Rose City BNI
of Norwich, Connecticut
Rose City BNI Membership
Welcome and congratulations on your decision to apply for membership to Rose City BNI! BNI stands for Business Networking International and is the premier organization for networking. The purpose of BNI is to develop the referral business of its members.
Application for Membership:
Attached to this letter is the application for membership. Please take notice of the following when completing it:
1. Complete all the business information on the top left including name, address, phone numbers, etc.
2. Answer the Four questions at the bottom of the page.
3. Sign the top right and the back.
4. Please complete credit card information or attach a check for payment.
5. Complete your sponsor’s informatioAtn on the front of the application and provide 2 business references on the back with contact information. A good reference is a client or complementary business who has experienced your work product and customer service. This reference can be an existing member of our chapter, provided you have done work for them in the past. Please note it is preferred that your sponsor is not also a reference.
Application Process:
The application process is quite extensive and can be lengthy. It usually takes approximately two weeks to complete but may take longer depending on the circumstances. During this time, the membership committee will check your references, ensure there is no category overlap with existing members and speak with you to determine if BNI is a good fit for you. You can expect communication from the committee members during the process as they learn about you and your business. They may even request that you meet with one or more of the members. Should you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the membership committee directly.
Rose City BNI is successful for many reasons beginning with the high expectations we hold for each of our members. In order to get the best value out of your membership, we recommend the following guidelines:
Attendance Policy:
BNI absence policy is as follows: you are allowed 3 absences in a 6 month period. Periods run from October 1st to March 31st and from April 1st to September 30th. If you are unable to make a meeting, it is recommended that you will find a substitute to attend. After the 3rd absence, the membership committee has the option of opening your category. Building relationships is the key to success in BNI and you have to be present to build strong bonds.
Complete your Dance Cards / One to One’s:
A dance card or one to one is a meeting between two members for the specific purpose of learning about each other’s business and how you can generate referrals for each other. A good goal for completing these meetings is to schedule at least one weekly.
Send a Substitute:
If you unable to attend a meeting, it is recommended that you send a substitute in your place. However, substitutes cannot build relationships on your behalf and therefore should only be sent when absolutely necessary. A good substitute is a client, employee, or complementary business who has experienced your work, product and customer service. As mentioned above, you must be present on a regular basis to build strong relationships and get the most value out of your membership.
Monthly Social Events:
Social events are a great opportunity to really relate to other members in a different arena and take your relationships to the next level. It is a key way to build trust and start receiving better, more qualified referrals.
Not only does this chapter generate a tremendous amount of business for its members, but it offers education on how to build your networking skills and improve your public speaking skills. You gain access to a large sales force who are looking for business for your company on a daily basis. There are opportunities to develop your leadership skills by getting involved on the leadership team that drives the chapter. The BNI philosophy is “Givers Gain”. Rose City BNI is passionate about giving back to the community we live in. There are many occasions for you to get involved in community service. Most importantly, you now have a whole host of resources you can count on. People will begin to depend on you to help connect them to the businesses and services that they need. This builds trust in you and your business ultimately leading to more business for you.
Thank you for applying to the Rose City Chapter of Business Networking International. We look forward to learning about your business as we consider your application for membership.
Our Power Teams:
Our Leadership Team
| Name | Position | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Biggins | President | 608-7453 | melissabiggins@ct.metrocast.net |
| Jim Daly | Vice President | 889-8075 | james.daly@nmfn.com |
| Gerry Rucker | Secretary/Treasurer | 873-2181 | gerry@grucker.com |
| Andrew Nollman | Education | 303-2080 | andrew@rosecityfinancial.com |
| Dino Tudisca | Mentor | 608-1842 | exterior@sbcglobal.net |
| April Woodcock | Public Relations | 591-4118 | awoodcock@touchingclients.com |
| Shannon Quesada | Membership | 455-6551 | squesada@primepay.com |
| Nicole Colter | Membership | 591-0565 | nicole@kdpub.com |
| Edwin Muenzner | Membership | 892-1040 | |
| Mark Sciola | Membership | 639-4873 | msciola@ct.metrocast.net |
| Cathy Morneault | Membership | 381-5287 | cathy@fluffydogdesigns.com |
| Susan Hull | Visitor Host | 376-0774 | susan@hmstravelconsulting.com |
| Tim Murphy | Visitor Host | 437-8219 | info@perkinsmurphy.com |
| Michelle Hinton | Visitor Host | 886-6999 | ct368@ediblearrangements.com |
| Matt Biggins | Visitor Host | 334-3876 | matthewbiggins@cthm.com |
| Alice Soscia | Event Planner | 464-3313 | alice.soscia@uwsect.org |
| Chris Colter | Event Planner | 608-5978 | madsciencect@aol.com |
Our Latest Roster
Click the picture to view a copy of our meeting roster in PDF