WKACC Newsletter Feb 2010

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My Business AdvocateBuilding Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

February 2010 Volume 30, Issue 2

Coming Events

Chamber After Hours - Hyatt Hotel, Wyoming 2/11Speednetworking - Metro South Multi Chamber - Cutlerville 2/123rd Fridays Networking Luncheon 2/19Chamber After Hours - Location TBD 3/11Business 'n Books Days (Volunteer to Read) 3/22-26Kentwood Career Expo and Sport of Words Speech Contest 4/14

Calendars on Pages 6 & 7Log on to www.southkent.orgfor details.

Business 'n Books Days Selection for 2010 Addresses Childhood Obesity

Why this topic, why now?By Kathey Batey

For the topic of the childrens bookthis year, I looked for a subject thatwas relevant to the children of ourcommunity.

There are several vital issues thatinvolve our children during thesetrying times, but one stands out

above the rest. Childhood Obesity.The statistics are staggering.

Add to that childrens lack of physicalexercise and we have a medicaldisaster waiting to happen. We can beignorant no longer. What differencecan you have with one book andone topic? If you make if fun, a bitridiculous, with a practical thought toimprint in the children to start themthinking for themselves about whatthey are eating. If I can impress thethought of being careful about what

we put in our mouths, to truly stopand think about it, it can and willmake a difference. Would you put afuzzy caterpillar into your mouth?Then why would we put the damagingthings into our bodies that we do?

The brilliance of Danny Jimeneztruly brings this book to life. When

you view his illustrations you will beamazed that he is a senior in highschool. It was a privilege to workwith this talented student this year,and much credit to his art teacher,Liz Dufeld for her direction and

encouragement. Remember his name,you will see him again.

This topic, at this time is moreimportant than we realize. I cannot wait

to see I Can Eat Fuzzy Caterpillars, butI dont! read in over 70 second gradeclassrooms throughout our communityduring Business & Books DaysMarch 22-26th. We will discuss theimportance of reading from businessmen and women, but we will also begiving a vital message to our youthabout valuing their bodies.

How wonderful to have a chamber ofcommerce that is so well rounded tohave a community relations componentto affect our community through the

children. I am so proud to be a partof Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamberof Commerce and all of the amazingthings we do. You need this componentfor your business, for the practicalside of business, but also a place youcan contribute into your community.Contact [email protected] to be a part

of this worthwhile program.

American children's diet hasbecome a top concern for ournation.

C.S. Mott Childrens HospitalNational Poll on Childrens Healthlists parents top 10 healthconcerns for 2009; show that moreadults worry about childrensobesity as the top health concern.Blacks and Hispanics rank obesityas top child health concern for rsttime.

Public concern about childhoodobesity continues to outrank allother health problems as the No. 1concern for children in the UnitedStates.

Forty-two percent of U.S. adultsrate childhood obesity as a bigproblem. In 2008, 35 percent ofadults rated childhood obesity asthe top overall health concern for

children. In 2007, it was rankedNo. 3.

US Surgeon General's warningon Childhood obesity

Today, 12.5 million children areoverweight in the United Statesmore than 17 percent. Overweightchildren are at greater risk formany serious health problems.

The US Surgeon General promotesthe importance of healthy eating

and physical activity at a youngage to help prevent overweight andobesity in this country.

To ensure a healthy future forAmerica's children, we must Help Kids Stay Active Encourage Healthy Eating Habits Promote Healthy ChoicesObesity causes diseases such asdiabetes, heart disease and someforms of cancer.


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Free Seminars For Business Owners Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Chamber Member Businesses areproviding a series of seminars forbusiness owners and decisionmakers that will help take yourbusiness to the next level.

February 3, 2010How to Run Your Business SoYou Can Leave It in Style! andBaby Boomers to XYZ GenerationPresented by Mark Andresky,

CExP, ABI, CBI is the founder ofPerformance Business Advisors. A step-by-step plan to reapingtop dollar when you sell or transfer

your business. Business owners will learn howto create and preserve value withintheir businesses using tools they

already have.

Maximize prot and minimize

tax liability.Presented Sean Banks & Nick Oostveen

from Aerotek Commercial Stafng.

See how and why the rightemployees can make your businessand the wrong ones can break yourbusiness.

