Over the last few weeks, the U.S. has been faced with several natural disasters – including Hurricanes Irma and Harvey – which left great devastation across much of the southern United States. Members and Directors from around the world quickly offered their support to those in need. In total, nearly $45,000 USD was raised for the BNI Cares initiative and thanks to the generosity of many of you, BNI Members in Texas and Florida will receive a Back-to-Business grant to help them get their businesses back up-and-running.
As BNI’s Chairman & CEO, Graham Weihmiller, noted in September’s SuccessNet, when natural disasters strike, local businesses play an essential role in helping a community return to normalcy. Last month, Graham and BNI’s Global Support Team visited Texas to meet with impacted Members and learn how BNI can bolster support globally in such situations. According to Rob Gorecki, BNI’s Global Innovation Manager, “Our trip was an incredibly impactful experience, as the Givers Gain® spirit was on full display. We want to specially thank Mark Taylor and Kathy Mathy, the Executive Directors of the regions we visited, and Alisa Wenning of Pyramid Printing, a Member in the BNI Ballantyne Business Network Chapter in Charlotte, NC, who provided an amazing donation of branded BNI T-shirts for Members to wear during disaster relief efforts.”
BNI has set up a BNI Cares Facebook Group that we invite Members and Directors to join, and use as a platform to collaborate following disasters. Share a story of how you’ve been affected, or perhaps a way in which you can help a fellow BNI Member. Sometimes, just a bit of encouragement can turn despair into rock-solid determination.
