It’s been a phenomenal couple of months of fund raising for hospice and we know that so many of you have gone out of your way to make a significant contribution – far more than we can feature in this newsletter. Firstly, a very big thank you for your great effort and also, if you have a story to tell, let us know about it for the newsletter. Time is marching on and we ask that you get your hospice contributions in as soon as possible. If you donated the money directly to your hospice, please let us know the amount. Having won the Vero Excellence in Business Support Award for the ‘one on many’ offering recently, we’re pleased to announce that BNI is once again a business awards finalist. This time (because BNI New Zealand is based in Titirangi), the organisation is a finalist in the 2007 Bank of New Zealand Waitakere Business Awards.
The awards are about celebrating business excellence and it is also about growing excellent businesses in the area – we’re looking forward to the next leg of the awards and will keep you posted. In the meantime, here’s wishing you the best of business growth in your business. Best wishes Graham Southwell
Hospice New Zealand will soon be offering scholarships to health professionals thanks to BNI New Zealand. BNI’s $12,000 donation will mean Hospice New Zealand can award 12 scholarships to health professionals working in hospices this year. There are 37 hospices which come under the Hospice New Zealand umbrella and all provide free palliative care to people living with terminal illness, while also supporting family/whanau and friends. Hospice New Zealand chief executive Mary Schumacher is delighted BNI has come on board and says its sponsorship will strengthen the skillbase of health professionals working in palliative care. This will in turn mean hospice patients get the best quality of care possible. “We can’t thank BNI enough for their overall commitment to hospice. Building on the success of the relationship between BNI chapters and hospices, this is the natural next step in our longterm partnership.” BNI national director Graham Southwell says BNI’s scholarship donation is another step towards forging stronger links between hospices and BNI chapters. “This is also very exciting because we believe that our financial support will help make a positive difference to both those who are cared for and their carers.”
Lucy Southwell will be the next Prime Minister of New Zealand, at least in the world of well known children’s author and BNI Albany Chapter member Brian Falkner. The New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2006 nominated author put up for auction the name of a character – provisionally the Prime Minister of New Zealand – who will appear in his next book. The children's novel is scheduled for international release after having been bought by a New York publishing house.
BNI National Director, Graham Southwell, was at the auction and bought the rights for his daughter Lucy to be ‘immortalised’ in the forthcoming novel. The person who made it all happen, President of the Albany Chapter of BNI, Bob Quaid, says the auction of the character’s name – for $800 – was one of many highlights on an evening which raised $7,000 for the local North Shore Hospice. “More than 88 people turned up, mainly from the Albany Chapter and guests, but also represented were members and guests from the North Harbour, Mairangi Bay and Milford Chapters. “We were hoping to raise $5,000, so to get $7,000 was wonderful. Other items up for auction – which was hosted at Giltrap North Shore – included a Mercedes Benz and weekend get-away package which went for $500, a signed Warriors shirt from 1999 for $605 and a bottle of 1999 Mills Reef Elspeth Cyrah (there are only 60 bottles in NZ) for $300. Bob says he was very passionate about organising the event because of his own personal experience with hospice. “My mother passed away a few years ago from cancer and spent her last week in hospice. I would sleep on a lazyboy at her bedside. Everything was provided free, including food and counselling. Hospice was fantastic; they made a difficult time a bit easier to deal with,” says Bob. A big thank you to Giltrap North Shore which provided the facilities for the auction, a loan van to collect the stage, bottles of wine and the Mercedes Benz vehicle for the weekend. “This has been a good way for BNI to introduce ourselves to other business people out there and to pull together to contribute to charity.” Chairman of the North Shore Hospice, Harry Cranefield, was among the guests. Pictured are from left Brian Falkner, Bob Quaid and Graham Southwell.
More than 40 members and guests of The Lakes Chapter of BNI in Rotorua raised $2140 for the Rotorua Community Hospice at a morning fundraising breakfast and auction recently. President of The Lakes BNI Chapter, Mark Williams, says participants paid $25 for a ticket – of which $13 was donated to hospice.
“On auction was a variety of items, including a member’s labour, vouchers, facial cream and slippers, a Bluetooth headset and a cat door." Pictured at the auction are The Lakes BNI Chapter president, Mark Williams, with Tracey Walters from the Rotorua Community Hospice.
The Lower Hutt Chapter of BNI, members from other chapters and guests this year doubled last year’s contribution to hospice when they raised $2075 for their local Te Omanga Hospice. President Tom Robertson says every member of the chapter bought along something to be auctioned. “The items auctioned included the usual bottles of wine, smoke alarms, memory sticks, firewood, sports bags, Chamber of Commerce membership, photography services and a photocopier amongst others. “These items ranged in retail value from $20 to $1100. Special mention must go to Gerry Liebbrandt of Prime photography who donated his services as a photographer to the value of $1100.” Tom says an auctioneer from a leading real estate firm in Lower Hutt was superb in encouraging the members to bid. “It was akin to taking candy from a baby; mind you there were one or two items that were difficult to shift, but in the end nothing was passed over.
A number of Kapiti BNI members are part of a group called the ‘Oilers & Hinges’ which is fundraising for the Mary Potter Hospice and Child Cancer Foundation.
