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The Danbury Trailblazers BNI Chapter held a Valentine's Day Food Drive to benefit the Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury. Food was collected at Dinners in Thyme, and they successfully raised 200 items for the Ministry's Living Pantry.
Northern Fairfield County Chapter
Donates Food to the
Dorothy Day Hospitality House
As part of their continuing community outreach program, the Northern Fairfield County Chapter held a can drive for the Dorothy Day Hospitality House.
The non-profit organization serves 60-100 hot meals each afternoon and provides shelter to 16 people at night. All work at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House is done by volunteers. Bob Williams of the Northern Fairfield County chapter volunteers his time every month to serve food to the hungry. Others from the chapter have also volunteered.
One of the chapter’s goals this year is to continue to reach out and support the surrounding community organizations by giving donations or volunteering their time.
The BNI Edge Donates to Troop T-Shirt Campaign
Our country just recognized the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. This long-term effort is grueling for the men & women who are serving our country. As this war effort continues on, one soldier came up with a morale-boosting idea: t-shirts for each of his platoon members. Lt. Ivan Tapia is an Army Ranger stationed in Northern Afghanistan. When he's not fighting for our country, he's a talented graphic designer and painter. During his downtime, he drafted a design that represents his platoon, the 173rd Airborne. With the design finished, it was time to get the t-shirts made.
This is where the BNI Edge comes in. The Stamford-based chapter of BNI was contacted by Bonnie Krois , manager of the facility where the group meets. Bonnie and Lt. Tapia are pen-pals who met through MySoldier.com . Lt. Tapia asked Bonnie if she'd be able to have t-shirts printed in the States with his design, and then have them shipped over to Afghanistan. The cost for each shirt would be covered by the soldiers who received them. Bonnie was more than happy to coordinate this effort, but secretly had a better idea: why not surprise the soldiers by raising money to cover the entire cost of the shirts?
Bonnie reached out to the BNI Edge who jumped at the chance to help . Between individual member contributions and a check from the group's general fund, the BNI Edge donated a total of $350. Combined with additional contributions, Bonnie was able to cover the entire cost of the t-shirt project. Better still, she was able to meet Lt. Tapia when he was home on leave to give him the good news. At this time, the t-shirts are on their way to Afghanistan, and with them, the good wishes of all who participated in the effort.
(The attached photo shows members of the BNI Edge and Bonnie Krois with one of the t-shirts. Photo by Tim Coffey).
Sound BNI Honors Rob Villella with the Notable Networker Award
On Friday, March 7, 2008, the Sound BNI Chapter, honored Rob Villella, with the Notable Networker award. This special honor was given to Rob because of his successful efforts resulting in lead generation for the entire group.
“We are grateful for the partnerships Rob has helped all us create and wanted to honor him with this special award to acknowledge his dynamic personality and productive
efforts,” said Bernadette Welsh, of Contessa Insurance Agency in North Haven, President of the Sound BNI.
Rob is a consultant with Vandertech, LLC. Vandertech LLC (formerly Computer Clinic) has been providing computing solutions to shoreline homes and businesses for over 18
years. The company helps private homeowners and small businesses with IT support, web site development, hosting, hard drive repair, troubleshooting and much more.
The photo is from Paula Murphy's December visit to the United Kingdom taken at the Boughton Golf Club in North Canterbury, Kent. The group is St. George's BNI. The Assistant Directors are Tim Kidd and Michele Cole (pictured third from the right in front) and Paula is next to her on the right. Paula is a member of The Sound BNI in Branford, CT.
"I have found BNI members to be very welcoming and sincere. They truly take an interest in my goals and are willing to help. I don't know of another organization other than Mary Kay Cosmetics that has such a wonderful philosophy. Obviously it works-everywhere!" Paula Murphy
New Business Group Helps Transform Norwich YMCA's Child-Care Center - By Claire Bessette
Norwich — The YMCA of Southeastern Connecticut, facing some $3 million in building upgrades to its aging facility on Main Street, just could not tackle the facelift needed in its child-care center.
So YMCA Executive Director Robert Oickle turned to the United Way. The United Way then turned to the fledgling Rose City chapter of the Business Network International, a group that wanted a community project to get itself off the ground.
