That is cool. He is a dynamic speaker and "down to earth" in his presentations.

He really is down to earth. 

Our state director attended this meeting.  I hope when he returns he brings some of this energy and enthusiasm back to our group, but I am convinced that the biggest enthusiasm comes from forward momentum, with forward momentum being measured by the basics. 

1) # of referrals in the last 30 days. 

2) # of visitors in the last 30 days. 

3) # of new members in the last 30 days.  

and we should probably track the number of One-on-One "Dances".  Do other chapters track this number?   I think it builds enthusiasm as we get to know other members.   I have a lot to learn ...

Any hints?  I just heard of BNI for the first time late last October; missed the chance to join by getting edged out of a slot, so had to form my own chapter.   This has lead to a membership right at 15 in about 4 months.  I'd like to get that number over 20 by the end of July.  I think we'd better get crackin'!  

In August, I think we'll begin planning a visitor's day for mid-September and certainly by the end of Sept, we should be above 25.  It's very feasible that we could finish our first full year with 30 members, thus making us perhaps the largest chapter in Des Moines. 

Does it make sense to build it this quickly, or should we slow that down a bit?  My feeling has been that there are two ways to build this -- slow and painful, or fast with lots of enthusiasm.  What say ye of more experience than I? 

Well I think building is great!.  What I have found out since I have been in BNI is that people will come and go so you may have 20 but 2-3 drop out and you are building again.  BNI is a big commitment for some and so the numbers will fluctuate.  Keep building I say. 

Endea - "Keep building" is good advice!  So, back to it, yet how does one balance the need for current production with the need to build long term relationships that will be the foundation for future success?   I've always been so long-term focused that it's been hard to make today fruitful. 

Do you know what I mean?   Fortunately, some of this effort is starting to bear fruit, for me and especially for some of our members.  The gal who is our signs person is immediately seeing benefits, as is our hair stylist.  We've had just two referrals to our Realtor (me) and our Senior Tax Manager (tougher to refer to, but I believe we will eventually help him build his book of business), yet others have been seeing results fairly quickly. 

We really have been stressing that Givers Gain so I need to get at least two visitors to this weeks meeting, to continue the momentum.  The trouble when you get to 15 is that you want to take a breather and relax a bit but the reality is, we need to get to 30 in a controlled fashion but to do it quickly!  

We just had our first dropout, and it was kind of sad, because this was the person who invited me!   So the torch has been passed but I need to figure out a way to do it and not leave -- to stay there and contribute to the long term success!