March 3, 2010Health Care Update MakingSense of the Data/Technologyfor the Small: Cloud ComputingPresented by Joseph Ekstrom VP,

Employee Benets Practice Leader

at The Campbell Group

Make sense of employee benet

practices with plan design, fundinganalysis, legal compliance issues,and employee communications.

Understand a range of employee

benet issues.Presented by Rob Harbin, Vice

President/Senior Technology

Strategist, Micro Visions, Inc.

Cloud Computing Overview.Introduction of modern cloudapplications for business. Barriersto leveraging emerging cloudtechnology. Benets of cloud

computing/objections.

Non Business Owners $50.00 andCEO's, Presidents and BusinessOwners can attend this entireFREE series. Register TODAY at

www.tabmichigan.com or Call616-975-0125. Seminars are held

at The Campbell Group Building,5664 Prairie Creek Dr. near M-6 andM-37.

Newly Formed Communication CommitteeCalls For Volunteers

The 2010 CommunicationsCommittee is looking for members

with passion and energy to help theWKACC:

1) Replace the current ChamberWeb Site design and functionalityto improve the curb appeal,communication and value to

members;

2) Develop and implement aWKACC brand standard andapproval process to ensure quality

and consistent usage of the Chamberidentity (logo and slogan) by allDivisions and Committees; and

3) Improve the quality and

protability of the WKACC

Community Prole and Metro

Guide.

The Committee meets from 9 amto 10 am on the 3rd Tuesdayof the month at the Chamberofces.

If you are interested inhelping us achieve our goals,contact Sue Bynum at theChamber or Blair Entenmann,MarketingHelp!, the CommitteeChair, at 866-1198 or [email protected].

Meeting NoticeCommunications Committee

3rd TuesdayFebruary 16, 2010

9 am to 10 amAt the Chamber Ofce


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CHAMBER PARTNERS

ChoiceBusinessServices

JJJaaasssooonnn AAA... RRRuuusssssseeellllllBroker Director

(616) 490-0911 - [email protected]

1) It would be beneficial to have an Employee Benefits plan thatbenef i ted all employees - including our lower-paid hourly andpart-time staff at NO-COST to me, the employer.

TTTrrruuueee /// FFFaaalllssseee

2) Id like our group health insurance rates to decrease by 40%immediately and remain stable into the future.

TTTrrruuueee /// FFFaaalllssseeeLLeett uuss sshhooww yyoouu ssoommeetthhiinngg nneeww..

WKACC Chamber Partner

TTaakkee tthhee BBeenneeffii tt ss CChhaa ll ll eennggee!!

TAB offers business owners peeradvice, at a discounted rate, toempower you and yourorganization to achieve yourbusiness vision.

TAB has been a ChamberPartnersince 2008 and recently renewed

their partnership for another year.

The Alternative Board helps yougrow your business, make moremoney and work fewer hours.

Contact Carol Crawford at 616-301-8081 or email her at [email protected].

As a Chamber Partner, Choice Business Services offersany member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber

of Commerce a signicant discount on all ofce supportservices.

CBS provides professional business support through Business Address,Conferencing Services, Clerical/Administrative Support services.

Telephone Answering, Temporary and Permanent Ofce Leasing and

much more..You give us the task we gure out the best way to

complete it! Contact Debra Bates at [email protected] or call 616-975-0100 for discount details.

Michael DeVries from

Principal Financial Grou

is offering Members of theWyoming-Kentwood Area

Chamber of Commerce signicant cost

savings on Disability Insurance and onl

for our Chamber Member Employers

and their employees. Contact Michael

at 616-942-1251 ext 3020 for price and

coverage details.

These WKACC Members are offeringdiscounts to Members on productsand services that you need to run

your business. Using a ChamberPartner will help you increase yourbottom line while you supportmembers and the Chamber at the

same time.Chamber Partners have agreed toprovide non-dues revenue to theChamber for every member thatuses their services in additionto special rates to the member-customer.

You're getting real value whenyou use a Chamber Partner. Onlyproducts and services that will help

you grow your business for lessmoney are endorsed by the ChambPartner Committee.

If you would like information on

becoming a Chamber Partnercontact [email protected] or carotabmichigan.com for a copy of theAfnity Program and answers to

any questions you may have about

applying for a Chamber PartnerEndorsement.

If you would like to be part of theChamber Partners Committee andhelp us recruit businesses that offebusiness building discounts to ourmembers.

If you know someone that wouldmake a good Chamber Partner,contact [email protected] andsomeone will contact the potentialbusinesses.

