1st April 2008

 

With the clocks going forward we were all back to watching the sun come up this week!
Apologies from Mark Thornhill who was unable to attend at the last minute, Nic Howard subbed by his colleague Sandy and Scott Georgiades subbed by his colleague Nick.

Education:
Patrick Cunningham did a great job at encouraging us all to go and visit other Chapters telling us of the potential benefits to us being able to share our businesses with a wider audience.  It is also good to share networking ideas with people in the same or similar trades. Well done Patrick!

60 Seconds:
We had some interesting 60 second slots, Glen O'Dwyer had an enormous show of hands of people admitting they required new computer systems… he ably managed to April Fool them! Andy Ward painted a wonderful picture of  Joe Average’s first garden party of the season; the barbecue traditionally burning the sausages and burgers. The whole event being illuminated with lights precariously attached to dodgy extension leads draped in a nearby tree, he exhorted us all to be vigilant and safe with electrics and make others aware…and if anyone needed an electrician, he’s the man for the job!  Good luck to Brite and Breezy with their move to new premises. David Munday awarded the Star Speaker award to Glen O'Dwyer for making him laugh!

Reports:
Laura Downton reported that a total of 90 referrals were passed in the last month. Visitors are still in the lead with Nic Howard and Mark Hynes following close behind. There is to be a committee meeting at the end of April and Laura asked the members to speak to one of the committee if they have any suggestions or issues they would like to have raised.

Joe Nathanail informed everyone that she would let people know individually if their memberships were due for renewal

10 Minutes:
This week’s speaker was Mark Hynes who incidentally took great pleasure in reducing Joe Nathanail’s face to a grey pallor when he arrived by pretending he didn’t realise it was his week to speak…another April Fool (a somewhat relieved one!)

As always, Mark was very smooth with his presentation as he demystified his audience with his clear information about what he does in his field of finance. He works from an office in Bletchingley with a dynamic team supporting him.

Mark informed everyone how he really benefited from gaining up to date information whilst meeting up with the elite amongst financial advisers in places as far away as Canada. This of course also benefits his clients, he not only deals with their financial needs but more so he deals with what they actually want. To date Mark has not taken any part in operating a washing machine, this enlightenment caused a round of applause and admiring glances namely from the male members and unstifled gasps of shock from the females!

Website:
It has been agreed to remove the 'Members Only' section from the website as the content was rarely visited and is mostly available on the main Surrey BNI website anyway (here). One feature that did prove useful to some was the inclusion of the the weekly newsletter. This is still available but you'll now find it under the 'Leadership Team' menu item on the left, along with 'Useful Links'. Each week the current newsletter will be available to read there. Click here to go there now.

Thought for the week:

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out”
Art Linkletter

Have a lovely week