Dear BNI Executive Directors,

We, the undersigned members of the chapters of Business Network International (BNI) in the UK, hereinafter referred to as "Petitioners," bring forth this petition to address our concerns pertaining to the recent announcement regarding the significant increase in annual membership fees. It is essential for us to express our grievances in a manner consistent with the principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability, which are at the heart of an organisation like BNI.

As loyal and devoted members of BNI, it is with utmost respect and admiration that we approach this matter. We wish to unequivocally state at the outset that our intention is not to impugn the reputation of BNI or any of its valued employees. On the contrary, our deep-seated affection for BNI compels us to engage in this discourse, driven by a sincere desire to uphold the organisation's founding principles and safeguard the interests of its membership.

In light of the announcement of yet another rise in membership costs, Petitioners respectfully submit the following grievances for your conscientious consideration:

1.     Frequency of Increases: This marks the second price increase within a span of two years. Such rapid and substantial hikes in membership fees place undue financial strain on our members, many of whom are small business owners and entrepreneurs striving to navigate through economic challenges. The consecutive nature of these increases does not align with our expectations of reasonable and gradual adjustments.

2.     Rate of Increase: It is evident that the percentage increases in BNI membership fees have generally exceeded the average annual inflation rates for the respective years. This suggests that the rate of increase in BNI membership fees has outpaced the overall rate of inflation, potentially posing a financial burden on members beyond what can be attributed to general economic trends. BNI membership fees increased £565+vat in 2021 to £899+vat in 2024 – a 60% increase in 3 years.

3.     Lack of Transparent Justification: While we appreciate the commitment to enhancing member experience and facilitating business growth, the rationale behind this price surge remains ambiguous. The provided explanations regarding expanded resources, professional training, and networking opportunities are appreciated but fail to convincingly justify the magnitude of the proposed increase.

4.     Ethical Concerns and Impact on Membership Retention: The proposed price increase raises significant ethical questions regarding the principles of fairness and equity within the BNI community. Members who have faithfully contributed to the network's growth and success over the years now face a stark choice between shouldering an unjustifiable financial burden or relinquishing their membership. This dilemma undermines the ethos of reciprocity and mutual support upon which BNI was founded, eroding trust and cohesion within our chapters. The decision to prioritise revenue generation over the well-being and inclusivity of our membership base calls into question the organisation's commitment to its core values. 

5.     Discrepancy Between Service and Cost: BNI primarily offers a service-oriented platform for networking, professional development, and business growth. Unlike tangible products subject to variations in production costs, the fundamental nature of the service provided by BNI remains the same. As such, the 2024 rationale for the 12.5% increase in annual membership fees to £899+vat after the steep post-covid hike in 2023 of a 30% increase in annual membership fees from £615 to £799+vat, lacks ethical grounding, especially in the absence of substantial improvements or added value to justify such a steep hike.

6.     “Perceived” Added Value through In-Person and Online Trainings and Events:

Corporate's assertion that additional in-person and online trainings and events constitute “added value” overlooks the reality of our members' busy schedules and diverse learning preferences. While we appreciate efforts to expand educational opportunities, many of us are already actively engaged in various forms of professional development, including podcasts, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and BNI University (aka BNI Business Builder).

The suggestion that paying for a trainer and overall cost of hosting such events to rehash information already available to us online via live such events and sessions adds value is misguided. Attendance numbers for such events speak volumes – they remain consistently low because they fail to offer meaningful insights or unique content that resonates with our needs and interests. As discerning entrepreneurs, we prioritise our time and resources towards activities that yield tangible returns on investment, rather than participating in redundant training sessions.

7.     Looking at the Numbers: 

Based on estimations, there are approximately 13,000 current BNI members in the UK.

If each of these members faces a £100 increase in annual membership fees, BNI Corporate stands to gain an additional £1,300,000 in annual revenue from the UK alone. This significant revenue augmentation is extracted directly from the hard-earned funds of diligent small business owners and entrepreneurs who constitute the cornerstone of our network.

It's important to question the justification for such a significant financial gain, especially in light of the £184 (£2,392,000 equivalent) rate increase implemented just last year. The rationale behind this latest price surge remains elusive, particularly considering that the previous increase was purportedly earmarked for technology innovation within BNI post Covid.

BNI has indeed made strides in innovation, notably by transitioning away from printing manuals and paper slips, thereby achieving significant cost savings in running chapter meetings. However, the absence of a transparent breakdown of how these savings are reinvested into enhancing member experience or offsetting the need for further fee hikes raises valid concerns about the motives behind the current proposal.

8.       Bring back Leadership Team free membership

Having served 3 times on the Leadership Team as President, I know exactly how much work is involved to make a dynamic and engaging meeting for members and visitors - especially whilst on Zoom.  Having absolutely NO incentive in place to acknowledge the hard work the LT does for the chapter is outrageous.  Having the year's membership paid by BNI by no means balances the amount of work put in each week, but it at least sweetens the year's commitment you are making.

Not having any incentive also makes it increasingly difficult to enrol a new LT of any quality for the subsequent year.  All of which means the chapter's are likely to suffer as having LT members who feel unloved and unthanked for their hard work, will not bring out the best work and motivation to enhance and grow the chapter.  As the numbers above prove, the earnings of BNI UK each year must allow for this small adjustment back to acknowledge the LT of each chapter.

 

Our Goal is Clear:

We urge the BNI Corporate Officers to eliminate the proposed price increase altogether and maintain the current rate of £799+vat for renewing members and reinstate the free membership for the Chapter LT. 

Our goal is to preserve fairness and affordability within the BNI network, ensuring that all members can continue to benefit from its resources without undue financial strain at a time when the economic rises are hitting businesses from all directions. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles of BNI and its mission to foster mutually beneficial relationships and business growth opportunities.

In light of the foregoing, Petitioners respectfully urge BNI Corporate Officers to engage in meaningful dialogue with regional chapter representatives to address these concerns in a collaborative and transparent manner. It is our hope that through constructive discourse and proactive engagement, BNI can continue to thrive as a beacon of excellence and integrity within the global business community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

BNI MEMBERS OF BRISTOL & SOMERSET