Chamber Partners meet on the 3rdFriday of each month immediatelyfollowing the 3rd Fridays! NetworkiLuncheon. We meet at the location

where 3rd Fridays! is held and the

meetings last an hour or less.

Working with a

Chamber

Partner

is

Good Business


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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8:15 aChamber

Foundation

4 pAmbassadors

8 aGov Matters at

WyomingCity Hall

4 pEducation Comm

@CelebrationSouth

11:30 a-1 p3rd Fridays!@ Applause!

1 pChamberPartnersMARCH

NEWSLETTERDEADLINE

NoonGov Matters atthe Chamber

2:30 pGolf OutingCommittee

10 a,Finance11:30 a,

ExecutiveCommittee

25

9 amCommunications

Committee@ the Chamber

February 2010

5-7 pChamber After

HoursHyatt HotelWyoming

9 aBusinessGrowth11:30 a

CommunityRoundtable @

Brann's

7:30 aCEO Exchange

10 a3rd Fri!Comm11:30 a

Board Mtg @Brann's

Chamber Ofce Hours

Monday -Thursday8am - 5pm

Closed Friday

8 aP.A.C.

7:30 aMetro South

ChamberNetwork

SpeedNetworking!

11:15 a& 1:15 p

Family MovieMatinee - PercyJackson & the

Lightening ThiefCelebration

South


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8:15 aChamber

Foundation

4 pAmbassadors

9 aBusinessGrowth11:30 a

CommunityRoundtable @

Brann's

NoonGov Matters at

the Chamber4 pEducationComm @

CelebrationSouth

11:30 a-1 p3rd Fridays!@ Applause

1 pChamberPartnersAPRIL

NEWSLETTERDEADLINE

7:30 aCEO Exchange

10 a3rd Fri! Comm

11:30 aBoard Mtg @

Brann's

8 aGov Matters at

WyomingCity Hall

10 a,Finance11:30 a,

ExecutiveCommittee

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

5-7 pChamber After

Hours

Chamber Ofce Hours

Monday -Thursday8am - 5pm

Closed Friday

March 20108 a

P.A.C.

9 amCommunications

Committee@ the Chamber

Business 'n Books Days - Volunteer to Read to a Second Grade Class


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Want to protect against getting whacked with an unexpectedI.R.S debt, hit with a lawsuit from a disgruntled employee orclient, and ensure that your family and your business are taken

care of if something should happen to you?

Ill Give You A $1,250 Legal,Insurance, Financial And Tax

Business Review - For FREE

Here is what youll discover...

Michael Lichterman

Creative Business LawyerTMLICHTERMAN LAW, PLC

Grand Rapids, MI

Whether your business is structured for maximum tax savings andpersonal liability protection. (If not, you could be spending extra$$ every year & leaving yourself at unnecessary risk.)

The business and personal insurance you MUST have in place for

your security and peace of mind. (Most business owners are puttingtheir business and family at risk by not having the right insurance andmany are paying for insurance they dont need. What about you?)

Whether your legal agreements are going to hold up when you

need them. (Without the right agreements in place, disagreements,lawsuits and loss of revenue are not a matter of if but when.)

Whether your financial systems are in place and protecting you

from a major loss. (If theyre not you have a ticking time bombready to go off inside your business.)

You will leave our meeting with a customized 14 page document thatwill give you more clarity about your business than you have everhad before. You will know where the holes are in you legal insurance,financial and tax foundation and how to fill them. You will leave with adeeper sense of peace of mindguaranteed.

I have blocked off time this month for 10 of these business reviews. Tosecure your appointment, call 616-827-7596 and tell Paula I would liketo schedule the FREE L.I.F.T Business Review I read about in My Business

Advocate. Call now to avoid missing this opportunity.

Metro South Chamber Speed NetworkingFive area Chambers link for maximum networking opportunities.

For Members Only!

Hudsonville,

Grandville-Jenison,

Wyoming-Kentwood,

Byron Center,Cutlerville-Gaines

Join us on Friday, February 12 atCrossroads Banquet Center, 6569Clay Avenue SW, as the Cutlerville-Gaines Chamber of Commerce hostsSpeed Networking beginning at 7:30am.

Speed Networking is a tool for groupsor people wishing to meet, exchange

ideas and expand their networkingcircles. Participants in the programengage in some 20 ve-minute,

face-to-face, conversations withlike-minded individuals in "musicalchairs" fashion.

