January Chamber Link

CHAMBERLINK

January 2011

The Official Newsletter of the Lee's Summit Chamber

A Message from the 2011 Chair of the Board As Chair of the Chamber, it is a tremendous honor for me to serve our great community.

There has never been a more promising time in Lee’s Summit.

The community’s strong foundation, anchored by good schools, strong civic leaders and a generous and engaged business community make this an outstanding place to live and work.

The Chamber is committed to doing all it can to help maintain and improve this foundation in order to support a thriving business environment for all of our members.

As a Chamber member you have a multitude of opportunities to plug into the community, network and showcase your business through our many committees, task forces and events. The Chamber also provides informational and professional seminars, including Wake Up to Success, Recess for

Executive Committee

Diane Forte, Chair Elect Dean’s Trophies Shirts & Awards

Success and monthly luncheons, that can further assist you in reaching your personal and professional goals.

We are proud to be one of only four chambers in Missouri to have 4-star Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber continues to grow and succeed because of the support and involvement of our members, and for that I thank you all.

I wish you all a happy and successful 2011, Lynn Hinkle, Chair

Returning Board Members

Damond Boatwright, Treasurer, Lee’s Summit Medical Center

Mark Parrish, Chair Emeritus, Mo. Association of Trial Attorneys

Divisional Vice Chairs

Michael Blau, Farmers Insurance & Financial Services Carole Culbertson, Culbertson Properties Management, LLC Julie Doane, Missouri Central Credit Union Bob Glaser, Summit Bank of Kansas City

Jane Monroe, Gomer’s Fine Wine & Spirits Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi, All World Languages & Cultures Robert Pendland Debbie Starke, Eastland Community Foundation Jeffrey Williams, Heritage Companies

New Board Members

Melinda Hadley-deBoer, Membership Development The Culture Coaches

Geoff Hill, Community Development, Aircraft Electronics Association.

Carolyn McKnight, Economic Development University of Central Missouri

John Beaudoin, Lee’s Summit Journal Bill Baird, Infinity Realty Vicky Cundiff, Turf’s UpWeed Man

Rodney McBride, John Knox Village Joe Stasi, Saint Luke’s East-Lee’s Summit Deborah Swank, KCP&L

Retiring Board Members

P 816-524-2424 F 816-524-5246 220 SE Main, Lee's Summit, MO 64063 lschamber.com lstourism.com Shop-LeesSummit.com

A special thanks to the retiring Board Members who gave many dedicated hours to the Chamber.

Matt Baird, Paradise Park, Inc. Becky Freetly-Graber, candid

Kurt Lutz, Hawthorn Bank marketing & communications Dan Rexroth, John Knox Village Alicia Ruhl, Design Pfile

We create opportunities for business success through networking, advocacy, and business and professional development.

2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Lynn Hinkle, Chair Great Southern Bank Diane Forte, Chair-Elect Dean’s Trophies, Shirts & Awards Damond Boatwright, Treasurer Lee’s Summit Medical Center Mark Parrish, Chair Emeritis Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys VICE CHAIRS Melinda Hadley-deBoer, Membership Development The Culture Coaches Geoff Hill, Community Development Aircraft Electronics Association Carolyn McKnight, Economic Development University of Central Missouri BOARD MEMBERS John Beaudoin Lee’s Summit Journal Bill Baird Infinity Realty Michael Blau Farmers Insurance & Financial Services Carole Culbertson Culbertson Properties Management, LLC Vicky Cundiff Turf’s Up-Weed Man Julie Doane Missouri Central Credit Union Bob Glaser Summit Bank of Kansas City Rodney McBride John Knox Village Jane Monroe Gomer’s Fine Wine & Spirits Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi All World Languages & Cultures Robert Pendland Debbie Starke Eastland Community Foundation Joe Stasi Saint Luke’s East-Lee’s Summit Deborah Swank Kansas City Power & Light Jeffrey Williams Heritage Companies EX-OFFICIO Steve Arbo City of Lee’s Summit Carl Chinnery, Legal Counsel Chinnery, Evans & Nail, PC Dr. Fred Grogan MCC-Longview Dr. David McGehee R-7 School District Mayor Randy Rhoads City of Lee’s Summit CHAMBER STAFF Nancy Bruns, President Mark Dickey, Vice President Gina Seibel, Director of Communications Chrissy Symes, Director of Special Events Cathy Young, Director of Member Services Kathy LeChien, Administrative Assistant Nedra Hoover, Bookkeeper Marilyn Pemberton, Part-time Assistant

Lee’s Summit Branding Committee Needs Your Feedback A community effort is underway to bring a consistent identity to the City through branding.

