April
2010
L
eadership Lawrence Creates Synergy Between Citizens and Community
Survey Shows Graduates of the Chamber’s Leadership Lawrence Program Increase their Community Involvement Upon Completion of the Course
From left, Scott Criqui, Bill Bump, Jeanette Collier, Mike Bourneuf, Brian Edie and Jessie Kwatamdia work on a community project for Economic Development Day that took place on Thursday, February 18.
More than 85 percent of the Leadership Lawrence graduates reported an increase in their community involvement, according to a survey released in January of this year.
its direction. Leadership skill development, knowledge of the community and networking are seen as important components of the program.
Nearly half of respondents serve in a leadership role in community organizations and 76 percent are involved in some form of volunteer service. While 68 percent of the graduates are involved in political campaigns at the local, state or national level, the rest of the participants would or might consider running for elected office.
“Leadership Lawrence provided me the opportunity to match my passion and talents with a community need,” said Kevin Loos, the 2006 graduate who was appointed to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board shortly after completion of the program.
All respondents of the survey indicated participating in Leadership Lawrence was worthwhile for them personally. Overwhelmingly, graduates are supportive of the program and
Since its inception in 1982, the Chamber’s Leadership Lawrence program has developed more than 500 leaders in the community, exposing them to the inner workings of
Continued on page 4
T HE
PRES IDENT ’S
M E SSAGE
Back to School Last fall I was asked to apply for a slot in a leadership program that was being developed by the Kansas Leadership Center. This new program, called the “Community Collaboration Academy,” was being developed as a training format for community leaders to solve complex community issues. The Lawrence Chamber has had quite a bit of experience with the Kansas Leadership Center through our Leadership Lawrence program, and I have been very impressed with what they are accomplishing across the state. In December I received notification that I had been accepted into the program along with 22 others from across the state. What I didn’t know was that the program was eleven days long. It required a large amount of reading prior to the first class. Moreover, I had to write up a case study project that I would utilize throughout the program. When I heard about the workload, my first reaction was to ask myself what I had gotten myself into. How was I going to be gone from the office for 5 days one week and 3 days for two other weeks attending classes from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day? I felt like I was going back to graduate school. I also questioned whether I even wanted to engage in such a lengthy process. I asked myself, after 30 plus years of work experience, what I could really learn from this class that actually might be helpful in my job at the Chamber? Nevertheless, I was committed. So off I went on Monday March 8th–back to school. It was obvious from the first hour that this was unlike any other training program that I had ever participated in. The format had no real structure and the instructors, who were a combination of Kansas Leadership folks and KU Public Management professionals, were more interested in having the class members engage in the process than in passing any knowledge onto us. Almost every time a participant asked a faculty member a question they responded with “Well, that’s a good question. What do you think the answer is?” For the first 5 or 6 hours it was a pretty frustrating experience. I sat there trying to figure out what they were trying to accomplish by utilizing this method. When we came back from dinner on the first night and the room was set in a big circle I knew I was in trouble. The evening session was lead by a psychologist from Boulder and the purpose of the session was to talk about our feelings from the first afternoon. Oh my! I was now in a group therapy session with 23 people. However, as the evening progressed I began to notice that I was spending a lot more time reflecting on how I operated in my professional career and how some of my present thinking was actually limiting my ability to be successful at my job.
2
Tom Kern President& CEO
Day two began with a 30-minute group therapy session where we were asked to discuss what we were observing in ourselves after the first day. Needless to say, I was churning inside with this realization that my present thinking had been limiting my ability to do my best work. I expressed that to the group and found out pretty quickly that I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. The following three days went along in much the same fashion as the first two, and through each of them I came to new realizations about myself and my management style. I learned a great deal about the various components of the collaborative decisionmaking process and how it can be used to work with community leaders through discussing very difficult community issues. What I really came away with from this first week back in school is as follows: • Sometimes you really need to get away from your regular surroundings to learn something new. • My normal day is so fast paced that it actually took me a day or so to slow down and start to look inward at the questions that were being raised in this process. • I rarely take enough time to actually identify and really study an issue before I move to the solution phase. • I have never truly facilitated any group where I didn’t already have an outcome or place I wanted the group to end up at the finish. • There are a large variety of people that participate in community input processes and that you have to be sensitive to the fact that everyone sees each issue a little bit differently. • Sitting in class for 5 days and learning something new about both my work and myself wasn’t something to be dreaded, it was actually invigorating. The second phase of my training begins in early June and not surprisingly, I have some reading to do along with another written assignment. But this time my attitude is a bit different. I am looking forward to it.
Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
April 2010
N E WS & E V E N TS
Professional Moving & Storage to Host Business After Hours Mixer This month’s Business After Hours will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21 at Professional Moving & Storage, located at 3620 Thomas Ct. Locally owned and operated, Professional Moving & Storage, Inc. is a full service local and long distance moving and storage company with experience in relocating commercial offices and equipment. They are the largest mover in Lawrence and are committed to providing quality service. Come network with your fellow Chamber members and enjoy great refreshments! This event is free of charge and requires no reservations. Professional Moving & Storage is located on the east side of Lawrence, off K-10 and Franklin Road. For more information, visit their website at www.pmsmoving.com.
Take Our Membership Survey and Help Us Serve You Better! To make your membership with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce as valuable to you as possible, we kindly request that you fill out our online survey and provide us with feedback on your personal experiences and expectations. We recognize that your time is valuable and thus have made the survey easy to complete. Members who complete the survey and identify themselves in the space provided at the end of this survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Chamber gift certificate, redeemable at any of the Chamber member businesses. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential. Click here to take our survey! ALVAMAR GOLF COURSE 11:30 a.m.
make
your voice h e a r d 2010 Eggs & Issues Session III––Last & Most Important Session! This will be the final and most critical session of the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Series that will take place on Saturday, April 24. The week prior to the session, state legislators will receive the state budget figures that will determine what they have to do with budget planning for 2011 and 2012 and expenditures for the rest of fiscal 2010, and what it may mean for taxes for all Kansans. Come make your voice heard before legislators will cast their votes! The session will begin at 8 a.m. at Pachamama’s, 800 New Hampshire St. Tickets are $15. Click here to register. The invited legislators include Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence; Sen. Tom Holland, D-Lawrence; Sen. Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka; Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence; Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence; Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence; Rep. Ann Mah, D-Topeka; Rep. Tony Brown, D-Baldwin; and Rep. Anthony Brown, R-Eudora.
SIGN UP FOR THE 2010 START HERE GOLF TOURNAMENT – THE LAWRENCE CHAMBER’S GREATEST TRADITION!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER BY TUESDAY, MAY 3.
LOOK FOR THE GOLF TORN. BROCHURE/ REGISTRATION FORM IN YOUR MAILBOX OR CLICK HERE TO PRINT IT
The event is sponsored by AT&T, Black Hills Energy, Westar Energy, U.S. Bank, Lawrence Journal-World and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
3 785.865.4411 • lawrencechamber.com
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PIECE Class Studies Challenges Community Faced in 1970
Continued from page 1
Leadership Lawrence Creates Synergy Between Citizens and Community Lawrence and Douglas County. “Participants of Leadership Lawrence, their employers and the community as a whole greatly benefit from this program,” said Sue Hack, director of Leadership Lawrence. “Not only does it educate local business leaders about the societal and economic challenges facing the community today, the program also helps develop relationships with other professionals in the area.” The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce encourages members to apply for admission. The tuition is often paid by the participant’s employer or a financial sponsor, however there are a limited number of scholarships available. For more information, contact Sue Hack at 785-865-4411 or email her at shack@lawrencechamber.com.
From left, Katie Guyot, Adam Fales, London Koehn are working on a timeline for PIECE History Day that took place on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Students had a panel presentation from individuals who were in media and law enforcement industries as well as high school students during a challenging period that took place in 1970 in Lawrence.
Local Business Leaders Selected for 2010 Leadership Kansas Program Executive Director of Douglas County Community Foundation Charles Blaser along with Terrance Wilson, Director of Customer and Community Relations at Westar Energy and Nancy Jackson, Executive Director of Climate & Energy Project in Eudora were among 40 individuals out of 600 who were nominated to apply for Leadership Kansas, a Kansas Chamber-affiliated program.
U
PCOMING
04/08 Ribbon Cutting: Health Care Access Clinic 4:30 p.m., 330 Maine St. 04/09 Ribbon Cutting: Kansas City Sailing 4:30 p.m., 725 N. 2nd St. 04/15 New Member Reception 5-7 p.m., Landmark National Bank 4621 W. 6th St. 04/16 Ribbon Cutting: LHBA Spring Parade of Homes 11:30 a.m., Location TBA 04/21 Business After Hours Mixer 5-7 p.m., Professional Moving & Storage 3620 Thomas Court
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For online reservations, visit www.lawrencechamber.com
This nationally recognized program aims to develop and motivate future leaders. Leadership Kansas is entering its 32nd year of educating and motivating leaders from all four corners of the state. The program remains committed to its original mission to inspire persons to maintain involvement in the social, business and political fabric of Kansas communities.
E 04/22
VENTS
Ribbon Cutting: Dr. Kathy Gaumer, Lawrence OBGYN Satellite Office 4:30 p.m., Lawrence Health Plaza, 330 Arkansas St., Ste. 215
04/27 Ribbon Cutting: Curves 11:30 a.m., 601 Kasold, Ste. B 102 05/04 Ribbon Cutting: Kurt J. Goeser Insurance Agency 4:30 p.m., 1811 Wakarusa, Ste. 100 05/06 Ribbon Cutting: Dayton Security 4:30 p.m., Chamber Office, 734 Vermont St. 05/07 Start Here Golf Tournament 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Alvamar Public Golf Course, 1809 Crossgate Dr.
Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
BUSI N E SS SP OT L I GH T
April 2010
KU Continuing Education Aerospace Short Course Program Reaches an International Audience The program is now the world’s leader in aerospace engineering continuing education and has trained more than 27,000 engineers. Today, the program boasts a portfolio of more than 40 courses and employs more than 40 industry-renowned instructors. Courses are provided publicly in six locations nationwide each year in addition to company-specific onsite training around the world. Many attendees return to take a second or third class, citing the excellent quality of instruction and service that the program provides.
by Kim Hunsinger Asst. Program Director, Aerospace Short Course Program
International participants often tell staff members how grateful they are to have discovered KUCE Aerospace Short Courses and how valuable it has been to their professional development. European and Asian engineers do not have a comparable program in their respective areas so they attend courses in the United States. As a result, these participants returned and encouraged management to bring the training on-site to their companies in Europe and Asia. In the past three years alone, the program has presented courses in 16 countries in all regions of the world.
Everybody knows the two biggest names in the aerospace industry are The Boeing Company and Airbus, but not everybody knows that these two industry giants turn to The University of Kansas Aerospace Short Course program to provide professional continuing education to hundreds of their engineers. They are at the top of a long, impressive list of companies that work with KU for their training needs.
“KU’s Aerospace Short Course Program is an excellent example of a successful partnership between an academic institution and a global industry,” said Frederick Pawlicki, Executive Director of KU Continuing Education. “Drawing from an instructor portfolio of aerospace experts, we provide the latest research and highly specialized engineering training to industry professionals worldwide.”
The Aerospace Short Course program, headquartered in Lawrence, has an impressive 33-year history developing world-class training in partnership with KU’s School of Engineering. In 1977, KU aerospace engineering professor Dr. Jan Roskam was asked to train a group of professional engineers. Following that training, he realized what a valuable service KU could provide by offering professional development to aerospace engineers. Soon, more instructors came aboard and more classes were added. KU Continuing Education has managed the program for the past 30 years.
What does the future hold for this KUCE program? The program staff is dedicated to providing not only the best training possible, but the best experience and representation of KU as well. Next month, public courses will be presented in Singapore, and plans are underway to take public courses to Europe in 2011.
Gilbert Thompson takes a break with his class in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
KUCE is proud of its program, which displays the talents and accomplishments that the University has to offer.
Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. • Admission is free to all! • Get a glimpse of Turner Gill’s first squad • Hy-Vee Hawk Zone with inflatable games will begin at 11 a.m. • Park in Downtown Lawrence and take the free shuttle to the game and return to Mass Street for great food, live music, entertainment and shopping The game is sponsored by Downtown Lawrence Inc., the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Lawrence.
5 785.865.4411 • lawrencechamber.com
NE WS & E V ENTS
Guest Speaker Luncheon The Chamber’s Guest Speaker Luncheon with Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little of the University of Kansas took place on Tuesday, March 23.
Chancellor Gray-Little spoke to Chamber members about the importance of a close relationship between KU and Lawrence businesses. She reported that 17 active start-up companies have been formed as a result of KU faculty research. Further, the university brings in $200 million per year in federal grant dollars. She believes the success of higher education is directly related to the success of business and encouraged the business community to support KU’s efforts. The event was attended by more than 70 Chamber members. Thank you to Maceli’s for their continuing support.
