January 2008

• To provide a networking opportunity for all businesses
• To promote open communication and support to all business and community leaders
• To be a resource for information generated from County, City and State levels that have a direct Impact on our Business Community

Happy New Year to everyone! It’s been an exciting 2007 for the OFBPA and we are looking forward to being great in 2008! We continue to embrace the County Executive’s initiative and hopefully everyone has heard or seen the spot commercials featuring our business districts. The promotion caters to the "we are not a cookie cutter" and encourage folks to find all the unique and special businesses along out business corridors. We have been very fortunate to partner with the County Executive’s office and special thanks goes to the Office of Economic Development, especially Peirce, Chris and Lisa who are the folks I work with on a regular basis. Also thanks to all the folks at the Jeffersonian, especially Judi who keeps us all on task, for the opportunity to participate in the business association section of their paper. This is another opportunity that allows visibility for our organization.

2007 has seen a real growth in our organization as folks have come on board to co-chair events and bring new ideas to the group. We are excited to being partnering with Overlea High School this coming year. Bill Willis, Academy of Finance Coordinator/Business Department Chair has brought an exciting opportunity for our businesses to work with their students. The school to career program involves students that are involved in the Diversified Occupation program and need internships to complete requirements for graduation. Look for more information in the next newsletter.

Everyone is invited to our "After the Holidays/Membership Kick-Off" meeting on January 16^th. Meeting will be held at Chuckle’s from 4:30-6:30 pm. Lite fare will be served. RSVP would be appreciated so we can plan for food. Cash Bar. We will have a meet and greet from 4:30-5:00 pm, followed by a general meeting at 5:00 pm and then more social time afterwards. Make plans to attend.

Our membership is annual and January starts our new year. Our membership form is online and we are very excited to offer for the first time credit card payments. On the form will be the folks you can contact to give us your credit card information directly for processing or it can be added to the form. We feel that this will be an added benefit to our membership. Form on last page of newsletter.

Watch for exciting new business to business seminars as we partner with M & T Bank this coming year. We will select the first one and ask for your preferences going forward.

As you can see, the OFBPA is moving forward and offering you many opportunities to network you business. Did you know that there is a networking opportunity at every meeting? Please bring your brochures, business cards, flyers, etc. to every meeting because everyone always gets their "5 minutes of fame" at every meeting. Come tell us about you, your business and what you offer.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday and we will see you in 2008!

For all events and for membership forms visit our website at. www.ofbpa.com.or Donna at 410-665-6551.

January 16^th OFBPA Membership Kick-Off/Monthly Meeting 4:30-6:30 pm

November 3^rd M & T Seminar & Networking Social 4:30-6:30 PM

If you can host a meeting this year, please contact Rachael Waters at 410-882-0915. or rwaters@tristarmgt.com

Minutes: November 14th, 2007: (to be approved at the January 2008 meeting)

Officers and Executive Board in attendance: Donna Bethke, Cathy Kratovil, Darlene Conner, Kim Durham, Rachael Waters,

President’s Report- Membership Report- 92 members as of today

Minutes – approved October minutes. Motion to approve – Kim D. 1^st Darlene C. 2^nd Approved

Treasurer’s Report-November. Credits $5128.30 Debits $178.16 Ending Balance $9159.29.15 Motion to approve – Cathy K. 1^st Kim D. 2^nd Approved

Hospitality Chair-will send out email for hosting meetings in 2008 Website: we will be adding description of business and hour of operation to the website…Thanks Marty!

