Founding Member Interest Form

BNI® Core Values

• Givers Gain® — Be willing to give first, before you expect to gain. Giving unconditionally creates a better world for everyone and creates important opportunities and lasting relationships.
• Building Relationships — Building strong relationships creates an environment of trust and support that yields happiness, opportunity and meaning.
• Lifelong Learning — Your value grows as you develop your knowledge and skills. Create a curriculum based on the person you want to become and follow that curriculum to get yourself there.
• Traditions + Innovation — We honor our traditions and look to a brighter future fuelled by innovation, optimism, and excitement.
• Positive Attitude — We find the good in everything that happens to us and that propels our lives forward. Finding the good in every person enables us to attract terrific people, opportunities, and wealth.
• Accountability — We keep the promises we make, especially when it is hard to do so. This creates trust and supports strong relationships.
• Recognition — We appreciate that recognition fuels the growth of successful organizations. The person who masters the art of recognition attracts success, meaning, and happiness.

BNI® Code of Ethics

Upon acceptance to BNI®, I agree to abide by the following BNI® Code of Ethics during the service of my participation in the organization:

• I will provide the quality of services at the price I have quoted.
• I will be truthful with the Members and their referrals.
• I will build goodwill and trust among Members and their referrals.
• I will take responsibility for following up on the referrals I receive.
• I will display a positive and supportive attitude.
• I will live up to the ethical standards of my profession.

BNI® General Policies

• Only one person from each BNI® classification can join a Chapter of BNI®. Each Member can only hold one BNI® classification in a BNI® Chapter.
• BNI® Members must only represent the professional classification approved by the Membership Committee.
• BNI® Members must arrive on time and stay for the entire published meeting time.
• An individual can only be a Member of one BNI® Chapter. A Member cannot be in any other program that allows only one person per profession and/or where referral generation is a goal of membership.
• A BNI® Member is allowed three absences within a continuous six-month period. If a Member cannot attend, they may send a substitute; this will not count as an absence.
• Members are expected to be engaged in the BNI® Chapter by bringing qualified referrals and/or visitors.
• Visitors may attend BNI® Chapter meetings up to two times.
• Only BNI® Members who have completed the Member Success Program and BNI® Directors/Director Consultants can do Feature Presentations during the BNI® Meetings.
• Members who wish to change their BNI® classification must have Membership Committee approval.
• All BNI® membership lists are for the purpose of giving referrals and building relationships only.
• Membership renewal is subject to approval by the Chapter Membership Committee.
• Membership fees are payable 30 days prior to the due date. Members not paid by the first day of the month they are due are considered late and will be assessed a late charge.
• Fees are non-refundable. A certificate of credit will be given, upon request, to Members in good standing for the unused portion of their time.

Administrative Policies

• There is an initial application fee. Participation fees are paid annually or biannually.
• Membership fees are payable 30 days prior to the due date. Members not paid by the first day of the month they are due are considered late and will be assessed a late charge. If fees are not paid within 15 days, the Member will be officially dropped by BNI®.
• Fees are non-refundable.
• BNI® is a marketing service provided by BNI Global, LLC. BNI® or any of its franchisees reserve the right to discontinue a Member's participation in this program.