Briefly Speaking

Fillin' in for Phil

Kyle Hannon,

Vice President, Public Policy Media Relations

Each week, the Chamber staff prints a schedule of Chamber events and things that happen in our building. It's mostly an internal document, though I include an abbreviated version of it in Policy Points each Friday. We use it throughout the week to make sure we know what is going on and where people are.

For today (Tuesday) it says: VOTE - VOTE - VOTE.

Now, your law-abiding Chamber staff is not suggesting each of us vote three times. But we are making it clear how important it is to vote today.

In Elkhart County, we are accustomed to the relative importance of the Primary Election. For all practical purposes, many races for local offices will be decided today, not in November. That is why your Government Council conducts a candidate questionnaire before the Primary. (see it on our web page)

Add a heated Presidential campaign on top of our local races and you have every reason to get out and make sure your vote is cast.

The world starts changing tomorrow. Make sure you are part of that change today.

Monday, June 30^th

Elcona Country Club

Tee Times: 8:00 am & 2:15 pm

Hole Sponsorships & Foursomes Available

also a Great Way to Promote Your Business!

Donate a door prize or goodie bag item and reach over 300 businesses. For more information contact Denise at the Chamber (574) 293-1531 ext. 132.

May 7, Technology Connections Breakfast, Making Sense of Wireless Technology, 7:30 - 9:00 am, Christiana Creek Country Club, 116 W. Bristol St., Elkhart. Learn how your business can take advantage of new wireless technologies. Guest Speaker, Gene Crusie, MapleNet Wireless, Inc. Members: $15, non-members $25. Sponsored by: MapleNet Wireless, Inc. For more information, visit www.elkhart.org

May 8, The Real Value of Employee-Paid Benefits (Hint: It's more than just cost-shifting!), 7:30 - 9:00 am. Presented by Lori Jo O'Mara, Employee Benefits Account Executive, Gibson Insurance. Members: $25  Non-members: $40 or all three sessions Members: $65  Non-members: $110 (Continental breakfast included) RSVP to Denise at (574) 293-1531 ext. 132 or dpolachek@elkhart.org

May 12, Your elected officials work hard for you and their decisions can impact your business. Meet your officials from school boards, to city council, to county office, to state office and more at the Elected Officials Reception. Monday, May 12, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Christiana Creek Country Club, $15 registration includes appetizers and cash bar. Register here for the largest non-partisan political gathering in Northern Indiana.

May 13, Leadership Steering Council presents The Elkhart Leadership Academy: Graduation Luncheon, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Trinity Life Center, 2715 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart. Speaker: Quinn Buckner, Graduate of Indiana University & Collegiate Basketball Player; Former American Professional Basketball Player and Coach; NBA Career with the Pacers, Celtics and Bucks; 1976 Olympic Basketball Gold Medal Winner. Table Sponsor: $300, includes Preferential Seating ~ 1 table with seating for 8  ~ Special mention in the program. Individual Seats: $30 each. For more information, call Denise at (574) 293-1531 ext. 132 or go here

May 15, Women's Council: Culture Competency and Diversity in our Workplace, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Christiana Creek Country Club, 116 W. Bristol. Guest Speaker: Ms. Martha Cerda, Owner/Publisher Enterar Magazine, LLC. Member cost: $12. For more call Claudia at (574) 293-1531 ext. 134 or go here

May 21, Annual OSHA Update, 8:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center. Doug Koogler, INSafe will be presenting the annual summary of IOSHA activity and Federal OSHA proposed changes and activities this year. Cost: $8.00 per person, includes breakfast. RSVP by 5:00 pm, May 16. To confirm your reservation, call (574) 293-1531, e-mail jwalsh@elkhart.org, or visit www.elkhart.org.

May 24 - 25, Flags from the Heart. Honor a loved one with a dedicated American Flag that will be flown on the green east of the Civic Plaza. For details contact Brian at (574) 293-7936 or Denise (574) 293-1531 ext. 132.

