide the quality of services I advertise and will only pass referrals in good conscience.
I will build long-term relationships with fellow Members by networking, sharing referrals, and actively contributing to the success of the Chapter.
I will display a positive and supportive attitude with Members of my Chapter and toward the BNI organization.
I will adhere to the highest ethical standards in my profession and in my conduct as a BNI Member.
I will keep confidential any information shared in confidence by a fellow BNI Member and will not misuse referrals or relationships for personal gain.
I will be truthful in all representations I make within BNI and will never misrepresent my business, products, or services.
I will strive to support the success of all Chapter Members by actively participating in meetings and contributing to the Chapter's goals.
I understand that my behavior reflects on BNI Tampa Bay as a whole and I will conduct myself accordingly at all times.
I acknowledge that failure to uphold these ethical standards may result in review by the Membership Committee and potential termination of my BNI Membership.

I have read and agree to the BNI Policies & Procedures and the BNI Code of Ethics stated above.

Your information is kept private and used only to follow up on your interest in BNI Tampa Bay.