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:

This week you will hear from Dan Carleton from New York Life. Dan is a recent graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill and will talk about himself, New York Life and the kinds of people he works with. Since September, Dan has been helping families in the Triangle area protect their futures and dreams and continues to do so. His presentation will educate you on the different ways he can do it.

Speaker's Schedule for April / May 2010

19 May - Earl Haddon, Bios Life
26 May - Joe Jacob, Haw River Canoe
2 June - Open
9 June - Joe Novara, Chapel Hill Printing & Graphics
16 June - Cliff Staton, State of Mind Coaching
23 June - Mimi Shankin, AVANT Group LLC
30 June - Lincoln Steffens, Cartridge World

Keep It Simple - Attend the Leads Group meeting at least 50% of the time for 3 consecutive months. Ask Lou Umscheid to place you on the speakers schedule. Continue to attend at least 50% of the Leads Group meetings until your presentation. Continue to attend the Leads Group meeting to strengthen your new referral network.

Did You Know:

New Chapel Hill Leads Group Attendees - 5 May 2010

Mary Jones - International Business and Spanish
Landry Jones - International Business and Spanish
Stephanie Benner - ARC of Orange County
Gail Thrift - Gaillyn Photography
Todd Palmer - Always Best Care Services
Pat Smith - NC Green
Tara Edwards, BSW - Britthaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

The Fifth Voice

The Fifth Voice refers to the one harmony created by the four voices of the Barbershop Quartet join together in harmony. The unified sound becomes like a Fifth Voice.

Just as a group of singers can be more than each of them is alone, the members of Chapel Hill Leads Group each can be more- by helping those who can’t feed themselves. For additional information regarding the Chapel Hill Leads Group Fifth Annual Food Drive see the story later in this newsletter.

Chapel Hill Leads Group Monthly Business After Hours - 5:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, 2010

This month's Chapel Hill Leads Group Business After Hours networking event is hosted by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is located at 104 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill. Food and beverages will be served. As with all Chapel Hill Leads Group networking events you are invited to bring a friend (spouse, prospective member, significant other, etc.). Do not forget to bring your business cards!

Spring Entrepreneurship Seminar and Networking Event - 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 11, 2010

EmPOWERment, Inc's Midway Business Center, Carrboro Creative Coworking and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce present the spring entrepreneurship and networking event: Guerilla Marketing: Low-Cost Strategic Marketing to Get Yourself Known.

Tim Pedersen of Right Brain Branding Consultants will present.

Networking with other local entrepreneurs and brush up on your marketing skills for FREE.

9:30-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 11 at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce - 104 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill

RSVP by May 5 to Charles Williams at cwilliams@empowerment-inc.org or (919) 967-8779.

Economic Development and Public Policy Committee - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 12, 2010

This committee identifies issues and devises strategies that will create and sustain a thriving business community. Monitors and makes 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 its resources to the benefit of members. Committee Chair: Anita Badrock, Smither and Associates; Meetings: every other month (Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.) at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, 104 South Estes Drive Chapel Hill, 27514.

What is Green Plus and How does it Work? – 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 2010

Green Plus is a program that helps small businesses strengthen their triple bottom line. We help businesses assess their business policies, environmental stewardship, employee policies, and community engagement. It gives employers affordable, practical support in succeeding financially while being good to their environment, employees and community. Participate in this informational webinar to learn more about the program and how it can effect your business.

The webinar will take approximately 45 minutes and you will learn:

• How focusing on the triple bottom line can help your businesses.
• How the Green Plus program can help you strengthen your business financially, environmentally, and socially
• How to acquire Green Plus certification

Register online at: http://www.gogreenplus.org/events/

Registration required. Questions? Contact Kirsten Hausman | khausman@gogreenplus.org

5th Annual A Southern Season and Chapel Hill Leads Group Food Drive - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, May 14, 2010

The Fifth Annual Food Drive, benefiting the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, will take place May 14th, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., at A Southern Season in the University Mall in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill Leads Group volunteers and A Southern Season employees will be staffing the collection table all day to accept your donations of  Food and Non-Food items. Thank you to everyone, who has volunteered to staff the table throughout the day. A few open slots are still available. 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.

Sixth Annual Chapel Hill Leads Group Family Kick-Nic - 5:00 p.m., Saturday, 12 June

The Sixth Annual Chapel Hill Leads Group Kick-Nic (Kickball - Picnic) will continue the great tradition of the "Blue Book" versus "Red Book"  Kickball Tournament on June 12th. We will need an umpire and some people to assist with the food. Everyone kicks during each inning -- The More the Merrier. The Kickball game starts at 6:00 p.m.

6th Annual Chapel Hill Leads Group Family Kickball Picnic
Saturday, 12 June 2010
5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Farm
Agenda
5:00 p.m. - Dinner is served
6:00 p.m. - 6th Annual Kickball Tournament begins
8:30 p.m. Picnic ends

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

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

Alamance Leads Group

The Alamance Leads Group (www.alamanceleads.com) meets every Monday at Best Western Inn off Exit 141 of I-40/I-85 in Burlington, 27215. Dick O'Donnell (dick@cablelesssolutions.com) with Cableless Solutions (919-760-5476) is the facilitator. The Alamance Leads Group meet from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Apex Leads Group

The Apex Leads Group (www.apexleadsgroup.com) meets every Tuesday at Carrabba's Italian Grill, 1201 Haddon Hall Drive, Apex 27502. Barry & Ellen Sherrill (aimgrouptwo@yahoo.com) with AIM Group Two Promotional Products (919-387-7588) are the facilitators. 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. Everyone 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.

Chapel Hill Leads Group

The Chapel Hill Leads Group (www.chapelhillleads.com) meets every Wednesday at Extraordinary Ventures (www.extraordinaryventures.org), 200 South Elliott Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Lee Schearer (919-490-1922) with American Real Estate and Appraisal Company and Don Bonin (919-542-2446) with Town & Country Trader are the facilitators. The Chapel Hill Leads Group meet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Chatham County Leads Group

The Chatham County Leads Group meets every Tuesday at Virlies Grill, 58 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Don Bonin (chathamcountylg@gmail.com) (919-542-0376) with Town & Country Trader  is the facilitator. The Chatham County Leads Group meet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

Durham Leads Group

The Durham Leads Group meets every Tuesday at Piper's Deli (www.pipersdeli.com), 3219 Old Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707. Randy Bernstein (Randy@etchNstitch.com) (919-732-3473) with Etch N Stitch and Jane Clark (Jane.A.Clark@EdwardJones.com) (919-419-1761) with Edward Jones Investments are the facilitators. The Durham Leads Group meet from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hillsborough Leads Group

The Hillsborough Leads Group (www.hillsboroughleads.net) meets every Thursday morning of each month at The Village Diner, 600 West King Street, Hillsborough, NC. Ned Parsons of Parson’s Business Solutions (919-493-0985) and Caryn Byrd of Comfort Assurance Group (919-259-6401) 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 with Sidekick Communications (919-208-7484) and Barb Louis with 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, NC. David Stoner with EnviroFix (919-847-5355) and Charlie Edinger with 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.

Northern Wake Leads Group

The Northern Wake Leads Group (www.northernwakeleads.com) meets every Tuesday morning at the Bottle & Bean, 929 Heritage Lake Road, Suite 600, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. Sue Robinson with 4-Minute Fitness/ Genetic Nutrition (919-570-0913) and Lisa Angell with Mary Kay Cosmetics (919-676-0451) are the facilitators. The Northern Wake 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 with Pre-Paid Legal (919-605-4895) is the facilitator.  The cost will be $5 and includes breakfast. 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.