Bio Photos
For those that had photos taken last meeting, please go to: www.southwestportraits.com/gallery/mabe and email me your selection.  The cut-off will be next Friday and I will pick from there.  Thanks - Herb Stokes

Member Spotlight
This week's spotlight is Ryan Bohlander.  Please keep this member top of mind this week for referrals.

Next Week's Meeting
Jeopardy

Membership Update
Dave Lathrop spoke with Adam Dekavallas about the membership status of AnDek Financial.  He is no longer working with the company.  The board has decided to terminate the membership due to bylaw violations.  This will open up the category of "INSURANCE & INVESTMENTS".

However...Adam would like to rejoin MABE with the business he runs with his wife Nicole, Dance Effects Studios (sp?).   In accordance with our established membership process, members will have until Tuesday (3 business days) to make an objection or express concern.   This communication should be addressed with the board outside of the regular meeting (Email).  If there are no objections, Part 1 of the application will be completed (PDF or ONLINE).

Board Update
Andy Jensen, Dave Lathrop and Steve Chilton will be leaving the board.  Today we continued accepting nominations.  See updated nomination results below.

Nomination Update:

• (02/05/10) Erin Jaicks nominated Lin Schmelzer  The nomination was seconded.  The nominee will consider it. 
  Nominee has declined the nomination.

• (02/05/10) Don Ellis nominated Althea Bussert  The nomination was seconded.  The nominee will consider it. 
  Nominee has declined the nomination.
   

• (02/05/10) Roman Okonowski nominated Nick Mawrenko.  The nomination was seconded and accepted. 

• (02/05/10) Don Ellis nominated Janice Jaicks. The nomination was seconded. 

• (02/05/10) Dave Crissman nominated  Jake Ulrich  The nomination was seconded and accepted. 

• (02/05/10) Dave Lathrop nominated Guy Sawyer  The nomination was seconded and accepted. 

• (02/05/10) Andy Jensen nominated Joe Hesch  The nomination was seconded and accepted. 

• (02/19/10) Guy Sawyer nominated Denver Johnson.  The nomination was seconded and accepted. 

Note:  Carole Weishaar would like to be considered for nomination in 6 months.  She cannot accept the nomination right now due to her rehabilitation. 

Speeches and elections will take place next week.

Featured Program - Round Table Discussions
Today we held Round Table Discussions.  The topics presented were:

• Advertising (excluding social media): Media paper, postcards, etc.  What is good?  What isn't? 

• How do owners regularly stay in touch with their customers?  What works?  What doesn't?

• Negotiation best practices.

• Growth and expansion:  Has anyone considered a franchise?  Pros and cons.

• Employee compensation benefits:  Do you pay for training?  Health Insurance?

• The value of government small business assistance or trade organizations.

• Where do you see MABE one year from now?