The ‘Devilish Desserts’ competition, organised by the Riverside BNI Chapter and held at A’Fare catering venue in Whangarei, was a huge success. Over 40 people attended the event, with seven teams competing for the coveted BNI Trophy.

Teams of up to five contestants were tasked with creating the most ‘devilish dessert’ from a selection of secret ingredients, and were given just 20 minutes to create their culinary masterpiece. Entries were judged on taste, presentation and theme by A’Fare owner Mandy. Teams were awarded prizes for categories such as best-tasting dessert, as well as messiest and noisiest team, and even most devious cheats.

The BNI Trophy was awarded to the Orange Team from the BNI Riverside Chapter for their best-tasting tiramisu. However, every team still got to take home a prize, thanks to the event’s generous sponsors – all local businesses – who donated the prize packs.

While the judge pontificated, masticated and ruminated over the desserts, a charity auction was held by Craig Kerr of Maggie Dixon Real Estate. Items to be auctioned off were donated by BNI members and Whangarei businesses, and included a signed Vodafone Warriors poster, stand-up paddleboard lessons and a bagful of wine and beer, plus many others.

Event organiser Margie Hannon of Zeald.com said “It was a fantastic evening and everyone had a great time. We raised heaps of money for Hospice, thanks to all the businesses who donated prizes for the competition and things to be auctioned off. And it was a really good networking opportunity as well.”

All proceeds from the evening are being donated to Hospice, and the BNI Riverside Chapter has pledged to make the total up to $1,000 with a donation from their own chapter.

The latest edition of the Hospice NZ magazine – The Review – is now available online and it is very gratifying to be able to quote what it says with regard to BNI under their National Partners section:

BNI has been supporting hospice since 2005, officially becoming a national partner in 2007. Over those six years BNI has donated more than $440,000 to support our work. Once again during 2010 BNI Chapters throughout the country worked exceptionally hard raising funds for their partnered hospice and nationally BNI supported the Palliative Care Scholarship Programme – in total over $129,000 was donated.

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Hosting its popular annual winter meeting over two days in June, the racing club generously agreed to have BNI volunteers collecting donations at the gate, in lieu of admission fees.

Approximately 2,000 people attended the meeting with many kindly donating $10 and $20 at the gate.

The Network @ 9 Chapter successfully raised $1,721 for Nelson Hospice.

Says Lindsay Bradley, the Network @ 9 president, “BNI Network @ 9 Nelson members braved the weather over two days, taking gold coin donations for entry into the winter meeting. A big thank you to NHRC and our Network @ 9 members.”

Article published in the Nelson Mail, 13 June 2011:

Kenn Butler, president of the Nelson Originals Chapter, originally came up with the concept of a brunch. He gives credit for its successful execution to a sterling team effort and the drive of a very capable events co-ordinator.

Kenn says: “All BNI members buy into Hospice as our designated charity. Teams are constantly thinking of new ways to contribute to the community through the organisation. The $187 we raised will be added to projects that are already underway.”

Above : Nelson Chapters gather to network over brunch.

Their support and appreciation of the work that Hospice does, is reflected in more than their weekly monetary donations. While there is a sense of accountability that motivates members to contribute regularly, there is also a willingness to go the extra mile by raising funds to boost the kitty.

And while money goes a long way to assist Hospice, Riverside Chapter members can attest to the fact that although money goes a long way in assisting Hospice, there is a different level of giving when you make a gift of your personal time and energy.

The relationship has been furthered by Kerry McLeod, Funding Development Manager from North Haven Hospice, joining the Chapter meeting to give members feedback on the important work Hospice does within the community.Her first hand account of how vital business participation is and how instrumental donations are in enabling this sort of work to continue, adds a personal touch to the endeavour.

Here Kerry McLeod, Funding Development Manager of North Haven Hospice, receives a chapter donation from Sean Minhinnick, President of the Riverside Chapter. Thank you to Judy Oliver from Jeff Oliver Print for her assistance in printing the BIG cheque!

To celebrate Hospice Awareness Week, BNI and Hospice NZ are once again asking all our members, friends and supporters to visit the hospice website www.hospice.org.nz and send an e-moment – which is just like an e-card (and it’s free!).

