May 1, 2005 May 2005   VOLUME 1 ISSUE 29  
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; Rapier, Wilson & Wendland, P.C. - Business Wrap Up Sponsor; Comerica Bank - Business Builders sponsor; Community Credit Union - WISE Sponsor; Jason's Deli - Chairman's Coffee; and Costco - breakfast sponsor for Business Builders.

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

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

Atmos Energy
Comerica Bank
Experian
HIT Entetainment
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
RCL Enterprises
Sunbelt Telecommunications, Inc.
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community

Gold Investors

The Belmont Restaurant
Carter & Burgess
North Central Medical Center
Regions Bank
Remedies Wellness Spa
Sage Telecom, Inc.
Sanmina SCI
Strasburger & Price, LLP
TXU Electric Delivery
CONTENTS
Breakfast with the Superintendent
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to Address Chambers
Business Wrap Up
Nothing but Networking
June Membership Luncheon
Chamber Hosts Blood Drive
Business Builders Series
Tuesday Morning Live
Capitol Steps
Chamber Hosts Job Bank
The County Line
New Members
Member Anniversaries
SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Fill the Bus
New Teacher Reception
Committee Meetings
ARCHIVE
April 1, 2005
April 1, 2005
Vol. 1 Issue 28
March 2005
March 1, 2005
Vol. 1 Issue 27
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

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Breakfast with the Superintendent
Eggs & Issues

Dr. Jenny Preston, AISD Superintendent

Friday, May 27, 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Jenny Preston, AISD Superintendent, will present information on the state of the Allen Indendepent School District.  Please join us for this informative session to learn about the latest information on school finance and future plans for the district. 

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South

Cost: $15 for Chamber members; $20 for prospective members.

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


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Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to Address Chambers
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Friday, June 17,  11:45 a.m.

The Collin County Chambers of Commerce in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Richardson, & Wylie cordially invite you to a Special Luncheon featuring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on Friday, June 17, 2005 – 11:45 a.m. at the Plano Centre located 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.  The cost is $25 per person or $350 for Corporate Table Sponsors. 

Location:  The Plano Centre, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano

Cost:  $25 per person; $350 for Corporate Table Sponsor

Reservations:  Required by June 14, 2005.  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, May 19, 2005 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at Foot Solutions, 1328 W. McDermott, Suite 218.  It will be catered by Ricardo's Tex-Mex. 

Remedies Wellness Spa will host the June 16, 2005 Business Wrap Up from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at 404 N. Allen Drive.

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. 


 
Nothing but Networking

Tuesday, May 17, 11:30 a.m.

Networking at its finest!  Please join us for our quarterly networking luncheon where you will get to know your fellow chamber members and meet prospective clients.  Bring your business cards, flyers, giveaways, etc.

Location: Brazos Cattle Co., 401 Central Expressway South

Cost: $17 for Chamber members; $20 for prospective members.

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


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June Membership Luncheon
Delight Your Customers

Steve Zipkoff Tuesday, June 21,  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Is your company experiencing slumping revenue growth? Or, is your company in a growth mode but finding it harder to build revenue and maintain a viable customer base? Perhaps new customers aren't "running to your door" and your company has noticed just how much more difficult it has become to find and capture them? In order to grow revenue profitably, it is becoming evident that holding on to existing customers is a prime corporate objective and a competitive advantage. Although many companies today espouse customer satisfaction and loyalty, few deliver on the promise. While the goal of 'delivering enhanced customer service' is moving up many corporate priority lists, few of their employees realize its importance and significance.

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South

Cost:  $20 for members and their guests; $22 for prospective members and if invoiced.

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

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Chamber Hosts Blood Drive
Donors Get Chance to Win Free Gas for a Year

Tuesday, May 24, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The Chamber will sponsor a Carter BloodCare blood drive.  Appointments will be taken from 2:00 to 4:45 p.m.  Won't you take a moment of your time to help someone in need?  Your donation could help save a life.  All donors will receive a free T-shirt and be entered into a drawing to win free gas for a year!!!

Location: Allen Chamber of Commerce, 210 W. McDermott Dr.

Appointments: Call 972-727-5585 or email
crodgers@allenchamber.com


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Business Builders Series
10 Big Ideas for Your Small Business

Thursday, June 2, 8:00 a.m.

Business Builders, a 10-part series "10 Big Ideas for Your Small Business", features a different way each month that you can improve your business with little or no implementation costs.  Each session is separate, so you can attend one session or the entire series. 

The June session is a panel discussion entitled: Revising the DreamEvery business has to make adjustments.  Recognize the warning signs early on and learn how to respond faster to ensure long term success.
 
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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Tuesday Morning Live

EVERY TUESDAY, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. 
 

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.  

 
Capitol Steps
by State Rep. Ken Paxton

Rep. Paxton discusses issues of HB 981, Child Protective Services Reform and Transportation issues.  With HB 981, Representative Corbin Van Arsdale of Houston has taken a legislative step toward renovating the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system in Division I NCAA college football. In recent years, a number of documented problems involving the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) and other agencies involved with protecting children and vulnerable adults have come to light. Teenage drivers have certain restrictions with their licenses.  HB 1094 would add to this list of restrictions a provision that would prohibit new drivers from using a cell phone or any wireless device while operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle or moped during the first six months after receiving their licenses.


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Chamber Hosts 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. 


 
The County Line
by County Commissioner Joe Jaynes

Recently the North Central Texas Council of Governments (COG) released their latest population estimates. COG only measures cities and towns that are more than 1,000 in population. Overall, Collin County grew by 29,100 people in 2003. This averages out to 80 people per day.  In 2004, Collin County averaged 90 additional people per day.

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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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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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Fill the Bus
School Supplies Needed

The Chamber, along with the Allen Community Outreach Center, hopes once again to fill a school bus with school supplies for children in Allen. The Fill the Bus campaign will run from July 18 through July 29. Major businesses, their employees and the community will be encouraged to purchase school supplies for under-privileged children in Allen.

 
New Teacher Reception

Tuesday, July 26, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Help us welcome the new teachers to the Allen community.  We are asking Chamber members to donate a door prize or items for the "welcome" bags.  Each teacher will be presented with one of these bags at a reception held in their honor.

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South

Cost:  $10 per person

Sponsorships:  Information will be available within the next few weeks.

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


 
Committee Meetings

The following committee meetings are scheduled:

May
Leadership Allen Steering Committee - Friday, May 6 - 8:30 a.m. - Chamber Office
Ambassador Club - Monday, May 9 - 8:00 a.m
Human Resources Committee - Tuesday, May 10
Board of Directors - Thursday, May 26 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office

June
Leadership Allen Steering Committee -
Friday, June 3 - 8:30 a.m. - Chamber Office
Citizens Postal Advisory Council - Thursday, June 9 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Ambassador Club - Monday, June 13 - 8:00 a.m
Facilities Managers - Tuesday, June 14 - 11:30 a.m.
Board of Directors - Thursday, June 23 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office



 
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