Podcast Summary: BNI & The Power of One

Episode: BNI 852: One Chapter of 40 or Two Chapters of 20
Host: Tim Roberts
Date: August 25, 2025
Episode Focus: Evaluating whether it's more effective to have one large BNI chapter of 40 members or two smaller chapters of 20, from both regional director and member perspectives.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tim Roberts tackles a listener-submitted question from Ross in Melbourne, Australia: “Which is better, two chapters of 20 members or one chapter of 40 members?” The discussion digs deep into BNI group dynamics, member benefits, and the logic behind optimal chapter size, while also dispelling myths about chapter splits and providing strategic advice for leaders and members.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Member Perspective: Why Bigger is Better

[00:43] – [06:58]

• Three Ways to Increase BNI Success:

  • Increase your activity level: Participate more in one-to-ones, attend regularly.
    • “Are you maximizing your activity level?... Would they and would I be proud of what I have to say?” [02:30]
  • Improve the quality of your activity: Refine skills in weekly presentations and networking.
    • “Are you investing in training? Are you going to MSP training?... Are you listening to the podcast?” [03:54]
  • Multiply your network: The biggest impact comes from sharing your presentation with more people—size matters.
    • “How many people are you doing it with? How big is your network? That's just the multiplier of opportunity.” [04:28]
    • “I can do amazing weekly presentations in a group of 10 or 20, and I probably won't get as much as if I'm doing lesser effective ones in a group of 40.” [05:33]

• Conclusion:

  • “At the end of the day, the answer <...> is a chapter of 40 because it's the most effective for the members who are active right now. So I would rather a chapter of 40 members running because I know those members are going to make more money.” [06:30]

The Myth and Reality of Splitting Chapters

[08:05] – [14:39]

• Why Not Split Struggling Chapters?

  • Combining two small or struggling chapters never succeeds:
    • “The solution never ever, ever, ever has it ever worked... combining those two chapters. It does not work. It's a very temporary band-aid that pulls apart.” [09:42]
  • Issues include category overlap, cultural misalignment, and perpetuating downward spirals.
  • The only exception for having two smaller chapters is when exclusive seat categories prevent merging.

• Starting New Chapters:

  • New chapters arise when someone can't join an existing group due to “seat conflict,” not as a maneuver to weaken established groups.
    • “We start chapter B because the person, the first few people who come to us can't join chapter A.” [12:17]
  • Growth concerns are often misplaced:
    • “If those people existed in your town or area and could have joined your chapter all along, you got to reflect on why didn't you ever invite them?” [12:56]

Real-World Example: The Dangers of Forced Splits

[14:40] – [17:59]

• A Cautionary Tale:

  • In a region Tim acquired, resistance to growth traced back to a forced split years earlier:
    • “The last time they hit 40, the executive director at that time came in and split them into two chapters of 20. That is outrageous and gross... I was like, what are you talking about?” [15:23]
  • The result: Both new chapters failed to thrive—one dissolved, the other stagnated.
    • “One was gone entirely and one was 17-18 members and refused to grow. So that is not... should never ever happen.” [16:43]

• Tim’s Firm Stance:

  • “Do not split chapters. So, yeah, so I think again, the answer is ultimately you want the chapter of 40.” [17:57]

Regional Director Perspective: Growth Brings Value to All

[18:00] – [20:25]

• Bigger is Better for BNI as a Business

  • More members mean more opportunities, resources, and organizational health.
  • “As a regional director, I’d want as many chapters of 40 members as I could because I’m helping as many people as I possibly can help.” [18:43]
  • “BNI is a for-profit business. Obviously, if there's more members, the organization is doing better, which means more resources, more investment, more everything for everybody.” [19:07]

• The Real Reason People Join:

  • “They're not joining because they want more friends or because they have too much free time or they're not having enough fun in their lives. They're joining to grow their business.” [19:21]
  • Members are “significantly more likely to grow their business in a chapter of 40 than a chapter of 20.” [19:51]
  • “It’s mind boggling how many times we got to get the members convinced that that’s the case. But that is the case.” [20:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• From the Host:

  • “You are more likely, significantly more likely to grow your business in a chapter of 40 than a chapter of 20.” [19:51]
  • “Combining chapters never really works... You're just putting two groups of people who are in a negative spiral of culture, accountability, focus... Doesn't solve that.” [10:04]
  • “Should never, ever, ever happen. And unfortunately for them, it did.” (on forced splits) [16:43]

• Listener Submission Recognition:

  • “Thank you for listening. Really appreciate it... Let me know. Love to answer them.” [00:15]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction & Listener Question | 00:00–01:03 | | Three Ways to Increase BNI Results | 01:03–06:58 | | Network Size as Opportunity Multiplier | 04:28–06:30 | | Regional Director vs. Member Perspective | 06:30–08:04 | | Problems with Chapter Splits/Mergers | 08:05–14:39 | | Real-World Story: Failed Chapter Split | 14:40–17:59 | | Bigger Chapters Benefit All | 18:00–20:25 |

Takeaway

The clear answer: One chapter of 40 is far better than two chapters of 20, both for members and for the organization. Growth, larger networks, and better retention benefit everyone, while forced chapter splits almost never work and can be disastrous. The focus should always be on helping members maximize their opportunity—by being part of the largest, most effective group possible.

To submit a question or topic for the podcast, visit [bni powerofone.com](http://bni powerofone.com).