“If this video makes you stop and think about just how BNI is able to make a difference to the lives of others – why not post it to your Facebook page – collectively we can start to get the word out through Social Media that BNI is not just about business referrals but it has a part to play in the lives of our families and reaches into the very fabric of our communities.” – Graham Southwell.

BNI Canterbury Regional Director, Rob Bakker, says that two of the hampers went to staff and 20 to long term patients/families at the unit.

“One couple we spoke to had been there for 12 weeks and were expecting to stay another 6 weeks before their baby could be discharged. Needless to say the hampers were very gratefully received,” said Rob.

A recent ‘thank you’ letter to BNI from Neonatal Nurse Manager Christchurch Women’s Hospital, Debbie O’Donoghue, said the hampers were beautifully packaged and the delight of the staff and parents as they revealed their contents was obvious.

“For the parents it can be a very stressful time and this kindness alleviated some of their anxiety.

“I am very proud of the team in the Neonatal unit, and I particularly appreciate when such standards of professionalism and dedication is recognised by other people. Hospitals are not immune from the busyness and pressures of Christmas, and therefore, BNI’s thoughtfulness was most appreciated.

“Wishing you and the team at BNI a happy, successful and enjoyable year in 2012.”

Pictured BNI Directors Sam Williamson (far left) and Rob Bakker (far right) with one of the families at the Neonatal unit.

I just thought I would send a SPECIAL thank you to you all.

I was a recipient of “your wonderful box of goodies” yesterday morning, at the BNI Big Breakfast here in Christchurch.

It was indeed a room full of tears (good ones). Sam our Regional director found it hard to get the words out to say thank you, with the lump in his throat with all the emotion. We, all being tough business people tried to pull back the tears, but really it was just such a wonderful thing for you all to do, that we indeed let the tears flow Thanks for making our day/year! Graham and the BNI team did you all proud!

I am a truly inspired with BNI. Myself and my business has been a member for 8-9 years myself, and to know how much we really have an amazing business community out there is so overwhelming!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Phillippa Jacobs

What can I say!  I am so humbled by what happened this morning and really not sure what to say other than “thank you”.

It really does make you proud to be a kiwi in times like this when you see such huge expressions of giving from just normal people like ourselves.  It brings another lump in my throat and tear in my eye each time I think about it.

Thanks heaps for your input Rob, you and Sam do an amazing job for us all.

Lorena Hopkins

Please accept my congratulations and heartfelt thanks for all you, and others in BNI, did towards the Big Breakfast this morning, which can only be described as an outstanding success.

It was an occasion and experience that I will always remember and treasure.  The kindness and generosity of BNI in NZ was stunning, and very, very moving – you weren’t the only guy with watery eyes, Sam!

We were all blown away!  If you ever needed to see the value of BNI, or need motivating, this morning was inspirational.

Thanks also for your excellent leadership and contribution to BNI.

See you at BNI!

Martin

What a faaaaaaaaaaaaaantastic surprise, I think everyone was blown away with what we experienced this morning.

A huge’ shout out’ must go to all of the chapters around NZ who got behind the initiative.

Bob Parker was inspirational, he has a true gift.

BNI is a wonderful organisation and it is great to be one of the founding members of BNI in Christchurch.

You have got a great man in Sam, he epitomises what every BNI member should strive to be like.

Thanks to everyone involved you certainly put a smile on everyones faces this morning and at the same time a few tears to the eyes.

All the very best for the festive season.

Mark Pfeifer

An open letter to all at BNI

There are no words in the English language adequate enough to express the feelings from this morning. Two words “Thank you” do not seem sufficient to express the gratitude for the effort and love that you have all sent us.

The breakfast today was in itself an amazing event, and it was great to mingle with those of other chapters and discuss the who’s whys and when’s of the last 12 months.

Then came your video, an emotional roller coaster ride, that had me and many others in the hall reaching surreptitiously for eye dabbing equipment. No of course it wasn’t tears, accountants don’t cry it was………..

Whilst in Pahia recently I met an Australian couple who had flown into Christchurch, hired a car and drove into town to the information centre. All the way down Memorial Avenue they kept thinking “hasn’t everyone done well to get back to normal – you would never know there had been an earthquake” until they arrived at the roadblocks and army tanks in the centre of town.

