March 1, 2005 March 2005   VOLUME 1 ISSUE 27  
OUR VISION & MISSION
Our vision:  To be the indispensable resource for Allen and Collin County businesses.

Our mission:  To support our members through programs that promote business development and encourage economic growth, educational excellence and legislative advocacy.
A SPECIAL THANKS

The Chamber would like to thank the following members for their generosity in sponsoring an event or by donating items or services: Bennigan's - Tuesday Morning Live Sponsor; Crest Place Apartments - Business Wrap Up Sponsor.

MEMBER BUY MEMBER

Visit the Chamber's website www.allenchamber.com to view the latest member buy member participating membership listing.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee

Patti McKee, Chair
Community Credit Union

Sheila McKinney, Immediate Past Chair
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen

Maxine Sweet, Chair-Elect
Experian

Bruce Heller, Treasurer
JaRyCo Development

Christi Jefferson, At Large
Christi Taylor Jefferson, CPA

Frank O'Reilly, At Large
Sanmina-SCI

Sharon Mayer, President/CEO
Allen Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors

Tom Apligian
REMAX - Apligian

Charisse Canfield, Ex-Officio
Allen Economic Development Corporation

Al Holmes
Optymize

Dr. Toni Jenkins - Ex-Officio
Collin County Community College

Lisa Johnson
State Farm Insurance

Sonia Malone
Allen Premium Outlets

Griff Moore
Atrium Financial

Shannan Peacock
Staples #1085

Dr. Jenny Preston, Ex-Officio
Allen Independent School District

Bob Rothe
Fortune Financial Services 

T. Randall (Randy) Sandifer
Attorney at Law

Worley Stein
American National Bank 

Peter Vargas, Ex-Officio
City of Allen

Jim Waldbauer
BW2 Engineers

Staff

Julie Hynes
Director of Member Services

Carol Rodgers
Vice President, Operations

Josie Zendejas
Information Specialist

MAJOR INVESTORS
The Chamber would like to acknowledge and thank the following major investors


Platinum Investors

Comerica Bank
Experian
HIT Entetainment
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
RCL Enterprises
Sunbelt Telecommunications, Inc.

Gold Investors

Atmos Energy
The Belmont Restaurant
Carter & Burgess
North Central Medical Center
Regions Bank
Remedies Wellness Spa
Sage Telecom, Inc.
Sanmina SCI
Solutions Automotive
Strasburger & Price, LLP
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community
TXU Electric Delivery
CONTENTS
Membership Luncheon
Business Wrap Up
Leadership Day Seminar
VIP Coffee
Tuesday Morning Live
Business Builders Kicks Off New Series
W.I.S.E. Luncheon
Comerica Collin 60 Awards
Ambassador of the Month
Chairman's Coffee
Chamber Implements New Job Bank
SCORE Counseling at Chamber
New Members
Member Anniversaries
Capitol Steps
Texas Recognized for Job Creation Announcements
Committee Meetings
ARCHIVE
February 2005
February 1, 2005
Vol. 1 Issue 26
January 2005
January 1, 2005
Vol. 1 Issue 25
November/December
November 10, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 24
September/October
September 21, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 23
August 2004
August 1, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 22
July 2004
July 1, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 21
May/June 2004
June 1, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 20
April 2004
April 1, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 19

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Membership Luncheon
Tuesday, March 15, 11:30 a.m.

Come join us at our next membership luncheon featuring Janet White, entrepreneur and lecturer.

Ditch the Pitch in Your Sales Letters
If you use snail mail or email as part of your new business program, you’ve probably accepted that prospecting by letter is a necessary evil – it doesn’t work most of the time, but it’s something you have to do. 
 
Nothing could be further from the truth.  

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South.

Cost:  $20 Chamber members and their guests; $25 prospective members

Reservations:  Required.  Email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.


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Business Wrap Up
Great Networking After Hours

Please join us for the Business Wrap Up on Thursday, March 17, 2005 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Wings to Go, located at 740 S. Greenville, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Rapier & Wilson, PC will host the April 21, 2005 Business Wrap Up from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at 103 W. McDermott.

Bring lots of business cards and come ready to network!

Cost:  No Charge.

Reservations:  Requested but not required.

If you would be interested in hosting a Business Wrap Up, contact Julie Hynes at 972-727-5585.  There are a few dates remaining in 2005.


 
Leadership Day Seminar

Friday, March 18, 2005, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Leadership Day Seminar

The Leadership Allen Steering Committee invites you to this exciting day of Leadership sessions by these very dynamic speakers:
 
Anne Barab - Leading from the Back of the Bus – How to Think Like a Leader
Dottie Gandy – Author of Thirty Days to a Happy Employee and co-founder of the National Association of Women Business Owners
Buzz Kolbe, Kolbe & Associates - business and personal life coach
Al Lucia, President, ADL Associates
Tom Pearce – Leadership Allen Class Facilitator and Moderator for the Day
Rev. Don Smith – President and Founder of Vital Connections

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South

Reservations:
  Required.  Email
reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.


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VIP Coffee
Very Important Prospects

Wednesday, April 6, 8:00 a.m.

An informal forum for prospective members to learn more about the Chamber, meet the staff and Chairman.

Location: Coffee Dreams, 1314 W. McDermott #140

Cost: No Charge

Reservations: Requested but not required.