Bring plenty of business cards andbe prepared to give a 1 minutecommercial on your product orservice. When registering, pleasecomplete address, phone and e-mail.We will need for those for future

communication. We meet bi-monthly.

Agenda7:30 am - 8:00 am -Informal Networking8:00 am - 9:00 am -Speed Networking

Upcoming Dates(The 2nd Friday of even-numberedmonths except in April when we willmeet on the 3rd Friday.)

2010 ScheduleFebruary 12 - Cutlerville-Gaines &Byron Center ChambersApril 16 - Hudsonville (3rd Friday)

June 11 - Wyoming-KentwoodAugust 13 - Grandville- JenisonOctober 15 - Cutlerville-Gaines &Byron Center ChambersDecember 10 - Hudsonville


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For You,Your Employees and

Their Families!

Contact [email protected] for plan pricing and workand residential eligibilityrequirements.

Chamber After Hours

AmbassadorSpotlight

CaseyJankoska

Client Relationship Manager atExpress EmploymentProfessionals, Casey has beeninvolved with the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber ofCommerce for 6 years, serving

as both chair and co-chair ofvarious committees, includingmost recently, chair for the 2009Chamber Ambassadors.

Express EmploymentProfessionals is the bridge betweenpeople looking for good jobsand companies looking for goodpeople. This business has been inthe Kentwood/Wyoming area forthe past 14 years. Express is afranchise, where clients get to enjoy

working with the local owner andoperator, but also have access tothe resources and experts at theinternational franchisor. If you area company looking for top talent,please give Casey a call at 616-281-0611.

Jump Start for Stalled

Business Lenders

A program included in theFebruary 2008 stimulus packageto help banks increase lending

to small businesses and spurjob growth is being pressuredby President Obama to beginsoon. In the program, the SmallBusiness Administration (SBA)

will guarantee up to $3 billion in504 loans sold into the secondarymarket.

These loans give small businessesnancing that is more favorable

than traditional business loanswhen investing in xed assets

like property or machinery. Theprogram will protect investorswho bought the loans from primarylenders if borrowers fail to pay.

The SBA expects the program tostart soon; however, they don'tcurrently have a set date.

BusinessWeek.com - Jan. 8, 2010

Manual Typewriters

for Nicaragua

We recently received a requestrom Sharon Brinks from Brinks

& Associates, PC. Sharon returnedrom Nicaragua in September wherehe has worked for over 10 years as

a North American Coordinator to apartnership with attorneys providingegal assistance to the poor.

Over a dozen "Houses of Justice"perate on a budget of less than

$100 per month. The services theyprovide are crucial and very much

needed. Sharon shared some of thetories and she'll be glad to sharehem with you.

Many of the areas these attorneyswork in areas without electricity andare in need of manual typewriters.f you have one you'd like to donate,ontact Sharon Brinks at 616-656-090 or email her at brinks.law.

[email protected]. Find her on the

web at www.brinkslawrm.com

The First ChamberAfter Hours in 2010

will be held onThursday, February11th from 5pm-7pm at the HyattPlace in Wyoming.

This event is always FREE toattend! It's your chance to network

with other members and not-yetmembers. Catch up with friends

after the holidays and make newfriends and business contacts.

You may choose to promote yourbusiness with a showcase table foronly $35. Contact [email protected].

Chamber Connections

Join us to learn how yourmembership with the Chamberbenets your business, and how

to maximize the return on yourinvestment in the Chamber.

February 11, 2010 4:30pm at TheHyatt Place - RSVP by February 8.

February 19, 2010 11:00am atApplause* - RSVP by 2/15/2010*Lunch at the 3rd Friday's!Networking Luncheon immediatelyfollowing is included. Please contact

[email protected] or call 616-531-5990 to register.

By Lisa Calhoun, Chamber Ambassador

Director of SalesHilton Grand Rapids Airport

616-957-0100 x 7533

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

and

Amanda Lewis, Chamber Ambassador

Co-Owner,

eTools/Framework Sites

616-451-2335

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


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3rd Fridays! Luncheonknow it is the bestmonthly networkingbargain around. And theyknow that networking ismore effective when it isconsistently done.

In the spirit of helpingour businesses grow theirbottom line, the Chamberis offering a 3rd Fridays!Annual Passfor only

for lunch by any representativeof your company. Miss up to 3lunches in 12 months and stillsave!

