When members first hear about BNI, the initial sticking point is often attendance. Every BNI chapter worldwide meets weekly, and all members are expected to attend. Emergencies happen, and we have exceptions in place; however, generally speaking, absenteeism can result in opening your designation to another member. So why is BNI meeting attendance so critical to membership?
BNI Meeting Attendance Guidelines
Since BNI meets weekly, that constitutes approximately 50 meetings per year (assuming a couple of weeks off per year falling on holidays). We require 100 percent attendance at these meetings, but if you are unable to attend, we kindly request that you send a substitute.
Substitutes
A substitute can be anyone willing to give your business pitch, sometimes called sales manager minute, in your absence. That can be someone who works with you, a family member, a friend, or a client. Some of the best substitutes are people who aren't already represented in your BNI chapter because they are potential group members.
Substitutes can be valuable contributors to a BNI meeting because they introduce the group to new people, are potential new members, and may even be a new prospective customer for your business.
Because of the benefits a substitute brings, a sub does not count as an absence.
That means you could have 100 percent attendance all year!
How Many Meetings Can You Miss?
BNI understands that surprises happen. We all live outside of our business. So, while we encourage everyone to attend or send a substitute when that's not possible, we also allow members to miss up to three meetings in a six-month period.
Since subs are available when you know about an upcoming absence, three is plenty of leeway for a member.
BNI Meeting Attendance Exceptions
BNI meeting attendance policies also allow for medical leave. If a member is sick or otherwise needs medical attention, the time spent on medical care does not count toward the three permitted absences.
Why BNI Puts a Premium on Attendance
Now that you understand the BNI meeting attendance policy, you may wonder why BNI values attendance so much.
One of the core BNI principles is Building Lifelong Relationships. The first key to any relationship is showing up!
Each week, when you show up at your BNI chapter meeting, you're getting to know the other members, and they're getting to know you and your business. You learn how to refer each other and identify the best referrals for each member. You also learn to trust one another.
None of that is possible without your presence.
While substitutes don't count as an absence, it's always in a member's best interest to attend meetings because it allows them to get to know other members and receive more referrals.
The Power of One
BNI members all know about the Power of One:
- 1 Meeting per Week
- 1 One-to-One per Week
- 1 Referral per Week
- 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) per Week
- 1 Visitor per Month
BNI Meeting Attendance (and showing up in general) is what allows you to succeed in the Power of One. And the Power of One is what will enable you to succeed in BNI.
While one meeting a week seems like a significant commitment, it's what makes BNI and its members successful.
If you could spend 90 minutes a week enabling 20 – 50 people to find your perfect customers, wouldn't you?
