Weekly News 

4 August 2008

From the keyboard of Lee Schearer,

"New Beginnings"

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That be the beginning"

We were reminded yet again of just how fragile life is, as we know it, and how we must face new beginnings at times when it is least expected. With the sudden passing of Noel Castle, husband of Michelle Castle, Michelle and her three children now face very difficult times ahead. For each of us, it is a time to step back from our business endeavors and remind ourselves that life is much more than closing the next deal, selling the next product or making the next contact.

While business is necessary we must experience the joy of life and take stock of what is truly important, our families, our neighbors, friendships and yes, our business colleagues. We have that opportunity each week, as we gather together at the Leads Group, where we share not only business opportunity but also joy, laughter, friendships and a sense of community.

I encourage you to join us this Wednesday morning with a smile on you face, a song in your heart and a sense of gratitude for the experience of being a part of the Chapel Hill Leads Group.

Respectfully,

Lee Schearer

 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:
Arthur Sprinczeles of Coffee News of Orange County will present.
Speaker's Schedule for August 2008
August 13 - Matt Carter, The Well Chapel Hill
August 27 - John Paredes, University Ford Rentals
Special Announcement
This Wednesday, the Chapel Hill Leads Group will take donations for Michelle Castle and family.
Did You Know:
New Chapel Hill Leads Group Attendees - 23 July 2008
Dustin Carmichael - Talking Phone Book
Michael Morris - Area-Wide Digital Group
Bill Oine - Pittsboro Trek Express
Carl Ross - Geeks On Call
Timothy & Hope Rupp - Rupp Electric Company
Emily Strader - UNC-CH Career Services
Pat & Gary Williams - Juice Plus
Zen Yinger - Independent Consultant Marketing
Small Business Roundtable - 11:45 a.m. to 1:00pm, Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The August 2008 Small Business Roundtable will not be held. The Small Business Roundtable will return on 3 September 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, August 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 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, August 8, 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 Anne McKune of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce at 919.967.7075 ext. 22 for information regarding the Business in Education Committee.
Second Friday ArtWalk - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, August 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.
State Legislative Briefing - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2008
The Chamber will host its 3rd Annual State Legislative Briefing on Monday, August 11th from 8:00am to 9:30am at The Carolina Inn. The event will provide an opportunity for members to hear from our State House and Senate Leadership about key legislative priorities and ask questions of the elected officials. Invited speakers include: Speaker of the House Joe Hackney (Orange/Chatham), Representative Verla Insko (Orange), Representative Bill Faison (Orange/Caswell), Representative Larry Hall (Durham), Senator Bob Atwater (Chatham/Durham), and Senator Ellie Kinnaird (Orange/Person).

Reserve your spot now by clicking here. Seats are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Breakfast is included. A special thank you to our sponsors: Time Warner Cable, AT&T, Greater Chapel Hill Association of REALTORS, and PSNC Energy.

Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 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. The Membership Committee is open to Chamber members. Contact Diana Minta of A Better Image Printing at 967-0319 or Meg Branson of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce at 967 - 7075 ext. 24 for information regarding the Membership Services Committee.

Non-Profit Roundtable - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 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. The Non-Profit Roundtable is open to Chamber members. Contact Meg Branson of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce at 967 - 7075 ext. 24 for information regarding the Non-Profit Roundtable.

Networking In Your Neighborhood
Apex Leads Group
The Apex Leads Group (www.apexleadsgroup.com) meets every Tuesday at Carrabba's Italian Grill, 1201 Haddon Hall Drive, Apex 27502. Christine Rhyne Johnson (christinej@marykay.com) with Mary Kay Cosmetics (919-386-0567) is the facilitator. The Apex Leads Group 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 (www.caryleadsgroup.com) meets Thursdays at the BNC, 649 Walnut Street, Cary 27511. Andy Siouville (919-363-7010) is the facilitator. The Cary Leads Group meet from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 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. The Chatham County Leads Group 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. The Clayton Leads Group meet from 10:30 a.m.
Hillsborough Leads Group (New Location)
The Hillsborough Leads Group (www.hillsboroughleads.net) 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 (919-493-0985) and Caryn Byrd of Home Instead Senior Care (919-933-3300) are  the facilitators. The Hillsborough Leads Group meet from 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Holly Springs Leads Group
Holly Springs Leads Group (hollyspringsleadsgroup.com) meets every Wednesday at Java Divine (www.javadivine.com) in the Bass Lake Shopping Center, 128 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs, NC. Wendy Harrington of Sidekick Communications (919-208-7484) and Barb Louis of PartyLite Gifts (919-772-9560) are the facilitators. The Holly Springs Leads Group 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 Stone Wolf Coffee, 8300 Health Park, Raleigh. David Stoner of EnviroFix (919-847-5355) and Charlie Edinger of Second Chance Solutions (919-219-5264) are the facilitators. The North Raleigh Leads Group meet from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Western Wake Leads Group
Western Wake Leads Group (westernwakeleads.com) meets every Thursday morning at the BNC, 649 Walnut Street, Cary NC 27511. Bill Carraway of Pre-Paid Legal (919-605-4895) is the facilitator.  The cost will be $3 and will cover coffee and tea. The Western Wake Leads Group meet from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For further information click here: http://smallbiz.meetup.com/483/calendar/7054450/ or call the BNC at 919-342-5251.