This is the Christmas issue, but we’re already celebrating at BNI NZ after winning the International BNI Founders Award for the Highest Chapter Average of any country in the world (BNI is now active in 26 countries!).

It has been quite a year - not only in terms of growth but also in terms of the organisation as a whole. BNI achieved recognition by winning the Vero Excellence in Business Support Award in July this year. This is really an award that belongs to our membership for all their hard work in growing and supporting their chapters. 

The decision to align BNI New Zealand with Hospice at the start of the year was also a significant development. The gold coin collection during Hospice Week was very successful thanks to the members' support. With the "2 for 1" matching contribution from BNI, the final figure raised was in excess of $12,000. In October this year, the Hibiscus Coast chapter organised a fantastic black tie charity dinner which raised $10,000 for their local hospice.

I would like to welcome the Mairangi Bay and Simply Bays chapters to BNI.

Thank you for your participation and hard work – ‘Givers really do Gain’.

Best wishes
Graham Southwell

Why can’t I belong to more than one chapter?

Under the Franchise agreement that BNI NZ is a part of, it is not accepted practice for a member to belong to two or more chapters.  This policy has a sound basis -  it is difficult for one member to fairly distribute referrals to two different sets of members.  If a member had a referral for a lawyer for example, which lawyer would the referral go to if the member was part of two chapters?

That is not to say that a company or organisation cannot belong to more than one chapter, the key is whether they have an individual who is able to join another chapter.  The success of BNI is founded on developing close relationships with your fellow members and, of course, the ‘Givers Gain’ principal. 

BNI is a Networking Organisation, and members are welcome to visit other chapters from time to time.  They do need to be aware of the proper Networking Etiquette however. Here are some brief guidelines:
Visiting members must not do, or say anything, that competes with a member of the chapter they are visiting.
The chapter should be cautious in giving referrals to individuals they don’t know, including visiting members.
Visiting members should pay for their own breakfast.
Before visiting a chapter, the visiting member should call that chapter’s President first.
A visiting member should visit on the same basis as a regular visitor i.e. no more than twice.

The first step is to have an attitude of warmth and enthusiasm for your BNI chapter, and the next thing is to remember that you are NOT inviting your visitor to become a member.
You’re really inviting them along to a friendly business networking breakfast.
If they’re interested after that, then they can be invited to apply for membership and to go through the process.
BNI Assistant Director for the Waikato, Yolanda Alba, is well known for her ability to bring along guests.
“I attend my children’s sports events,” says Yolanda. “Walking along the sidelines I strike up conversations with other parents. I ask them what they do, and then I invite them to come along to BNI as a guest.”
Yolanda says the same rule holds true for social functions and parties.
“It’s a good conversation topic.”
Not throwing away her junk mail is another tactic Yolanda uses.
When I receive any unsolicited mail, I look up the sales manager’s name on the letter and give him or her a call.
“I point out that they’re in the business of making sales, and I ask them if they would like to make even more sales. Of course they say ‘yes’, then I ask them if they have heard of BNI. We take it from there,” says Yolanda.

BNI is continuing to grow in popularity among franchisors and franchisees alike, and a number of major franchise organisations already have members throughout BNI, including:
* Mortgage Choice
* Snap Printing
* Quinovic Property Management
You may find that some of the underutilised categories in your chapter, such as lawn mowing and cleaning, can be filled by franchise holders.
You will also find that many franchisors and franchisees are favourably disposed towards their franchisees joining a BNI chapter.
Franchisor Paul Vlasic, CAD Partners, says joining a BNI chapter is one of the first things the company gets its franchisees to do, after training.
“It’s something we do as added value for our franchisees and it has worked well for our company.
“Business can be a pretty lonely place. BNI is a chance, once a week, to break out and network; get support and share challenges. It’s like a ‘mastermind’ group.”

Meanwhile, and still on franchises, several BNI members who hold Mortgage Choice franchises are flying high within their organisation.
BNI would like to congratulate:
* First among the High Flyers, Paul Richardson (Manukau Chapter) – highest achiever in terms of both the number of loans per year and yearly volume

* Keith Jones (Titirangi/New Lynn Chapter) – Franchisee of the Year 2004/2005 and Excellence in Customer Service
* Hugh Shields (Tauranga Chapter) – Brand Champion
* Annette Kann (Takapuna Chapter) – Highest Achiever in loans per month
Congratulations from all at BNI on your achievement!
Mortgage Choice Managing Director Miranda Caird (far right) congratulates the company's top five 'high flyers' (from left) Paul Richardson (winner) Annette Kann (first runner-up), Warren Rule (second runner-up), Russell Spencer (third runner-up) and Keith Jones (fourth runner-up).