MEETING MINUTES
Friday, August 15, 2008
Volume 15; Issue 29

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

There will be no meeting on Friday August 29th in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

On Friday September 19th Dan Sleezer will host our MABE meeting at his store.  Maddy's Pool Store is located at 81 West Guadalupe Road in Gilbert (SW corner of GIlbert & Guadalupe).
 

Speaker Coordinator Report
August 22 Open Meeting, Elections
August 29 Holiday
September 5 Barbara Kollman


Treasurer Report

The quarterly dues billing went out 6/1.  Please contact Melissa Matthews if you did not receive yours.


Leads Report

15-56, 10-42, 10-06, 06-13, 54-06, 21-34 (x2), 21-25, 17-57, 56-29, 07-15, 07-56,  


Social Report 

Only 8 people signed up for the D-Backs game so Erin La Grassa is not sure if we will still proceed.  If you signed up, please see her. 
 

Membership Report
There have been no objections to the application for Tim Crout so we will get part 2 of the membership application completed and invite him to our September 5th meeting.

Fred Vandervort is phasing out of his business and his son Dave is taking over.  Dave will also carryon the MABE membership for FastSigns.


Notable Mentions

Lisa Wolfe handed out the laminated OfficeMax Reconnect Cards this morning.  She is still working on getting a program setup with FedEx.

There was a board meeting this week.  A link to the minutes is available on the members only section.  Some items discussed...

  • Brochures - In an effort to buildup the website, the board has decided to forgo the printing of the brochures.  Member flyers would now be printed bi-annually.  Lin Schmelzer will begin working on a high-end referral card for the group.  [There were objections to the brochure printing change.  The board will have a telephone conference to address this concern.]
  • Updates - The board decided to bring in a camera to take member photos or members can submit their own or use a logo.  Members were asked to check the website and update their data.  Don't forget to check your address, category, email address. 
  • Access - The board would like to give people more access to this group.  Members are encourage to bring a guest.  Let them take a look at our group and meet the members.  MABE will pay for one guest per quarter.  Please avoid days with open meetings were membership items are discussed.
  • AR Report - We have $1200 in outstanding dues.  Barbara Kollman will contact those members that are behind by phone.
  • Location - We have renewed here through October.  We will continue to renew on a quarterly basis.  We need to find a place to meet on September 19th.  They won't have any space available here on that date.

Board Nominations
Barbara Kollman and Greg Stewart are going off the board along with Past President Nick Mawrenko.  New board members will be elected next week and the new board takes over on September 1st.  If you want to be a part of the decision-making process, join the board and make an impact.  The following people accepted their nominations:  Ralph Cunningham, Mike Whalen, Andy Jensen, Steve Chilton. 


Main Speaker - Althea Bussert

This is the only place I advertise.  It has been very successful.  This organization has been very important to me. 

I was born and raised in Garner,  Iowa.  I was very good in art.   I was brownie from grade school through high school.  We put on dances and gave back to our community.  I was involved in lots of activities including band, cheer, etc.  

I always entered art events and won.  That is how I came to make a profession out of it. I went to Mankato State in Minnesota.  I graduated with an Art degree.  Then I moved to Minneapolis.  My first job was an elementary school art consultant with two schools. 

I attended a wedding where I met my husband.  He stood up for the groom.  We spent the next day with each which quickly lead to a whirlwind romance.  We really only had one date before getting married.  38 years later we are still together. 

I moved here with my new husband and began teaching art. It was interesting. 

I quit when I had my daughter.  I started weaving at this time and ended doing commercial projects.  They would ask me about colors and other design suggestions.  So I moved in the direction of consulting.  I met an interior designer and she asked me to do overflow work for her.  I learned how to do scale drawings.  I got into doing model homes which I did not enjoy.  This all lead to AB Weaving Interiors.

Do you have any confusion about the "Weaving" in your name?  No.  My business is referrals.  So my name isn't that important.  I work out of my home and alone.  I have never had a desire to work at a luxurious office with other people.  I have never lost a job because I work out of my home.  As long as the get the result, they want they don't care about the rest.  I have not done any weaving lately but I am anxious to get my looms out of storage and get back to doing them.

The last 2-3 years have been wonderful for business.  The slow down this year has been a blessing as I have had time for personal things.   

My expertise has been color.  I can put all the elements and principles of design together.  I love going into older homes and redesigning them....Changing the flow...Adding storage.   I love construction.  Especially seeing that first sledge hammer hit the wall.  But the hardest thing for me has been working with a contractor and having them listen to me and not have such big egos.  My whole job depends on other people doing their job right.  And sometimes they don't.  That is the hardest part.

Althea has had many color blind clients....men!