Table of Contents

• COMMITTEE REPORTS
  • MEMBERSHIP REPORT
  • SOCIAL REPORT
  • SPEAKER COORDINATOR REPORT
  • TREASURER REPORT
• LEADS
• NOTABLE MENTIONS
• MIGHTY MINUTE
• QUESTION OF THE DAY
• MAIN SPEAKER

Committee Reports

Membership Report
(Click here to go to the Membership page)

Bill LaLonde would like to reopen Tom Savage's application.  Tom owns an air conditioning/heating company.  He was not able to join before but has now had a "change of heart".

Jean Batt's dry cleaner would like to join.  She has some Friday morning  issues to work out but believes she will be able to make it work.  Jean will complete part 1 of the membership application.

SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS

Tom Savage Savage Air Conditioning Sponsoring Member: Bill LaLonde Part 1 of Application: Completed Visited Group:  Part 2 of Application: Status: IN PROCESS Lin Schmelzer Design Lin Advertising Sponsoring Member: Ralph Cunningham Part 1 of Application: Completed Visited Group:  Part 2 of Application: Status: IN PROCESS Steve Ching RPM Const. Inc. Sponsoring Member: Gus Dekavallas Part 1 of Application: Completed Visited Group:  Part 2 of Application: Status: UNKNOWN

Social Report
(Click here to go to the Social Event page)

No report.

Speaker Coordinator Report
(Click here to go to the Speaker Schedule)

• 03/12/04     Light Rail Presentation - Roc Arnett
• 03/19/04     Robert Busch
• 03/26/04     Fred Kent
• 04/02/04    
• 04/09/04     Phil Passante

Treasurer Report

Quarterly dues were mailed out last week.  We currently have $8000 in the bank.

Leads Report

46-28, 46-48, 16-46, 08-14, 08-43, 20-34, 37-42, 37-22, 17-11, 42-13, 42-10, 29-02, 12-06, 12-26, 26-46, 26-07, 26-45, 24-03, 05-17, 05-10, 10-43, 10-22, 07-03, 15-10, 15-14, 15-06, 15-27, 21-07, 34-28, 34-22, 34-40, 38-02, 22-13, 22-45, 03-19, 03-13, 04-22, 04-03, 04-27.

Notable Mentions

Dave Lathrop was honored today with a plaque.  The increase in membership as well increased enthusiasm is a testament to his time served as president.

Carole Weishaar was all thanked for her time on the board as social chair.  She did an incredible job and we all had a lot of fun.

Get Buddy Lunch scheduled if you haven't already done so.  A new pairing list is coming soon.

MABE shirts are available for purchase in either navy or white.  The cost is $24.65 + tax.

Mighty Minute

None.

Question of the Day

How can we add more business support into our meetings?

President Roman Okonowski's State of the Group Address...As many of you know, Roman has a passion for this group.  One thing he would like to focus on during his term is the increase in business support.  We all face the same daily challenges, successes and desires.  Roman would like to see this utilized as a resource more than currently do.  It has been hard to find time for this because of our growth.  He would like to look at several options including breaking up into smaller groups of similar interests, implementing a mentoring system, etc. 

He would like each member to think about what they would like MABE to become for them and let a board member know.  We all try to portray an air of success during the week with staff and clients.  MABE should be a place where we can come an just be ourselves and be comfortable and get support. 

He would also like new member feedback.  The older members have already formed bonds with each other.  Is it hard for new members to break in?  Do you feel comfortable sharing on Friday mornings?  We want everyone to be. 

Roman, along with 3 other members, have tried to get together for lunch once a month and it has been very successful.  But, again, he would like to see this business support incorporated into our Friday morning meetings since it is hard in our busy schedules to meet any other time.  We don't want to add to the busy schedules, we want to help relieve them.

Bob Busch recommended that we share book ideas or each read the same book and have a discussion once a quarter about the ideas and how they apply to or have helped our businesses.

Greg Stewart would like someone to tell us in-depth how a book they have read has impacted their business.  This would encourage him to want to read it.

Gus Dekavallas has brought a lot of people into the group.  Some have not stayed.  They told him that it was because they didn't feel like they fit in.  He encourages the members to avoid cliques - to be more open and inviting to new members.

Chris Curran admits to being a perpetually late arrival much to the dismay of other members.  But he also knows that all he will miss is the leads and introductions that take up one-third of the meeting.  He believes this to be a lot of wasted time.  The board reports as well.  He can go on to the website and get this information.  He joked that a change in the meeting might spark him to show up on time.  (I think he was joking, anyway.)

Dave Crissman and Denver Johnson both agreed that we should simply find a balance.  Perhaps only do leads and introductions every other meeting.

 Stephan Chilton admitted to being a little intimidated by all the experienced business owners in the group.  It has been hard to remember everyone's name.  He tries to sit in a different place each meeting so he can meet different members, help himself remember who everyone is and get to know them better.

Roman Okonowski encourages everyone to move around and sit in different places so that we can get to know each other better.

