Weekly News 
 
26 July 2010

From the keyboard of Lee Schearer,

Citizenship

Citizenship is defined as "the state of being vested with the rights and duties of being a citizen" (Random House Webster's College Dictionary).

When I was in high school a mandatory class, other than English, Math, History and Gym, was a course study on Citizenship. In that class students also learned how our government worked. It was the opinion of the School Board, educators and parents that students knew something about our past. also, we were taught the meaning of "responsibilities, duties and our inherent rights as "citizens" of the United States of America. We were taught to invest ourselves in efforts that serve the greater good, and to leave a legacy that will endure and serve as a model for those who come after us.

The Chapel Hill Leads Group is somewhat of a course study of citizenship. While our members attend to build their individual business relationships, numerous members involve themselves in efforts that serve the greater good as evidenced by our past "Food Drive". Our core group of members understand the responsibilities and duties that come with good business practices. Together, as a group of folks who have a vast array of business experience, we can help you start your business, protect your assets and build a financial base that will see you through to retirement. The classroom is open every Wednesday morning.

I invite you to join us and witness for yourself why the Chapel Hill Leads Group is the premier business referral group in the region.

Respectfully,

Lee Schearer

Calendar:

Weekly Meeting

EXPO OPPORTUNITIES - Each week arrangements have been made for you to show your products. Two (2) tables available for this "mini-expo". Do not miss the opportunity to display your wares so that your fellow Leads members can see what it is you sell!

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

Lee Schearer entered the real estate business in March 1971(when Richard Nixon was President). He bought his first company at the age of 31 and sold it in 1987 to relocate here in North Carolina. Lee is both a Realtor and a Real Estate Appraiser, serving clients needs throughout the Triangle Region. Lee will address some of the issues that face homebuyers and those who are in need of real estate appraisal service. Lee will also share some of his life experiences as an Army Brat, a Viet Nam Veteran and the guy behind the success of the Chapel Hill Leads Group.

Speaker's Schedule for  August/September 2010

4 August - Tommy Sikes, TS Financial
11 August - Bill Crittenden, Senior Care Management Associates, LLC
18 August - Bob Sides, Visual Advantage Sign Designs
25 August - Peggy Lacey, Nikken Total Wellness Company
1 September - Lou Umscheid, Colon Health Center
8 September - Open Meeting
15 September - Dr. Lane Anderson, The Anderson Center for Marriage & Family Therapy
22 September - John Bierling, Up With Health
29 September - Tom Lacey, SendOutCards

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:

Women's Roundtable - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Laura Noble of the Noble Law Firm will discuss the top ten things that small business owners need to know, and she'll also touch on topics like exempt vs. non-exempt employees and the perils of social media at the workplace.

The Women's Roundtable meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, 104 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, 27514. Women's Roundtable membership is open to active Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce members. For additional information regarding the Women's Roundtable, contact Marcia Corprew of Town Planner at 919.491.9904, Barbara Jesse-Black of PTA Thrift Shop at 919.942.6565, Wendy Tanson of Re/Max Winning Edge at 919.971.7180, or Laura Morrison Member Relations Coordinator of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce at 919.357.9989 for information regarding the Women's Roundtable.

Small Business Roundtable - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Joshua Bedick of Integrated Technology, Inc. will discuss with roundtable attendees Cloud Computing in small business. One of the largest and most exiting areas of growth in IT the past couple of years has been Cloud Computing, the movement of traditional IT services like email, storage and spam filtering away from individual organizations and to large service providers. This move has led to greater reliability and security of those services as well as decreased costs, things organizations of all sizes need to and can capitalize on to improve their businesses. Bedick will speak on the ways businesses are making use of these services and show how they can gain tangible benefits going forward. To RSVP, contact Laura Morrison at 357.9989 or lmorrison@carolinachamber.org.

Business Before Hours Breakfast Briefing: Green Plus - 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Friday, 6 August 2010

Breakfast Briefing attendees will learn more about Green Plus, a green and sustainable certification and education program that is designed specifically for small and medium sized businesses. It gives employers affordable, practical support in succeeding financially while being good to their environment, employees and community. Aqueduct Conference Center will host and sponsor the Briefing, and the event is co-sponsored by AT&T Advertising Solutions. Aqueduct Conference Center is located at 1700 Mount Carmel Road in Chapel Hill. Registration is $10 for Chamber members and includes a full breakfast. To register, contact Laura Morrison at 357.9989 or lmorrison@carolinachamber.org.

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 (LinkedIn: Hillsborough Leads Group) meets every Thursday morning at The Village Diner, 600 West King Street, Hillsborough, NC. Tommy Sikes of TS Financial (919-280-1560) and Cindy Mihok with the Hillsborough Chamber / Avon (919-732-8156) are the facilitators. The Hillsborough Leads Group meets 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.