Correspondence: Newsletters –Linover, HARBEL

• BC Grant –missed October will submit for December
• Business Spring Week with one day business outdoor fair-committee to meet in January
• Bingo Night- Bill offered MD School for the Blind- committee to meet in January
• M & T Business to Business Seminars to be held at new Fullerton Branch in 2008
• 2008 surveys filled out by members- want to keep 3^rd Wednesday, continue with networking events, like visiting new businesses each month. Also like varied times.
• Holiday Party/Membership Kick-Off/Business Meeting- January 16^th at Chuckles
• NE Business Networking Event—planning in January
• Discussed proposal for accepting credit cards for 2008
• From Officer Ed Borman: Baltimore County Police Community Relations Council –will resume in February. Advice: vary bank deposit bags, time of deposits, do not carry under arms. Be on the look out…. There’s 30 shop lifting days until Christmas.
• Elections: Donna Bethke, President; Brian Pelle, VP, Angela Heydt, Public Relations, Darlene Conner, Treasurer, Cathy Kratovil, Welcome Binder Chair, Kim Durham, Directory Chair, Hospitality Chair, Rachael Waters; Members at Large: Erik Skarda and Patty Zimmerman. Thanks to everyone for their commitment to keep OFBPA moving forward.
• Share Time:
  • Dave-Dove’s In Flight-50%/50%--accepts like new consignment items-specializing in clothing and household items
  • Kim- Amica—continues to be #1 in Customer Service
  • Mandee-Wooden Insurance- offering PH insurance, home/auto/commercial
  • Amy-Aflac-big time of the year for commercial business programs. Also involved with Business Volunteers Unlimited
  • Darlene- Eastern Savings- one on one service, best 5 year rate, Drop box for PJ Mitchum
  • Marty- ACE Web hosting- host and designs- $$325 hosting/$20 domain/$105 page.
  • Bill Willis-Overlea High School-Coordinator for Academy of Finance magnet program. Talked about partnering with the businesses to help students complete internship requirements. 94% go onto college. If you can offer job shadowing opportunities contact Bill at 410-887-5245. Will send me email attachment that I can send out to everyone
  • Cathy- Visuals- designs everything from business cards to billboards
  • Ed- Aflac—looking to partner with business in the health care field
  • Donna-Avon—offers holidays gifts delivered quickly to your office.
• Wrap Up- Motion to Adjourn

President Donna Bethke (410) 665-6551 Vice President Brian Pelle 443-632-6084

Treasurer Darlene Conner (410) 661-4412 Public Relations Angela Heydt 410-256-5800 Welcome Chair Cathy Kratovil 443-520-7179 Hospitality Rachael Waters 410-882-0915

Directory Chair Kimberly Durham (888) 887-9297 ex. 41506 Secretary- vacant

Members at Large- Pat Zimmerman 410-444-5555; Erik Skarda 410-529-7820 (p)

Membership 2007

Renewal .Tech Services LLC Zach John 410-254-2222 (p)

Renewal A Natural Way to Health Frances Thomas 410-325-6677 (p)

Renewal A-1 Bill & Earl's Auto, Inc. Earl Specher, Jr. or Marty 410-668-4100 (p)

New/2008 ABC Gutters, Inc. Tom Vamos 410-663-3222 (p)

Renewal Academy Animal Hospital Vicki Marci/Dr. Fred Lewis 410-483-5162 (p)

New Apple Insurance Services, Inc. Angela Heydt 410-256-5800 (p)

New Catholic Charities Center for Family Services　Tia Dickson　 410-685-2363 (p)

1. 　Liberty Tax Offices (Perry Hall and Essex) are offering $30 off tax preparation for OFBPA members as well as their employees and family members.　　They must　mention that they heard about the discount through your organization.

　2. Visit by Statue of Liberty? If anyone would like a Statue of Liberty to visit a classroom, daycare, residential home　and/or workplace and review some　historical information regarding the Statue of Liberty, please contact Connie Moore at (410) 256-8312.　 Coloring books and crowns are always brought as gifts.

　3. Seminars -Connie Moore, CPA, and owner of Liberty Tax Service offices in Perry Hall and Essex, will provide on-site free tax seminars to members of the organization on whatever topic they choose.　 Some examples of topics include (but are not limited to), expenses for self employed, how to prepare business info for tax preparation, itemized deductions,　 what expenses are deductible for new homeowners, etc.

4. Employment Opportunities- I need kids as well as adults. Liberty Tax Service hiring experienced and　inexperienced tax preparers.　Liberty Tax Service hiring peoples ages 14 and up for costumed waving as well as marketing positions.　

Erik Skarda GSF Mortgage Cell Phone 410-935-5403 eskarda@gsf-mortgage.com

REMINDER...　4　days from today, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS EVEN IF IT ONLY COUNTS AGAINST YOUR MINUTES.
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.