April 2009 EV.pub - Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce

ClintonClinton-Sampson
Chamber of
Commerce
Board of Directors
Sherrill Allen
President
BB&T
Jeff Shipp
President-Elect
Star Telephone
Membership Corp.
Dr. Ted Thomas
VP/Treasurer
Theodore Thomas, DDS
Frankie Owens
Past President
Owens Home Furnishings
Michael Chestnutt
Black & Chestnutt, CPAs
Billy Cottle
Progress Energy
Chris Fann
GO Toyota
Gary Mac Herring
Mary Mack’s Inc.
Rex Moody
New Century Bank
Sherri Smith
Patriot State Bank
Chuck Spell
Schindler Elevator Corp.
Ken Sutton
State Farm Insurance
Mason Tarr
The Ashford Inn
Ricky Taylor
Taylor & Sanderson
Appliances
Brenda Warren
Sampson Regional Medical
Center
Quarterly Newsletter
April 2009
Opportunities for Professional Development Training
Go from HO-HUM to HIGH POWER!
Business skills for top management and personnel ascending the corporate ladder!
Transform yourself into a high power smart communicator! There are three courses left in
this spring’s Professional Development Seminar Series, cosponsored by the Chamber and
Small Business Center. Join us for crash courses in Extremely Smart Business Communication. You'll learn interpersonal skills that boost workplace prodution as well as how to attract,
develop and maintain business.
Professional & Social Versatility
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 — 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Business people must effectively interact with various personality styles in order for their professional network to run smoothly. Have fun learning how to recognize, understand and communicate with the four major personality types.
Maintain Relationships: Verbal & Nonverbal Communications, including written,
telephone and electronic communication
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 — 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Learn how written, telephone and electronic communication can be used to create a positive
business culture. You'll take away practical, ready-to-implement techniques for business success.
Bonus Dining Seminar
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 — 6:00 p.m.
This presentation incorporates a working meal and demystifies the dining skills that will make
you shine as a professional. You represent your company not only at work but also at parties,
dinners and meetings that on the surface seem purely social. Many business people are at ease
at such functions; however, knowing how to take advantage of the potential in these situations
adds to an individual's overall effectiveness.
For more detailed information, contact the Chamber office for a brochure.
Stay informed through our weekly “Chamber Connection” & monthly “E-News.”
You can unsubscribe at any time, but we believe subscription to these publications will keep you
frequently updated about opportunities that will help you gain the most from your membership in
the Chamber. To subscribe, email us at: [email protected].
Executive Director, Amber Cava
Administrative Assistant, Ashley Bernhardt
Page 2
April 2009
Ambassador of the Quarter
Joan Bacon, Southern Heritage Realty
Just before leaving her teaching profession in Benson to move to Clinton, Joan’s
husband suggested that she take a few real estate courses. The rest is history! Joan
has been in real estate since 1985. Prior to opening Southern Heritage Realty almost 11 years ago, Joan was an agent with a major franchise (Coldwell Banker).
“Real estate gets in your blood, so I guess I will always do it since I am licensed in
North Carolina and South Carolina,” said Joan.
Joan has been a long time member of the Chamber, of which she says, “It is a great
Chamber, and it does so much for the community!” Joan is a past secretary of Kiwanis, and she serves on the board of the United Way and as a member of the SRS
Council and the American Business Womens Association where she will soon take
seat as Vice President. She is also a member of the North Carolina and National
Association of Realtors. Joan has served on the Board of Directors of the Duplin-Sampson Association of Realtors
since 2005 and is a graduate of the North Carolina Realtors Institute.
Speaking of her family, Joan expressed that she has a wonderful husband, four children and is anticipating the arrival of
her seventh grandchild. When she can find free time, Joan enjoys riding her Harley Softtail Deluxe.
The Ambassadors are an invaluable group of individuals who take time out of their jobs to help promote the Chamber, its members and communities. Ambassadors are a liason for our membership to the Chamber Board of Directors. They are the messengers who bring our members’ interests, needs and opinions about what is needed for
our community to the Board of Directors. To join the Ambassadors, contact the Chamber office for an application.
