Creating a Strong Chapter

As a Director looking after several chapters, I have observed and thought a lot about what makes a strong chapter. There are certainly consistencies with my strongest chapters and it is a formula that works. So the following are my observations from the chapters where members love going and get a consistent return on their investment.

A strong chapter:

• Does not focus on numbers. The strongest chapters are not necessarily the biggest. (They are not the smallest either I may add.)  It sounds odd, however numbers come through the strength. When a chapter focuses on numbers alone it can lose sight of the currency of BNI – trust. When this happens the membership committee become less than discretionary about who they allow to join, putting everyone at risk. I always say, grow strong not fast. Always remember that the reputation and the quality of your least strong member can impact on the reputation of all of you.
• Everyone is involved – from the meeting to the out-of-meeting activity. A strong chapter has 100% commitment from all members. They believe in BNI and they believe in the Givers Gain philosophy. My ‘weaker chapters’ tolerate low performance and it ultimately becomes their undoing.
• They promote training and insist on training before they do a 10 minute. This is not just about the 10 minute – it is about getting members who have a high level of understanding of BNI. Until you attend training you really don’t fully get it. I think chapters who allow members to not attend training put themselves at high risk. It is irresponsible of a leadership team to allow this. They let all their members down. Come to think of it, a strong chapter has all members attending training at least annually. I am really impressed by the numbers of members I see at training more than once now. They know that it is a great tool in getting the most out of BNI. Strong chapters have a culture of education.
• The meetings are run professionally, with fun injected. Fun is really important and so is professionalism. From a President standing up to run the meeting (a President that runs a meeting sitting gives off a ‘I can’t be bothered’ attitude. Doesn’t inspire me) through to the prevention of reference to personal stuff, is important in professionalism. Members can feel safe to do something fun and different in chapters where this balance is reached.
• They enlist the support of the director. We do not know everything however with experience and the backing of BNI support we can often find powerful solutions. We are there to support you and when we comment on something that concerns us it is because it concerns us – not because we think you are wrong or doing a bad job. We have seen a lot and tend to be clear on what works and what just doesn’t.  I am very open about my belief in all members getting the most they can out of BNI – I am passionate about it.
• They deal with attendance – I won’t harp on about this however it is consistent in strong chapters. Absences are just not tolerated.
• They have a great venue. It is not an easy task, however work with your venue. It is an important relationship and anyone who has attempted to find a venue knows of it’s challenges.

Remember it takes all members to create this culture. BNI works – that I do know. The stronger the chapter, the greater the return for everyone involved. It is a set of systems that are there to support you – why would you decide you know better.

Good luck with strengthening your chapters.

Niki Gunning
Regional Director – Lower North Island