Across the Globe - Africa/Middle East
Israel
Poleg Natanya Chapter Comes to Life

BNI Poleg Natanya, the 18th chapter of BNI Israel, was launched on August 18th with over 70 members and guests present. The number 18 is very significant in Israel, as in Hebrew it means life. This chapter has "doubled their life" by being the 18th chapter and launched on the 18th of the month!

The chapter broke all known Israeli precedents by being launched after only seven meetings. There were 19 members as of the kick-off date, and that number continues to grow. The chapter prepared a special gift for all visitors, a handcrafted wooden business box with the chapter name.

This group signifies the new momentum in the growth of BNI Israel due to the hard work of the members, Executive Team, and Co-National Director Yarden Noy.

In Israel there are five core groups in various stages of growth, and on September 6th, during my visit to Israel, I will have the honor to induct our 19th chapter.

The Executive Team of BNI Israel is working hard to achieve their goal of 25 chartered chapters by the end of 2005. I have no doubt that we shall reach it!

Submitted by Sam Schwartz, Co-National Director, BNI Israel


South Africa
Ibyahi Chapter Launches in Port Elizabeth

Speaking at the breakfast launch, David Russell, Regional Director for the newly established BNI Ibhayi Chapter in Port Elizabeth said, "We now have 20 members - many of them entrepreneurs - who are passionate about their business and will get together regularly to network and build relationships."

To read an article regarding the Ibhayi Chapter launch in the Port Elizabeth Herald online, click here.


South Africa
A Fine Day for a Chapter Outing

Sean Finlay, Amanzi chapter member and Principal Dealer of Toti Ford and Mazda invited us to be at his new motor vehicle showroom at 6:30a.m. where we were all instructed to hand over our car keys. We had been told that our cars would be treated to a free carwash, so you can imagine how extremely dirty our cars were that Friday morning!

Keys of brand new vehicles were then given to us and we paired up and jumped into a car. Brian was the only person with a license that allowed him to drive the BIGFOOT (an enormous SUV). When we arrived at Umkomaas, some 20 km away, we all changed vehicles so that we could experience the excitement of driving in yet another new car and we proceeded to the golfing estate, Selborne. This was my first visit to this estate and I was blown away by the beauty of the surroundings and hotel. Needless to say, the breakfast matched the superior quality of the setting.

Sean then spoke to us about all the vehicles. We were all sad to leave the lovely Selborne, but excited because we were able to once again swap cars. When we arrived at Umkomaas for the last changeover I had the privilege of riding in the BIGFOOT. Now that was an amazing ride! We arrived back in Toti and were handed the keys to our own finely washed, vacuumed and perfumed cars! What a perfect end to a delightful outing.

Simon and his wife, Marie, were fortunate to win the door prize that day. This entitled them to have breakfast at The View Guest Lodge, owned by Amanzi member George Lithgow. Simon had the following to say: "This is an up-market place, the linen and the rooms are just too much! We had breakfast on the patio, with the early morning sun shining down on us. The panoramic ocean view and the excellent breakfast are fit for a king. We can certainly recommend this B&B."

I hope that the next breakfast at The View Guest Lodge door prize will come to me. To get it I will have to work hard on passing referrals and inviting visitors! Thank you - Sean of Toti Ford and Mazda, and George and Joan of The View Guest Lodge.

By Ansie Nieuwenhuis, Amanzi Chapter, Durban, South Africa

Submitted by Yvonne Duke,Executive Director, BNI Durban