Calendar:

Weekly Meeting:

Our regularly scheduled weekly meeting will be held Wednesday morning at the Weathervane Restaurant in University Mall from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Meeting Dues are $5.00 per week.  Place your business card and $1.00 in the Optional Drawing. One card will be selected and that person will receive the week's kitty. For Express Check-In, please arrive with a $5.00, a $1.00, and a business card and we will check you in. We greatly appreciate your bringing correct change. We cannot change large denomination bills ($10, $20, $50, etc.) and cannot accept checks.

This Week's Speaker:

Lou Umscheid started her 5th year in business at the Colon Health Center in Chapel Hill this past September. She is helping clients every day "to maintain or regain their colon health"! She gave more than 700 colonics last year. Lou will offer practical suggestions (beyond colonics) for YOUR colon health. Come hear this beneficial information!

Speaker's Schedule for January 2008

February 13 - Todd Washburn, Todd Washburn Solutions, LLC
February 20 - Paul Alexander, Home Improvement Consultants, Inc.
February 27 - Jen Rhoton, Jen Rhoton Designs, LLC

Did You Know:

New Chapel Hill Leads Group Attendees

Augustus Cho - Writer
Nate Lyon - Piedmont Financial Group
Paul Quinzi - ProShred Security
Jamey Tippens - Jamey Tippens, LLC (Home Inspections)

Small Business Roundtable - 11:45 a.m. to 1:00pm, Wednesday, February 6, 2008

In Part 1 – The Art of Marketing (my apologies to Sun-Tzu and his pivotal work The Art of War), we evaluated the capability of the Small Business, mapped Market terrain and analyzed competitive pressures present in that market. Part 2 – Sensual Marketing, explored market strategies and created programs to maximize their appeal to the potential target customer base. Part 3 – Where Marketing Meets the Road, looks at the distinct advantages different marketing activities provide in reaching the diverse groups within the potential customer base. These marketing activities include:

●  Promotional Products - John C. Marlowe, Kaeser & Blair, Inc.
●  Broadcast Advertising - Michael Sleyman, Curtis Media
●  Print Advertising - Carl Johnson, Chapel Hill/Durham Magazine
●  Web Presence - Orlando Metcalf, TAI Groupe, LLC
●  Trade Exhibits and Media Events - Orlando Metcalf, TAI Groupe, LLC

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
104 South Estes Drive
Chapel Hill 27514
from
11:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Bring your lunch, dine with your colleagues, and learn about Small Business Management and Growth.

Government Relations Committee - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 7, 2008

The mission of the Government Relations Committee is to monitor and make recommendations to local government on issues affecting Chamber members and their interests. The Chamber is also active with regional, state, and national organizations and efforts, and helps leverage their resources to the benefit of our members. The Chamber's Government Relations Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Chamber offices. All Chamber members are welcome to attend. Contact Adam Klein at 919.967.7075 ext. 24 for information regarding the Government Relations Committee.

Business In Education Committee - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Friday, February 8, 2008

The Business in Education Committee look to bring local business leaders into the classroom. Contact Rita Stanton for information regarding the Business in Education Committee.

Second Friday ArtWalk - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2008

The next 2nd Friday Artwalk will be taking place in Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday evening, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Many of the galleries will have live music and other art related entertainment. Admission is free. Various art galleries of Chapel Hill and Carrboro participate in the Second Friday ArtWalk, offering different attractions at each location. http://www.2ndfridayartwalk.com . You can print the 2nd Friday Artwalk map and brochure for ease in locating participating galleries. Transportation to the various venues is up to those attending. Brochures are available at any participating gallery.

Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Membership Services Committee strategically plans the growth of the Chamber through building member loyalty retention and is responsible for the oversight and enhancement of the Chamber's membership programs and services.

The Membership Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce facility. Contact Diana Minta of A Better Image Printing or Tracy Hager for information regarding the Membership Services Committee.

Non-Profit Roundtable - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 13,2008

The Non-Profit Roundtable is a forum for Executive Directors, managers and staff of Chamber members, non-profit organizations to exchange ideas, discuss common issues and challenges and share experiences.