“This is a testament to the power of networking,” said Dino Tudisca, chapter president and owner of Exterior Solutions, a general contracting business based in Bozrah.
Oickle and even United Way officials were skeptical that the new organization could pull it off. The childcare center was functional, but still looked like the old dingy smoking lounge it used to be decades ago. The woodwork was dark brown, the wall paint faded and smoke-stained and the doors uninviting.
But Tudisca walked into the center with the opposite opinion. The new Rose City chapter of BNI, formed in April, is already the largest in the state with 42 members from throughout southeastern Connecticut. The group really wanted to do its first community service project in Norwich, its host city.
“I'm a general contractor,” he said to the packed house of adults and children at Thursday's grand opening ceremony. “I came in and said, 'Are you kidding me? Is this it?'”
Tudisca rallied his members for a project that took two weekend days in October. A.P. Savage Supply hardware store in nearby Greeneville donated the paint and some supplies. Other businesses contributed volunteer labor, supplies and expertise. Exterior Solutions and Hyde Park Landscape sent workers on paid time to the center.
Now, the two main rooms are painted with bright yellow and aqua colors. The curtains are bright red in one room, bright blue in the next. Overhead beams and doorframes that had been dark are now white. The double-door was removed to provide an inviting wide opening. On Thursday, YMCA balloons decorated it all for a daylong grand opening celebration.
Tudisca estimated the value of the donations at $18,000, but Oickle said it would have cost the YMCA about $50,000 if it had to pay for everything — money the nonprofit didn't have after having just completed its major $3 million building and systems upgrade.
The child-care center has an enrollment of about 60 children ranging in age from 18 months to kindergarten level. Many of the children are from low-income families and their tuition is subsidized by the state or by other programs.
Oickle said that made him more determined to try to find a way to get the childcare center upgraded.
“We wanted to make sure our facility wasn't any less than any other facility just because these families have less,” Oickle said. “That was very important to us.”
THE POWER IS ALIVE & WELL a practical example of BNI at work
Business owner Gina Picon experienced the power of BNI firsthand when she worked with no less than 4 members of the BNI Alive Stamford Chapter in opening her upscale maternity boutique in Greenwich. David Taylor of Pyramid Realty Group found Picon a highly visible space in the competitive Greenwich marketplace, Matt Castaldi of Edward A. Goodman Company, Inc. provided her with a commercial insurance package with both liability and business property coverage
while Mary Thielen of Heartland Payment Systems helped Picon set up her credit card processing and Susan Capparelle of WRITE FOR YOU provided publicity for the store with a press release published in the Stamford Advocate.
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BNI Multi-chapter Networking Event May 6; Changing the Way the World Does Business...
Other than networking with your chapter members, what could be better than networking with other BNI members?
Join us for the BNI Multi-chapter Networking Event, May 6th, at Avon Old Farms Hotel, 279 Avon Mountain Road, Routes 44 & 10, 7 - 9 pm. Cost is $20 per person for those who register in advance (directions below,) or, $25 at the door.
Why come? 1) Build new business relationships; 2) Build business associations/partnerships; 3) Hear guest speaker and BNI member, Mike Carney tell how he achieved success using the BNI System; 4) Bring guests to see BNI in action; 5) Meet other BNI members who may help your chapter fill positions, 6) Join the raffle for great prizes donated by members.
This event is sponsored by the Avon, Bristol, Canton, Greater Hartford, and West Hartford BNI Chapters.
Register in Advance - Click here and follow the directions for on-line registration. Your registration must be entered and completed by May 4 to qualify as an "advanced registration".
BNI is celebrating our 21st anniversary!!! With thousands of chapters worldwide, BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world!
Click HERE to find a Connecticut chapter near you! Click HERE to see new chapters forming. Then click HERE to Contact Us about attending a BNI meeting!
