March/April 2005
Art of NetworkingLiberty Chapter Visitor's Day
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This was a huge success and the efforts made by the Liberty Chapter certainly paid off. Of the 43 attendees, 23 were visitors. 26 referrals were passed. One application was turned in at the end of the meeting and 3 to 5 more applications are expected in the immediate future. Special thanks to Dennis Harper of Saladmasters for his role as Visitor Host, for taking the reservations, and having his facility and coffee ready for all of us.
Submitted by Sharon Schneider, President - Liberty chapter.
First Regional BNI Conference Held in Western Pennsylvania
After the Western Pennsylvania team of Assistant Directors attended the BNI National Conference in May of 2004, they were inspired to create the first regional conference for BNI members in their area. Their vision was to connect the region and for members to understand all BNI has to offer. The conference committee included: David L. Holzer and H. David Holzer of Compensation Consultants, Keith Jackson of Side by Side Construction, Lorrie Leuthold of Tangible Interiors, Larry Schwartz of Red Square Systems, Michelle Donovan of Pinnacle Training Services, Linda Schumacher of Schumacher Consulting, Mary Pam Kilgore of Kilgore Business Services, Bob and Deanna Schmitt of BNI.
On January 17th, 2005 their vision unfolded with a regional conference of 150 attendees, trade show exhibitions, event sponsors, networking activities and an awards dinner. The event kicked off with a fast paced networking activity that provided attendees with an opportunity to make three new contacts. BNI Executive Director Frank De Raffele, the keynote speaker, provided valuable information on how to teach your BNI sales force to find referrals for you and how to develop a BNI business plan. Each attendee then picked from one of three breakout sessions: BNI Executive Directors Mike Garrison and Paula Frazier on "Maximizing Your ROR," BNI Executive Director Brian Alcorn on "The E-Myth and BNI," and Certified Networker Program Trainer, Michelle Donovan on "Shifting Paradigms in Communication."
Throughout the conference attendees visited the 23 trade show sponsors. As they visited each booth the exhibitor stamped a card called a "passport." Everyone who visited each booth and completed the stamped passport was entered into a drawing for a large array of fabulous door prizes. This activity provided each exhibitor with plenty of exposure. Exhibitor Steve Plant from Home Depot - At Home Services, reported that he scheduled nine appointments!
An awards dinner followed the breakout sessions. Eight categories of recognition were celebrated, including 25 Perfect Attendance in 2004 awards. Noted honorees included:
DOUBLE GOLD CLUB:
Ed Gaskey of American Express Financial Advisors, Greensburg Chapter
SHOW ME THE RESULTS 2004
$76,068 Joe Gater of InterTech Security, Circle of Excellence Chapter
REFERRALS OF THE YEAR 2004, given by:
Michelle Donovan of Pinnacle Training Services, Circle of Excellence Chapter
Greg Vallecorsa of First Commonwealth Bank, Airport Chapter
Paul Toohey Attorney at Law, Greensburg Chapter
MOST IMPROVED CHAPTER 2004
Greensburg Chapter
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR 2004
Circle of Excellence Chapter
NOTABLE NETWORKER OF THE YEAR 2004
John Geisler of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Upper St. Clair Chapter
MISNER FOUNDATION TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND CONTRIBUTORS:
Airport Chapter
Business Nexus Chapter
Circle of Excellence Chapter
SSO Chapter
Three Rivers Chapter
Monroeville Chapter
Submitted by Lorrie Leuthold, Assistant Director, Profit Builders Chapter, Western Pennsylvania.
Tennessee Theme Days
The Downtown chapter in Chattanooga, Tennessee has a tradition of selecting special meeting themes. Two such events that have had tremendous success in our chapter have been "Food Bank Day" and "Toys for Tots."
On "Food Bank Day" each member brings a non-perishable food item and works the item into their 60-second presentation. For example, an accountant or CPA may bring in several cans of beans and say, "I am the bean counter, so you don't have to be."
On "Toys for Tots Day" we bring toys and work the item into our presentations. So, a financial advisor may bring a stuffed animal and say, "A good referral for me would be someone who wants to have a warm, cozy feeling about their investments." Get the idea? Not only do these themes add variety and interest to the meeting format, the items are then donated to the local food bank or US Marines Toys for Tots campaign.
Our chapter has been doing these events for five years with 100 percent participation. Our efforts are newsworthy, receive good press coverage and promote BNI!
