Welcome to the latest issue of the BNI New Zealand newsletter.  As this will be the last newsetter for 2004, I thought I would take the opportunity to give you a brief update on what has been happening over the last few months.

We have had a particularly busy end to the year with new chapters opening in Christchurch, Napier, Mt Maunganui and Wanganui, taking us to a total of 58 chapters.  Furthermore, new chapters are planned or under development on the Kapiti Coast, Nelson, Cambridge and Christchurch. 

As you may be aware, BNI is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. 

When I launched the first New Zealand Chapter in March 1999, this was the 6th country in which BNI was operating.  The launch of the first chapter in India last month takes the total number of countries to 21, with more planned for next year.  Perhaps the best news however is that at the International Conference last month in Long Beach, California, New Zealand received an award for having the largest chapter average for any country with more that 25 chapters.  At 24.4 we are significantly ahead of the worldwide average of 19.1 - however it is my goal to have an average chapter size of 30 - so watch this space.  I also gave a presentation at the conference, so I think it is fair to say that New Zealand left its mark!!

I am currently preparing my goals for next year - and will let you know what we have planned for you in the next issue of this newsletter.  What I can tell you however is that I remain committed to developing the BNI programme and adding value to the membership.  In particular I will be looking at ways to raise the profile of the organisation in the market place.  In this regard I will be continuing to invest resources in the development of the website,  a new Visitors Pack will be available early next year and I am in the process of taking on a PR/Marketing consultant.   Additional training and networking events will be a priority for us next year.  For starters, we will be running Big Breakfasts in February in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.  We are also planning to launch a brand new programme - Face to Face in business, which will take the form of a series of training/networking events throughout the entire country.

All that remains is for me to wish you a enjoyable Christmas and New Year - and I look forwards to catching up with you next year.

Graham Southwell - BNI New Zealand

27 members of Tauranga BNI chapter recently partook in a mentally challenging mystery bus trip. First stop turned out to be the Icecream Factory at Waihi, with an awesome cafe that served lovely cake and icecream.

Next stop was the Ohinemuri Winery in the Karangahake Gorge, where Mein Host treated everyone to a half hour of passionate winemaking facts and awesome jokes. Quizzes and games were played on the bus trip to the final destination, the Mokena Restaurant at Te Aroha where a wonderful meal and nights entertainment in the form of prize giving for the aformentioned quizzes and games were awarded. Lots of laughs were had by all and relationships were made and bonded in true BNI fashion.

....was how Tony Allwood of The Practical Internet Company, Shrewsbury, UK described the difference between his chapter and the Hamilton chapter he visited while out in New Zealand.

Tony has been a member of BNI with the Shrewsbury chapter for over five years,and has decided that it's time for a change and is looking to emigrate to New Zealand. What better way to find out about the social climate in New Zealand than surfing the net and finding out where BNI has chapters in New Zealand.

The BNI website was a great source of information, especially when checking out the 'competition'!

Tony got in touch with a couple of chapters while out here on holiday and was impressed with what he saw - both personally and professionally. He described the Hamilton chapter meeting as 'like watching two very different versions of Hamlet'.

Same structure, same process but the Kiwi's had more humour, better delivery for referrals and the breakfast was decidedly better than what he got at home!

Tony, a huge believer in BNI after accidentally joining 4 days after setting up his business in the UK, looks forward to joining one of the Hamilton chapters when he arrives in New Zealand - he hopes around April 2005.

Harbour City Chapter President, Walter Walraven (left) presents Keith Boyd of Quinovic Management with the Notable Networker Award, for the most referrals given in one month.

Keith gave 45 referrals for the month of August, which was a brilliant effort.

In the previous two months of June and July, Keith was also presented with this award. Keith Boyd is consistently the highest giver of referrals in the Harbour City Chapter. Well done Keith, you're a hard act to follow!