The Non-Profit Roundtable meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce facility. Contact Tracy Hager for information regarding the Non-Profit Roundtable.

Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina - Coming in April 2008

The Chapel Hill Leads Group will sponsor a Spring Food Drive, benefiting the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina sometime in April. Prepare today by accumulating your donations of  Food and Non-Food items. Try to set aside one hour to staff the collection table. If you cannot donate the time, a food / non-food item will gladly be accepted. Spread the word to your clients during this week. Let them know about the food drive. Perhaps you might collect items at your business and bring them to University Mall.

A big Thank You goes out to David Stoner of EnviroFix (www.killodors.com or (919) 847-5355) for initiating and overseeing this event. This is a great opportunity for the Leads Group in help those less fortunate. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce " Business Matters" will carry this announcement to all of the Chamber's members. The following is a suggested list of Food and Non-Food items being accepted by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Suggested Food Items     (Please, No Glass Containers) Peanut Butter Canned Meals (Stews, Soups, Tuna, Ravioli, etc.). Pop-top cans a plus! Canned Fruits and Vegetables. Rice Cereal

Suggested Non-Food Items     (Please, No Glass Containers) Paper products (Toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) Hygiene Items (Toothpaste, Shaving items, soap, etc.). Diapers and "Attends" Elderly Nutrition Drinks ("Ensure") Infant formula  Please - No loose jars of baby food as they will have to be discarded due to health regulations.

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that provides food for people in need in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina. The Food Bank serves a network of more 880 partners agencies offering soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults. In fiscal 2005-2006, the Food Bank distributed more than 31.4 million pounds of food and non-food essentials to these agencies. Sadly, hunger remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina. In these counties, more than 440,000 struggle each day to provide enough food for their families. www.foodbankcenc.org.

Networking In Your Neighborhood

Apex Leads Group (New Location)

The Apex Leads Group (www.networkinginapex.com) meets every Tuesday at Carrabba's Italian Grill, 1201 Haddon Hall Drive, Apex 27502. Christine Rhyne Johnson of Mary Kay (919-386-0567) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Cary Leads Group

The Cary Leads Group meets every Thursday at JavaBlu Espresso (www.javablu.com) in the Hemlock Plaza Shopping Center, 2974 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27511. John Majernik of MannaTech (919-612-4170) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Clayton Leads Group

The Clayton Leads Group meets every Wednesday at The Coffee Mill, 105 South Lombard Street, Clayton, NC. Bobby Whitley (bwhitley@jhnetwork,com) (919-719-3804) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m.

Hillsborough Leads Group

The Hillsborough Leads Group meets the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month. Ned Parson of American Speedy Printing (493-0985) is the facilitator. They meet at the Occoneechee Steak House from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Holly Springs Leads Group

Holly Springs Leads Group meets every Wednesday at Java Divine (www.javadivine.com) in the Bass Lake Shopping Center, 128 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs, NC. Barb Petty of Melaleuca (919-662-5418) and Debbie Walter (919-303-1829) are the facilitators. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

North Raleigh Leads Group

The North Raleigh Leads Group (www.northraleighleads.com) meets every Monday morning at the Percolator Coffee, 5039 Falls of the Neuse Road, Raleigh 27609. David Stoner of EnviroFix (919-847-5355) and Charlie Edinger of Second Chance Solutions (919-219-5264) are the facilitators. They meet from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Pittsboro Business Women's Group [PBWG]

The Pittsboro Business Women's Group meets the first and third Tuesday morning of each month at the Chatham Mortgage, 76 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Janet Wyatt (542-4222 or pittsborobwg@hotmail.com) is the facilitator. They meet from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Western Wake Leads Group

Western Wake Leads Group meets Thursdays at the BNC in Cary beginning at 8:00AM. The BNC is located at 649 Walnut St. The cost will be $2 and will cover coffee and tea. For further information click here: http://smallbiz.meetup.com/483/calendar/7054450/ or call the BNC at 342-5251.