Across the Globe - North America
Canada
Taking BNI to New Heights

Wanjira Njenga is an adventurous BNI member and Assistant Director in Montreal, Quebec. Wanjira is a member of West Island Team, BNI's "World's Largest Chapter" with about 70 members. She is also a person dedicated to personal causes. Not long ago she agreed to take the BNI WIT chapter flag to new heights by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, thereby taking her "World's Largest Chapter" to the world's highest point—Mt Kilimanjaro.

For further motivation, Wanjira helped raise more than $30,000 for the kids in Tanzania, which just goes to illustrate how this particular BNI member is one of the few Top-of-the-World members.

Congratulations Wanjira and best wishes for your further exploits!

Submitted by Nancy Morgan, National Director, BNI Canada


United States of America
RIP - Refer in Peace

Area Director Barbara Olson speaks to Northside Networkers and visitors during a recent Visitors Day at the chapter's funeral home meeting location.

In what may be a first for BNI, there is a chapter in Eastern Washington meeting in a funeral home - that's right a funeral home. Since before their chapter kick-off, the BNI Northside Networkers have held their weekly meetings at the Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory in Spokane, Washington.

It's not as creepy as it sounds. The meeting room has a very professional atmosphere that creates a great space for networking. And it doesn't seem to be deterring visitors. Chartered at 15 members, the chapter has already increased its membership to 22.

"I love it!" shares Northwest Executive Director Connie Hinton. "Finding the right meeting space can be one of the biggest challenges for a chapter, so it's great to see an 'out-of-the-box' solution." Area Director Barbara Olson agrees saying, "After the initial reaction of 'They meet where?'- what you really see is the great energy and attitude of the chapter coming through."

So, there's a lot of networking and no 'net-sitting.' Maybe that's because when you meet at a funeral home you don't want to stay in one place for too long!

Submitted by Mavis Lamb, Director PR & Special Events, Pacific Northwest


United States of America
Success Leaves Tracks

Visionary founders members Richard Button and Jamie Nering

After being told repeatedly during pre-core group training that "Success leaves tracks." the Olympians of Orange County, California wasted no time in spotting those tracks and determining to deepen the path.

These enthusiastic, vibrant professionals went from two members to twenty in only three months. The Olympians' dream began with two ethical, energetic, determined professionals who had regular exposure to BNI but whose categories were routinely filled in existing chapters. Once Richard Button and Jamie Nering met, it quickly became clear that they were not going to mess around with a half-hearted attempt at doing business. Rather they were insistent on accepting only quality applications from people committed to work as hard as they were.

Now four months old, the Olympians are all about business. In July alone they gave 74 referrals, received an additional 18 referrals from their 6 visitors, reported 54 dance cards and celebrated $18,714 of business.

This young chapter has experienced its share of birthing pains. They have been challenged to find a meeting location suitable for a professional business meeting and able to accommodate their weekly attendance. Also, the Membership Committee has taken a strong stance on tardiness and attendance. Being present at the weekly meetings is considered so essential that when one chapter member announced her referral for an absent member, she ripped up the referral sheet saying that she could not refer someone who is not accountable to the chapter. Patti Kutscher, Living Air Representative, puts it another way, "We come in with honest hearts and eager smiles! Even though we are all so different, it comes down to never having enough quality friends - or enough good business!"

The Olympians chapter experience certainly adds credibility to "Success leaves tracks" and they look forward to future chapters following their example.

Submitted by Steve Schwer and Wendy Florian, Assistant Directors, BNI Southern California


United States of America
Eden Prairie Member Receives 60 Second Award

Debra Pierce of the Business Igniters Chapter in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was selected as her chapter's winner for the 60 Second Showcase Award, given out at the 2005 BNI Minnesota Masters of Networking Award Ceremony. Debra owns V2K Window Fashions and is an Ambassador for BNI Minnesota. As one of the winners Debra had the opportunity to do her 60 second commercial at the Regional Awards Ceremony in front of 300+ attendees. Shown here at the event, she is portraying a floor to ceiling window (that's why she's standing on the chair) and is talking about how nice it is that V2K has dressed her so well. Hurray Debra!

Submitted by Beth Anderson, BNI Minnesota




United States of America
Platinum Pride Chapter Charters AUGUST 3, 2005

With 18 core group members pictured here, Platinum Pride BNI is the newest chapter in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. The core group assembled in a record breaking 10 weeks. Their Kick-Off will be on September 28th with an anticipated 90 visitors.

Submitted by Deanna Tucci Schmitt, Executive Director, Western Pennsylvania


United States of America
50 Member Milestone

The Kenosha Founders Chapter in Eastern Wisconsin has reached 50 members!

The Leadership Team made a commitment to reach 50 members before the end of their term. President Ralph McCarthy, Vice President Catherine Reget and Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Schauer have shown superb leadership team skills.

Assistant Director David Abstetar has helped the team with a foundation of coaching and training to help them with the recipe to success. This is the first Gold Chapter in BNI Eastern Wisconsin's 10-year history!

With excellent entrepreneurial members in our region this is just the tip of the ice berg!

Submitted by David M Zemer, Executive Director, BNI Eastern Wisconsin


United States of America
Fast Track to Success

Last October our chapter, Fort Collins Fast Track, was "reorganized." We were down to only 6 members and were at a crossroads. With the help from our regional director we started over. Less then one year later, we are the largest chapter (22 members) in the region and have generated over $75,000 in revenue as a direct result of referrals from chapter members. As one member likes to share with us frequently, "I would be out of business without BNI."

Submitted by Jody J Roth, President Fort Collins Fast Track Chapter


United States of America
Member Extravaganza Trip Winner

Congratulations to John Schneider, one of the US Member Extravaganza contest winners from Michigan. John, a member of the Success at Seven Chapter in Midland Michigan, is pictured (in glasses) being congratulated by his team and BNI Director, Charlie Dimercurio (second from left).

To qualify for the drawing, a chapter must have sponsored six new members between March 28th and May 27th. Each sponsoring member received one chance per new member sponsored. Contest winners will join other BNI members from all over the country at the US Member Extravaganza.

From Michigan alone 20 members and their guests will travel to the US Member Extravaganza. To view pictures of the contest winners from Michigan, go to www.bni-mi.com and visit the photo album.

Submitted by Dan Georgevich, Executive Director, BNI Michigan