Chamber Announces 2008 Business Awards
During its 39th Annual Awards Banquet in February, the
Chamber honored six businesses and individuals with
awards. The Chamber’s awards program recognizes excellence in business and community involvement, and each
recipient is selected by the vote of the membership. The
deserving winners of the 2008 awards were not only recognized for their support of the Chamber but for their
dedication and commitment to the community.
Dale Johnson, partner in Johnson, Parsons & Hobson, was
named Outstanding Chamber Member of the Year. Johnson has been a member of the Chamber for more than 20
Photograph compliments of The Sampson Independent:
years. As a strong advocate of the community, his com(From left to right) Dr. Rodney Sessoms, representing the
mitment and dedication is evidenced through countless
Kappa Rho Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Trey &
contributions and selfless acts of kindness.
Sherri Smith of Patriot State Bank received the 2008 Gar- Kristen Cummings, owners of Ribeyes Steakhouse; Dale Johnson; Terry Wells representing Wells Brothers Construction
nie Edwards Ambassador of the Year Award for her outstanding service and dedication as a Chamber Ambassador, Company; Ricky Taylor, Sherri Smith.
and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was recognized with the
Multicultural Business Success Award for their community involvement.
Small Business Awards were announced in three different categories. The following were the nominees and winners
(in bold) for the Small Business Awards:
Small Business Excellence:
Business Person of the Year:
Entrepreneurial Success:
Group Benefits Insurance
Dale Johnson
New Century Bank
Royal Trustworthy Hardware
Georgina Zeng
Ribeyes Steakhouse
Wells Brothers Construction
Ricky Taylor
Sampson Community Theatre
Page 3
April 2009
Upcoming Programs
“State of the Community Address”
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee is working on plans for a “State of the Community Address.” The
program will offer an opportunity for concerned citizens and business leaders to hear from their elected officials about
the county’s performance economically. Plans are still underway, but the committee anticipates the involvement of
Congressman Bob Etheridge, NC House and Senate representatives and Sampson County Mayors.
Business Success in Tough Times Workshop — May 20, 2009, Time TBD
What are the secrets of business success in an economic downturn? How do business owners stabilize their business
during tough times and hold their own? Attend a seminar to learn how to prepare for and even grow your business
when the economic climate is stormy. Presented jointly by the North Carolina Community College Small Business
Center Network, the UNC Small Business & Technology Development Centers (SBTDC) and the Clinton-Sampson
Chamber of Commerce. A variety of resources and the opportunity for free business counseling will be made available
to seminar participants.
The Chamber partners with one of its members to plan a career event for youth!
The Chamber of Commerce and AgCareers.com
have joined together for an initiative that will help
Sampson County youth weigh unexpected career
options and discover how today’s choices affect
those opportunities. The program theme, “Is
Your Future Now?” reinforces the concept of
thinking outside of the box, which is the message
the planning team hopes to drive home to both
student and parent participants.
As students go through college, they reach many
“turning points.” Interests grow; majors change;
goals expand; new opportunities arise! These
turning points influence their academic direction
and career choices. “Is Your Future Now?” is
a program specifically designed to coach students
how to recognize and navigate through life’s turning point as they explore career pathways. This
program will introduce students to strategies that
will help them move in the direction of success.
Experienced panelists will inspire students and
provide insightful answers to their questions. As
recent college graduates who are now entering
the workforce, our panelists will have a unique
connection to students. “Is Your Future
Now?” will open students’ eyes to new opportunities and the career possibilities that await them.
A special break-out session will offer parents tips
on how to provide appropriate guidance for their
students as they develop into responsible, careeroriented young adults.
Is Your Future Now?
Opening the eyes of today’s youth to
unexpected career possibilities!
Hosted by:
AgCareers.com
Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce
PRE-REGISTER
by Thursday, May 14, 2009
for a chance to win one of two
$1,000 Scholarships!
Must be present the day of the event to win.