May 29, Reducing Workers' Compensation Costs through Accident Prevention & Safety-Conscious Supervision, Greater Elkhart Chamber. This seminar is a must for all levels of supervision in any organization that has an accident rate of greater than zero. Members: $125, Non-members: $150, includes lunch. Attendance is limited to 35 registrants. Register by phone (574) 293-1531 or online at www.elkhart.org. Check made payable to Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce or Credit card requested to hold reservation.  Cancellations must be received at least 4 days prior to the session.

July 14, Lean Workshop, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, at the Chamber, 418 S. Main St. Lean Manufacturing is how we describe elimination of waste in your operation. Learn the basics of this money-saving process. Chamber members: $250, non-members: $295. (A second person from the same organization may attend FREE) Registration online at www.elkhart.org or by calling (574) 293-1531.

May 20th Biz-Ness After Hours

Russell Products, Inc located in Bristol at 17989 Commerce Dr  will host the evening event.  If you attended their last BAH, you know you won't want to miss this one either!

Early Bird catches the best spot!

2009 Biz-Ness (Before, Lunch-In, and After Hours) dates are available now!  To learn more, contact Claudia.

Member Celebrations!

May 8th at 11:00 am, Wind in the Willows LLC at 700 S Main St will celebrate the Grand Opening of their new location with a ribbon cutting and open house. Stop by Wind in the Willows to see all they have to offer the downtown and community.

May 13 at 10:30 am, El Maguey Grill located at 56028 Parkway Ave, Ste A  will celebrate their new location with a ribbon cutting.  They invite you to stay for lunch following the ribbon cutting and will have many surprises in store for that week.

Celebration = Visibility!

Would you like to create some added visibility for your new building, office, anniversary, etc.?  Let us help you celebrate. To schedule a Ribbon Cutting/Groundbreaking event simply contact Claudia (574) 293-1531 ext. 134. 

QUESTION:  How do you get in front of 288 decision makers in one day? 

ANSWER:  By saying "YES" when you receive a call/fax from an Ambassador!

The Ambassadors Council will call you in attempt to increase your visibility during this year's June 30th Golf Outing at the Elcona Country Club - the biggest Chamber golf outing in this area!  The Ambassadors will be asking you to participate in the goodie bags (300 items, please), sponsoring a door prize, securing your hole sponsorship (set-up a table to gain added visibility), and getting your four-some lined up.  To get going please contact an Ambassador or the Chamber today!

Tired of Cold Calls?

Let the Chamber do them for you...

We deliver your product to their door!  The Chamber staff makes monthly calls on Member Investors to thank them for their participation and investment.  It is fun to surprise those visited with a token of appreciation from another member!  If you want to provide that gift, and get your product in their hands, contact Claudia to get on the 2008 calendar. 

It's in the bag!

The Women's Council luncheons have become a popular place for many on the 3rd Thursday of each month.  Each luncheon features a topic where Member Investors associated with that topic may display brochures and business cards as well as offer a door prize for the event.  The luncheon also spotlights a Charity/non-profit Member Investor who is offered the same advantage.

For Member Investors who are not associated with the luncheon topic, the Women's Council offers the opportunity to promote your company through individual gift bag sponsorships.  If your company would like to sponsor the bag or a gift for inside the bag please contact Claudia for more information.

Our Newest Chamber Members

Garber's Decorating Center  

Missal Environmental &

    Industrial Services, Inc.  

RJ Septic & Excavating, Inc.   

SPA Women's Ministry Home 

Single Mom Association

May 9, Oaklawn: Spring Spectacular Fundraiser, Matterhorn Conference Center. Guest speaker: Steven Ford, son of former president Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. For more information call (574) 537-2645

May 9-10 & 25-26, Elkhart Civic Theatre presents SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, 8:00 pm, Bristol Opera House. Tickets $15 adults, $13 students and seniors 62 & older.   ECT Box Office: 848-5853, M-F 1:00 - 5:30 pm.  Sponsored by Gaska Tape, Inc. and 1st Source Bank.

May 10, Cooking Show: Tapas Party (Spanish inspired party for 2 or 20), American Countryside Farmers Market, 27751 CR 26, Elkhart. For more information on upcoming events go here.