To accomplish this goal, the Lee’s Summit Branding Committee needs the community to tell us why Lee’s Summit is special by submitting responses at www.facebook. com/brandls. Be as creative as you’d: photos, drawings, poems and/or one minute videos. You may even request a presentation about branding to be given to your business or organization if you want to learn more about the process.

Your input is valuable and will aide in the the creation of a community brand strategy. Soon, an RFP will be issued to bring in professional assistance in creating the brand strategy.

The study will include a review of previous branding efforts and research, development of a conceptual brand image and corresponding slogans and/or taglines when appropriate. An implementation plan will also be prepared as part of the work.

The final product is projected to be completed by summer 2011.

Monthly Membership Breakfast • Jan. 21 Gamber Center • 4 SE Independence Ave • 7:30–9 a.m.

Our Community…Sunny Side Up! Celebrate the Positive at the January Chamber Breakfast as you hear updates by leaders from various companies and organizations within our community.

Reservations can be made online at lschamber.com under the Calendar of Events tab, or by calling 816-524-2424. Deadline is January 19 at 5 p.m. Registration is required.

Sponsored by Summit Bank of Kansas City

Strategic Planning for Businesses January 4, 2011 • 3:30–4:30 p.m. • John Knox Village, Manhattan Room Presenter: Patrick Geschwind - Patrick Geschwind & Associates Sponsor: The Fountains at Greenbriar Charting the course for success begins with an objective: critical analysis of our own strengths and weaknesses as professionals. Patrick will challenge you to admit that the low hanging fruit has been picked and future gains will come at considerable expense. He will demonstrate that paying the price for small gains may spell the difference between marginal success and quantum leaps of performance. This is a great session to kick-off 2011.

Register for this free seminar online at lschamber.com under the Calendar of Events tab.

Chamber to Award Four $1000 Scholarships to High School Seniors Each year the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce Education Committee awards $1000 scholarships to four high school seniors. One scholarship winner is selected from each of the three Lee’s Summit high schools, and one is selected from a school outside of the district. One of the applicant’s parents must be an employee of a Chamber member.

Applicants are evaluated based on the following criterion:

• A strong work ethic • A commitment to community involvement

• An endless pursuit of continued

growth and improvement in all facets of their lives

Interested students should have at least a 3.0 grade point average and submit a completed application no later than February 18, 2011. Applications can be found on lschamber.com.

Please contact Chrissy Symes with any questions, 816.524.2424 or csymes@lschamber.com.

Annual Dinner Set for Saturday, January 29 Mark your calendar for the Lee’s Summit Chamber event of the year and plan to join us for an eclectic evening featuring an auction, awards and the new Tablescape Design Challenge!

This year’s Annual Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, January 29 at 6 p.m. at The Pavilion at John Knox Village.

Don’t miss your chance to get involved with the event in one of the following ways: New this Year: Tablescape Design Challenge. This is your

opportunity to gain recognition for your business and show your creative side by providing centerpieces for one of the guest tables at the event. Guests will vote on their favorite tablescape at the event, and the designers of the winning table will receive a free Chamber publicity package! Participation is free-of-charge. Applications to enter the challenge can be found online at lschamber.com. The deadline to enter is Friday, January 7.

Donate to the Auction. If you would like to bring something to the table this year by donating an item for the auction, please contact Chrissy at csymes@lschamber.com. You can donate a product or service from your own business, or purchase an item from another member business and donate

that instead. By donating an item, you will not only receive recognition within the program and on the auction table, but you’ll be supporting the Chamber through this fundraiser. The deadline for contributions is Friday, January 21.

For additional information about any of these opportunities, contact Chrissy Symes at csymes@lschamber.com or 816-524-2424.

Formal invitations with reply cards will be mailed in January.

Thank You to Our Event Sponsor

Members Making Waves Local American Family Insurance Agent Wins J.D. Power and Associates Award.

James Koppang, an American Family Insurance agent in Lee’s Summit, has been recognized for Customer Satisfaction Excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates’ Distinguished

Insurance Agency Program.