By sending a moment or sharing the web link you will be helping people to find out about the unique care and services provided by hospice, enabling people to live every moment.

Getting involved is really simple – just visit the website www.hospice.org.nz and everything is there for you.

If you need some inspiration there is a range of readymade e-moments for you to choose from, or if you are feeling creative you can make your own from a selection of photo’s, words and sayings provided.

You can send as many as you like, totally free of charge. E- moments are a great way to mark any occasion or just to let someone know you are thinking of them

E-moments are permanently available and during our awareness week are used to highlight the importance of Hospice services – since their launch in 2009, more than 3000 moments have been sent and enjoyed throughout the country and around the world.

You can send as many e-moments as you like, totally free of charge.  CLICK HERE to find out more.

Cabaret, handmade playhouse raffles and golf days to casino nights and gold coin collections were just some of the methods used by small and medium businesses to raise $129,000 for hospices in New Zealand last year.

In spite of difficult economic conditions, including the Christchurch earthquakes, member businesses of BNI New Zealand from Invercargill (and Christchurch) to The Bay of Islands have worked industriously over the past 12 months to make a positive contribution to their communities in raising the biggest sum yet donated by BNI to Hospice.

BNI National Director of BNI New Zealand, Graham Southwell, said that as a business networking and referral organisation, BNI New Zealand’s philosophy of ‘Givers Gain’ was about businesses helping businesses to be more successful — but helping their local communities has become a natural extension of the ‘Givers Gain’ philosophy.

“Member businesses understand that strong businesses needs strong communities and that investing in your community is an investment in your business. The money raised by each chapter actually goes directly to their local hospice. It’s a great way to build strong local ties,” he said.

Chairman of Hospice New Zealand, Wilf Marley, said the army of BNI members working to raise money for Hospices in their communities was an inspiration.

“We are very grateful for your support and highly value our partnership with BNI. Thank you all so much.”

In addition, small business owners countrywide mobilised – through social media — to help earthquake affected Cantabrians through various fundraising activities, including variety shows and the donation of services, accommodation, equipment and storage.

BNI Chapter donations to Christchurch totalled more than $62,294.00. Although some donations were made by BNI members in their individual capacity, many chapters also benefited from pulling together as a team to generate funds by organising charity events.

Included in the total, BNI New Zealand donated $5,000 and the BNI Misner Charitable Foundation stepped up to help with a $14,000 donation to the New Zealand Red Cross.

CAPTION: Pictured at the handover of the BNI cheque for $129,000 to Hospice are from left, BNI Marketing Director Colin Kennedy, BNI National Director Graham Southwell and Hospice New Zealand Chairman Wilf Marley.

Pictured: Concert organiser, Chris Bull, supported by fellow BNI Members, Ian Taylor, Andrew Smit, Anne Faulkner and Marion Jackson, presents a cheque to Jennifer Kent from Hospice South Auckland.

Around 250 people enjoyed a lovely afternoon within the beautiful, private grounds of Valley de Sol, whilst listening to a selection of talented performers, including fabulous music duo Wilde and Riche, Courtney Janssen and Chloe Bartlett.  All of the entertainers gave up their time for free.

The aim of the concert was to celebrate the last days of summer, whilst raising as much money as possible for Hospice South Auckland and the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.  The concert raised $22,159.00 which will be split evenly between the two charities.

Fundraiser, BNI member and venue host, Christine Bull said:  “We are completely overwhelmed and absolutely delighted with the success of the concert, not just because of the money raised for Hospice and Christchurch, but because the event involved more than 60 local businesses who generously offered donations and support.”

The concert helped raise awareness of Hospice South Auckland, which offers inpatient facilities where people go for respite care, symptom and pain management, or during their last days.  Hospice services are completely free of charge and rely on the generosity of the people in the community for donations to help meet costs.

“A Summer Wrap @ Valley de Sol” was organised by Howick’s BNI Business Brunch, which is a group of 16 business owners who get together every week to network and promote their businesses.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HospiceSouthAuckland?email=share_video_user

 Special thanks to: Video created by Spoon Limited. Background music (Band of Gold) written by Jo Morgan, musical arrangement and instrumentation by Mark Pavletich.