May 10, St. Baldrick's: Shaving the Way to Conquer Kids' Cancer, 9:00 - 3:00 pm, Coldstone Creamery, 4536 Elkhart Rd., Elkhart. For more information call 888-899-BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org

May 14, Lean Manufacturing Education Seminar Series: "Quick Changeover and Pull Production", 1:00 - 4:30 pm, WorkOne, 851 South Marietta St., South Bend. Presented by:  Brad Staats, CPIM, Peak Enterprise Solutions. To register contact Sharon Prusinski at (574) 239-9361 or sprusinski@gotoworkone.com 

May 15, Evenings with Insight Strategic Concepts: Succession Planning - Don't Wait Until the Leadership Shortage of Gen-Xers Limits Your Options, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Insight Studio, 3743 East Jackson Blvd. Signup online.

May 16, Livin' It Up Downtown, 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Block party featuring Duke Tomato. May 17, walking tour of businesses and apartments, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Food and prize giveaway.

May 16, Cooking Show: BBQing with Sea Salt, American Countryside Farmers Market, 27751 CR 26, Elkhart. For more information on upcoming events go here.

May 20, College Football Hall of Fame: KeyBank Gridiron Legends Luncheon Series, Marriott Ballroom, South Bend. Coach Bill Lynch, Indiana's new head football coach.

May 22, Motion Media Technology Seminar, 7:30 - 9:30 am, Greater Elkhart Chamber, 418 S. Main Street.  Free to Chamber members and non-members, continental breakfast included. Presented by Grass Roots Media, Inc. Topics will span the use of motion media in corporate, marketing and organizational communication; producing projects internally vs. utilizing outside professional help; choosing a production partner; the power of animation, the coming age of High Definition television, and more. To reserve your space, call (574) 289-8437 or email info@grassrootsmedia.net.

May 22, The Elkhart County Council on Aging: Senior Awards and Recognition Banquet, 6:00 pm, Amish Acres.

May 22, Love Letters starring Digger Phelps presented by Elkhart Civic Theatre & Mental Health America of Michiana, 7:00 pm, at the ELCO. Tickets: $20 play, $50 play plus reception. Call 293-4469 or go here.  Sponsored by Dr. Ray and Cheryl Waldman, Gaska Tape, Inc. and Mutual Federal Savings Bank.

May  22, 23 & 24, American Red Cross Annual Garage Sale, 8:00 - 6:00 pm. Rain Date: May 29th,30th & 31^st. For more information call  574-293-6519 or Email: DebM@Elkhartredcross.org

May 23, Emergence Business Coaching: "The Sky Is Not Falling:  Unleash the Power of the Law of Attraction", 10:00 - 11:00 am. For more information or to sign up go here.  

May 23, Bethel Luncheon Event, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Bethel College Wiekamp Athletic Center. Cost: $26 for individual or $200 for table of 8. For more information or to register call Becky at (574) 257-3299.

May 23, Quilt Gardens Tour, Amish Country Northern Indiana. A colorful patchwork, "sewn" across seven welcoming communities, inspired by quilt designs. 60,000 blooms in 12 gardens, 11 super-sized murals and 23 different designs all viewable until the first frost. FREE admission and parking. For more information call 1-800-277-3579 or go here

May 26, Great Race: 5K FunWalk, 10:00 am. JA Dog Walk, 10:15 am, beginning at NIBCO Parkway. Register by calling 293-4554 or www.thegreatrace.net 

May 30, CPR for Healthcare Professionals, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Ivy Tech Elkhart. To register, call Jan at 293-4657 ext. 4304.

May 31 & June 1, Youth Summer Basketball League, Elkhart Sports Center. 6 league games plus single elimination tournament. 4^th thru 8^th grade boys/5^th thru 8^th grade girls. Cost: $350 per team. To register call (574) 294-5050.

June 2 -23, Boys High School Summer Basketball League, Elkhart Sports Center. 8 week night games/2 games per night. HS Varsity & JV Leagues. Cost per team: $400. To register call Brett at (574) 294-5050.

