Across the Globe - Australia/Asia
Sri Lanka
Preschools Being Built in BNI's Name

Preschool foundation laying ceremony

Thanks to the generosity of BNI members and the BNI Foundation, two preschools are being built in Sri Lanka following the devastating tsunami of December 2004.

As we reported earlier this year, the BNI Foundation helped raise more than $57,000 for relief efforts in the destroyed areas. The $45,000 given to the Red Cross of Sri Lanka is being used to build and furnish two new preschools. Plaques will be installed recognizing BNI's sponsorship.

This example of "Givers Gain" speaks volumes to the community as the local press covered the foundation laying ceremony.

Submitted by Marjan A. Manzil, National Director, BNI Srilanka & Maldives

Taiwan
Taiwan Directors Announced

Andrew, Simon, Carson and Jihong at the contract signing session.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our first Directors in Taiwan. Simon Wang has taken an option to become the first Executive Director in the Taipei South region and Carson Chu will be a Regional Director working for the national office in Taipei Central.

Simon came to the UK for one week to visit some of the most successful chapters here. He also attended a core group, Members Success Training session, and a chapter launch.  Having returned to Taipei he is working towards the first chapter launch which is scheduled for the beginning of December.

Carson Chu is a very successful English trainer in Taipei. He is currently completing some teaching contracts and will start his first group in one month.

Both Carson and Simon found out about BNI when they met us at the Taiwan International Franchise Show earlier this year. We have completed a 6-Day Director Training and will be working with Simon and Carson as they move towards their first launch.

Submitted by Andrew and Jihong Hall, Co-National Directors, BNI China

Malaysia
Record Number of Referrals Given in a Single Meeting

During his last meeting as the President of Achievers Chapter in Penang, Tan Teik Poh set a new BNI Malaysia record by giving 70 qualified external referrals to his fellow members!

Always a committed and selfless leader, this was Teik Poh's way of saying thank you to members of Achievers Chapter for their unwavering support.

"He is the most dynamic president we have ever had—he really practiced the 'Giver's Gain' philosophy and always put members' interests ahead of his own. He worked tirelessly to improve the chapter and individual members' businesses," said one pioneer chapter member.

"How did he do it?" some might ask.

"He probably saved his referrals for the past few weeks to show off!" others might think.

Believe it or not, Teik Poh got all his qualified referrals in just a half an hour—wearing shorts and drinking coconut juice. BNI UK Executive Director and Co-National Director of Malaysia, Robert French was present and can vouch for the accuracy of the account mentioned above.

It was simply achieved through the combination of the Power of BNI, Working the Networks, and Out-of-the-Box Thinking.

To find out exactly how he did it, we invite you to talk to him personally at the Members International Conference in Kuala Lumpur in June of 2006.

Submitted by Y.P. Lai, Regional Director, BNI Malaysia

Australia
Another Milestone Reached

BNI has experienced tremendous growth and success world-wide in recent times. BNI Australia is no exception. As of the end of September, 2005, BNI Australia reached yet another milestone: 140 Chapters, 2804 members, and an average chapter size of 20 members!

It would not have been possible without a fantastic effort by members, chapters, and directors!