It’s inevitable you will have to miss a meeting at some point, so that’s when you can send a substitute in your place.
“Subs” are a vital part of the success of BNI and it’s important to keep in mind these 3 points:
- Substitutes should be held to the same standard as members and are expected to abide by meeting rules.
- For the benefit of all chapter members, the policy regarding substitutes is that they should only be used up to 3 times in a 6 month period. Visitors are there to talk about themselves and sell themselves as potential members; substitutes are there to talk about you. Inviting a substitute who doesn’t know you or your business isn’t doing you justice.
How is your chapter handling substitutes?
A Subs List can be created to help members maintain the weekly integrity of the meetings, by having on hand the names of willing and competent substitutes. It’s intended to be a “supplementary” support for a member’s own contacts and is a good step to ensure there is minimal (if not zero) absenteeism if any members can’t attend. Update this list regularly; ask visitors who can’t join as members if they are willing to be on it and have a member take charge of regularly maintaining it.
Bring a Sub Day
Recently a chapter in Wellington did something clever to reinforce the importance of subs. BNI Trading Company asked every member of the chapter to bring a substitute to the chapter meeting. The purpose of this was to introduce their subs to the BNI meeting and processes so that when the chapter member was away the substitute knew exactly what they were being asked to do. Every member did and that meeting had double the energy with double the number attending.
On a final note…
Nothing is worse than sending someone into a strange or new situation with little to no preparation time. In an email give your sub a clear 60-Second presentation and tell them what you expect. Give a brief overview of the sub to the chapter so it gives them a better idea of who this person is that will be representing you.
Great initiative from BNI Trading Company – thanks to Dave Morgan, Director Consultant Wellington Region, for this idea. Why not try the “Bring a Sub Day” with your chapter this month?