June 3, EDC of Elkhart County Investor's Meeting, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Essenhaus Conference Center. Dane A. Miller, Ph.D., Biomet, Inc. will be the guest speaker. $25 individual, $250 corporate table of eight. To reserve call (574) 535-1002 or edc@elkhartcountybiz.com

June 4, Green Building and Sustainable Design Practices hosted by DJ Construction, AMBS Library and Campus Center, 3003 Benham Ave., Elkhart. Sessions: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. For more information contact Jenna at (574) 533-1645 or email jenna@djconstruction.com.

June 5, Red Cross Blood Drive, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Amberwood Terrace Chiropractic.

Please call the office at 522-2255 and give your name to be added to the list. 

June 6, WVPE - TGIF: Music in the Gardens, 5:00 - 8:30 pm, Northern Indiana Center for History. Band: Whistle Pigs. Admission: $5 adults, free 12 & under.

June 6, FREE Adult CPR/AED Class, 8:00 am - noon, American Red Cross, 721 Middlebury Ave., Elkhart. 50 spaces available on a first come first-served basis. Limit 2 individuals per company. To register go here  Deadline to sign up is May 26.

June 6 & 7, 5^th Annual Summer Shootout, Elkhart Sports Center. 7 games in 2 days. High School Boys JV Basketball Shootout June 13 & 14/7 games in 2 days. Cost: $250 per team. Limited to first 8 teams in division. To register call Brett (574) 294-5050 or go here

June 6, 7 & 8, 15^th Annual Camp Evergreen. Grief camp is designed for young people who have experienced the death of someone important in their life. For more info contact evergreen@centerforhospice.org

June 10, College Football Hall of Fame: KeyBank Gridiron Legends Luncheon Series, Century Center. Eli Manning - Super Bowl XLII MVP. For more information call (574) 235-5715.

June 11, Lean Manufacturing Education Seminar Series: "Standard Work and Error Proofing", 1:00 - 4:30 pm, WorkOne, 851 South Marietta St., South Bend. Presented by Brad Staats, CPIM, Peak Enterprise Solutions. To register, contact Sharon (574) 239-9361 or sprusinski@gotoworkone.com

June 11, United Cancer Services of Elkhart County, Inc.: NAIFA Golf Scramble. For more info go here and click on events.

June 14, WVPE: Festival of Art & Music, 5:00 - 10:00 pm (gates open at 4:00 pm), St. Patrick's County Park. Band: Carrie Newcomer, Goldmine Pickers, Corn Fed Girls

Admission: $5 adults, free 12 & under. For more information call (574) 262-5718.

June 14, 2^nd Annual A.G. Edwards Teddy Bear Classic Charity Golf Outing, 11:00 am, Beechwood Municipal Golf Course, 222 Woodlawn Drive, LaPorte. Cost:  $125, includes cart, green fees, golfers tee packages, lunch, all beverages and ribeye steak dinner. All proceeds to benefit the 32 Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children. Contact Brad at (574) 914-4160, email: bmking001@aol.com or Ira (219) 989-7325, email: izimmer@netnitco.net

June 19, Evenings with Insight Strategic Concepts: 44 Different Ways to Grow, 5:30 -7:00 pm, Insight Studio, 3743 East Jackson Blvd. Signup online.

Do you know a business that is at least 3 years old, is outstanding in their field, is a Chamber member and has less than 250 employees?  If you answered yes, then you can nominate them for the Business of the Month Award! Please contact Stephanie Patka at (574) 293-1531or spatka@elkhart.org for more details.

The Chamber website can work for you by following this suggestion from Guy Kawasaki (networking guru); if you apply his savvy business advice for increasing your visibility: By adding business classifications (applying to your business), you increase the likelihood that people will see your profile first when they're searching for someone to hire or do business with. In addition to appearing at the top of search results, people would much rather work with people who their friends know and trust.

Let people know who you are and what you do at the next Biz-Ness After Hours at Russell Products at 17989 Commerce Dr. Bristol from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on May 20th!