At least one parent/guardian
must register with the student.
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2009
9:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
WHO SHOULD COME: Students ages 17-21 who are
preparing for college or are currently enrolled AND parents of students in this category
WHERE: Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church
Fellowship Hall
Pre-register by contacting the Chamber of Commerce by email at [email protected]
or by phone at 910.592.6177.
Page 4
April 2009
Member News!
New Century Bank breaks ground!
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Wednesday, March 18, to build a full service banking facility at 111 Northeast Boulevard, in Clinton-located next to Clinton Truck and Tractor and
across from the Emergency 911 Center.
The 3,100 square foot full-service banking office
will feature multiple drive-thru lanes and an ATM.
Construction is already underway and is expected
to be complete by September 2009.
Among those speaking on the program were
Sherrill Allen, president of the Clinton-Sampson
Chamber of Commerce, Steve Stefanovich a
member of the Clinton city council, and Clinton
City Executive Rex Moody.
The first Clinton office opened in February 20,
2002 at 506 Southeast Boulevard in an older
banking facility. Clinton expanded to another office on Sunset Avenue in a temporary facility in
December 2005. With this new state-of-the art
facility, both of the current locations will combine
into one new office for better customer service.
Employees of the branch include Rex Moody, vice
president and Clinton city executive; Tammy Jacobs, assistant vice present and branch manager,
Marcia Jackson, loan officer assistant; Tish Pope,
customer service representative, and tellers Kim
Rose, Kayla Tyndall and Karen Shankwieler.
New Century Bank Breaks Ground For Permanent
Clinton Office - Pictured from the left are Ronald
Jackson, owner of Clinton Truck & Tractor and
member of the New Century Bank Advisory Board;
Clinton City Council member Steve Stefanovich,
Chief Banking Officer Kevin Bunn, Clinton City Executive Rex Moody, President and CEO William L.
Hedgepeth II, Chairman of the Board for New Century Gary Ciccone and President of the ClintonSampson Chamber of Commerce, Sherrill Allen.
Reliving the Vision
The Chamber’s Multicultural Business Committee held its 9th Annual Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Reception on Monday, January 19, 2009.
The celebration was a huge success, with nearly 400 people in attendance.
Rev. Dr. Theodore B. Thomas, a local dentist, ordained minister and member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, was the event speaker. The
theme of Dr. Thomas’ message, “Are you color struck or color blind,” challenged the community to carry forth Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream for all
people—despite race. Dr. Thomas emphasized that Dr. Martin Luther
King’s dream of equality was for all Americans, and he encouraged those
listening to his message to become blind to the color of a person’s skin and
to evaluate their character instead.
The youth choir of Andrews Chapel Baptist Church entertained the audience with uplifting music, and those in attendance enjoyed fellowship and
refreshments following the program.
The Multicultural Business Committee made a $500.00 donation to the
Martin Luther King Foundation and has pledged a scholarship for the 2010
MLK, Jr. Celebration Program. The committee thanks each of its many
sponsors for their dedication and assistance in making the annual Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Business Reception possible.
Page 5
April 2009
New Member Spotlights! The Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Its New Members
Edward Jones Investments, Agent Bryan Griffin — 312 B. College Street, Clinton
Mr. Griffin handles more than just your average stocks and bonds. His expertise ranges from Financial and Retirement
Planning to the most popular Tax Advantaged Investments, Corporate & Government Bonds, Long Term Health Care
Insurance, Life Insurance & Annuities, College Savings Plans, and much more. Contact Bryan Griffin today at (910) 5922437, or email him at [email protected] for your financial investment needs.
Butler Financial & Consulting — 200 East Cumberland Street, Dunn
Butler Financial & Consulting is located in Dunn NC. Owner and Advisor Donald Butler offers a wide variety of Financial Services and Investments, as well as Estate Planning, Long Term Care Planning, Financial Consulting and much
more. Contact Donald Butler today for your financial needs at (910) 891-2815 or email him directly at dbutler@capital
-invest.com.
