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:

"Julie Bernier is the owner of the Image Consulting firm Lasting Impressions. We all know how important it is to make a good first impression. Julie will share her techniques for looking great and how you can make a Lasting Impression too..."

Speaker's Schedule for January 2008

March 19 - Dave Stoner, EnviroFix
March 26 - Open Meeting - No SPeaker Scheduled
April 2 - Bill Lindenmuth, Triangle Financial Services
April 9 - Dianna Minta, A Better Image Printing
April 16 - Volunteer Speaker - Contact Kim Piracci
April 23 - Frank Rexford, Integrated Mortgage Strategies, Ltd.

Did You Know:

New Chapel Hill Leads Group Attendees

Jason Hedley - R. C. Abbott Fencing & Welding, Inc.

Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 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. The Membership Committee is open to Chamber members. 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, March 12,2008

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. The Non-Profit Roundtable is open to Chamber members. Contact Tracy Hager for information regarding the Non-Profit Roundtable.

Business In Education Committee - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2008

The Business in Education Committee look to bring local business leaders into the classroom. The Business in Education Committee  is open to Chamber members. Contact Kimberly Pfirrmann for information regarding the Business in Education Committee.

Second Friday ArtWalk - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 14, 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.

Retail Roundtable - 7:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The purpose of the Retail Roundtable is to bring Chamber members together for an exchange of ideas about a shared interests in a non-competitive environment. Members share stories of challenges, successes and day-to-day best practices to assist in the success of every member. The Retail Roundtable meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, 104 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, 27514. The Retail Roundtable is open to Chamber members. For additional information regarding the Retail Roundtable, contact Tracy Hager at 967 - 7075 or by email at thager@varolinachamber.org.

Business After Hours - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30pm, Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Chamber’s premier monthly networking event, Business After Hours, will be held at Aveda Institute Chapel Hill from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20. Triangle Land Conservancy is the non-profit spotlight. Aveda is located at 200 W. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. Don't forget your business cards.

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 (New Location)

The Cary Leads Group meets every Thursday at the Hibernian Restaurant & Pub (http://www.hibernianpub.com/), 1144 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27511. Located between SW Maynard Road and SW Cary Parkway. John Majernik of MannaTech (919-612-4170) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Chatham County Leads Group - Coming 11 March 2008.

The Chatham County Leads Group meets every Tuesday at Our Neighborhood School Pizzeria (www.ourneighborhoodschool.com/pizzeria.html), 87 Thompson Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. Volunteers from the Chatham County area will facilitate the meeting. They meet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 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.