6 Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
April 2010
M E MB ERS H I P
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ELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Avon Independent Sales Representative 868 E. 1259 Rd. Lawrence, KS 66047 Phone: 785-842-8464 www.youravon.com/lalmon Linda Almon lindaalmon@yahoo.com Bum Steer Catering 2040 W. 31st, G-182 Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785-841-7665 www.bumsteercatering.com Chris Lemmon bumsteercatering@yahoo.com Central Payment Corp 1225 A Rhode Island St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-840-9655 Fax: 785-840-9655 www.centralpaymentcorp.com Christina Clements crfclements1@lycos.com Corpus Christi Catholic Church 6001 Bob Billings Parkway Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 785-843-6286 Fax: 785-865-3933 www.corpuschristilks.org Father Mick Mulvany christi@corpuschristilks.org Custom Tree Care, Inc. 3722 SW Spring Creek Ln. Topeka, KS 66610 Phone: 785-478-9805 Fax: 785-478-4195 www.customtreecare.org Greg Gathers customtreecare@hotmail.com DPI 2901 Lakeview Rd. Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 785 841-8041 Fax: 785 841-6413 www.dpi.biz Greg Ward greg@documentproducts.com
Dayton Security, Inc. P.O. Box 1046 Lawrence, KS Phone: 785-550-1877 Fax: 620-653-4404 www.daytonsecuityinc.com Eric Dayton ericdayton@daytonsecurityinc.com
Local Burger 714 Vermont St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-856-7827 Fax: 785-856-2685 www.localburger.com Hilary Brown hilary@localburger.com
ERC Resource & Referral 846 Illinois St., Ste. D Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-357-5171 Fax: 785-357-1813 www.ercrefer.org Reva Wywadis reva@ercrefer.org
Mar Lan Construction 1008 New Hampshire St., Ste. 200 Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-749-2647 Fax: 785-749-9507 www.marlanconstruction.com Kevin Markley kevin@marlanconstruction.com
Five Guys 2040 B West 31st St. Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785-749-3400 Mike Richey torichey@gmail.com
Pryor Consulting 2220 Marvonne Road Lawrence, KS 66047 Phone: 785-764-6566 Fax: 785-841-3011 www.grandlifecoaching.com Jay Pryor jay.pryor@gmail.com
Fun & Games 830 Massachusetts St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-727-1486 Kyle Billings Fun&games@sunflower.com Jen’s House & Commercial Cleaning, LLC 1520 SW 41st St. Topeka, KS 66609 Phone: 785-832-2463 Fax: 785-286-2463 www.jenshousecleaning.com Jennifer Reed jens_cleaning@hughes.net Light Bulbs, Etc. Inc. 14821 W. 99th St. Lenexa, KS 66215 Phone: 913-894-9030 Fax: 913-894-9095 www.lightbulbsdirect.com Eric Neuteboom eric@lightbulbsdirect.com
Schendel Pest Services 2416 S. Ponderosa Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785-220-4664 Fax: 785-843-4766 www.schendelpest.com Garrett Counts garrett.counts@pestzero.com Seamless Data Systems, Inc. 123 W. 8th St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 620-343-8500 Fax: 620-343-8500 www.seamless.net Karen L Belford kbelford@seamlessdata.com Wakarusa Wellness Center 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Ste B Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 785-856-6030 Fax: 785-856-6031 www.wakarusawellnesscenter.com Dr. Scott Risley risley22@gmail.com
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785.865.4411 • lawrencechamber.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Past Chair Incoming Chair Treasurer
Matt Hoy, Stevens & Brand Bonnie Lowe, United States Attorney’s Office Cindy Yulich, Emprise Bank Doug Gaumer, INTRUST Bank
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
George Paley, Paley Properties/Caspian Group Delbert Phlipot, Amarr Garage Door Saralyn Reece Hardy, Spencer Museum of Art Steve Brown, Berry Plastics Trudy Rice, Rice Enterprises Brad Burnside, U.S Bank Linda Robinson, KU Center for Research Co-Vice Chair of Economic Development on Learning Terry Campbell, Barber Emerson John Ross, Laser Logic, Inc. Co-Vice Chair of Communications/ Co-Vice Chair of Communications/ Operations Operations Sheryle D’Amico, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Steve Schwada, Meadowbrook Apt. Dr. Rick Doll, USD 497 Superintendent Todd Thompson, Thompson, Ramsdell, Shannon Frost, Hallmark Cards, Inc. & Qualseth, P.A. Bill Fuerst, KU School of Business Allison Vance Moore, Grubb & Ellis|The Co-Vice Chair of Economic Development Winbury Group George Grieb, Lynn Electric, Inc. & Vice Chair of Membership Services Communications Debra Vignatelli Konzem, AT&T Rodger Henry, Lawrence Medical Plaza Vice Chair of Government and Tim Herndon, Landplan Engineering Community Affairs Frank Male, Lawrence Landscape Dr. Linda Sue Warner, Haskell Indian Mike McGrew, McGrew Real Estate Nations University President Jeffrey Morrison, Prairie Asset Management Group Keith Yehle, KU Chancellor’s Office The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce: (785) 865-4411
734 Vermont, Suite 101 Lawrence, KS 66044
STAFF Tom Kern, President & CEO tkern@lawrencechamber.com Beth Johnson, Vice President of Economic Development bjohnson@lawrencechamber.com Cathy Lewis, IOM Vice President of Membership clewis@lawrencechamber.com Sue Hack Executive Director, Leadership Lawrence shack@lawrencechamber.com Hank Booth, Government & Community Affairs Director hbooth@lawrencechamber.com Christy Bogner Accountant/Director of Operations cbogner@lawrencechamber.com Natasha Buller Marketing & Communications Manager nbuller@lawrencechamber.com Adam Handshy Project & Program Coordinator ahandshy@lawrencechamber.com Sandy Winstead Hadley, Administrative Asst., frontdesk@lawrencechamber.com Meredithe McCormick Member Sales Executive mereditheandgary@sunflower.com