The President's Desk 
                            by
                            Ron Sefcik

                                                                       January 2008
 
                                             Local Folks Serving The World
                                                      Hartford Michigan

Click on any blue underlined word or phrase to view more information about that topic.
        

I hope everyone had a happy Christmas and New Years.  It is said that all good things come to an end and, now... it's back to work.  No more holidays until Good Friday and Easter.  Because of the Christmas holiday r-u-s-h, the board decided to move our Annual Dinner Meeting to 6:00 p.m. on February 12^th at the Van Buren ISD Conference Center in Lawrence.  With it so close to Valentine^♥s Day, this would be a great time to take your sweetie out for a Valentine^♥s dinner.  Click here for a printable reservation with place, time, menu and speakers.  Bring your business cards and brochures to share with other Chamber business members.

Special Guest Speakers
♥ Chris Siebenmark, District Representative for Senator Ron Jelinek
♥ Yemi Aikenwale - progress report on the I-94 development project
♥ Ed Holland - update on the Hartford Community Center.

Please return the reservation form by January 31st to help us determine the correct number of dinners to purchase from the caterer. You may send a check with the registration form now or pay at the door. 

During our Annual Meeting, we will vote on the 2007 “Best in Wholesale-Retail, Service, Professional, Manufacturing or Food Processing” from Chamber member businesses.  In past years, ballots were mailed out, but we felt a better representation could be determined through a larger member turnout with voting during the annual meeting.  If you are unable to attend the annual meeting, click here for the Best in voting ballot and return it to us prior to the February 12th meeting.  Remember....your vote really does matter.

☼ Proposed changes of Article III of the Chamber Bylaws.  Changes are noted below in red and will be voted on during the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE III - Meetings

Section 1: Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the corporation, in compliance with State law, shall be held during December (February) of each year. The time and place shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and notice thereof mailed to each member at least ten (10) days before the said meeting.

Section 2: Selection and the Elections of the Directors.

A. Nominating Committee.

     At the regular October Board meeting, the President shall appoint, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, a Nominating Committee of three (3) members of the Chamber. The President shall designate the Chairman of the committee.

     Prior to the 2nd Tuesday in November (December), the Nominating Committee shall present to the President a slate of three (3) candidates to serve three-year terms replacing the directors whose regular terms are expiring. Each candidate must be an active member in good standing and must have agreed to accept the responsibility of a directorship. No Board member who has served two consecutive three-year terms is eligible for election for a third term. A period of one (1) year must lapse before eligibility is restored. (Delete last 2 sentences)

Section 4: Vacancies

A member of the Board of Directors who shall be absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall automatically be dropped from membership on the Board unless confined by illness or other absence approved by a majority vote of those voting at any meeting thereof. (Delete first sentence)  Vacancies on the Board of Directors, or among the officers, shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

☼ The Chamber Nomination Committee is please to nominate RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht, Shelia Darling, and Tammy Ackerman for your consideration to the Chamber Board.  These are three year terms that will be voted on during our Annual Meeting. 

☼ Thanks to all those who participated in the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Extravaganza, Shop Locally Campaign.  Our Chamber purchased $500 in gift certificates for merchandise or services from local Chamber businesses that were given away during a drawing on December 8th at the Christmas in the Park festivities.  Click here for a list of winners and slideshow of the events for that evening.   This was a successful campaign and is again planned for the next Christmas season. 

With gas prices so high, it pays to shop locally when you can.

☼ Planning for the 2008 Strawberry Festival is going well with our next meeting on Thursday, January 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at Hartford City Hall.  Can always use help and new ideas.

☼  A Winter Wonderland theme replaced our Fall Chamber signs.   Once again....an outstanding job by Sinclair Graphics, Larry Walter, Ron and Emma Sefcik for designing, creating, and installing the signs by Pioneer Cemetery and out by I-94.  Our Chamber is pleased to add this positive touch to our community.

☼  If you see anyone defacing our signs, as well as any sign or building, call 9-1-1, the Hartford Police at (269) 621-3225, or Van Buren Co. Sheriff's Department at (269) 657-3101.  Remember, the Chamber offers a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons vandalizing or unlawfully breaking into the premises of any member of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce (another good reason for joining the Chamber). 

☼  I'd like to welcome 3 new businesses ..... we are happy that you chose Hartford as your new home and look forward to working with you as active community and Chamber members.

• Doranne Green - A WODA Community.   A new housing community of 48 one and two story homes with 35 three bedroom and 14 four bedrooms located at 3 Hartford Blvd, just off of Main Street next to Pioneer Cemetery on the west side of Hartford.   Local phone number is (269) 621-3020.  Click here for a slideshow tour of the interior-exteriors for some of the homes - they're beautiful.   Welcome to Hartford, WODA Group . . . we're glad you're here!

• Progressive Employee Staffing Solutions LLC - owned by Yolanda Mendez - is a full-service staffing company offering full-time, part-time, and direct hire employee placement. Payroll services are offered and they also specialize in the placement of Bi-lingual employees. Several options for a storefront location in Hartford are currently being pursued.  Customers may contact via their website at www.proemployeestaffingsolutions.com, by phone (269) 621-5288 or click here to send Yolanda an email.   Welcome . . . thanks for bringing your services to Hartford!

• V-Force Auto Sales - Located in-between the railroad tracks and Mollie's Turn Around at 325 W. Main St in Hartford.  When shopping for good transportation . . . stop by and look at their inventory.  If they are closed and you are interested in a particular vehicle, call (269) 621-3555 or their Coloma site at (269) 468-6974 for assistance.  Our Chamber wishes to welcome you to the Hartford Community.

☼  Chamber yearly memberships expired on December 31, 2007.  If you haven't done so yet, please send in your renewal dues.  The Hartford Business Directory is being updated on our website with a CoC designation beside current Chamber member listings and for our updated Chamber brochure.  Click here for the updated membership list.  If your business name is not shown, we haven't received your 2008 renewal form and dues. This list is updated daily and your name will be added upon receipt of your dues.  For the board and myself, we thank you and hope you will continue to support the chamber. 

Send in your new or renewal membership payment today.  We’d be happy to renew your membership and always welcome new members.

$15.00 for individuals and $30.00 for businesses and organizations.
Click here for a Renewal - New Member Application

☼ Have a community event?  Chamber member(s) Local Events are listed for FREE on our website.  For non-Chamber member Local Events, email the webmaster for listing fee.  Click here to email details for Hartford or Chamber member events ONLY.

☼  Agenda for February 12, 2008 Annual Dinner-Meeting - to be distributed at the Annual Meeting.

 Important Dates To Remember 
► Thursday, January 17, 2008 - Strawberry Festival planning meeting, 7:00 p.m. at Hartford City Hall.
► Thursday, January 31, 2008 - Chamber Annual Dinner reservations due.
► Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - Chamber Annual Dinner at Van Buren ISD Conference Center in Lawrence.
► Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - Regular Chamber meeting - 12:00 NOON at Hartford City Hall.

View other Hartford events on our Local Events and Special Meetings and Announcements calendar - always online on our website at  www.hartfordmichigan.com OR www.hartfordmi.com.


Shop locally whenever you can . . . it's important for our businesses AND for your community!!

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