How To Join

Visiting a BNI Online™ chapter meeting is the first step in finding your new referral partners!

What To Expect—BNI Online™ 

To help you get the most out of your first visit to a BNI Online™ chapter meeting, here are some things to know before you log-in:

• Be Prepared: Visitors like you attend Chapter meetings all the time. Members are excited to meet you and make every effort to make the experience fun and productive for you. There is a proven agenda used worldwide to make the most of your time. During the meeting, you’ll have a few seconds to share your name, your business, and how you help your clients. It’s that easy and is only a few mouse clicks away.

• Zoom Tips: BNI Online™ operates on Zoom. We ask all visitors to have their camera on during the entire business networking meeting. Be prepared by checking your audio, video and internet connection before the meeting by downloading the Zoom app and going to Settings. Consider using a high-quality headset or using phone audio to ensure others can hear you clearly. In addition, we encourage you to stage a successful background; foreground lighting with minimal background lighting ensures a visible face to the camera.
• Meetings: As a visitor, you can attend a BNI Online™ chapter meeting twice. Remember to use this time to get to know the chapter personality and its members. Meetings are high energy and run according to a structured agenda. The meeting is 90 minutes. 
• You're the Expert: Only one person from each professional specialty is allowed to join a chapter of BNI^®, eliminating the possibility of competition among our members. When you join a chapter, you are the sole representative of your field and can develop relationships with others in the chapter as their go-to person for your services.

What To Expect—In-Person BNI Meeting 

To help you get the most out of your first visit to a BNI chapter meeting, here are some things to know before you visit: 

• Be Prepared: Visitors like you attend Chapter meetings all the time. Members are excited to meet you and make every effort to make the experience fun and productive for you. There is a proven agenda used worldwide to make the most of your time. During the meeting, you’ll have a few seconds to share your name, your business, and how you help your clients.

• Meetings: You will see networking in action. Members will be building relationship and sharing referrals to help each other grow their businesses. Uuse this time to get to know the chapter personality and its members. Meetings are high energy and run according to a structured agenda. As a visitor, you can attend a BNI chapter meeting twice. The meeting is 90 minutes. People typically arrive early and stay a little after for additional open networking. 
• You're the Expert: Only one person from each professional specialty is allowed to join a chapter of BNI^®, eliminating the possibility of competition among our members. When you join a chapter, you are the sole representative of your field and can develop relationships with others in the chapter as their go-to person for your services.

Apply!

Once you found a chapter you wish to join, submit your application online! You will find your chapter's application on their chapter website. If you do not know the chapter name or have a question, please email Anna Rivers, Member Services Coordinator, at [email protected] She can help you find the application link to the chapter you wish to apply to. 

The application process includes a phone interview, contacting two business references, and potentially meeting for virtual or in-preson for One-to-Ones with some of the current members. No payment is required to submit an application.

Each BNI Chapter has a Membership Committee. Think of them as the human resources department for each BNI Chapter. The Membership Committee of the BNI Chapter will notify you of the status of your application within one week. Once accepted, to complete the application process, lock out your competition and officially become a BNI Member, please submit your payment. Upon application acceptance, you will recieve an email with a link to pay online. You may also use one of the payment options on our pay online page.

Need Help?

Need help in finding a chapter to visit?

Use our find a chapter search tool or visit New Chapters to see if there is a new chapter forming near you! If you need help, contact the BNI Oregon & SW Washington Regional Office by sending a message or calling 503-621-3284.

Unable to find an opening in a chapter near you?

Visit our chapters forming page to find out if there are new chapters forming near you or how to get information about starting a chapter in your area! If you need help, contact the BNI Oregon & SW Washington Regional Office by sending a message or calling 503-621-3284.

Not sure how to apply?

Don't know how or where to submit your application? Contact the BNI Oregon & SW Washington Regional Office by emailing us or calling 503-621-3284.