Calendar:

Weekly Meeting:

Our regularly scheduled weekly meeting will be held Wednesday morning at Extraordinary Ventures, Inc., 200 South Elliott Road, Chapel Hill 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:

David Field has been in the mortgage business for close to twenty years. I approach the business differently from most folks. Rather than talking about specific loan programs at the outset, I talk with my customers about their goals and ambitions. We look five to ten years down the road as to where they want to be. We look at the big picture of their assets and liabilities and set up a plan using the most cost efficient strategies to maximize their returns.

I am with Carolina Home Mortgage which is a small mortgage brokerage firm. Big is not always better. Because we are small, we have direct access to our lenders and we have in-house processors and the owner’s office is next door to mine. This results in outstanding service and accountability plus a wide array of mortgage solutions to assist our customers in reaching their dreams.

Speaker's Schedule for May / June 2008

May 14 - Diane McIntee, Optima - Assets Management, LLC
May 21 - John Norton, Money Mailer
May 28 - Carol Barrow, New York Life Insurance Company
June 4 - Barbara-Lynn Freed, Heartways Aroma Celebrations!
June 11 - Bill Crittenden, Senior Care Management Associates, LLC

Did You Know:

New Chapel Hill Leads Group Attendees - 16 April

Beth Ballard - Liberty Mutual
Kate Bush - Broadcreek Lawn & Landscaping
Monika Lee - Biopro
Cynthia Machado - Stevens Holistic Health Center
Ernie Meyers - DigitalAd
Janice Mrkonjic - Savvy Event Designs LLC
Sid Nelson - Morris Commercial
Marina Nelson - Chapel Hill Concierge
Cheryl Reed - Melaleuca
Martheen Sakazar - Our Health Garden
Anna M. Story, D.C. - Health Elements

The John F. Sipp Get Well Card Campaign

John is still at Duke Hospital recovering, however he will need more surgery. I invite you to join the "Get Well Card Campaign", by bringing a card for John to the Leads Group this Wednesday. I will personally deliver them to his office for delivery. John appreciates very much your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time in his life.

Third Annual Food Drive Results

The Third Annual Food Drive, benefiting the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, took place Friday, April 25th, at A Southern Season in the University Mall in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill Leads Group volunteers and A Southern Season employees staffed the collection table all day and accepting your donations of  Food and Non-Food items.

This year the Food Drive collected 354 pounds of food and $1700. Together this amounts to 8,023 meals for deserving North Carolina residents.

Thank you to everyone for their donations of food and money. A big Thank You goes out to David Stoner of EnviroFix (www.killodors.com or (919) 847-5355) for initiating and overseeing this event.

 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.

Care to Share - May 2008

This is the first annual "Care to Share" fundraiser to support the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill and develop awareness of the health benefits gained through Chiropractic!

Donate an item to the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill "Wish List" and Receive a New Chiropractic Patient Exam FREE at the Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre.

Please visit www.chapelhillchiropracticcentre.com or call 919-968-4417 to learn more about the fundraiser and to see the "Wish List" items that are needed!

Small Business Roundtable - 11:45 a.m. to 1:00pm, Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The purpose of the Small Business Roundtable is to bring Chamber members together around the table to exchange 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 Small Business Roundtable is held on the first Wednesday of the month at the

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, May 8, 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 Kevin Schwartz or 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, May 9, 2008

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

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

14th Annual Golf Classic - Monday, May 12, 2008

Register Today for the 14th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Performance AutoMall, will be held Monday, May 12 at the Preserve at Jordan Lake. The tournament is a great opportunity for business and community leaders to enjoy a day of golf while benefiting the Chamber Foundation for a Sustainable Community.

Register online at www.carolinachamber.org/events.
Contact Anne McKune at 967-7075 ext. 29 or amckune@sustainablefoundation.org for sponsorship and trade opportunities.

Participants can register for the tournament individually, in pairs, or in foursomes.
Member - $135
Non-Member - $160
Foursome - $500
Non-Member Foursome - $600
Bonus Pack - $20
(includes a mulligan, a tee buster and three raffle tickets)

Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 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, May 14, 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.

Business After Hours - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Chamber's premiere monthly networking event, Business After Hours, will be held on the green at Southern Village from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15. Business After Hours is sponsored by Market Street Association, Chapel Hill Children's Clinic and Town Hall Grill. Don't forget your business cards.

Fourth Annual Chapel Hill Leads Group Family Kickball Picnic - 5:30 p.m., Friday, 6 June

The Great "White Book" versus "Black Book"  Kickball Tournament continues on June 6th. We still need an umpire and someone with 4 bases (or 4 people each with one base) to use during the Kickball game. Everyone kicks during each inning -- The More the Merrier. The Kickball game starts at 5:30 p.m.

4th Annual Chapel Hill Leads Group Family Kickball Picnic
Friday, 6 June 2008
5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Farm
Agenda
5:00 p.m. - Dinner is served
5:30 p.m. - 3rd Annual Kickball Tournament begins
8:00 p.m. Picnic ends

Questions: Call Steven R. Miller @ (919) 210-5140

We still need people to assist with the food.

Directions to The Farm:

1. From UNC Campus
   Take Raleigh Road towards Raleigh and I-40. Becomes 54 East. Proceed approximately 1½ miles. Turn right on Barbee Chapel Road (Citgo Gas Station on corner). Barbee Chapel is the next right turn following the Friday Center Drive. Proceed ½ mile and turn right at white sign into the UNC FSRA. Clubhouse and Picnic Shelter event parking is available by taking the first two right turns into lots behind the picnic shelter and hard courts.
   
2. From Points East (Raleigh & Durham)
   From I-40 take exit 273 towards Chapel Hill. Proceed approximately two miles. Turn left on Barbee Chapel Road. Barbee Chapel is the first stoplight after the “Welcome to Chapel Hill” sign on right. There is a CITGO Gas Station on the corner. Proceed ½ mile and turn right at white sign into the UNC FSRA. Clubhouse and Picnic Shelter event parking is available by taking the first two right turns into lots behind the picnic shelter and hard courts.
   
3. Parking:
   There is a large lot behind the picnic shelters on the right hand side of the drive and another lot near the hard tennis courts on the right hand side of the drive. DO NOT park in the lot on the left side of the drive near the farm house. This lot is reserved for tennis players

Bring the family to The Major Chapel Hill Leads Group Family Event of the Year. Come and join the festivities and get to know your fellow Chapel Hill Leads Group members.

Networking In Your Neighborhood

Apex Leads Group (New Location)

The Apex Leads Group (www.apexleadsgroup.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.

Breakfast Club

Just a reminder that the breakfast club is still meeting at 7:00am at the Weathervane Restaurant. Anyone is invited to share good conversation and a quick breakfast before our regular Leads Group meeting at our new location. This is one way that we can continue to support the management & staff that supported the Leads Group for such a long time.

Cary Leads Group

The Cary Leads Group meets Thursdays at the BNC in Cary beginning at 10:00AM. The BNC is located at 649 Walnut Street, Cary NC. John Majernik of MannaTech (919-612-4170) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Chatham County Leads Group.

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 (New Location)

The Hillsborough Leads Group meets the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month at The Village Diner, 600 West King Street, Hillsborough, NC. Ned Parson of American Speedy Printing (493-0985) is the facilitator. They meet from 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 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 Street, Cary NC. 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.