Getting Started with True North Networkers

Looking to Submit an Application to Our BNI Chapter?

Apply to True North Networkers by clicking on that link, filling out an application, submitting payment and emailing the Chapter Vice President or Application Chair of the chapter's membership committee. The Vice President and all members of the Membership Committee can walk you through the membership application process. It will typically take one to two weeks to interview candidates, check references and make a membership determination. Please continue to attend weekly meetings during this process so the membership committee can see your commitment to attendance. Once a decision has been made the membership committee will contact the applicant, and if membership has been accepted, start you on the New Member Passport program to introduce you to all the benefits of membership, including the tools and resources below.

True North Networker's New Member Resources

Are you a new member of our N. Olmsted networking group? Below is a list of resources that are available to you once your membership has been processed. Schedule a one-to-one with the Chapter Resources Mentor to make sure you're comfortable with how you can utilize these resources to maximize your membership and grow your business.

1.myBNI (link here)

Once you are accepted into the chapter and your membership is processed by BNI Regional Headquarters, an email will be sent to the email address provided on your application, containing a link to set-up your username and password. You can also use the "forgot password" prompt to generate a new email.

In March of 2026 BNI added a single sign-on platform, called myBNI, to sign-in once and get access to all of the BNI tools including; BNI Connect (tracking and reporting tool) and BNI Academy (training, resources and education tool) as well as Ask I.V.A.N, a virtual navigator of BNI resources. Sign in to myBNI using the "username" or email from your initial application and your password. If you haven't created a password yet, or forgot it, click the "forgot password" prompt and use the email associated with your BNI account, which is the one from your initial application.  (if you enter email addresses other than the one on your application, there will not be a membership associated with that email and you will get an error message)

2a. BNI Connect On Your Desktop (link here or access through myBNI)

BNI Connect is where we track all activity, referrals given, referrals received, one-to-ones, CEUs and more. The desktop version has more resources, allows you to add links to various social media and web profiles, embed videos and tracks details of all the referrals you have received since your membership began. You can access this from myBNI.

2b. BNI Connect App

BNI Connect App for Apple Devices and BNI Connect on Google Play  Download BNI Connect App to have real-time notifications of referrals from your fellow members as well as to track all your activity. Make sure your contact information and business links are all correct and that the profile looks professional. This is how BNI members across the globe can find you and get in touch. All member activity (Number of Referrals, CEUs, One-to-Ones, Visitors, Attendance) is published and provided to the chapter each month in The Power of One Report - so use the app right away to let other members see you are actively participating.

3.Training (MSP)

New members are required to complete MSP, Member Success Program, before giving their first 10-Minute Feature Presentation at their chapter meeting, so complete as soon as possible and let your chapter leadership team know so that you can get on the speaker rotation.  We are always excited to learn more about how to generate quality referrals to help new members grow their business.

There are two ways to take MSP - 1. A Self-Paced, 7-Module, Course in BNI Academy. You access this course through myBNI and then selecting BNI Academy and Member Success Program.or 2. Live Zoom Training, 2-Hour Course by Margie Maxel. Click on the MSP page from the regional website to access the dates, times and register. 

4. Chapter Education Units (CEUs)

A philisophy of Lifelong Learning is part of the BNI culture so our organization gives members several ways to acquire knowledge about how to maximize your membership.  When you invest time in BNI knowledge, count it as CEUs in our activity tracking app, BNI Connect. One hour of learning is equivalent to one CEU. 

BNI Academy  (access through myBNI) is by far the most comprehensive and robust platform for all your CEUs.  You are encouraged to login and take advantage as soon as you get access (starting with MSP). As BNI Academy is being built out we axpect an app that will make it easier to listen to BNI CEUs on the go. Until then, use these links to BNI podcasts to earn CEUs and master using the BNI Program to buld your business:

1. The Official BNI Podcast  although these podcasts can be found on BNI Academy, it's easier for some members that already listen to a lot of podcasts  to find them on most of your podcast platforms. 1 hour of listening (usually 5 podcasts) counts as 1 CEU. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and wherever you listen to podcasts.

2. Power of One Podcast these podcasts are also found on BNI Academy but can be easily found in most podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple.

If you are more of a reader, the Ivan Misner Books (founder of BNI) are about how to use business networking to grow your business, how to use business relationships effectively and how to become a master of networking. If you read, or listen to, any Ivan Misner Books, make sure to give yourself credit in the BNI Connect app for CEUs.