BNI Hudson Valley Member News - March 2026

Message from our Executive Directors

Dear {{contact.first_name}},

With March well underway, we want to pause and recognize the steady commitment we are seeing across the region. Chapters are showing up with purpose, members are making stronger connections, and the energy around referrals and closed business continues to grow. That kind of momentum does not happen by chance. It comes from people who are willing to stay engaged, stay consistent, and keep putting relationships first.

This is also an important time to stay focused. The habits you build now will shape the rest of your year. A thoughtful one to one, a well prepared weekly presentation, or a timely introduction may seem like a small action in the moment, but those are the things that create lasting results over time.

As we continue through the 90 Day Givers Gain Challenge, let this be the month where you lean in even more. Keep looking for ways to help others, keep being intentional in your asks, and keep following through. The strength of this region is not only in the numbers we celebrate, but in the trust we build together every single week.

Thank you for the part you play in making BNI Hudson Valley a region marked by generosity, professionalism, and growth. We are proud to be on this journey with you.

With appreciation,

Frank & Crystal
Executive Directors
BNI Mid Hudson Valley

90 Day Givers Gain Challenge: Closing notes

We are wrapping up the 90 Day Givers Gain Challenge, and the results speak for themselves. Across the region, members have been more intentional with one to ones, more thoughtful in how they connect others, and more consistent in following through. This is Givers Gain in action and it is making a measurable difference.

As we close out the challenge, keep the momentum going through the final days. Continue making specific introductions, keep focusing on referral sources, and make sure your TYFCB is up to date. Finishing well matters, and it also sets the standard for what comes next.

Most importantly, let’s carry these habits forward. The challenge may be ending, but the way we show up for each other does not.

Make Your Classification Visible Across Chapters

A quick win for more referrals: check your BNI Connect profile and make sure your classification is accurate and visible to your chapter and to other chapters in the region. More visibility means more searches find you, which means more of the right introductions.

What changed

Seats and Classifications now use three parts:

  • Industry

  • Classification

  • Specialty

This update adds 80+ new classification options and retires a few broad, generic categories in favor of clearer residential and commercial distinctions. The goal is better search results, stronger referrals, and consistent data across profiles and reports.

Welcome New Members

Welcome to these new members who joined in the month of February:

David VanDeWater Kimlin Energy -  BNI Powerhouse Connections

Kazmin Thibault Neo Home Loans Powered by Better -  BNI Online Millionaire Makers

Welcome Renewing Members

Thank you to all our renewing members in February:

Dan Mahoney Safe & Sound -  BNI Rainmakers

Eric Traditi Ameriprise Financial -  BNI Founders

Geoff Dumas William A Smith and Son -  BNI Powerhouse Connections

Geoffrey Bass Bass Engineering -  BNI Powerhouse Connections

Gregory Stemkowski Hudson Rose Home Inspections, LLC BNI Southern Dutchess Referral Team

Jason Packer New York Life Insurance Company -  BNI Roundtable

Jeremy Landolfa New York Life Insurance Company -  BNI Online Synergy Chapter

Joseph Wright Wright Renovations Inc. -  BNI Rainmakers

Joshua Zaloga Jz Contractors -  BNI Wildfire

Matthew Flanagan Flanagan Chiropractic -  BNI Roundtable

Omer Gil Gil & Cantor, PC -  BNI Patriots

Rob Ricci R & C Auto & Tire Center -  BNI Southern Dutchess Referral Team

Rocky Santo Lenscape Media -  BNI Southern Dutchess Referral Team

Recognize a Fellow Member!

Has someone in your chapter gone the extra mile? Whether they made a powerful referral, offered meaningful support, or truly embodied the Givers Gain philosophy, we want to hear about it!

You can now nominate a fellow member to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. It’s a great way to spotlight the generosity, collaboration, and impact happening across our region—one member at a time.

Submit your nomination and help us celebrate those who make our BNI community stronger.

Nominate a Member Now

President Spotlight

Meet some of our wonderful Presidents! These are members that guide their chapters to success by demonstrating leadership and support within BNI Hudson Valley.

BNI Powerhouse Connections 

Connect with Doug

Latest On-Call Substitute List

Here is the latest On Call Substitute List.   

If you want to be added to the list, please email us back with the following information: 

  • Full Name

  • Profession

  • Your Chapter Name

  • Your Meeting Day

  • Days you are willing to sub. 

  • If you are willing to sub for chapters that are: Online, In Person or Both. 

  • Email

  • Phone Number 

If you are on the list and any of your information is incorrect or missing, if you wish to be removed from the list or if you know of someone who is no longer a member that is still on the list. Please send an email to Frank De Raffele: frank@bnihv.com

Thank you to everyone who is willing to substitute for fellow members. 

On Call Substitute List

BNI Hudson Valley Green Members

Congratulations to the following Green Members

These members are effectively working the Power of One system in order to achieve green status.  If you want to know more about how you can reach green status, talk to your mentor or Director Consultant.

BNI Hudson Valley Top Chapters

Upcoming Events

Effective 1-2-1's

Most one-to-ones are polite, pleasant… and forgettable.

In this session, you'll learn how to move beyond the surface and have purpose-driven conversations that lead to deeper trust and real referrals.

Date: 03/16/2026
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Venue: Online

Register here

National Speed Networking

Join Members from across BNI USA at this nationally-facilitated event. Each session will include 6-minute breakout sessions for Members to network with one another.

Date: 03/31/2026
Time:
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Online

Register here

See all our Upcoming Events

For more info and to register

Click Here

Attend the Next Regional ELT

This is the monthly breakfast for all ELT Members.  We ask all Presidents, VPs and STs to register prior to Thursday afternoon. Thank you. 

ELT's are required to attend for Leadership roles, to support their chapters, members are welcome to attend as well! 

We promise you'll have something valuable to take away and hopefully make some connections while you're there!

ELT Breakfast:

Date: 04/03/2026
Time: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Venue: Online

“Leadership starts with presence. When we show up prepared, listen well, and follow through, our chapters become the place where trust grows and results follow.”

Register Here

Chapter Anniversaries

These Chapter Anniversaries are coming up:

If this is your chapter, do something special! Host a Visitors Day or sing Happy Birthday. Remember to send us pictures of your celebration.

April 1, 1998 - BNI Roundtable (28 years)

April 1, 2005 - BNI Power Lunch (21 years)

Business Book of the Month

Niching Up
by Chris Dreyer

Have you found your niche?

Would you like to stand out as the highest authority in it?

Here's the most important question:

Did you know there's a simple way to "craft" your own market, become the ultimate expert in it, and get recurring customers that pay you premium prices?

In Niching Up, Chris Dreyer, the owner of one of the most successful SEO agencies for personal injury lawyers (Rankings.io), presents his journey of finding his niche through a nostalgic, self-deprecating tale of pop culture references, from Star Wars to collectible card games.

Past Newsletter Issues

Want to revisit previous newsletters or catch up on what you may have missed? 📬 Check out our archive of past newsletter issues to stay inspired, informed, and connected with all things BNI Hudson Valley.

Past newsletter Issues

Inspiration for the Month

Kindly prepared by Claudia Lowry
BNI Director Consultant: Social Media
Owner of Every Task Skilled Virtual Assistants
GoHighLevel Technical Support expert

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