The challenge involves several fundraising events revolving around cycling leading up to the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in November. BNI’s Wellington Regional Director, Paul Brimblecombe, says Dermott Ryan – a member of the Kapiti chapter who is hugely supportive of hospice annually – came up with the idea while ‘oiling the hinges of friendship’ at a BNI Kapiti social gathering. “Another member of the team is Mark Ternent. Mark’s son Sean has a very rare form of cancer that he is fighting. Hence the support for the Child Cancer Foundation.” The ‘Oilers & Hinges’ successfully launched the fundraising effort recently with a four hour bike ride at the Pak 'n Save, Paraparaumu. Bikes on stationary wind trainers were set up in the main foyer with riders alternating during the day. “Generous donations were made by shoppers who were walked to their cars under umbrellas and helped with their shopping. A sausage sizzle ran continuously and was very popular on the cold and wet day. An incredible $2155.90 was raised,” says Paul. Pictured: Kapiti BNI members are Rex Temperton from Temperton & Associates Chartered Accountants (4th from the left), Dermot Ryan House of Travel Kapiti (5th from left), and Mark Ternent, ActionCOACH business coaching (absent), Paul Brimblecombe BNI Wellington Regional Director (7 from left). Mark Benton the General Manager of RadioWorks Kapiti (6 from left) has a staff member (Kasey Martin) in the Kapiti Chapter and one of the key sponsors, The Bike Shop, have applied to join. Another Kapiti BNI member Tracey Batty of Shotz Photography is our official photographer. "A number of other fundraising events are planned between now and the Taupo ride, but the big one is planned for early November. We will be peddling two Aqua Bikes from Paraparaumu Beach to Kapiti Island and back. On our return there will be a beach party, a fundraising auction and a number of other activities yet to be confirmed," says Paul.
The new BNI Podcast that debuted in early April 2007 has revolutionised communication within BNI. Now Dr. Misner can speak directly to BNI members worldwide through podcast episodes, which can be accessed for free! But some of us, when we hear the word "podcast" still envision something of great mystery and complexity—technology more suitable on alien spacecraft than on our home computer. But by understanding the facts and basic-how-to instructions, you will see how user-friendly BNI Podcasts are—and why you can't afford to miss out on this rich educational tool. What is a podcast? A podcast is a collection of files (in this case, audio files) that can be accessed by the simple press of a button on the website where they are listed. You can download and save each podcast as a file on any computer (for free, in the case of BNI Podcasts). You can also subscribe to a BNI Podcast, free of charge, which means each time a new episode becomes available it will automatically download to your computer. You don't have to do anything. Since podcasts are all pre-recorded, you can listen to them whenever you want! Still confused? Click on this link for a guided demonstration: Learn How to Play a Podcast, Subscribe, and Download Free http://www.bnipodcast.com/BNI-Podcast-Demo Why was the BNI Podcast created? BNI has almost 5,000 chapters in 37 countries, which makes communication within the organisation a bit of a challenge at times. Podcasts flatten the communication hierarchy, making it possible for Dr. Misner to speak directly to members about how to make the most of their BNI participation. The podcasts give each and every BNI member worldwide a weekly 10-minute session with the "Father of Modern Networking." Members also have the opportunity to communicate directly with Dr. Misner by posting comments and questions on the BNI Podcast Site's blog, which Dr. Misner checks on a regular basis. Though some podcasts are informative and some feature guests, the majority of podcasts are educational. They are an absolute must-listen-to for Education Coordinators and Leadership Teams. Dr. Misner wants to hear from YOU! Is there a topic that you think would be great to address in a podcast? Send it in! Dr. Misner will be bringing on guests—directors and members alike—who have great ideas they want to share. It could very well be you! Please send any story, topic, or idea that you think would make for a great podcast to Fiona Harrop at BNI Support, info@bni.co.nz Though it won't be possible to use every topic that is submitted, all submissions are appreciated and encouraged.
When Marilyn Bakker, of Print House Ltd from the Newmarket BNI Chapter, selected an entry for the prestigious Pride in Print Awards, she chose a laminated two colour Integrity Networks Ltd business card from Jason Mar, also a BNI Newmarket Chapter member. To make it three, the business cards were designed by the chapter's Ross Murray from Red Spark Creative Ltd. This entry received the ultimate acclaim by winning the Gold Medal in the two colour printing section at The Pride in Print Awards which were held recently in Christchurch. The Pride in Print awards are the equivalent to the Academy Awards for the printing industry and are highly prized. Altogether, Print House won a Gold medal and two Highly Commended Awards on the evening. Chief Executive, Brett Phillips, says it’s a great feeling to again be acknowledged by their industry peers as a company that has some of the highest quality standards in New Zealand. There were more than 1,000 entries covering approximately 25 categories.
MOVING ON GUIDE is a dedicated B2B advertising tool. It’s been referred to it as a BUSINESS HANDBOOK. It formats itself by way of a printed guide and website. Potential advertisers would consider whether their products or services would potentially find a use within the following themes: 1. To assist people who have just started up in business or who are looking at starting up a business. 2. Businesses that are looking at gearing up for the next level on their business plan. 3. Businesses that are looking at relocating or upgrading their premises. 4. You may simply be looking at getting your brand and message into a mass business audience of Akl – 50,000, over 11,000 in Hamilton, 20,000 Wellington, Palmerston North and 15,000 in Christchurch. BNI member offer: * BRONZE @ $545 = 1 cent per advert. * SILVER @ $940 = less than 2 cents per advert. * GOLD @ $1640 = 3 cents per advert. * One price – covers booking of space and all production fees - no added hidden costs. Simply too many benefits to explain. Find out more, contact Tania or Gus 09 589 2022, sales@movingonguide.co.nz. Bartercard dollars welcome.
