Is Next Week Really Thanksgiving?

Yes, yes it is. I can't believe it. Where did this year go? Ok, moving on to the meeting.

Today's meeting went pretty smoothly. There were no inappropriately long discussions. We passed 8 referrals today. The chaos was kept to a bare, bare minimum. Almost everyone showed up.

But, of course, there are just a few things that I wasn't thrilled about.

1. The first 15 minutes of every BNI meeting is reserved for "open networking." That basically means that everyone is standing up, milling around talking business with the rest of the members. It's important that everyone is standing because it keeps the energy up in the group, visitors can see that everyone is engaged with each other, and if those two reasons aren't enough, it's just one of the rules. Having said all of that, I find it quite disrespectful when I ask seasoned members who definitely know better, to stand, and they ignore me. The worst part was that these are people who, when they were on leadership team 2 months ago, made sure that everyone was standing. Now, for anyone reading this who is not a current BNI member, go to a BNI meeting, any meeting. You will see how important those first 15 minutes are in building rapport with members, discussing common clients, and starting off the meeting on a positive note. There are some BNI rules that I disagree wholeheartedly with for various reasons, and this was one of them until I realized the effect that standing vs. sitting during open networking has on the rest of the meeting.
2. I'm trying to come up with a second issue, but really, that was the big one that stuck out for me today.

In a completely unrelated matter, I need to start writing down the faux pas and freudian slips that happen during the meeting. Here is a list of various comments taken out of context that have been said over the past few weeks. And I will update this list as things come up.

~~~~~~ I need something soft to lie on. What's your wife's name?

~~~~~~ When we are done, you will feel all creamy.

Ok, so it's not a long list. I don't have a great memory. I'm going to keep a post-it note pad next to me from now on because the lines that I'm missing were too funny not to document. :-D

Well, I wish everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

A Member Minute: Cliques are not a good idea and lead to problems. Lots of problems. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done about it because most people do not even realize that they are a part of one until it is pointed out to them. But, if you happen to not be in a "clique" please don't be passive agressive about it. Everyone went to high school and remembers being the odd one out. But, unlike high school, feel free to say something about it. People are in BNI, in theory, because they are looking to network, which requires being social and being able to communicate. Bottom line, don't be a clique. If there is a clique that you feel excluded from, say something because 99 times out of 100, it is not intentional and you will be invited to join the conversation.

Proof that BNI works

Good morning dear readers (whoever you are...why don't you drop me a line so we can get to know each other a bit?) Anyway, I do have some exciting news to share. Thanks to BNI, I am in the process of purchasing my first home. What does BNI have to do with it?

1. If it weren't for the sales I have made (and will continue to make) from the referrals from my chapter, I would not be able to afford it.
2. Through BNI, I have a network of professionals who I trust to not only handle the needs for my friends, family and clients, but also for myself personally. Real estate agent, mortgage broker, etc etc etc.
3. And finally, as I have said in many a BNI meeting, if it weren't for my chapter, I don't think I'd still be in business and I'd probably be back in retail...not making enough money to buy a house in California.

As you would imagine, I am very excited about this milestone in my life. I'm also extraordinarily overwhelmed, frusterated and freaking out. I'll let you know how move-in day goes. :-)

A Member Minute: I like how that sounds much better. Just because you were the prior president (and we are friends) does not mean that you can be an energy leach in the meeting. Your negativity is bringing down the group and really needs to stop. You, of all people, should know that we really don't need that right now.

So much to say and so little time

Hi Everyone!

Your very own BNI Member is back to talk about those things that we don't talk about during meetings. Member drama. Well, let me start that the first month of my term as Vice President has come to a close. Amazing how time flies. Let's see if I can list for you the drama that has gone on in a month.

• We had a member so upset about the membership committee not approving a prospective member that he filed a complaint and didn't show up for almost a month.
• We lost a Membership Committee person because they could not be bothered to go to training.
• We auction off plants.
• We spent a half hour discussing holiday party plans.
• We may very well be losing two members because of a miscommunication.

On a more positive note:

• We inducted two new members who seem to be very excited about joining and are ready to dive right in.
• The one membership committee member that we do have is fantastic and very eager to help grow the chapter.
• We have a president who is excited about her new position but I'm not sure she has the "IT" factor.

All and all we're doing alright. As I said on my first post, I absolutely love BNI and it has been invaluable to my business life, as well as some aspects of my personal life. And as much as you see of the negative stuff that goes on within my own little chapter, I love them all as well...well most of them.

I think I'm going to start going point by point and describing all of our members to you. This way, I can refer to specific people and you will all be acquainted.

Member's note: The meeting starts at 11:30. Be there by 11:30. Not 11:45. I swear to you that I will send everyone a letter who tries to stroll in after 11:35. It's disruptive, distracting and some other "di" word. You go to the meetings to network and to get referrals, not to have a 5 star dining exerience. Remember that.