Across the Globe - Europe
United Kingdom
Mayor of Maidstone Experiences "Givers Gain"

The Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Mike Fitzgerald, started his official duties as Mayor one Friday morning when he participated in a Pioneer Chapter breakfast meeting. He met business owners and executives from over 30 local companies who make up this very lively and successful chapter.

As well as an excellent breakfast, the Mayor was treated to presentations from all the members and observed Givers Gain in action.

This was the first time that Councillor Fitzgerald had experienced Givers Gain. The Mayor commented, "I was extremely impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of all the BNI members and the breadth of industries covered within the Pioneer Chapter."

The Pioneer Chapter has been established for more than eight years and currently has vacancies for a number of trades and professions. They meet every Friday at the Russell Hotel, Boxley Road, Maidstone, and can be contacted via their website, www.bnimaidstone.info.

Submitted by Alice Spink, Windmill Communications


United Kingdom
Chapters Mix Business with Pleasure

Colin McGarrity-Smith of Castle Point BNI chipping out of a bunker.

On July 13, 2006, members of the Castle Point BNI Chapter met with members of the Eagles BNI Chapter from Brentwood for a golf day at Warley Park Golf Club. Although prizes were awarded for longest drive (Steve Carmichael Brown, Eagles) and the best overall round (David Webb, Castle Point), the event was held for local business people to get to know each other in a light-hearted atmosphere.

The weather was very kind, staying dry and warm for all 27 holes. Everyone who attended, both participants and spectators, had a fun day while building business relations with existing and new contacts.

The overall team competition was won by Castle Point, and a trophy, made and donated by a member of Chelmsford BNI, was presented. Arrangements are already in hand for Castle Point to defend the trophy in 2007.

Submitted by Steve Waple, Chapter Director - BNI Castle Point


Portugal
Lisbon Launches!

BNI was officially launched in Lisbon on July 4, 2006. Eighty-five people attended the kick-off in the capital city of Portugal.

Several multinational companies as well as numerous small and medium enterprises learned how to do business the BNI way.

This first chapter, BNI Meritus, now has over 30 members and is growing at a very fast rate. BNI in Portugal now has a team of 18 Regional Directors. Altogether, Lisbon and its surrounding area have 5 Regional Directors that are each expected to start a couple of chapters by December!

Submitted by Hélder Falcão, National Director - BNI Portugal


Sweden
BNI Members Can Count on This!

Attorney Monica Crusner, founder of Göteborgs Juristhus (Gothenburg's House of Laywers), is president of the BNI Fiskekrogen team - the only team in Sweden meeting for lunch.

Crusner reports, "I joined BNI when I founded Göteborgs Juristhus in 2001. Thanks to my BNI membership I got so many clients that I could hire an assistant attorney after only a few months. When I opened an office in Stockholm it was natural to join a BNI-team in Stockholm. Today the company has 11 employees and is a member of five BNI-teams, three in Gothenburg and two in Stockholm!"

"BNI is the perfect way of developing your business through referrals and networking. The connections you get are invaluable. Doing business for millions of SEK is just one of the advantages of being a member of BNI. Members can count on loyal support, because BNI members do their very best for other members. BNI is also a great a resource when hiring new employees."

"BNI is so much more than just developing your business through referrals. BNI provides the perfect forum for training."

Submitted by Eva Bergsten, Assistant Director - BNI Sweden


Spain
Red Eye Chapter Rallies for a Cause

What could be better than an evening with entertainment, dancing, hundreds of local business people dressed up bidding on auction items and participating in a raffle?

Julia Gilburt, President of BNI Red Eye Chapter in Denia, Costa Blanca and co-member Eileen Adams have for the second year in a row seen their efforts culminate into another successful charity ball. The aim has been to raise money for MABS, a group that offers support, both practical and emotional, to those ill with cancer and their families on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.

This event was born after two of the members in BNI Red Eye were diagnosed with cancer, one of whom sadly passed away just after the ball of 2005. Julia and Eileen say that the universality of the affects of cancer have been reflected in the generous response they have had from fellow BNI members and local businesses. This year the event raised 10,916 euros!

You can visit www.thesummerball.info./index.html to learn more about the Grand Summer Charity Ball.

Submitted by Therese Sandnes, Assistant Director - BNI Spain