It sometimes feels that the world has stood still for the last 12 months. Dozens of containers two and three high are positioned on the main road to protect it from falling rocks. Abandoned houses, with broken walls still with furniture visible, remain untouched.

In my street, there is still the rubble from collapsed houses, and the road still blocked by boulders so that a 3 k round trip is needed to get off the hill. Potholes, sink holes suddenly appear. Water leaks spring up at random times from underground pipes that have suddenly decided that they have had enough.

Just occasionally we despair about when something may happen.  Sure it only lasts a moment, then the Kiwi spirit kicks in, and “she’ll be right” takes over. There is always someone worse off than you, we know that, and yet at times you wish someone would notice.

And someone did notice – you did.

I am humbled and I feel very privileged to belong to such an awesome group as BNI – to everyone of you, in creating the idea, in making videos, of writing personal notes, in packing boxes…

The only words that I have, “thank you”, are far too inadequate to express my appreciation, and undoubtedly all of those present today.

To all of you I wish the most joyous Christmas ever, my joy started this morning and may 2012 provide all that you have dreamed of.

Russell
Emissaries Christchurch

With Christchurch having such a rough time and so many people still in limbo, BNI New Zealand members (mostly SME owners and the self-employed) around the country banded together to pack the surprise Christmas hampers full of ‘love and goodies’ for their fellow members in the earthquake struck city.

Pictured above: Dennis Inkster (BNI Kinesis) collects his hamper. In the background, left Denise Robinson (BNI Otago Director) and right BNI New Zealand National Director Graham Southwell.

The entire initiative was co-ordinated, planned and carried out by BNI Auckland directors Mariska Mannes and Rosemary and Paul Meyer.

Mariska said BNI is about comradeship between members who do business by the mantra ‘Givers Gain’, and the surprise Christmas hampers are a great way to articulate that comradeship and that spirit of mutual support.

Christchurch members, many teary-eyed, were clearly overwhelmed and touched by the gesture and, while there was hardly a dry eye in the house, there was certainly joy on every single face.

BNI Canterbury director, Sam Williamson, said people were very emotional.

“’Blown away’ were the words used often. People said they were really just humbled that other people up and down the country would show such a sign of support.

“Everybody was very surprised; they had no idea whatsoever. I’ve had a huge number of messages from people with their thanks – many want to get in touch with whoever made their box, to pass on their thanks.

“It certainly lifted our spirits to know that people are thinking of us and that we haven’t been forgotten,” said Sam.

BNI New Zealand National Director Graham Southwell told the breakfast that sometimes the toughest times are those that follow a tragedy or disaster, when everybody else has started moving on with their lives, leaving those affected to pick up the pieces.

“This is our way to say that you haven’t been forgotten. That we are still thinking of you, still supporting you and we are here to help in any way we can,” he said.

Mariska Mannes says she got the idea for the early Christmas surprise when talking to Kathryn Mountain, a member of BNI Epsom in Auckland, about how they felt quite helpless and not sure of how to help people in Christchurch.

“Kathryn remarked that it would be nice to send them a Christmas hamper, and that really was how the idea got started.”

Julie Cunningham (BNI Hibiscus Coast Chapter) and Mariska Mannes drove a van across New Zealand to collect the hampers, with the road show culminating in Christchurch on Tuesday 29 November at the big breakfast in the city.

“Chapters around New Zealand put in a phenomenal effort to raise money to pay for the boxes, ribbons, cards and goodies for the hampers.

“The road show started when I collected hampers in Northland in mid-November, and included a big breakfast in Auckland where 128 people gathered for a big breakfast to assemble the boxes, write the cards and pack the goodies.”

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker was the guest speaker and took the opportunity to challenge Cantabrians to be innovative, and to think long term about rebuilding Christchurch into something truly unique for their children and their children’s children.

The generosity from New Zealand members has been extraordinary.

New Zealand BNI members donated approximately $62,294 – some donations were made by BNI members in their individual capacity – and many chapters also benefited from pulling together as a team to generate funds by organising charity events.

BNI New Zealand also added $5,000 to the earthquake.

The further $8,500 raised for Christchurch by a cabaret on in Auckland was used to provide approved cash grants to those members who have been badly affected.

Some of the funds have also gone to funding guests’ first visits, as members focus on building chapters up again.

