Visiting a chapter is the first step in finding your new referral partners. Once you have visited a chapter you believe will be a good fit for you, apply for membership with the Membership Committee using a paper application provided at the meeting or clicking this apply to BNI link. Filling out the application, submit payment and email the Chapter Vice President or Application Chair of the chapter's Membership Committee so they can start reviewing your membership request.
The Vice President and all members of the Membership Committee can walk you through the membership application process. It will typically take one to two weeks to interview candidates, check references and make a membership determination. Please continue to attend weekly meetings during this process so the membership committee can see your commitment to attendance. Once a decision has been made the membership committee will contact the applicant and if membership has been accepted, start you on the New Member Passport program to introduce you to all the benefits of membership, including the tools and resources below.
BNI Central Ohio Member Resources
Are you a new member of our Central Ohio BNI Region? Below is a list of resources that are available to you once your membership has been processed. Schedule a one-to-one with the Chapter President or Resources Mentor to make sure you're comfortable with how you can utilize these resources to maximize your membership and grow your business.
Once you are accepted into the chapter and your membership is processed by BNI Regional Headquarters, an email will be sent to the email address provided on your application. This email contains a link to set-up your username and password. BNI Connect is where we track all activity, referrals given, referrals received, one-to-ones, CEUs and more. The desktop version has more resources, allows you to customize your profile and control how you show up in the members directory as well as track details of all the referrals you have received since your membership began.
2. BNI Connect App
BNI Connect App for Apple Devices and BNI Connect on Google Play Download BNI Connect App to have real-time notifications of referrals from your fellow members as well as to track all your activity. Make sure your contact information and business links are all correct and visibility settings are to your preference. This is how BNI members across the globe can find you and get in touch. The "New User Tour" is highly recommended and can be found under More Options once you open the app.
Follow the training link above to register for various regional events including Member Success Program (MSP) and Leadership Team Training. New members are required to attend MSP before giving their first 10 Minute Feature Presentation at their chapter meeting, so register as soon as possible and get on speaker rotation so your chapter can learn more about how to generate quality referrals to help you grow your business.
4. Chapter Education Units (CEUs)
Here are some of the many ways you can acquire your CEUs.
BNI University is by far the most comprehensive and robust platform for all your CEUs and you are encouraged to login and take advantage as soon as you get an email from BNI Global ([email protected]) with a prompt to register. After you have gotten accustomed to the platform on your desktop, can find BNI University on your mobile device's app store to take CEUs with you everywhere.
The Official BNI Podcast although these podcasts can be found on BNI University, some members find it easier to just go to the podcasts and count 1 hour of listening (usually 5 podcasts) as 1 CEU.
Power of One Podcast these podcasts are also found on BNI University as well as easily accessible here.
Ivan Misner Books the founder of BNI Ivan Misner, has written many books about how to use business networking to grow your business, how to use business relationships effectively and how to become a master of networking. If you enjoy reading self improvement, business strategy books or listening to audio versions, make sure to give yourself credit in the BNI Connect app for CEUs.
