News from BNI Echo
BNI ECHO Walk
Clearing a few winter cobwebs and networking with members at the time. On the 28/03/11 some BNI Echo members and family had a great day out walking around the Glen Tanner Estate. Lots of fun and laughter had by all.
BNI ECHO SUMMER BBQ - 2010
The 2010 BNI Echo Summer BBQ took place on Saturday 14th August...and what a great event it was! The theme was ‘Country & Western’ and everyone got into the theme from wearing jeans and checked shirts to a full cowboy outfit! ...More...
British Grand Prix for Echo
On one of the most important sporting weekends for many a year I.E. the World Cup final and the British Grand Prix, 10 of our members took to the track for a go-carting extravaganza! The event which was organised by our Events Coordinator Pam Eastwood, was a great success and enjoyed by all.
The competitive spirit of BNIers came to light 'on track' as the go-carters competed in a number of qualifying heats culminating in the exciting final which was won by our Magnus Brown with 2nd Stuart Souter and third Andy Milne. In the pits, while one of our members preceded to crash (although unhurt), there were allegations of aggressive behaviour culminating in an agreement by all that we must do it again sooner rather than later!! Click on image for larger photo.
Curry Night for Echo
Great food, good people and overall a really fun night. The food was followed with a tour of local inverurie watering holes. Some may have regretted staying to the bitter end, how many hangovers were counted next day?!
All in all It was great way to get to know our newest chapter members and catch up with older ones. I’m sure some good business will follow. Click on image for more photos.
The annual BNI Awards Ceremony
The annual BNI Awards Ceremony, was this year held in Montrose on Friday 20th November. It recognises the achievements of BNI members throughout the Scotland North Area. Leading the success for Echo was Magnus Brown (Mackenzie Fire Protection) for networker of the year. Along with stuart Eddie for his Award as Scotland North Regional Director fo the Year. Well done to both...more
'Homecoming my Scotland' by Landscape Photography by Pamela Eastwood Photography
Our very own Pamela Eastwood for the second year running exhibits a stunning collection of pieces, photographed from around the Aberdeenshire Area. The display will be on display at Under the Hammer, North Silver Street, Aberdeen, until 2nd January 2010. You can also view a collection of her work in her new stunning website at:
www.pamelaeastwoodphotography.co.uk
BNI Echo Girls Win Trophy - Total Raised - £1,195.00 for the ‘Befriend a Child’ Charity.
At the Annual CIOB Quiz night the Echo Girls team Shelia Ritchie (Grant Smith Law Practice, Pam Eastwood (Pamela Eastwood Photography), Jan Park (Xplain IT) and Diane Gray (Luminet) brought home the trophy! On the night the event have raised £1,195.00 for the ‘Befriend a Child’ charity. There were 29 teams entered, a mix of architects, surveyors, engineers, services engineers, developers, building contractors and other local companies and organisations.
The aims of the ‘Befriend a Child’ scheme were – and have remained – to relieve distress, promote welfare and advance the education of children in Aberdeen through a befriending service. By providing an adult role model, the child experiences reliability, caring and trust which in turn combine to improve their confidence, social skills and help give them the solid grounding required to grow into mature, responsible adults.
JAMstudio named Socially Responsible Company of the Year at Prestigious 'Northern Star Business Awards' Ceremony
North-east architectural design business, JAMstudio, has received the Socially Responsible Company of the Year Award at the Northern Star Business Awards, the flagship event of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Fetternear-based JAMstudio, owned by husband and wife John Wingate and Marie-Louise Dunk, was given the honour in recognition of its work in support of the community, in particular its leading role in the refurbishment of community facilities at Peterhead Harvest Community Church.
The glittering awards ceremony took place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and was hosted by presenter, writer and adventurer Ben Fogle. Read More...
Congratulations to all in BNI Echo
Congratulations to all Echo members for all the hard work in the last session. We are now top of the Scotland North Traffic Lights with:
- 26 members
- 71% retention rate
- 1.2 visitors per week
- 16.1% conversion rate
- 96% attendance
- 1.04 referrals per week
- Score our of 100 = 70
ECHO MEMBERS IN DISGUISE, SUPPORTING CORNERSTONE CHARITY
Echo members give support to ‘The Society of Solicitors of Banffshire’ attending a charity masquerade ball at Banff in support of The Cornerstone charity.
A superb evening was had by all encompassing, good food, fine wine... and lots of dancing from a Scottish ‘strip the willow’ to a fantastic rendition of the Time Warp from members Pamela Eastwood, Diane Gray and Stuart Eddie.
This event raised over £2000 for the charity. Read More...
BNI ECHO SUMMER BBQ
The 2009 annual BNI ECHO BBQ was held this year in the rural location of Tullynessle, near Alford in the garden of BNI member Allan Milne and his wife Angela.