The rest of the country has given and given to help our Canterbury country folk but many are in hard times themselves and it’s getting harder to donate.

One Christchurch business has come up with a simple way to help without having to put your hand in your pocket. SHE Chocolat in Governors Bay has devised a logo to put on Christchurch made products so that New Zealanders can continue to buy their everyday items, but choose the brands, which are based in Christchurch thus helping a business to survive.

It’s a simple idea, which enables us all to help in our day-to-day lives. All New Zealanders will be able to easily identify and buy Christchurch made products and services. By buying these branded items, they will be helping businesses, families, communities and the city rebuild.

Campaign creator, Declan Scott says: “Businesses, just like people, need support, encouragement and inspiration. The time for handouts has passed; it is time for positive action. For New Zealand to grow, Christchurch needs to regain its momentum in the commercial space.”

The inspiration for the design came from the Rose Window in the Christchurch Cathedral.

“The strength required to continue standing in the face of greater challenges and continual earthquakes takes great courage and commitment. Look for the logo and help the businesses of Christchurch – help us be daring by you caring.”  says Declan.

The Dare to Care logo is available to all local manufacturers to identify their products as Christchurch made. For more information go to www.daretocare.co.nz.

Chapter representative Adrian McKibbin says the $20,000 donated to Te Omanga Hospice last year helped the hospice purchase a specialised scanner.

“It is envisaged that funds raised this November will go to renovations to the Inpatients Wing of the Hospice, including 10 specialist medical beds.

“We have learnt from last year and we believe our $50,000 goal is achievable.”

Adrian says that BNI New Zealand has for some years chosen Hospice New Zealand as its charity of choice and has effectively encouraged its 2,650 SME members – including those in the Hutt Valley – to support that appeal.

“In 2009, BNI Hutt City Chapter held an in-house auction during it’s last meeting of the year and raised in excess of $6,000 after an idea from one of the chapter members.

“Late last year BNI members in the Hutt Valley held a dinner evening at the Petone Workingmens Club (a donated venue) to raised funds for the Te Omanga Hospice. The result was a little over $20,000 raised towards a specialist scanner.

“As a result of that success, and the knowledge that we could step up again from the results achieved, we are on our way to what should be a fantastic evening.”

• Date – Tuesday 22nd November 2011 from 6.30pm
• Venue – Silverstream Retreat;
• MC – Kath Beir, DJ for The Breeze radio station in Wellington (Kath is a very good DJ and Master of Ceremonies);
• Guest Speaker – Keith Quinn, sports commentator, public speaker and Te Omanga Hospice patron;
• Auctioneer – Euon Murrell (who masterfully controlled last years auction);
• Goal – $50,000 for renovations to the Inpatients Wing of the Hospice, including 10 specialist medical beds;
• There are 220 tickets for sale at $55 each (or $500 for a table of 10), which includes a two-course dinner and a drink on arrival.

This year tickets are only available for purchase through the Lower and Upper Hutt ISite’s (information centres). Tickets may be purchased by telephone using a credit card, which will then be posted. They can be contacted on 04 560 4715 or 04 527 2141, or you can visit the centres at 25 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt or 90 Main Street Upper Hutt.

“It costs over $6m a year to run Te Omanga Hospice alone, of which over $2.3m must be raised from the local community – so without the support of groups like ours they couldn’t hope to continue the free support to the 600 plus patients each year.

“The BNI motto is ‘Givers Gain’, so please dig deep with ticket purchases and donations of products and services,” said Adrian.

Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English gave a big pat on the back to all small business operators in New Zealand last month at the BNI North City meeting.

He said that small business getting on with its business and creating more business activity was right in line with Government thinking and intentions as it strove to increase economic growth, create jobs and hold spending.

Mr English was one of two Cabinet ministers attending the chapter that day. Ms Hekia Parata, Acting Minister of Energy and Resources, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Associate Minister for ACC, and a list MP, also attended as she is standing for the Mana seat in the forthcoming General Election.

About 45 people attended the meeting which was run on the standard BNI agenda, with BNI members making their 60 second presentations and passing raps and referrals. Visitors were able to enjoy the speakers and get an insight into BNI, its networking and businesses referrals system, and, through reality checks, the value of the business being passed around the room.

Mr English’s presentation was off the cuff, informal and humorous. He was happy to answer questions and mix and mingle with members and visitors before leaving for another engagement within the electorate.