Paul Kavanaugh suggested having a greeter that could introduce new members to people that they might "fit" with, such as introducing a mover to the real estate agent in the group.  His daughter does this at church and it really helps people to fit in faster.

Dave Lathrop mentioned that the board has discussed bringing back name tags and setting them out so people will sit where their name tag is.

7-Minute Topics

Has anyone had to report Arizona use tax?

Greg Stewart  - I received a letter from the state informing me that, if I haven't already done so, I needs to make sure I am in compliance with the laws regarding use tax.  I feel this is the State's attempt to collect money any way they can because they need it.  The letter referenced internet purchases, computer equipment, supplies, etc.

Paul Kavanaugh - I was nailed for use tax on a leased fork lift.

Greg Stewart - They are obviously basing this on fear.  They are against anyone making purchases outside of Arizona.  As a franchisee, I do a great deal of this.

Roman Okonowski - We were audited for use tax a few years ago.  I didn't think we had exposure since we were in the service business.  They went back 3 years.  We ended up owing $16 in use tax and $90 in penalties because of the magazine/journal subscriptions we had.  Now Kathy keeps detailed records of anything we don't pay sales tax on.

Greg Stewart - Who's got time to track this?

Bob Bush - It is my understanding that you just have to make sure you pay sales tax on everything you buy...and be able to prove that you did.

Chuck Hultstrand - I handled an appeal for a small business owner with a use tax suit.  The suit involved a purchase by a franchisee from the parent company for resell.   To my recollection, anything purchased out-of-state has exposure.

How do you handle it when a client dies and you have no contract?

Althea Bussert - I had this happen to a client a few years ago.  The client was diagnosed with cancer and died 2-weeks later.  Luckily her ex-husband did pay the balances.

Jim Bache - I can answer that!  You become a creditor of the estate.  Send your bills to the survivor or last known address.  The spouse is usually the one that handles it.  Your bill becomes a claim.  You have a right to open probate and have a personal representative assigned.  But you must be aware of the timeframes involved.  If probate is unsuccessful, you can recover your claim from non-probate property.  Also remember it is probably a community death and the spouse becomes responsible.  You have a verbal contract.  The proof is in your notes, your invoices, etc.  Some items may be more difficult to prove such as agreed upon terms but if you normally follow the same terms with every business transaction, than this will not be a problem either.  This would be your testimony.  The burden of proof lies on the other party.

George Booth -  We have similar issues in real estate law.  If a buyer dies you can't do much about it.  But if a seller dies, the buyer still has the right to continue if they are approaching the close date.

How has e-commerce and the internet affected your business?

George Booth - I have heard many "woe is me" tales because of the internet affecting businesses.  In real estate we welcome it.  People get an idea to buy something or for a service and then when they can't find what they want online, they come to me.  People see pictures of houses on the internet and want me to show them the property. 

Andy Jensen - My industry originally feared the internet and how online trading would affect us.  But is has actually become very helpful to us.  People can go online and get answers to basic questions which has relieved the call volume.

Dave Spiess - I hear complaints about the internet all the time.  It reminds me of when PCs first came out and people couldn't see the use of them in business.  It has helped our bottom line.  It opens up opportunities to people and prompts emails and phone calls.  You can never eliminate the person-to-person contact.  It is great for research.  People get the basic information online, so when they call you, you can have an intelligent conversation.   My suggestion is to jump on the band wagon because it is not going away.

Gus Dekavallas - It has eliminated a lot of paperwork for us and clients too.  They can complete the forms online and get their check faster.

Jean Batt - For us it has been a good thing.  Our business is very visual.  People can see the difference in our product/service online.  They no longer call and just ask the price.

Carole Weishaar - It is an incredible tool for us.  I can send reservations via email.  "Tire Kickers" can do their own research and get ideas online but then they come to someone like me to book it because they want service and accountability.

Sandro Menasci - It all depends on your needs.  I fixed a leaking pump myself by looking up the part online.

Arizona is looking at a statewide smoking ban.  Any thoughts on the subject?

David Lathrop - As a nonsmoker, I enjoy going to a place that is smoke free.  But I also believe that business owners should be able to run their businesses as they see fit.

Adam Dekavallas - People are pushing their preferences.

Chris Curran - If you go into a bar and they handed out revolvers, you would have a problem with it.  I am a smoker, but I don't have a problem with the ban.  In the realm of public health I think the government should step in.  I also agree that problems arise when laws are different from municipality to municipality.  I think it should be a statewide ban.

Denver Johnson - A main reason to have a government is for the protection of its constituents.  They should protect people from being hurt/poisoned.  I have a father-in-law that grew and sold tobacco.  We had issues.

Phil Passante - I see it from two sides.  I don't have the government working on my industry but I do have the insurance companies cutting into my profits each year.  But I don't mind if they step in from a safety standpoint.  In fact, it is appreciated.

Adam Dekavallas - Businesses are supported by people.  They don't need the government to tell them what to do.  Alcohol can kill too.