How To Join

Visiting a chapter is the first step in finding your new referral partners! Find a Chapter near you!

What To Expect

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

Be Prepared: Visit a chapter prepared to talk about your business. Members are interested in getting to know how connections with visitors can be mutually beneficial. Also, don't forget to bring plenty of business cards.

Meetings: As a visitor, you can attend a chapter meeting twice. Remember to use this time to get to know the chapter personality, and its members, not to promote your business. Meetings are high energy and run according to a structured agenda. The meeting is 90 minutes with time for additional networking before and after. Arrive around 15 minutes early so you don't miss out on any opportunities for networking and be sure to sign in as a visitor.

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 have visited a chapter that you believe will be a good fit for you, you can apply for membership with the Membership Committee of the chapter. If you are applying to a forming BNI Chapter, please submit your application to your Chapter Launch Director.

You can request a paper application directly from the Membership Committee of the chapter that you wish to join or download an online copy. Download the PDF application below, enter your information, print, sign and bring to the chapter in which you wish to apply. Or, you can email a copy of your application to the Vice President of the chapter.

Here is an overview of the application process:

1. Complete and submit your signed Membership Application to the Chapter’s Membership Committee for review. The application process includes an interview, contacting two business references, and potentially meeting one-to-one with some of the current members. No payment is required to submit an application.

2. 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 using one of the payment options on our pay online page. 

3. When you receive an email confirmation of your payment, please forward your confirmation to the Chapter Vice President.

Need Help?

Need help in finding a chapter to visit?

Use our find a chapter search tool, interactive map, or go to our chapters forming page to see if there is a new chapter forming near you! If you need help, contact the BNI Oregon & SW Washington Regional Office by emailing us 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 emailing us 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.