Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can anyone join Tracy Business Partners?

We only accept one person from a business segment. So if you are a residential real estate person and we do not have a real estate person you are free to apply for membership.

Q: How do you know new members are reputable?

We have a membership committee that checks out each business.

Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?

It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be almost anything. If you're focused and you have a dream and you're willing to make the commitment, you are the person we want to partner with.

Q: Are members supposed to bring visitors?

Yes: you're encouraged to bring visitors. After the visitor has attended two (2) meetings, they will be asked to join. If they decline, the meetings are no longer open for that individual.

Q: What is the purpose of Tracy Business Partners?

The purpose of Tracy Business Partners is to assist you in getting qualified business referrals that will expand your business. We are dedicated to maximizing the use of your time and resources. We are not in competition with other group or clubs, nor are we a social club. We are a business-building service dedicated to increasing members' business success.

Q: How often do you meet and what is the length of each meeting?

Tracy Business Partners meets once a week on Wednesdays.
Meetings start at 11:45 am and end at 1:15 pm—lasting 90 minutes.

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Q: How is my business promoted at each meeting?

Each member gives a 30- to 60-second promotional at the beginning of each meeting. Members are also encouraged to give an in-depth, 8-minute presentation at least twice each year.

O: What is the maximum number of members you will allow in Tracy Business Partners?

50+ is our goal. We know that more members means more referrals.

Q: How many business categories can a member represent?

Each member is only allowed to represent one business category.

Q: What kind of businesses belongs to Tracy Business Partners?

Members come from all types and sizes of business.

Q: If I specialize in a field within my profession, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?

BNI understands that many professions are broad and that people often specialize within their profession. BNI does not expect, nor does it encourage, any professional to participate in an area in which the professional does not have expertise. On the contrary, BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities.

Q: Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in BNI?

BNI understands the importance of the ethical concerns governing certain professions and acknowledges that rules can differ by location. As such, BNI therefore requires its members to uphold the rules of its profession so as not to violate the professional’s ethical obligations. In the event that BNI’s general rules could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s rules are superceded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics’ code. Significantly, a primary objective of BNI is to educate its membership in ways to market and grow business. It is BNI’s intent to ensure that this is permitted.

Q: How many BNI chapters can I belong to?

You may belong only to one chapter. Your business may belong to several chapters so long as there are different representatives from your company in each chapter and that those representatives are accepted by the chapter they are applying to.  A business that is represented in one chapter does not automatically guarantee it a position in another chapter.  If your business  would like to have its representatives apply for membership in another chapter where the position in open, the representative(s) of your business will need to attend those chapters' meetings and apply for membership as any non-BNI member would.