Podcast Summary: The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 939: When Is Two Not Better Than One? (Classic)
Host: Dr. Ivan Misner
Co-host: Priscilla Rice
Release Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Theme & Purpose

In this classic rebroadcast, Dr. Ivan Misner discusses a fundamental policy within BNI networking: why members cannot belong to two BNI groups or to another group that directly competes with BNI. The episode explores the reasoning and history behind this rule, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, trust, and commitment within referral marketing organizations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Central Question

• Topic Introduction:
  Dr. Misner recounts a recurring member query: why can’t someone join more than one BNI chapter?

  “When is 2 not better than 1? 2 of everything’s always better, right?”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [01:17]

2. Historical Context and Lessons Learned

• Early BNI Policy (Mid-1980s):

  • Members were initially allowed in multiple chapters (1985–86).
  • Result: It “was a disaster”—there were more complaints about split loyalties than any other issue, including attendance.
  • Led to conflict and diminished group cohesion.

  “They felt that it created animosity with members because a B and I member was splitting his or her loyalty between the two B and I groups.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [02:56]

• Board of Advisors’ Action:

  • One of their first rulings: Members can’t join multiple BNI groups.
  • This guided policy decisions still in place today.

3. Extending the Policy: Competing Groups

• Board Review in Early 1990s:
  • A member questioned if joining other “strong contact” (i.e., similar) networking groups was really different from being in two BNIs.
  • After lengthy review, the Board concluded the same loyalty issues applied.
  • New policy: Members can’t join BNI and another strong contact group.

  “The person who benefits most from this arrangement of being in two groups is only the person who is in two groups. The other people ... would benefit most by having someone ... not splitting their commitment.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [05:44]

4. The Rationale: Loyalty, Excellence, and Accountability

• Commitment is Key:
  Allowing dual membership (BNI or similar groups) leads to fractured loyalties, reduced referrals, and trust issues.
• Quote of Principle:

  “Why let someone talk you into mediocrity when excellence is an option?”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [06:54]

• Enforcement:
  Policy #16 affirms that chapter membership committees must enforce this rule; they don’t have discretion to overlook it.

  “The membership committee is charged with doing the right thing and enforcing the rule within the group, not ignoring the rule.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [07:58]

5. Illustrating the Impact

• The ‘Left and Right’ Thought Experiment:
  Dr. Misner encourages listeners to imagine if the person next to them at their BNI meeting is also in another BNI group or competing group with the same profession. How does it feel knowing their loyalty and referrals are divided?

  “That changes everything, doesn’t it?... They’re going to split the amount of referrals ... or, they would do something worse. They’d give both to both.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [09:44]

6. Referrals and Group Health

• Referral Splitting:
  Members in two groups often have to split or duplicate referrals, diluting the value for everyone except themselves.
  • Benefiting only the individual, not the group.

  “They’re going to spread [business] around at a very small percentage. So the only person that ends up benefiting is the person who’s in multiple groups. The group as a whole does not benefit.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [10:58]

7. Clarifying the Policy on Partners

• The ‘Partner Loophole’:
  • Question: What if business partners (or spouses) join different groups?
  • Dr. Misner clarifies: Two separate people with their own contacts are acceptable; a single person joining two groups is not.

  “A partner is acceptable, but the same person is not.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [12:27]

• Partners and spouses generally have distinct networks and bring independent value.

8. Encouragement and Final Thoughts

• Acknowledge Controversy:
  Dr. Misner encourages feedback and reminds listeners the rule’s intent is preservation of group strength and trust.
• Memorable Signoff:

  “Don’t let someone talk you into mediocrity when excellence is an option.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [13:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Allowing someone to belong to two BNI chapters split their loyalties and created serious trust issues in the affected groups.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [03:08]
• “Is it easy? No. Is it the right thing to do for the good of the whole group? Yeah.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [10:47]
• “You can never go wrong by doing the right thing. The right thing in a strong contact networking group like BNI is expecting loyalty and support by the people that are in the room.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner [08:14]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 01:17 – Intro: Why can’t members join more than one BNI group?
• 02:25 – History: Tried allowing dual chapters in 80s; results and decision.
• 05:22 – Early 90s: Extending policy to other strong contact networking groups.
• 06:54 – Guiding Principle: Loyalty and the pursuit of excellence.
• 07:58 – Membership Committee’s Role: Enforcing, not ignoring, policy.
• 09:44 – Loyalty Test: Visualizing split allegiances in your own chapter.
• 11:19 – Partners Question: When are two members okay?
• 13:03 – Wrap-up & invitation for feedback.

Takeaways

• BNI’s policy on exclusive membership is grounded in experience, group well-being, and the pursuit of excellence.
• Even if controversial, the rule ensures trust, effective referral exchange, and the integrity of every chapter.
• The episode is a must-listen for both new and seasoned BNI members seeking to understand the “why” behind BNI’s foundational guidelines.