If you know of a prospective member who could benefit from the services the Chamber offers, please invite them to this meeting.


 
Tuesday Morning Live

Tuesday Morning Live! 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. EVERY TUESDAY

 
Location:  Bennigan’s, 305 N. Central Expressway
 
Cost:  $1 for members; $3 for prospective members*
 
Reservations:  Not required.
 
*Prospective members may attend a total of 3 meetings. 
 
 
And you thought Tuesday Morning Live! was just another networking meeting…
 

 
Greg Shepherd and Nick Simone of Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corporation entertained the group at Tuesday Morning Live! on March 1, 2005. 
 
 
 

 
Business Builders Kicks Off New Series
10 Big Ideas for Your Small Business

Thursday, April 7, 8:00 a.m.

Business Builders recently kicked off a new 10-part series "10 Big Ideas for Your Small Business" that features a different way each month that you can improve your business without any implementation costs.

The April Session, entitled The #1 Way to Get More Customers! will feature Bob Hower, Marketing and Business Consultant.  Communication is key to understanding and this one-hour workshop will help you improve your presentation and communication skills.

Series Sponsor:  Comerica Bank - Allen

Location:  Allen Heritage Center (Train Depot), 100 E. Main Street

Cost:  $10 per session for Chamber members; $15 per session for prospective members.  A notebook can be purchased for an additional $5.00.

Reservations:  Required.  Email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.


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W.I.S.E. Luncheon
Need more organization in your work station?

Tuesday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.

Ladies, join us at our quarterly W.I.S.E. Luncheon. Tonia Tomlin is featured in "Mission Organization" showing off her skills in an Allen area home.  Her presentation to the W.I.S.E. audience will be about work-related organizing tips. 
 
Series Sponsor: 



Location:  Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South.

Cost:  $20 Chamber members and their guests; $25 prospective members

Reservations:  Required.  Email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.
 

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Comerica Collin 60 Awards

Allen has many great companies that qualify for this new award, which will be presented at a luncheon on June 9, 2005 at the Marriott/Legacy Town Center. Unlike most recognition programs, this one offers 60 winners, not just a few. The companies you nominate have a very high possibility of being one of the winners, especially since this is the inaugural year for the award. For more information go to http://www.comericacollin60.com .

 
Ambassador of the Month

Knute Bailey of Costco was named Ambassador of the Month for February.  Knute was recognized for his participation in the Chamber's membership recruitment/retention efforts and his attendance at various Chamber events.  Congratulations and keep up the good work!
 


 
Chairman's Coffee
New Member Orientation

Chairman's Coffee, April 22, 8:00 a.m.

Are you a new member or would just like to know more about the benefits of your Chamber membership?  Then join us for a membership orientation session.  You will have the opportunity to visit with the Chairman of the Board and the Chamber staff and ask questions in an informal setting.

Sponsor:



Location:  Jason's Deli, 906 W. McDermott Dr., Suite 100  

Cost:  None

Reservations:  Requested.  Please call 972-727-5585 or email reservations@allenchamber.com

 
Chamber Implements New Job Bank

Does your company have a job opening or do you know of someone looking for a job? Then, refer to the Chamber's new job bank.  Simply go to the chamber's website at www.allenchamber.com and click on "job bank".  You can submit a job opening online or browse the job listings. 


 
SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Appointments available each Thursday afternoon!

Need help with your existing small business or thinking of starting a new one? SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) can provide you valuable business counseling, mentoring and ideas, and it's...FREE.

Mel Biggs, a SCORE representative, will be in the Chamber office each Thursday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. to meet with clients.  To schedule an appointment, please contact the Chamber office at 972-727-5585.

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New Members

The following members recently joined the Chamber. Please print this list and add it to your membership directory. Remember to support your fellow Chamber members!

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Member Anniversaries

The Chamber would like to recognize and thank these members who have recently renewed their investment in the Chamber. With the support of our members, we can continue to offer programs and services to help your business.

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Capitol Steps
by State Rep. Ken Paxton

Legislators in Austin have been pushing forward to find solutions for Texas’ toughest problems, such as high property taxes, a problematic school finance system and transportation issues.  State Representative Ken Paxton discusses these topics, the 10% rule for the State's current higher education admission policy, various bills filed for consideration and committee assignments. He encourages your feedback.


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Texas Recognized for Job Creation Announcements

Governor Rick Perry announced that Site Selection magazine, the world's foremost publication for business expansion and relocation, has awarded the annual Governor's Cup to Texas for securing the most job creation announcements in the nation for 2004.

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Committee Meetings

The following committee meetings are scheduled:

March
Facilities Managers Meeting - Tuesday, March 8 - 11:30 a.m.
Citizens Postal Advisory Council - Thursday, March 10 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Board of Directors - Thursday, March 24 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Ambassador Club - Monday, March 14 - 8:00 a.m. - Location TBD

April
Leadership Allen Steering Committee -
Friday, April 1 - 8:30 a.m. - Chamber Office
TRIAD - Monday, April 4 - Allen ISD
Small Business Task Force - Monday, April 11 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Citizens Postal Advisory Council - Thursday, April 14 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Ambassador Club - Monday, April 18 - 8:00 a.m.- Location TBD
Emergency Preparedness - Tuesday, April 26 - 11:30 a.m.
Board of Directors - Thursday, April 28 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office


 
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