November/December 2005
Art of Networking
CanadaToronto Area: BNI and Pro Football
No, BNI members are not playing pro football but rather watching it live. The Ontario Golden Horseshoe BNI Team arranged the BNI football day. More than two hundred members from several Toronto area regions gathered to network and enjoy watching the Hamilton Tiger-Cats face off against the Toronto Argos.The Toronto 'Dome' management arranged a location for BNI to set up before the game where members could renew old relationships and create new ones before, during, and after the game.
Did you ever wonder why BNI members like to network outside of the regular weekly marketing sessions? Experienced members know they make new contacts at networking events, which often serve up new business opportunities.
Submitted by Don Morgan, Executive Director, BNI Canada
United States of AmericaHoliday Happenings Across the USA
BNI Paradise Valley Success Chapter
The "Givers Gain" philosophy was truly our mission during the 2004 holiday season.Our group became aware of a family in the area that needed even the most basic living essentials. Although the overwhelming amount of giving was heartwarming, the true wonder was felt by all of those who volunteered their time to deliver and assemble these gifts. The opportunity to interact and watch the emotions of this family was priceless.
I know the family was truly grateful to BNI. However, I still wonder which one of us benefited more from this experience the family or us?
Submitted by Michael J. Goater, BNI PV Success Chapter Member
United States of AmericaHoliday "Give so Kids will Gain" Campaign
During the 2004 holiday season, BNI Massachusetts members collected and distributed over 1500 toys from individual chapters and donated them to over 30 charities throughout our state. This program was so well received that I wanted to share it with BNI members around the world.
As an Assistant Director, I started this campaign in 2003 and piloted it to six of my chapters. The idea was to introduce this as a meeting stimulant during the first week of December. I asked the members of each chapter to bring in a toy gift that related to their industry and incorporate the toy into their 60-second commercial. You would not believe the amount of fun and laughter that resulted! In the end, each chapter selected their own local charity that would receive their donations. We collected close to 200 toys in our first year.
I approached Executive Director Patti Salvucci and Area Directors Shep Becker and Bob Gere with a request to introduce this program to other Assistant Directors throughout BNI Massachusetts for the 2004. I was happy to find out we collectively donated and distributed over 1500 toys! This is the power of BNI…always wanting to give.
Submitted by Erik Jacobson, Assistant Director, BNI Massachusetts
United States of AmericaManhattan BNI Chapter 7 Holiday Party Rocks
Nearly half of Chapter 7 in Manhattan used to be in show business. Due to our common background we like to see how funny we can make our commercials and taglines—a challenge at 7:00 am. When it came time to plan our 2004 holiday gathering it seemed only natural to have a talent show. The rules for the show were strict: you had five minutes, you couldn't do anything associated with your real profession, there would be no prizes, and no one would get the hook. This was strictly for fun!
The evening was filled with singing, magic, spoofs on our chapter meetings, and group dance lessons. Laughing at each other struggle as we tried to keep the beat with the mambo, tango, and salsa was the funniest act of the evening. The tagline for our chapter should be, "Join Chapter 7. Take your chances. We're the group that sings and dances."
Check out our chapter website at http://www.art-cetera.com/bni
Submitted by Dottie Burman, Manhattan Chapter 7
United States of AmericaHouston West BNI Members Respond to Hurricane Katrina Victims
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| Post Oak Chapter President Linda Starr and VP Julie Bullmer present chapter donation to Sandi Gardner |
Member donations were collected within three days of Hurricane Katrina for the American Red Cross, and passed on to Sandi Gardner whose Houston company arranged to have the donations matched. This one chapter collaboration alone netted $1660 for hurricane victims.
Thank you, BNI Houston West Region members for your "Givers Gain" attitude in a time of need!
Submitted by Kathy Mathy, Executive Director, BNI Houston Region
United States of AmericaAutumn Tea for Katrina Relief Fund
On September 11th a group of fourteen ladies held a Walk-In Tea called "Tea with Marie" to benefit the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The tea was held at The True Brew Café in Wakefield, R.I. where the owner, Peg Fradette, had graciously donated her business to be taken over for the event.The ladies on the committee range from 18 to 80 years and all worked happily together to set up, decorate, and run the tea. A sign was placed outside letting all attendees know that BNI would double any amount the guests donated to the American Red Cross. Guests were very happy to learn that their contributions would be doubled by the BNI organization to help more people in need. Myron Waldman, the husband of commitee chair Marie Younkin-Waldman, is a member of the local BNI chapter in Wakefield.