Add a Showcase Table

anytime. It's simple to adda showcase table to yourlunch admission pass. Justcall or email the Chamberand let them know you'd liketo pay $35 to showcase yourbusiness with your paid lunch.

Join us on the

3rd Friday each

month January

through March at

$126.00. That's a 25% savingsoff the monthly early registrationcharge for lunch and it guarantees

your automatic reservations at thenext 12 consecutive 3rd Fridays!Luncheons.

Contact us if you can't attend. Noneed to call ahead or forgetting toregister on time to beat the earlyregistration deadline. We'll onlyneed to know if you can't make it.

Can't always make the luncheon?The pass is issued in YOURCOMPANY NAME and may be used

Frequent

Networking

is

Good

Business!

The 3rd Fridays! NetworkingLuncheon is on the move again.

Join us on Friday, January 15,for our rst networking event at

Applause Banquet Center located

at 2728 Birchcrest Dr SE, behindPietro's on 28th Street, just west

of Breton. Cost is still only $15for early member registration. Besure to register before noon on

Tuesday, January 12 and save.

Annual Pass Saves NetworkingDollars. Members takingadvantage of the monthlynetworking opportunities at our


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Welcome New Members

Renewing Members

January Volunteerof the Month

Member SpotlightBoard Executives meet monthly and select the

outstanding volunteer and Committee for their

effort and results on behalf of WKACC.

January Committeeof the Month

Your Chamber Ambassadorsreceived the nod from the ExecutiveCommittee as Committee of theMonth in January.

Working with Amanda Lewis fromgNetworks/Framework Sites, inthe Lead role, this committee hasbegun working on an OrientationProgram for new members which isexpected to debut on February 19and is restructuring their MemberCall procedures to make them moreefcient and effective.

Chamber Ambassadors are ourChamber Members direct linkto information about Chamberprograms and events. Your Ambassadorcan help you tie into the businesscommunity and direct you to eventsand programs that can help yougrow your business. Make sureyou get to know your ChamberAmbassador.

WKACC Board Chair Appointed to KCHD

Health Advisory Committee

2010 Board Chair, Norine Mulvihill with the AmericanDiabetes Association, has recently been appointed to a seat

with the Kent County Health Department's Health AdvisoryCommittee. Congratulations Norine.

Judi Holland from Chameleon Ltdhas been selected as our JanuaryVolunteer of the Month. Judi workedon the Annual Meeting and SilentAuction Committee again this year.She has worked on this event forseveral year now. In addition, shevolunteers as a Chamber Ambassadorand works on our Chamber AfterHours Projects with that group.

Judi is married to Brent Holland, oneof the members of our 2010 Board of

Directors. Chameleon Ltd has beena member of the Chamber since 2000and both Judi and Brent are veryactive volunteers in many differentcapacities.

Congratulations to Judi on this verywell deserved award, and thank you tothe entire Annual Meeting Committeefor a wonderful event in January.

Clear Channel Radio,TimFeagan - (616) 459-1919

Cindy Summers, CindySummers - (616) 884-0888

Fifth Third Bank - BusinessBanking Group, Michael Hay- (616) 653-5089

Harold Mast Consulting, LLC,Harold Mast - (616) 262-7268

Local First, Elissa Hillary - (616808-3788

Bubble Magic LaundryByron BankD2 MarketingDisabled American VeteransDraftsmen, Inc

Duthler Truck Center, IncFruit Basket FlowerlandHoly Name of JesusElementary SchoolITP (The Rapid)Mary Kay Cosmetics WhitesellMichigan Building &Mechanical

Michigan Lake to Lake Bed &Breakfast Assoc.Mini Storage DepotNAI West MichiganPheasant Ridge Apartments

Precision Property ManagemeServproSilver Bullet Firearms &

Training CenterSunhill America, LLC

Total Quality, IncVander Kolk & Vander Kolk,PLCWilliam F. IdemaYMCA of Grand Rapids


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See You At The Movies!

Join us on February 13 for one of two showtimes!

Help support WKACC Education Committee Programs and spendsome time with the family. Only $10.50 per ticket includesgames, prizes, popcorn, pop and ticket to the show! No need toregister ahead. We'll see you at the movies!

WKACC Newsletter Feb 2010

Documents

Transcript of WKACC Newsletter Feb 2010