November/December 2006
Art of Networking
Untied StatesBNI Family Picnic
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| Who could resist a chance to "Cream the Founder"? |
We had activities such as "Dunk your Director," "Cream the Founder & CEO," raffles, games and kids activities such as bouncers, face painting, and 3-legged races. A barbeque dinner and drinks were catered.
The picnic was sponsored by Rhythm Entertainment and Daniel Paul Catering. We also had Massage Therapist Christine Bond donate her time with complimentary massages at the picnic.
All proceeds were donated to the BNI-Misner Foundation. We are happy to announce that thanks to the sponsors, members, and their families we are donating $802.44 to the BNI-Misner Foundation. We are looking forward to the 2007 BNI Family Picnic!
Submitted by Lonie Misner-Feigerle, BNI Senior Regional Director - Southern California
United StatesNorthern Illinois Regional Conference
Friday, October 13th was a lucky day for the 150 attendees who participated in the Northern Illinois Conference. We were treated to "Woody" Woodcock's Mind Mapping presentation, Don Morgan's Goal-Setting training, Derek Podorieszach's presentation on Performance Cycles, Steve Kaplan's instruction on how to win and keep big clients, and a live video link with Dr. Ivan Misner. Of course, breakfast, lunch, and open networking were also included in the day!Northern Illinois BNI members are looking forward to their next regional event, the "Fly Me to the Moon" Masters of Success Recognition Gala, to be held on Saturday, December 2nd. For more information, go to www.bnimarketing.com.
Submitted by Alana McKinney, Executive Director, BNI Marketing
United StatesPower Start for Power Hour Chapter
"You want us to have 100 people at the kickoff?" The look on the faces of the core group was a mixture of disbelief and terror. Some of them looked at the door, as if preparing to bolt.But, going on faith in the BNI program, they swallowed hard and rallied: The BNI Power Hour Chapter kicked off on September 13th with more than 100 people in the room! According to Claudia MacDermott, Area Director, it was not only her largest kickoff, but also certainly the most elegant, held in the ballroom of the Short Hills Hilton, a Five Diamond facility. There amid crystal chandeliers and a beautiful buffet, the seventeen members of the core group sat, two assigned to each table, hosting their many guests.
As exciting as the kickoff was in that special space, the best part happened after the kickoff. Within one month the chapter had doubled their initial membership as they inducted their 34th member on October 18th. That is the fastest start of any chapter in the Northern New Jersey region!
Submitted by Claudia MacDermott, Area Director, Northern New Jersey
United StatesBNI Christmas "Angels"
The Business Builders Chapter in Knoxville, Tennessee did a great event for the 2005 Christmas season. As a result of a visitor, Ernie Brooks from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, in late November, our chapter decided to sponsor some of the Angel Tree wishes for local needy kids. The chapter really embraced the project, and we collected $300 to spend on wishes. Another member and I did all the shopping, and were able to stay within our budget and buy either toys or clothing for 16 kids. One of our chapter members donated two brand new Barbie Dolls in their original packaging, so that made our total 18 kids who will be delighted with some new item on Christmas morning.
To share the fun we had shopping, we laid out all of the gifts on a table at our chapter meeting last week, and each member had to go up to the table and pick an item and incorporate that into their 60-second presentation. Because we have a great group of 31 people, with all personality types from crazy to crazier, it was a blast! It was one of the most fun games we have ever done, and a big hit! Not only did people get across their business message, but we had lots of fun and laughs in the process, sharing the spirit of the season and supplying the kids with items they needed and wanted for Christmas.
Submitted by Patty Ford, President - Business Builders Chapter, Knoxville, TN
United States'Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas
'Twas two weeks before Christmas
But in BNI land,
The referrals were coming in
Fist over hand.
No time to slow down
Though the Holidays near,
We're searching for business
To close out the year.
Our "Return on Relationships,"
Man, is it good
'Cause our BNI training
Is well understood!
Warm referrals we're giving
To each one with speed.
There's nothing so cold
As that thing called a "lead"!
By taking the time
To have "M.O.M.s" together,
We're learning to all
Become birds of a feather.
Teamwork means I will put
You before me,
And that's how I'll treat
Your referrals, you see.
Opportunity knocks
When visitors come
To see what it is
That makes BNI hum.
"By giving we gain,"
That's the motto we use,
So remember these tools
And you'll surely cruise...
To success in your business
And private life too.
But remember the group's success
Comes down to you.
Written by Jeff Kennedy, Spirit of St. Louis Chapter
Submitted by Scott Simon, Executive Director, Missouri - Southern Illinois
United States'Twas Two Weeks Before Tax Season
"Twas two weeks before tax season, when all through the land,
Not a client was aware of the chaos at hand.
The files were all hung in the cabinets with care,
In hopes that when we looked for them they all would be there!
The staff was all frazzled, the tax code they'd read,
While visions of 80-hour weeks boggled their heads.
And Bob in his ratty jeans and I in my gear,
Had just settled our brains after a very tough year.
When out in the fron office there arose such a clatter
That I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
When what to my astonishment would add to my load,
But an ear-muffled postman and eight boxes of new code.
I got out my checklist to get us ready for the rush,
And I motioned for everyone to sit and to hush.
More rapid than eagles Kim and Bob ran,
As I read and I spouted with checklist in hand.
"Check the copier, check the fax machine, check the computers that are new...
Check the calculators and the telephones and the pencil sharpener, too!
To the top of the bookshelf... to the top of the wall...
Now dash away clutter, now dash away all!"
So we thought and we cleaned and we shredded and tossed,
With checklist in hand and rarely we paused.
And then, in a panic, I thought of months ahead...
The early mornings and late nights - it filled me with dread.
As I started to cringe and was turning around,
DOWN my spirits came...with a bound!
For tax time envelops us from our heads to our toes,
No time for anything. That's just how it goes.
A bundle of appointments, clients old and new,
And then toss their tax info into the queue.
My eyes - crossed and bloodshot - my wrinkles a'showing,
My cheeks without makeup, my nose just a'glowing.
My clothes all wrinkly, my hair all kinky.
My house filthy dirty, and my clothes hamper stinky.
I spoke not one word, but went straight to the phone,
To call all my family to complain and to moan.
To tell them that I didn't know when we'd again speak,
But for them not to worry, it's only 16 weeks.
And then came upon me this feeling of relief,
When I realized I still had two more weeks of pure peace.
And I thought to myself as down my candle burns,
HAPPY TAX SEASON TO ALL, AND TO ALL - GOOD RETURNS!
Written by Joyce Guerrera, CPA, BNI Tennessee
Untied States
East Coast Director Retreat
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There were a total of 8 Executive Directors in attendance with their Area Directors from Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, SE Massachusetts, Hudson Valley (NY), Orlando (FL), Jacksonville (FL), and Vermont!
Submitted by Linda Macedonio, BNI Executive Director-RI, SE Mass., Maine
