Briefly Speaking

Lots of exciting stuff going on in our Chamber World. Last week our YEA! Initiative kicked off with our first class of Central and Memorial student at Central and a Saturday tour of ETHOS. Kathy tells me both went very well. Stephanie Patka was our first instructor and did an outstanding job. Stephanie, Amish Shah and Cien Asoera are our three facilitators and will “tag-team” throughout the session which will go until June.

Thanks to all three for volunteering to share your talent and expertise with the students. Also, thanks to the numerous sponsors who have stepped up to invest in this program. This is a big deal for Elkhart. We’ll keep you in the loop.

There is something else going on this week….Oh, I remember-it’s only the Chamber’s signature event of the year, our Annual Meeting at the LERNER! I hope you got a reservation as we are completely SOLD OUT! We will present numerous Volunteer awards and recognize incoming and retiring Board Members among other agenda items. I promise the agenda will move quickly. I
think everyone is anxious to hear from our Keynote Speaker, former Indiana Senator and Governor Evan Bayh and get his take on what’s happening in Washington. I always look forward to this event to “kick-off” our Chamber Year.
 
Kyle and I were fortunate to attend Goshen Rotary Friday and listen to Governor Daniels tout the impressive accomplishments that have taken place during his term in office. Very impressive. If RTW passes the Senate he has promised to sign it right away, which will give Indiana another business attraction tool for economic development organizations. While this legislation has been controversial, your Chamber strongly believes the benefits to our State far outweigh the negatives.

Time will tell. Meantime, have a GREAT week and hope to see you Thursday…….

Phil Penn
President

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Our newest Chamber members

Brewton Insurancewelcome

Employment Pluswelcome

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Chamber Seminars/Events

For more information or to register, visit our website.

January 31, Ribbon Cutting: Quality Glass, 11:30 am, 1521 S. Nappanee St., Elkhart. Open House from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

February 2, Biz-Ness Before Hours: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 7:00 – 9:00 am, 30830 Old US 20, Elkhart.

February 2, Annual Meeting (SOLD OUT!), 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Lerner Theatre Crystal Ballroom, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Speaker: Evan Bayh.

February 7, Job Fair with Employment Plus, at the Chamber, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

February 7 & 8, OSHA: 10 Hour General Industry Safety & Health Program, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $200, Non-Members: $300 (members of other Elkhart County Chambers receive member price).

February 11, Third House town hall meeting with state lawmakers. 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber. Free.

February 15, OSHA: How to Conduct an  Accident Investigation, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Speaker: Mark Styers, Gibson Insruance. Members: $9 per person includes breakfast.

February 21, Biz-Ness After Hours: Spherion Staffing, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, 5230 Beck Dr., Suite 7, Elkhart.  

February 23, YP: Committing to Community, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Lerner Crystal Ballroom, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Members/Non-Members: $15.

February 23, Health Care Forum – Saving Through Wellness, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $10, Non-Members: $15.

February 25, Third House town hall meeting with state lawmakers. 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber. Free.

March 6 & 7, OSHA: 20 Hour General Industry Safety & Health Program, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $300, Non-Members: $400 (members of other Elkhart County Chamber receive member price).

March 10, Third House town hall meeting with state lawmakers. 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Chamber. Free.

March 12, NCI: Lean 101 Workshop, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Greater Elkhart Chamber, 418 S. Main St., Elkhart. Members: $250, Non-Members: $295 (members of other Regional County Chambers receive member price; 2nd person from same company may attend at NO CHARGE.)

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Tammy's Tune Up

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Networking Tip

NETWORKING TIP - Do It For Your Health.

As crazy and counterintuitive as it sounds, you have less of a chance of getting a cold if you connect with more people!  The author of ‘Well Connected?: The Biological Implications of 'Social Networking', Dr Sigman says (pertaining to susceptibility to colds) "people with the most types of social bonds are the least susceptible, while those with one to three types of social relationships are over four times more likely to develop a cold when exposed to the virus than those with six or more types."

Good to know, but we still suggest when you go to networking events you carry a small bottle of sanitizer, and use it (discreetly) before you grab a canapé.

Based on Positive Networking by Darcy Rezac.

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