The scene was set for a damp event, however luck was with us and the sun shone all afternoon. Jan Park and David Watt, the event co-ordinators, did a fantastic job arranging events to keep everyone amused for the whole day, irrespective of age. For the children there was a tent set up for painting and colouring, a crèche for the very young.... read more
BNI ECHO COMPLETE THE GORDON WAY
On a dry (yes dry!!) Sunday morning in June nine intrepid BNI colleagues and family members, and one dog, made their way to Suie Car park to embark on the 11.5 mile Gordon Way walk.
Led by Ben, who took control over his owner Graham McWilliam, the group started strongly, managing to avoid the puddles that had collected during the previous day’s rain, but all too soon it became apparent that this was to be rather more challenging than some had expected read more and view the evidence!...
JAMStudio shortlisted for Northern Star Business Awards 2009
JAMStudio have been named in the shortlist of finalists for the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Northern Star Business Awards 2009. Shortlisted in the socially responsible category JAMStudio have been selected along with other finalists ACE Winches & Northsound Radio.
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Website
Press and Journal Website
View JAMStudio's BNI Echo Profile for more details
European Role for Inverurie Business Owner
Inverurie, June 03, 2009: An Inverurie business owner has accepted a prestigious European committee post. Stuart Eddie, Owner of 1d Wipes, and Regional Director of BNI Scotland North region and member of BNI Echo Chapter has recently accepted a seat on the BNI European Assistant Directors committee, which is a pivotal role within the ever-expanding BNI global business networking organisation.
Each year there are 300 nominations put forward, from which ten individuals are selected to sit on the committee for one year. The role of the committee is to review existing BNI activity, put forward new initiatives to ensure members get the most out of their membership, and to tackle issues or difficulties members have.
Stuart Eddie commented: “For the Scotland North region and for BNI Echo this means that ideas or concerns our members have is highlighted and fought for at the very top of this global organisation. And I will also have first hand knowledge of any new initiatives being brought that will affect us as a chapter or region. I am immensely proud of this honour, particularly as I have only been an Area Director for nine months, and truly believe that the BNI organisation is one of the finest business networking routes that growing business can be involved in. I foresee a busy year ahead and will work extremely hard to deliver a successful outcome for each and every business associated with BNI.”
Prepared by fellow member Marlene Wight of Merlin Marketing on behalf of BNI Scotland North and BNI Inverurie Echo Chapter.
It's a Strike! - Ten Pin Bowling Night for Members
Stuart Gordon, of First For Aid Ltd, arranged a Social evening for BNI (Business Network International) Inverurie Echo members at the new Garioch 10 pin bowing club in Inverurie, which allowed them another opportunity to network with fellow members and partners. The event was very well attended and as the event was so enjoyable, everyone ended up a winner and despite sharing his throws with some children and beginners, Magnus Brown of MacKenzie Fire Protection was the clearly no1 on the leader board! More events and training is certainly needed for some members to catch up with Magnus!! WELL DONE to him!!!
The group then continued on to the Strathburn Hotel for food and drinks. Thanks to all members who attended, with all surplus funding generously donated to the BNI Echo Chapter for future events. Even though this was a social event, it allowed members to strengthen their business relationships, and get to know each other even better. More events to follow.....
Marlene Wight BNI Echo Member Celebrating Another Hockey Season Win!
Marlene Wight BNI Echo member, and AIC Inverurie Ladies players is celebrating, having just completed a highly successful women’s hockey season after beating Aberdeen Ladies 2-1 to lift the North District Division 1 trophy.
The League title is an achievement and on its own would be enough for any team, but the ladies have now bagged a hat-trick of trophies for the season – with the North District Indoor Division 1 trophy and the Scottish District Cup also won.
The success is amazing, especially when you consider it is the first time the Ladies team, part of AIC Inverurie Hockey Club (www.ihc.org.uk), has won any of these trophies.
(Photo by Pamela Eastwood Photography)
BNI Echo 's Photographer Pam Eastwood goes for Lunar Look
Gray’s graduate back from Iceland with her own take on conservation area. Photographs taken at one of the thinnest parts of the earth’s crust feature in a new Aberdeen exhibition. Pamela Eastwood, 31, of Daviot, near Inverurie, took pictures of the lunar-like landscape in the national conservation area of Lake Myvatn in Iceland.
The Gray’s School of Art graduate is displaying 11 photographs she took on her trip to the area in 2005 in an exhibition at Under the Hammer on the city’s North Silver Street. She said she chose to photograph the region – characterised by its hot, sulphurous springs and boiling mud pools – because of its rich colours. “It’s a bit different. There are all sorts of different colours and textures going on. I remember thinking they should have filmed Moonraker here.” She said some areas were cordoned off to visitors because the ground was dangerous, being one of thinnest parts of the earth’s crust. The exhibition, which Ms Eastwood has dedicated to her father, Ken, who died last August, runs until mid-March. Published: (P&J 05/02/2009)