Brochure Update
We have new inserts available for our brochures.  Please grab some.

Membership Update
Fred Vandervort brought in Jake Ulrich of M&I Bank as a guest today.  Jake is the branch manager.  He is interested in joining our group.  Part 1 of his application was submitted on July 21st.  The next step is to get part 2 of the membership application completed.  Once posted, members will have another 3 business days to make any objections.  If there are none, Jake will be invited to join our group.

Sandro Menasci would like to propose his nephew, Mark Menasci, as a new member.  Mark is a computer technician.  Part 1 of his application will be posted later today.  Members have 3 business days (close of business Wednesday, July 29) to make any objections.  If there are no objections the next step is to invite him as a guest and have part 2 of the application completed.

Getting Connected
Dave Lathrop talked briefly about how LinkedIn can help your business.  We have 25 members of MABE now LinkedIn.  However, several of those members have only one connection.   We have some discussions on LinkedIn that you can participate in.  You can also add your own discussion.  Get on and get connected...Its Free! 

MABE Challenge
Last week Dave requested that MABE members spend 15 minutes during the week focusing on a MABE item (setting up LinkedIn, thinking about meeting topics, etc.).  In continuing with this theme...If you are willing, please take on this challenge again this week.  At next Friday's meeting Dave may have members do some paired sharing.

Board Meeting Recap
One thing that came up is the possibility of the President's position being extended to a year.  This gives them time to achieve any agenda items/goals they may have during their term.  It would need to be approved.  This would also require a change in the bylaws.

In the bylaws we also have strict attendance rules.  The board decided that we need to honor the bylaws.  Oftentimes members will ask another member to pass along that they will miss a meeting.  This does not always get done.  Members are asked to email Melissa when they are going to be excused and she will reply with a confirmation that your excused absence is documented.  The bylaws state that you are allowed 6 absences each quarter of which 3 must be excused.  The board will evaluate attendance each quarter and address those in violation of the bylaws.

We would like members to give us a testimonial of their experience as a MABE member.  We will use them to create a marketing piece that we will make available to give to potential members.

Starting in October, the dues will be monthly.  They will be $60 per month.  You may continue to pay quarterly if you choose.

An Opportunity to Clear the Air
We have 36 sales people for us in this group.  Are you willing to open yourself up to request brutally honest feedback from them?  Can you handle constructive criticism?  This would be an opportunity to find out why they would or would not give you leads, etc.  It could be done via an anonymous survey.  If members want to do this we will work out the details of how to do it.

Featured Program - Sandro Menasci
A sleepy Sandro Menasci was our featured speaker this morning.  Family is important to Sandro.  He has been happily married for 38 years.  He has two sons that he is very proud of and several grandchildren that he enjoys.

Sandro works on cars.  He has been doing this since 1964.  His shop is family-oriented.  His employees treat customers like family.  They offer internet access to waiting customers which they really appreciate.  Business has picked up again.

At All Brands Auto they do things they way they should be done.  They recycle.  They also honor extended warranties.   Sandro makes sure they are always on top of current technologies.  He just spent $4K updating a system that track's a clients maintenance history. 

What is the most damaging thing for a your car?  The heat!  It ruins transmission, batteries, etc.  Sandro went over several maintenance items that people need to think about.  The one place you don't want to cut expenses is on maintenance of your car.  Walk around your car before you get into it.  Look for dings and leaks.  Make sure you use the gasoline recommended for your car.