He was generally upbeat about the economic situation, and the impact of Government policies. The Government was on track to return to surplus in 2014/15, with the recovery continuing to pick up pace, he said.

The Treasury Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) forecasted average annual growth of almost 3 per cent between 2012 and 2016, more than 150,000 new jobs over the forecast period and strong growth in wages and household incomes.

“The Government has put in place a comprehensive programme over the past three years to improve the economy’s competitiveness and build faster growth. The economy has now grown in eight of the last nine quarters and growth in the first half of this year has been stronger than Budget 2011 forecasts. This has contributed to the creation of 43,000 new jobs in the past year – 20,000 more than forecast at the time of the Budget,” Mr English said.

“A solid growth outlook, combined with the Government’s responsible economic management, has ensured we remain on track to move from a forecast deficit of $10.8 billion in the current year to a surplus of $1.5 billion in 2014/15.

“Getting back to surplus as soon as possible is one of the most important things the Government can do to lift national savings and rebalance the economy towards our productive sectors,” he said.

However, while New Zealand is relatively well placed, the global waters are getting rougher. Growth is forecast to peak slightly lower than expected in the Budget, but off a higher base. Growth of 3.4 per cent is still expected in the March 2013 year and average almost 3 per cent a year across the forecast period.

“That growth outlook underpins Treasury’s forecasts of more than 150,000 new jobs and average annual wage growth of almost 4 per cent between 2012 and 2016,” Mr English said. “In the Budget, Treasury predicted an extra 170,000 new jobs over the forecast period. The new estimate of 150,000 jobs recognises that actual jobs are already 20,000 ahead of Budget forecasts.”

“While the outlook for many developed countries has weakened, New Zealand is expected to benefit from our growing trade links with Australia and the faster-growing Asian economies, which now take about 60 per cent of our exports.

“The Canterbury rebuild will also support growth, with Treasury revising its damage estimate from the earthquakes from $15 billion to $20 billion, meaning the rebuild will be longer and contribute more to economic activity,” he said..

“Household saving is expected to continue to strengthen after becoming positive in the past year for the first time in over a decade. This will have a dampening effect on growth in the near term, but build a stronger platform for future growth.

“It’s crucial we stick to our programme of responsible financial management and policies that build a more competitive economy if we are to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead,” Mr English said.

Caption: Canterbury Directors Rob Bakker (left) and Sam Williamson (far right) present Auckland Director Mariska Mannes with a thank you gift. All photos by Cassandra McKnight Photography.

BNI members from all over Christchurch gathered recently for the BNI Christchurch Shakedown at the Westpac Hub – to have a drink on BNI, to thank BNI members around the country for their support and to kick-off the ‘lets get on with it’ phase of the city’s recovery.

BNI Christchurch Director Rob Bakker said the event was a “let your hair down” night for BNI members, an opportunity to reflect on the last 6-12 months and to spend time with other members who had shared experiences.

“Given that we’re now well into the ‘lets get on with it’ phase of things, it was also a really good opportunity to look forward, with the announcement of the membership drive.

“We also celebrated our longest serving members by presenting 10 year certificates and badges to those members who were here at the beginning of BNI in Christchurch, over 10 years ago.”

Rob said they were also able to recognise and thank Auckland BNI Director Mariska Mannes for here outstanding efforts in organising the BNI cabaret to raise funds to make the evening possible.

BNI member Jon Mackenzie who MC’d the event, while Cassandra McKnight was the official photographer. Jay Ganda developed the ShakeDown Facebook site and She Chocolate provided some wonderful chocolate as a thank you gift to Mariska.

“Our objectives were achieved in two ways. The members were very appreciative of the efforts made by their colleagues in Auckland and by Mariska and others in organising the event.

“They also responded very positively to the membership drive, and the use of the funds raised to help them in building their chapters.”

A short recorded speech from BNI Chairman Ivan Misner in Los Angeles was also delivered.

“We did some good networking where a lot of members met new people, reacquainted themselves with old contacts and enjoyed the evening. Our thanks to Westpac for providing the venue.”

BNI member Joy Coughlan, of Investor Mortgages, said it was great to meet and socialise with people from other chapters.

“The room had a great energy and feel, and I think other people also appreciated the opportunity. Keep up the good work!”