The tea lasted for a couple of hours during which guests had a chance to buy raffle tickets, eat tasty food, enjoy each other's company, listen to live music, and win raffle baskets.
The committee members were happy to find an outlet to help by working on the tea. The tea was deemed a success and earned over $1000 that will be matched by the BNI-Misner Foundation and go straight to The American Red Cross.
Submitted by Marie Younkin-Waldman, teawithmarie@cox.net
United States of AmericaBNI Eastern Wisconsin's 2005 Power Networking Conference
On August 26th 2005 Executive Director Dave Zemer and Team BNI Eastern Wisconsin gathered some great talent from the BNI United States Arsenal and had its first Mini-Conference.Norm Dominguez was present for the conference to give an awesome C.O.O report and visit the Leadership teams in the region. A terrific GEMS programs and dynamic breakout sessions were presented to231 attendees.
The most memorable moment, according to Dave Zemer, was the golf outing at the Whistling Straits golf club in Kohler, Wisconsin with COO Norm Dominguez and other BNI Executive Directors. Afterward Norm joked, "We Came, We Played, and the Golf Course Conquered!"
Submitted by Dave Zemer, Executive Director, BNI Eastern Wisconsin
United States of AmericaSuccess Conference a Success!
The Missouri~Southern Illinois Region for BNI held its Annual Success Conference on September 16, 2005. The conference provided training to the incoming Leadership Teams and networking opportunities for the 320 members in attendance. An Awards Banquet was held to recognize the chapters which received the coveted Founder's Award, as well as recognize numerous chapters and individual members who had served "above and beyond the call of duty."
2005 Founders Award Recipients for Chapter Excellence:
BELLEVILLE, IL CHAPTER OF BNI
CLAYTON WEST, MO CHAPTER OF BNI
MANCHESTER/270, MO CHAPTER OF BNI
METRO EAST, IL CHAPTER OF BNI
REFERRAL BUILDERS, MO CHAPTER OF BNI
SOUTHWEST, IL CHAPTER OF BNI
ST CLAIR COUNTY, IL CHAPTER OF BNI
WARRENTON, MO CHAPTER OF BNI
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MO CHAPTER OF BNI
Submitted by Scott Simon, Executive Director, Eastern Missouri ~ Southern Illinois
United States of AmericaTeam Referrals Receives Founder's Award
The Team Referrals BNI chapter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the recipient of a 2005 Founder's Award. The 29-member chapter is picture perfect. The chapter is almost 2 years old and the Leadership Teams have consistently been very positive and pro-active with as many as 11 members going to Leadership Team Training. They do all of the small, medium, and big things right. They are always eager to implement new programs like the Reciprocity Ring and mentoring for new members. This chapter is also a "Showcase Chapter" which means they run such a perfect BNI meeting that start-up chapters are sent to observe the BNI success system in action.Congratulations Team Referrals!
Submitted by David L. Holzer, Assistant Director, Western Pennsylvania
United States of AmericaOgden Chapter Receives Founder's Award
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| Ogden Chapter President Ben Huff and VP Laura Alvarez are joined by several members. |
Less than ten percent of BNI chapters in the world receive the Founder's Award. This outstanding chapter now generates over 100 referrals per month—a recent week generated over 50 referrals! They have doubled in size in less than six months and their member retention rate is very high. The leadership team is cohesive and the members simply "get it."
"Givers Gain" is alive and well in Ogden!
Submitted by Gary Birdsall, Area Director, BNI Utah
United States of AmericaBNI Pirates Night
On Thursday, August 23rd the members from 12 chapters were invited by Denise Gove, a member of the Circle of Excellence chapter and player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, to the Pittsburgh National Corporation Park for a game. A total of 196 members, friends, and family members came to the game that evening.The Greensburg chapter had the highest percentage of member attendance so they were each entered into a drawing for a fabulous door prize—the opportunity to throw the first pitch. The current President, Dr. Brian Smith of Smith Chiropractic in Penn Hills, won the toss (he is experiencing a home run season in his chapter). Brian selected Doug Comin of BP Insurance in Ligonier and the incoming Greensburg President to catch the first pitch. What a symbolic handoff!
Thank you Denise for working so hard to organize this fantastic event!
Submitted by Deanna Tucci Schmitt, Regional Director, BNI Western Pennsylvania