Just completed an interesting exercise that I thought I would share. Last year from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 (according to BNI records) gave out 51 referrals and I received 48 referrals. From these referrals I had closed business with 27 clients or 56%. Some of the closed business included more than one move but I am only counting them as one referral each. Total sales attributable to BNI were $157,167.92, of these sales $57,140.67 or 36% were from outside the chapter. This is solid proof that if you stick with the formula and work the system BNI works. - Michael Carney, Vanguard Moving and Storage
As a founding member of the BNI Network Alliance group in Fairfield beginning in June of this year, I had no idea then, how powerful and wonderful networking would be. I know that my life has been very blessed by this group. My business is doing so much better this year than last year at this time. Last year, I was feeling tight during the holidays and unable to get into the joy of the season due to the financial strain of wanting to give but not being able to. So, this year I can say for sure that I feel very grateful for the friendships, the community, the social events, parties and the support and love that I feel from our group. I have been to three parties this week sponsored by our members and it just makes me realize how much this group has given me and how much they all mean to me and how much I want them all to succeed.
For the first time in a long time, the holidays have been both full of parties and great work due to the level of participation of everyone in our group. I have them all to thank. I was able this year to give to those less fortunate than me and do some good things for my family, and pay my bills without going into debt. Perhaps the most important thing is that I can very happily say, my financial situation is much better and my life feels richer in all the things that matter-good work, friendships, community, and the support of my BNI Group.
Suzanne M. Sheridan,
Photographer
I joined BNI 2 months ago and it has been the best decision I have ever made for my business. March of 2007, the second month I’ve been in BNI, has been our best month EVER for my business. It is no coincidence that I joined BNI and had our best month of business. In fact, our revenue compared to the cost of joining BNI has been a 12X gain.
It is quite evident that the value of BNI is directly proportional to the effort one puts into it. I have also been the beneficiary of savings due to a renegotiation of my car/house insurance. I tripled my coverage and lowered my yearly price. I have also connected with a retirement planner and a bank officer for a line of credit.
The bottom line is, attend every meeting, put your energy into the effort, and it will yield fruitful results.
Joe O’Donnell - member of the Valley Chapter in Canton
PC SWAT
Simsbury, CT
Jim O'Shea is a member of the Nautilus BNI Chapter.
Jim's testimonial: "BNI is the best system I know for networking and growing sales. Chambers of Commerce, industry associations, and social groups have their place, and I belong to many such organizations. But no group more directly leads to increased referrals and sales than BNI.
BNI provides a venue for developing strong business relationships and a system that ensures accountability and generates qualified referrals. In my chapter, I have a team of people I can confidently refer and who know me well enough to refer me with confidence. BNI also provides excellent educational opportunities and a safe environment in which to develop public speaking and presentation skills. As someone who coaches businesspeople in effective networking, public speaking, and presenting, I strongly encourage joining a BNI chapter to grow your sales and develop your selling skills."
| Members
Only 
BNI Multi-chapter Networking Event May 6; Changing the Way the World Does Business...
Just completed an interesting exercise that I thought I would share. Last year from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 (according to BNI records) gave out 51 referrals and I received 48 referrals. From these referrals I had closed business with 27 clients or 56%. Some of the closed business included more than one move but I am only counting them as one referral each. Total sales attributable to BNI were $157,167.92, of these sales $57,140.67 or 36% were from outside the chapter. This is solid proof that if you stick with the formula and work the system BNI works. - Michael Carney, Vanguard Moving and Storage
As a founding member of the BNI Network Alliance group in Fairfield beginning in June of this year, I had no idea then, how powerful and wonderful networking would be. I know that my life has been very blessed by this group. My business is doing so much better this year than last year at this time. Last year, I was feeling tight during the holidays and unable to get into the joy of the season due to the financial strain of wanting to give but not being able to. So, this year I can say for sure that I feel very grateful for the friendships, the community, the social events, parties and the support and love that I feel from our group. I have been to three parties this week sponsored by our members and it just makes me realize how much this group has given me and how much they all mean to me and how much I want them all to succeed.
I joined BNI 2 months ago and it has been the best decision I have ever made for my business. March of 2007, the second month I’ve been in BNI, has been our best month EVER for my business. It is no coincidence that I joined BNI and had our best month of business. In fact, our revenue compared to the cost of joining BNI has been a 12X gain.
Jim O'Shea is a member of the Nautilus BNI Chapter.
