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Fair Getting connected in the Five Towns
South Shore Synergy seeks members
After two meetings the revitalized Five Towns chapter of Business Network International, South Shore Synergy, continues to build its membership to officially launch their chapter.
“There are several professions in various industries that are still open for membership,” said Andrew Leibowitz, a Hewlett resident who spearheaded the chapter. “As the chapter continues to grow, more referrals will be passed around and our members will thrive.”
Each chapter is composed of one local resident or business owner that represents one business or profession so there is no competition within the chapter. On Long Island, there are 32 chapters and 700 members.
Marsha Ander, a realtor in the Five Towns, said she was excited to be the first one to fill up that spot in the group. “It’s great for community building because I wouldn’t normally have access to these business owners,” she said. “The social aspect is also appealing because our chapter meets with different BNI groups in other communities.”
A previous BNI chapter begun in 2004, but four years later, due to the recession, members drifted away.
Customer referrals and creating contacts are two of the primary benefits of a BNI chapter, which is why David Cohen, the past president of the Cedarhurst Business Association and owner of London Optical in Cedarhurst joined South Shore Synergy. “As an active business member I believe if we work together we can all do better,” he said.
Chapters meet weekly, typically at a local restaurant for breakfast to connect and exchange information before the business day begins. There is no specific limit to how many members there are and though one industry is represented, specialties within that industry such as attorneys who practice different types of law are accepted.
This group meets every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. at the Lynbrook Diner. Leibowitz is working towards the chapter goal of getting 20- signed members.
“We hope to have a mixer or two at a local restaurant or establishment where people can meet our current members and learn more about our BNI chapter,” he said. “As far as our breakfast meetings go, we welcome visitors to come see what BNI is all about.”