Memories 4 U — Clinton
Owner Lisa Knape is a professional photographer specializing in photos for events, including birthdays, baby showers,
weddings, and family reunions. She also takes individual photos for senior portraits, proms, pageants and couples. Lisa
also creates scrapbooks and DVD slideshows for that extra special touch. You can contact her by email at
[email protected] or by phone at (910) 990-4154 to set an appointment for a portrait or to look over her previous
work. The sitting fee is only $25.00 and you have access to view your photos at any time on her password protected
website. www.lisaknape.com
Polk City Directories — Omaha, NE
Polk City Directories has been serving communities for over 135 years. They are a marketing solutions provider, and
they publish reference guides, including local city and national directories. Learn more about Polk City Directories by
contacting Molly Taggart toll free at 1-888-999-0806 ext 6641.
Sampson County Register of Deeds — Sampson County Courthouse Annex Building
Mrs. Eleanor Bradshaw is the newly elected Register of Deeds for Sampson County. She took office in December of
2008. Since then, she has been working on new developments within the department, including its website. You will
soon be able to download almost any document, such as marriage licenses, from the website. The Register of Deeds
will soon relocate to the Courthouse Annex Building. You may visit their website at www.sampsonrod.com, or contact
Mrs. Bradshaw via email at [email protected] or telephone at (910) 592-8026.
Timberlake Golf Club — Hwy 403, Clinton
Located 2 miles northeast of Clinton on Hwy 403, Timberlake Golf Club is a semi-private club offering various levels of
affordable membership. Timberlake opened its doors in fall 2003 and is proud to welcome everyone in the community
to come out and enjoy its relaxing golf environment. You can visit Timberlake online for more information:
www.timberlakegolfclub.com Pro Shop: (910) 596-2211 Email: [email protected].
Vital Nutrition Seminars — Salemburg
Jim Blevins, owner and operator of Vital Nutrition Seminars, is all about healthy lifestyles! He offers a free introductory seminar that teaches a cooking method that’s easy to learn while saving time, money and health. Call today to
schedule one in your home or business. Contact Jim Blevins at (910) 525-4084 or email him at [email protected].
Looking Back
Chamber Member of the Week Winners! (January—March)
AgCareers.com
Butler & Faircloth Realtors
Cape Fear Farm Credit
Clinton City Grill
Ezzell Trucking
Harris Sight & Sound
Mary-Gran Nursing Center
Naylor Realty
Tires. Inc.
Thank you to the following businesses for hosting Business After Hours last quarter:
The Ashford Inn
January 2009
Community Home Care & Hospice
February 2009
Star Telephone Membership Corp.
March 2009
Ribbon Cuttings
Last quarter the Chamber held a Ribbon Cutting in February for Edward Jones Investments, Agent Angie Diehl.
“Working Together for Total Community Development”
A quarterly publication of the ClintonSampson Chamber of Commerce
414 Warsaw Rd. • P.O. Box 467
Clinton, NC 28329
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
CLINTON, NC
PERMIT NO. 334
Upcoming Events—Mark Your Calendar Now!
April
7th
8th
14th
16th
21st
23rd
28th
May
12th
18th
20th
12:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, Location TBA
6:00 p.m. Adult Leadership Graduation Program
1:00-3:00 p.m. Seminar 3: Professional Development Series
6:00 p.m. Bonus Dining Seminar: Professional Development Series
6:00 p.m. Safety Awards Banquet
Time TBD: Business Success in Tough Times—Workshop
June
9th
12:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, location TBA
13th
Phone: 910-592-6177
Fax: 910-592-5770
Email: [email protected]
www.clintonsampsonchamber.org
8:00 a.m. New Member Reception
1:00-3:00 p.m. Seminar 2: Professional Development Series
12:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, Location TBA
5:30 p.m. Business After Hours, hosted by Matthews Cards & Gifts
8:00 a.m. Adult Leadership Local Government Day
4:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting/Open House—Partnership for Children
8:00 a.m. Junior Leadership, Agriculture Day
12:00 p.m. Ambassador Club Meeting