Conflict is a normal part of doing business. When you bring dozens of ambitious professionals together in a BNI chapter, disagreements are bound to happen. I’ve seen them arise over everything from attendance to referral quality. While your first instinct might be to search for the official “bni dispute resolution policy pdf,” understanding the spirit behind the process is far more important than just reading the document. The policy isn’t there to be punitive; it exists to protect the health and integrity of your chapter.
As someone who has helped guide members and leadership teams through these exact situations, I want to give you a clear, practical overview of how this process works. This isn’t about legal jargon. It’s about providing a fair, structured path to resolve issues so everyone can get back to what matters: growing their businesses together. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the purpose of the policy, the key steps involved, and how you can handle disputes with professionalism and grace.
Why a Formal Dispute Policy Is Your Chapter’s Best Friend
Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” I’ve seen chapters without a clear process devolve into gossip and frustration, which poisons the Givers Gain culture. The BNI dispute resolution policy provides a vital framework that ensures fairness, predictability, and professionalism.
Its main purposes are to:
- Uphold the BNI Code of Ethics and core values.
- Provide a confidential and respectful process for members to voice concerns.
- Offer a clear escalation path, from the chapter level to regional support.
- Protect the chapter from unresolved conflicts that can harm morale and referrals.
Think of it as a roadmap for difficult conversations. It ensures every voice is heard and that decisions are made based on policies, not personalities.
A 7-Step Guide to the BNI Dispute Resolution Process
While the official PDF has the exact details, the journey of resolving a dispute generally follows a consistent path. Here is my breakdown of the process into seven manageable steps.
- Step 1: Self-Resolution First. Before escalating anything, the policy almost always encourages you to try and resolve the issue directly with the other member. A calm, one-to-one conversation can often clear up misunderstandings before they grow.
- Step 2: Document Everything. If a direct conversation doesn’t work, start documenting. Write down the facts of the situation: dates, specific events, and the business impact. Keep it objective and emotion-free.
- Step 3: Submit a Formal Complaint. The next step involves formally submitting your concern to the chapter’s Membership Committee. This is usually done in writing and should reference the specific BNI policy or code of ethics you believe was violated.
- Step 4: The Committee Review. The Membership Committee will review the submission to determine if it falls under their purview. They are trained to handle internal chapter matters with impartiality.
- Step 5: Mediation and Fact-Finding. The committee will likely speak to both parties involved, separately at first. Their goal is to gather information and mediate a solution. This is not a trial; it’s a facilitated conversation aimed at finding a mutually agreeable outcome.
- Step 6: The Committee’s Decision. Based on the findings and the governing policies, the Membership Committee will make a recommendation. This could range from a simple warning to a period of probation or, in serious cases, opening a member’s classification.
- Step 7: The Option to Appeal. If you believe the process was not followed correctly, there is typically a path to appeal the decision to your BNI Director Consultant or regional office. This step is for procedural issues, not just because you disagree with the outcome.
Common Disputes and How to Approach BNI Group
I’ve seen a few types of disputes come up more often than others. Here’s how to frame your thinking around them.
Attendance and Punctuality
- The Issue: A member is frequently late or absent, impacting the meeting flow and their reliability.
- The Approach: Before filing a formal complaint, the Vice President should be addressing this. If it persists, a complaint can reference the attendance policy. Focus on the impact on the chapter, not just your personal annoyance.
Category and Classification Conflicts
- The Issue: A member appears to be doing work that infringes on your approved business classification.
- The Approach: This requires a one-to-one first. Ask clarifying questions. For example: “I noticed your 60-second pitch mentioned services that sound like they overlap with my category. Could you help me understand the distinction?” If that fails, a formal complaint with specific examples is the next step.
Referral Quality or Lack Thereof
- The Issue: You feel a member is passing poor-quality leads or not participating in the Givers Gain philosophy.
- The Approach: This is a perfect topic for a one-to-one meeting. Use “I” statements: “I want to make sure I’m giving you great referrals. Can we review my ideal client profile? I’d love to hear yours again too.” This opens the door for a two-way conversation about expectations.
Code of Conduct Violations
- The Issue: A member’s behavior is unprofessional or goes against the BNI Code of Ethics.
- The Approach: This should be escalated to the Membership Committee immediately, especially if it involves harassment or serious ethical breaches. Document the specific behavior, date, time, and any witnesses.
Templates to Help You Communicate Clearly With BNI Group
How you phrase your concerns matters. Here are some simple prompts to guide you.
For Requesting a One-to-One to Discuss an Issue:
“Hi [Member Name], I’d like to schedule a one-to-one with you this week to sync up on our referral partnership and clarify how we can best support each other. Does Tuesday at 10 AM work for you?”
For Documenting an Issue for the Committee:
- Date of Incident:
- Policy in Question: (e.g., BNI Code of Ethics, Item #4)
- Objective Facts: (Describe what happened without emotional language.)
- Business Impact: (How did this affect you or the chapter?)
- Desired Resolution: (What outcome are you hoping for?)
A Quick Checklist for Fair Conflict Resolution
If you are on a Membership Committee or involved in a dispute, keep these principles front of mind.
- Have we encouraged self-resolution first?
- Are we keeping all communications confidential?
- Are we focusing on the policy, not the person?
- Have all parties had an equal opportunity to share their perspective?
- Is our documentation objective and fact-based?
- Is our final decision aligned with BNI policies and the Givers Gain spirit?
You can also use our [Internal: BNI Education Moment Ideas] guide to proactively teach members about these best practices.
The Importance of Confidentiality and Reputation
A core tenet of the BNI dispute resolution policy is confidentiality. These issues should never be discussed with other chapter members or on social media. I’ve seen a single resentful post undo years of chapter trust. Gossiping about a dispute undermines the formal process and can damage reputations, including your own. Trust the process and respect the privacy of everyone involved.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes and is based on my personal experience. It is not a substitute for official BNI policy. I am not affiliated with or an official representative of BNI Global, LLC. Always consult your chapter’s leadership team, your BNI Director, or the official BNI member portal for the most current and complete policies.
Where to Find the Official BNI Dispute Resolution Policy PDF
The most reliable place to find the official BNI dispute resolution policy PDF is directly from the source. Here are the places you should look:
- BNI Business Builder (or Member Portal): Log in to your official BNI member account. Policy documents are typically stored in a resource section.
- Your Chapter Leadership Team: Your Chapter President, Vice President, or Secretary/Treasurer should have access to these documents.
- Your BNI Director Consultant: Your DC is an expert on BNI policies and can provide you with the correct, up-to-date versions of all governing documents.
Avoid searching for and downloading PDFs from unauthorized websites, as they may be outdated or inaccurate.
Final Thoughts
Navigating a dispute is never comfortable, but having a clear and fair process makes all the difference. By understanding and respecting the BNI dispute resolution policy, you contribute to a chapter culture where problems are solved constructively and professionally. It empowers BNI Group to hold each other accountable while preserving the relationships that make referral marketing so powerful.
Remember, the goal is always resolution, not retribution. When handled correctly, resolving a conflict can actually strengthen your chapter in the long run.
Have you ever been part of a process that helped resolve a business conflict effectively? Share your thoughts or lessons learned in the comments below.
