BNI & The Power of One - Episode 779: Can BNI Force a Renewal?

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Host: Tim Roberts
Podcast Description: The BNI podcast focuses on success, increased referrals, tips, strategies, and elevating your BNI membership through the Power of One.

Introduction

In Episode 779 of "BNI & The Power of One," host Tim Roberts delves into a pressing question submitted by a BNI Vice President from Canada: "Can BNI force a renewal?" This episode explores the intricacies of BNI's renewal process, the pivotal role of membership committees, and the importance of fostering a strong chapter culture for member retention.

Understanding the Renewal Challenge

Sim's Inquiry: A VP from Canada shared a situation where their chapter approved a renewal for a member without conducting the mandatory seven-month review. This decision was influenced by pressure from their director consultant to secure renewal fees before the year's end. Sim posed three critical questions:

1. Is bypassing the membership committee a common practice?
2. What is the purpose of having a membership committee?
3. Is there an automatic BNI fail-safe for renewals?

Tim's Response: Tim emphatically answered "No" to all three questions, emphasizing that bypassing the membership committee is not standard practice.

“No, no and no. So that's not normal. We do not go in and push through renewals.” ([00:XX])

The Role of the Membership Committee

Purpose and Importance: Tim explains that the primary focus of a membership committee is member retention. Membership committees ensure that only the most engaged and productive members remain, which in turn drives the chapter's success and retention rates.

“The membership committee's focus is really about member retention... when we have the best members on the team, they are productive, they're engaged, they're committed, thus leading to more results, thus leading to member retention.” ([00:XX])

Consequences of Ignoring the Committee: Approving renewals without proper reviews can lead to the inclusion of less committed members, which may temporarily inflate chapter numbers but ultimately harm the group's culture and effectiveness.

“If a membership committee doesn't do its job and just accepts anybody at any time... Then if they just auto accept renewals without doing reviews... you're going to end up hurting the results and hurting the chapter.” ([00:XX])

BNI's Renewal Process Explained

Application and Approval: Tim outlines that renewing a BNI membership is not automatic. Members must apply for renewal, and their applications are subject to approval by the membership committee.

“There is no such thing as just an automatic renewal.” ([00:XX])

Pre-Approval Mechanism: BNI introduced a system allowing membership committees to pre-approve renewals. This feature is especially beneficial for large chapters anticipating high renewal volumes during peak growth seasons.

“One of the innovations B and I did a few years back now was allowing membership committees to pre-approve renewals.” ([00:XX])

Common Confusions: Despite this system, some members misconstrue pre-approval as automatic acceptance, leading to missed applications and unexpected drop-offs.

“The member thinks, oh my renewal is approved and they just go and make a payment or they forget about it and they've actually never applied for renewal.” ([00:XX])

Deadlines and Late Fees: Renewals must be completed before the specified renewal date to avoid late fees. The system strictly enforces these deadlines, automatically applying late fees if payments are made past the due date.

“If you're due February 1st and you click the button February 2nd, that late fee is not a regional thing.” ([00:XX])

Building a Strong Chapter Culture

Earning Membership: Tim stresses that membership in BNI is a privilege earned through contribution and engagement. Members must continuously demonstrate their value to retain their seats.

“Each member has notborn with a right to be in BNI and being in your chapter. So they did something to earn the right to get in. Now you got to earn the right to stay.” ([00:XX])

Seven-Month Reviews: Regular reviews facilitate open dialogues between the membership committee and members, ensuring expectations are met and addressing any issues proactively.

“That's why there are seven-month reviews. That's why those reviews are so important.” ([00:XX])

Impact on Retention and Success: A diligent membership committee fosters a committed and high-performing group, directly impacting both retention rates and the overall success of the chapter.

“It's all about culture building which reflects and impacts retention, reflects and impacts your results.” ([00:XX])

Conclusion and Takeaways

Tim reiterates that BNI does not force renewals; instead, the renewal process is governed by established procedures aimed at maintaining a high-quality, engaged membership. He encourages chapters to adhere strictly to these processes to ensure long-term success and member satisfaction.

“So yeah, no, we don't go in and just force it. I've never done it anyways. Seems a little shady and so hopefully that helps.” ([00:XX])

Call to Action: Listeners are invited to contribute topics, leave reviews, and engage with the podcast through bnipowerof1.com, ensuring the continued growth and value of the BNI community.

Notable Quotes:

• “If a membership committee doesn't do its job and just accepts anybody at any time... Then if they just auto accept renewals without doing reviews... you're going to end up hurting the results and hurting the chapter.” ([00:XX])

• “Each member has notborn with a right to be in BNI and being in your chapter. So they did something to earn the right to get in. Now you got to earn the right to stay.” ([00:XX])

• “It's all about culture building which reflects and impacts retention, reflects and impacts your results.” ([00:XX])

This episode underscores the vital role of membership committees in BNI chapters, the non-automatic nature of renewals, and the importance of maintaining a strong, engaged membership to ensure the chapter's ongoing success.