...is how Steve Hales of Solutions Advertising and Design (Wellington chapter) feels after emailing the BNI Romford chapter in England to enquire whether he could visit them while in the UK over the Christmas period.

It's been over 14 years since Steve and his family have been to the UK and he felt it was time for a visit. The president of the Romford chapter responded with a very warm invitation to join the team for breakfast one morning, and gave him clear directions of how to find their meeting place, as the building definitely wasn't there 14 years ago!

It was also mentioned that at present the Romford chapter has an opening in the advertising and design profession if Steve and his family wish to move back to the UK.

Oleene Wells, a member of the Palmerston North chapter for 12 months, recently won the Top Shop Award for Palmerston North with her chocolate business - De Fresno / Munchkins.

BNI has opened many doors for Oleene and her team at Munchkins, that she believes she wouldn't have been able to tap into so readily without the assistance of fellow members through their referrals.

The ambience of her lovely shop with fudge that is made fresh on the premises, local and imported chocolate, exceptional customer service and product knowledge have helped her achieve this outstanding award.

Something she credits BNI with is the boost to her confidence levels and personal growth by way of her 60 second presentation each week. Congratulations Oleene!

...just how rapt Jonathan Mills of NZNET Internet Services Ltd (BNI Glenfield) is with the services he has received from Terry Buckley of Absolute Design and Print Ltd, another member of the same chapter.

Terry and his team have made NZNET Internet Services Ltd "look good" by redesigning their logo and ensuring that it is consistently utilised on everything from business cards, letterheads and brochures.

"We discovered that we were running low on brochures and Absolute Design and Print Ltd met our deadline which in turn meant that we met ours!" Thanks to Steve Moore, President, BNI Glenfield for referring Terry and his team to us - we're more than impressed!

On a visit to Melbourne in early October, Alastair Christie, Area Director, Southland, visited a BNI chapter in South Yarra with local Executive Director (ex Wellington) David Byers.

After the meeting Alastair was approached by a member, Pamela Wakefield-Semmens of Pentagle Worldwide Academy of Professional Coaching, who was looking for a contact in New Zealand who could help expand her business.

The answer was "yes". Alaistair referred Pamela to a member the Christchurch's newest chapter, The Exchange, Tony Constable of LinMar Franchise Consultants. Tony's company specialises in franchising. The result is that they have now made contact with each other in the hope of future transtasman development.

Selwyn Paynter, of Captial Financial Planning Ltd and President of the Hub chapter, Christchurch was recently interviewed on CTV, the local Christchurch Television station, discussing BNI and the benefits of membership.
The programme screened three times during October and is scheduled to be shown again in the future. The opportunity to screen live on local TV came through a chapter member Gloria Micaleff who is a media representative for CTV. Gloria thought it would be a great way to promote BNI to the community.

Congratulations to "Celebrity Selwyn" and the Hub chapter for this initiative.

Christchurch chartered its third new chapter this year on 28 September this year, known as The Exchange. The new chapter, which takes the total number of chapters in the region to eight, currently has 21 members with several prospects being processed at present.

A strong first month saw the chapter pass more than 30 referrals, which means they are tracking well with the more mature chapters in Christchurch.

The fourth chapter this year also looks set to become a reality before Christmas after an unprecedented number of enquiries regarding BNI this year.

With 12 prospects at the initial information breakfast and a name chosen - Synergy. A challenge has been laid down to BNI Regional Directors Doug Milne (Bay of Plenty) and Lance Chapman, (Central North Island) as to which chapter will be first - Synergy, Mt Maunganui or Wanganui. Watch this space!

Recently members of the Tauranga, Rotorua and Hamilton chapters met in Rotorua to attend the inaugural Leadership Dinner. Regional Director Doug Milne made the introductions and it wasn't long before everyone was swapping "tales of their term" on the leadership team. A huge thanks to John of "Cafe Triple One Five" for the fabulous meal and service provided for the group. An entertaining night was had by all.