I am sure that you would all agree that the earthquake we felt here in Canterbury on Saturday was like nothing we have experienced before, and hopefully such an event will not repeat itself for a very long time to come.
Having spent Saturday in a state of shock and disbelief, today the immediate effects of the earthquake are now becoming a reality. Tomorrow will see a return to work for some, but this for many may produce even greater hardship and pressures as we seek to re-establish our businesses and communities.
I have checked with the operators of several of the meeting venues used by many of our BNI chapters. Some are badly damaged, some have minor damage and some can cope with meetings. If you would like more details please contact me.
However, what is not clear is how many of our members have been seriously affected both domestically and business-wise. After discussions with Sam, (who is still in Australia until Friday) and some of the chapter Presidents we have made the decision to SUSPEND/CANCEL all official BNI Meetings for the coming week, 6th-10th September 2010
This will give the venues time to complete clean ups and get the necessary structural inspections completed and for the members who have been the most badly affected time to deal with the many issues that surround disruption on such a vast scale.
We should review the situation again at the end of the week, and consider the possibility of holding combined chapter meetings while we re-assess venue availability and likely attendance in the weeks ahead. Sam and I would appreciate any comments on this idea please.
In the meantime we would appreciate your help in communicating this message to all your chapter members. Look after your own immediate needs first, then check with others in your group to co-ordinate what assistance you can bring to those in need.
We have a wealth of talent and expertise in many areas throughout the 16 chapters, so make good use of it. Don’t forget to ask other chapters for help where they have specialists in categories not represented in your chapter.
There will be some members whose business losses will appear impossible for one person to deal with alone but remember TEAM, (together each achieves more) and supportive and collective thinking may well produce the solution they need.
At this stage we have no idea what we can expect in the weeks ahead so regular dialogue would be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Alastair Christie and Sam Williamson
8 comments
To BNI NZ and all others in New Zealand: I know we are all praying for you and those who have suffered such tremendous loss this past few days in the earthquake in Canterbury.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and I’m sure many of us in BNI will or have already made a donation to the Misner Foundation in your name.
Susan Rooks
AD, BNI RI/SE Mass. USA
Hi Susan,
Many thanks for your very kind thoughts and prayers. Today (Monday) we have had several strong after shocks measuring over 4 on the Richter scale, that has been very un-nerving for everyone. But the underlying theme is make things safe enough to get everything back to normal as soon as is practical.
Hi Alastair,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the news. I just recently was on Holidays in Canterbury with my young family and quickly passed through Christchurch so this was quite a shock for us here. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hopefully everyone is ok and there is not too much damage to your beautiful city and heritage buildings.
Frederick Marcoux
National Director, BNI Australia, Perth WA
We are keeping our BNI New Zealand members in thoughts and prayers. We have opened an earthquake relief fund through the BNI Foundation and BNI HQ will match the first $10,000 donated. Funds will be given to the Red Cross or similar organization (we will seek advice from Graham Southwell in this contribution).
Go to this link for donations to the New Zealand Earthquake Relief fund being rund by the BNI Foundation:
https://grants.ccf-la.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=292
(Please note that the BNI Foundation is part of the California Community Foundation).
Hi Fredrick,
Many thanks for you comments and concerns. We have been very fortunate that so far we have had no loss of life, but there have been some remarkable lucky escapes. The inner city is still cordoned off and as many as 90 older buildings are so badly damaged they may need to be demolished. Many of our landmark heritage buildings have had earthquake strengthening so have not been too badly damaged.
Hi Everyone,
It is now Tuesday afternoon and for some of us who have had a second day at work, we are now starting to feel the impact of the weekends massive earthquake. Last night we had another series of major aftershocks at 11.30 pm and again at 3.30pm. Several shakes were over 4 and two were as high as 5.4 on the Richter scale which had caused more destruction to already weakened buildings. The emotional toll is now having a huge effect on everyone. A lack of sleep, high anxiety and traumatised children. Missing pets is also a common theme as animals sense a quake and take off!! There are also many less fortunate people who have spent the last two days cleaning up debris or moving what is left of their possessions out of their damaged homes with the help of friends and family.
Well guys……..we did it!
$300-20 collected from our Members this morning @ brekkie
Even the Restaurant owners were asked for a contribution.
So, very proudly I can say; Kerikeri Chapter did it.
With the contribution from the US we “feel pretty good about ourselves” generating $600 for the needy in Christchurch.
The good feeling is, it shows that we care.
And, we put people before profit.
On the strength of it – givers gain – have a happy day.
‘cos up here in Kerikeri we’re gunna!
Regards,
Dave Keen
Hi David,
Many thanks for such a great effort. Right now I would give anything to come up to your wonderful region, grab a yacht from Opua and go sailing for a few weeks, and collect the cheque personally. (Notice sailing first then the cheque, the other way round,- well it is tempting.)
Today was very traumatic for many with 2 big shakes of 5.1 and 4.1. Several staff could not cope being away from family so went home. People are feeling anxiety and stress in different ways,and to know that people such as the Kerikeri BNI chapter are showing such generosity is really a great moral booster.
Many thanks, you are living the Givers Gain philosophy to the fullest.
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