BLN NETWORKING GROUP, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT NETWORKING ORGANZIATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALUMNI OF BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOLS IN MIAMI, FLORIDA AND HAVANA, CUBA.
ALTHOUGH MEMBERSHIP IS EXCLUSIVE TO BELEN ALUMNI, BLN NETWORKING GROUP, INC. IS NOT OFFICIALLY AFFILIATED WITH THE SCHOOL.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (rotated and elected on an annual basis):
The executive committee is tasked with organizing and planning weekly lunches, collecting dues, and addressing all other matters related to the organization’s members, including conflicts and resolution of same.
President – Erick Deeb
Vice President – Thomas Pla
Treasurer/Secretary – Ralph Espinosa
FOUNDING MEMBERS/DIRECTORS:
There are 12 founding members and they are directors. Directors will vote on any matters presented to the organization, including creating and enforcing rules/policies.
Jorge Baste ‘87 Raul Cardona ‘85 Ralph Espinosa ‘86 Ralph Jimenez ’86
Richard Blanco ‘91 Ruben Chavez ‘90 Daniel Garrido ‘85 James Newmeyer ‘02
Ramon Branger ‘92 Erick L. Deeb ‘85 Alexis Gonzalez ‘92 Thomas Pla ‘00
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Membership Committee (MC) comprises the executive committee along with two other board members elected by their peers. The MC will make final decisions on potential incoming members & at the recommendation of the sphere in which the member will be a part of. James Newmeyer and Jorge Baste are the final two members of the MC.
MEMBERSHIP: Members will be Belen Alumni & will be category exclusive. Any interested Alumni that cannot enter the group due to conflict will be encouraged and assisted in forming their own group. There are currently 15 members.
SPHERES:
Spheres, or sub-groups, were created in order to assist members in related fields to work closer together. Members can be part of multiple spheres.
LEGAL:
Alexis Gonzalez – Chairman (Commercial Litigation) Ruben Chavez (Personal Injury)
- Bruno de la Fuente (Property & Casualty Claims) Erick Deeb (Real Estate)
Alex Hernandez (Probate/Estate Planning)
I.T./COMPUTER:
Richard Blanco – Chairman (IT Guy) Danny Garrido (Web Design/SEO)
Ramon Branger (Digital Media/App. Developer)
FINANCIAL SERVICES:
Raul Cardona – Chairman (Property/Casualty Insurance Agent)
Ralph Espinosa (Accounting) Tom Pla (Commercial Banking/Lending)
Jimmy Newmeyer (Residential Lending) Jorge Baste (Group Health)
Alfie Oliva (Private Wealth)
MARKETING:
Danny Garrido – Chairman (Web Design/SEO) Ramon Branger (Digital Media/App. Developer)
Ralph Jimenez (Print Marketing)
REAL ESTATE:
Jimmy Newmeyer, Erick Deeb, Tom Pla, Alexis Gonzalez, Raul Cardona, Bruno de la Fuente
ANNUAL DUES:
$300.00 per year due on Dec. 01 for the following calendar year. Members joining after the beginning of any given year will have their annual dues reduced by the number of months that have passed. Annual dues will cover nominal operating expenses, and at the direction of the members, will be donated to numerous Belen Jesuit charities.
MONTHLY DUES:
Monthly Dues are $100.00 and will cover the lunch and happy hour meetings.
BI-WEEKLY LUNCH MEETINGS: Lunch Meetings will take place on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Open networking from 12:00 to 12:15 and 1:15 to 1:30 or after. Lunch is one hour from 12:15 to 1:15.
One to One Lunch Meetings: The first week of the month, members will meet with another member to inform each other of their respective businesses and to determine how they can assist one another in growing their respective businesses. The meeting can take place at any time and location the parties decide.
Happy Hour Meetings: Happy Hours will take place the third Wednesday of every month from approx 5:00 – 7:00.
ABSENCE/TARDINESS: Members are allowed to have 3 absences from the bi-weekly lunch meetings every 6 months. In addition, there will be 3 more excused absences every 6 months. It is important that all members arrive to the meetings in a timely manner.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS:
The members will decide where funds will be directed to within the Belen community by making a motion at any of the weekly meetings.