Ed Adams, Chattanooga, Tennessee Assistant Director
Dancing for Donations in Oregon
Portland Chapter members Paula Bryne, Jen Warnock and Winky Wheeler decided to offer a fundraiser dance in their community. The idea was simple: three hours, three DJs, ten dollars to get in. With less than ten days notice the event raised $1,200 for the Tsunami Relief effort! Several companies, including the BNI Foundation, offered to double the contributions raised—this was a huge incentive for all involved. One participant said it best: "Thank you for creating the opportunity for us to be generous." Then she dropped $100 in the basket!
Submitted by Winky Wheeler, WW Design, BNI Portland Chapter
A Chapter Less Than a Year Old
The Smokey Mountains of Referrals Chapter, located in Sevierville, Tennessee, recently held a Visitors Day. What a great tool to grow a chapter! BNI has a structured agenda for holding a Visitors Day, and boy does it work. Less than three weeks after our Visitor's Day we doubled in size, and we are still growing with sustained momentum.
During this period of growth, our chapter members are working on their Contact Spheres to further expand the chapter. Because we stick to the BNI system, we haven't encountered problems that could potentially slow down our growth. The momentum and excitement in our professional group has our chapter moving toward success. Friendships and business relationships are being built every day by trust and high quality work ethics.
Submitted by Amber Hansen, Smokey Mountains of Referrals Chapter, Sevierville, TN.
Montana Members Have Staying Power
Members of BNI Montana have staying power! Montana was the third state to join Ivan Misner's fledgling organization and we are very proud to still be growing and helping people help people. Sol Lovas, an attorney, has been a member of the Billings Tuesday group since it was started in 1988. Others with staying power include Mike Kuehn, James Mariska, Ron Berkland, Patricia May, and James Tarr. They have all been with the Billings Wednesday group for 10 or more years.
Five years plus members include: Dana Bishop, John Price, Don Buffington, Darwin Nissen, Jo Ann Dukart, Mary Bell, Tom Bennion, Brice Cady, and Michael and Billie Lehman.
An interesting event occurred in the new Sheridan Wyoming Chapter, which illustrates the principles of "Givers Gain." One of their members was involved in a serious car accident, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. The group took it upon themselves to send cards, start a prayer group, and pass leads to his Novus Glass business. After several months of recovery, he came to a meeting in his new wheelchair—along with his wife and daughter. You should have heard the welcoming applause!
The motto of "Givers' Gain" and the 2004 motto "Return on Relationships" is an example of how well BNI works. I'm very privileged to have been a part of BNI's growth, even in a small population such as Wyoming and Montana. We continue to expand because BNI is about people helping people. We need much more of that in our world today!
Submitted by Paul D. Gray, Executive Director Wyoming and Montana
North Carolina News
The Gate City Chapter of Greensboro, North Carolina received the Founder's Award for 2004. It is one of only two chapters in the "Piedmont Triad" region of North Carolina to qualify.
The Gate City Chapter had 1,486 referrals with a gross dollar value of $6,072,532 in 2004. These impressive numbers were produced by a membership of 31 to 38 during the course of the year. We consistently have a large attendance at local Advanced Training events. We support one another through our contact "Sphere Group" meetings and effective "One on Ones."
Quotes from Gate City BNI Members:
"Where else can you find a group of committed people in other businesses giving referrals? Every week I am reminded how valuable each member is to each other's success."
George Smith, Craft Insurance Group, Past President, Member since 2000.
"Having been in BNI for just nine months, I have enjoyed introducing others to my BNI buddies. The system is second to none in results. I am proud to promote BNI daily and enjoy the financial results of referrals. I have doubled the number of women that I've been able to help."
Amy B. Haynes, Future Exec. Senior Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Member since May 2004.
"BNI has become my best client. Personal introductions are worth their weight in gold in my business. My fellow members do a great job of getting me in front of key clients whom I may never have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. I'll never go back to the 'lead' again."
Greer Ducker, Edward Jones Representative, Current Chapter President, Member since 2003.
"I have always felt that serving others is what we are called to do. My business does just that. BNI has given me more than I could ever have asked for. The friendships are valuable to me. Most of the referrals are strong, qualified and result in sales. The 'Givers Gain' motto is so true. I have received a lot of business because I have gotten myself involved at the Leadership Team level. The exposure in priceless."
David Haynes, Craft Insurance Group, Current Vice President, Member since 2001.
The BNI Goal Seekers Chapter of Winston-Salem, NC also received the Founder's Award for 2004. This chapter has consistently maintained a membership of over 30 members last year.
Submitted by Jeff Weir, BNI Managing Area Director, Winston-Salem, NC
