BNI Leadership Meeting Agenda: What to Expect

A BNI leadership meeting agenda typically covers chapter performance metrics, member attendance and retention, visitor follow-up, and planning for upcoming meetings and events. The meeting is run by the elected Leadership Team (President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Membership Committee, and Member Success Coordinator) and usually lasts 30–45 minutes before the weekly chapter meeting.

Purpose of the Leadership Team Meeting

The Leadership Team (LT) meeting exists to keep the chapter running smoothly between weekly member meetings. It is not a social gathering; it is a working session where the team reviews the health of the chapter and makes decisions that affect all members. The core objectives are:

• Review last week’s meeting results (attendance, visitors, new members, renewals)
• Identify members who need extra support or coaching
• Plan the agenda for the next weekly meeting
• Ensure the chapter is on track to meet its annual goals

The LT meeting is also where the team discusses any issues that cannot be resolved during the open meeting, such as member conflicts or repeated absences. Keeping these discussions confidential is important to maintain trust within the chapter.

Who Attends and Their Roles

The standard BNI Leadership Team consists of seven elected or appointed positions. Each role has specific duties that are reviewed during the LT meeting:

• President: Presides over the meeting, keeps the team focused, and acts as the main liaison with the regional director.
• Vice President: Steps in for the President and typically handles program scheduling for weekly meetings.
• Secretary/Treasurer: Takes minutes, tracks dues and payments, and maintains chapter records.
• Membership Committee Chair: Manages visitor follow-up, applications, and orientation of new members.
• Member Success Coordinator: Monitors member attendance, participation, and one-to-one meeting completion.
• Member Retention Coordinator: Works to keep members engaged and addresses any concerns about leaving the chapter.
• Sergeant-at-Arms: Handles logistics, timing, and the physical setup of the meeting room.

In smaller chapters, one person may hold multiple roles, but the structure remains the same. Each role reports on their area during the LT meeting, which keeps everyone accountable.

Typical Agenda Items (Minute by Minute)

A well-run LT meeting follows a consistent structure so that nothing is missed. Here is a typical 40-minute agenda:

1. Call to order (2 min): President starts the meeting on time and reviews the agenda.
2. Review of last week’s meeting (5 min): Secretary reads the minutes; President asks for any corrections.
3. Attendance and retention report (5 min): Member Success Coordinator lists who was absent and who is at risk.
4. Visitor follow-up (5 min): Membership Committee reports on who visited, who received follow-up calls, and who is being invited back.
5. Financial report (3 min): Treasurer gives a quick update on chapter funds and any outstanding dues.
6. Upcoming events and promotions (5 min): Vice President reviews the next weekly meeting’s program and any chapter events.
7. Open discussion (10 min): Team addresses any member issues, training needs, or new initiatives.
8. Action items and closing (5 min): President assigns tasks with deadlines and confirms the next meeting time.

This structure is flexible; some chapters combine the financial report with the secretary’s report. The key is to stay within the allotted time so that the LT meeting does not delay the main member meeting.

How to Prepare for a Leadership Meeting

If you are a new member of the Leadership Team, preparation makes the meeting far more effective. Before you arrive, do the following:

• Review the previous meeting’s minutes and any action items assigned to you.
• Check the chapter’s attendance records for the last two weeks.
• Bring a list of visitors you have personally followed up with.
• Prepare any financial documents (if you are the Treasurer).
• Think about one improvement you would like to suggest for the chapter.

It is also helpful to arrive 5–10 minutes early to set up the room or to talk informally with other team members. The LT meeting is a place for honest discussion, so come with a collaborative attitude rather than a personal agenda.

Common Challenges and How to Handle Them

Leadership teams often face recurring issues. Here are a few common ones and practical approaches:

• Low attendance at LT meetings: If members skip the LT meeting, the chapter suffers. Consider scheduling it at a different time or making it a requirement for holding a leadership position.
• Dominant personalities: One person may try to control the discussion. The President should gently redirect and ensure every role gets equal speaking time.
• Lack of follow-through: People agree to tasks but do not complete them. Write down action items in the minutes and review them at the start of the next LT meeting.
• Focusing on complaints instead of solutions: When a member issue is raised, ask “What can we do about it?” rather than letting the conversation become a venting session.

If a conflict involves a member’s behavior, the LT should not discuss it with the whole chapter. Instead, the President or Member Retention Coordinator should have a private conversation with that member.

Leadership Meeting Template

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the BNI leadership team meet?

Most chapters hold the LT meeting once a week, immediately before the main member meeting. Some smaller chapters meet every other week, but that is less common because decisions need to be made in a timely manner.

Can any member attend the leadership meeting?

Generally, no. The LT meeting is for elected officers and committee chairs. However, a member may be invited by the President if they are working on a specific project or if their input is needed.

What happens if a leadership team member misses a meeting?

The President should be notified in advance. If absences become frequent, the chapter may need to replace that person. BNI has guidelines for minimum attendance for leadership, but the chapter’s own rules may be stricter.

Is the leadership meeting different from a board meeting?

In BNI, the terms are often used interchangeably. The Leadership Team acts as the board of directors for the chapter. The main difference is that BNI’s LT is more operational, focusing on weekly tasks rather than long-term strategy.

What should I do if I want to join the leadership team?

Express your interest to the current President or the Membership Committee. Many chapters have elections once a year, but positions can open up mid-year if someone steps down. Be prepared to commit to the weekly meeting and to the duties of the role.

Does the regional director attend the leadership meeting?

Usually not, but they may attend occasionally to train the team or to address specific issues. The President is responsible for sharing relevant regional updates with the LT.

Why a Structured Agenda Matters

Without a clear agenda, the LT meeting can easily become a informal chat that wastes everyone’s time. A structured agenda ensures that all important areas are covered, that decisions are recorded, and that the chapter moves forward. It also sets a professional tone that carries over to the main meeting. When the leadership team runs efficiently, members notice, and the whole chapter benefits from better organization, clearer communication, and a stronger referral culture.

If you are new to a leadership role, ask your predecessor for past meeting minutes or a template to understand what worked. Over time, you can adjust the agenda to fit your chapter’s unique needs, but the core items—attendance, visitors, finances, and member support—should always remain.

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