“Customer service is more important than ever,” said Jack Salzwedel, American Family president and chief operation officer. “I’m proud that more American Family Insurance agents made the commitment to meeting the Distinguished Insurance Agency criteria

this year than in any of the program’s previous five years. That’s truly saying something about their commitment to meeting our customers’ needs.”

Koppang has been an agent for American Family since August of 2006. His office is located at 276 SW Blue Parkway.

Have news about you or your business that you would like to share?

Send press releases and photos for consideration to gseibel@lschamber.com

Recycling After the Holidays

RENEWALS Blackwell, Nill & Francois, D.D.S. Haub Studio, Inc. Edward Jones Investments – Thom Schlosser Jeffrey L. Harsch, D.P.M. Wal-Mart Longview Mansion, L.L.C. Wilshire at Lakewood Toni Tygart Real Estate Group, Inc. Lee’s Summit Masonic Hall M & I Bank Bartlett & West Horn Printing & Office Supply, Inc. On The Border Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church Park University – Independence Campus Toon Shop Anytime Fitness Culver’s of Lee’s Summit Olympic Lawn & Landscape, Inc. Studdard Relocation Services Farm Bureau Insurance-Wayne Burch, LUTCF, CLF Henry’s Antiques, Collectibles & Tea Room Morehead Agency, LLC Williams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock Architects Affordable Elegance Akira Spa & Salon, L.L.C. Continental Title Company Lytmos Group, Inc. Batteries Plus Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics The Fountains at Greenbriar Goodale Homes, Inc. The Kiernan Companies Constable Sanitation SipVine, Inc. Wellspring Ministries Benefit Brokers, L.L.C. Coldwater Control Service Company, Inc. The Custom Framer Fish Window Cleaning KC Sports Lodge Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc. Staybridge Suites Kansas City -Independence

37 36 32 26 26 22 14 13 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

The holidays can be such a great time of year with family gatherings, meals, and of course, gift giving. Now that the holidays are over, what should you do with all of your gift wrappings and decorations? Here are some suggestions for reducing your holiday waste: • Christmas Tree – if you used a real tree don’t forget that you can take it to the City’s yard waste facility for grinding into reusable mulch. If you used an artificial tree and no longer want to keep it, consider donating it to a local charitable organization for someone else to use.

• Gift Wrappings – Gifts are commonly packaged in cardboard, paperboard and plastic. These materials are all recyclable and accepted at the City’s drop-off recycling centers.

However, be aware tissue paper and most wrapping papers are not considered recyclable.

• Holiday Cards – Each year, more than two billion holiday cards are made, the majority of which end up in the trash. These cards are recyclable and accepted at the City’s drop-off recycling centers. They can also be reused for children’s craft projects.

• Holiday Decorations – If your old strand of lights are burnt out, don’t toss them out. They can be recycled at certain times of the year at Home Depot or various online companies like www.holidayLEDs.com. In addition, undesired tree ornaments or garland can be donated to charitable organizations for someone else to use.

by Kara Taylor, Environmental Coordinator – City of Lee’s Summit A service of the Chamber’s Business Sustainability Committee

Business After Hours • January 13 Join fellow Chamber members on January 13 for a Business After Hours at Home Video Studio of Lee’s Summit, 500 SW Third Street, from 4:30–6 p.m.

What is Business After Hours? BAH is a great way to end a busy work day with refreshments and the potential for new leads!

Attendance at these networking events averages 35 members, so it’s a good idea to bring business cards.

Register to attend this free event online at www.lschamber.com under the Calendar of Events tab.

The Lee’s Summit Chamber is calling for nominations for the 2011 Res In Motus Business of the Year Awards.

SUMM

RES IN 20 MOTUS Businesses of the Year CH

Res In Motus Small Business of the Year winners from the past five years are not eligible. Nominations must be returned to the Chamber office, 220

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SE Main Street, no later than January 28. Nominated companies will be notified mail. All 11 by nominations will remain confidential.

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The Chamber is recognizing five separate award categories that best represent Business in Motion: • Sanctimonia Award- Non-Profit/ Charitable. (Over 100 employees enter in Magnus Category) • Vegrandis Award- 5 or less full-time equivalent employees.

• Parvus Award- 6-15 full-time equivalent employees • Medius Award- 16-99 full-time equivalent employees • Magnus Award- over 100 full-time equivalent employees

Criteria for the Awards include: • Lee’s Summit Chamber member in good standing • Service to the community and to the Chamber • In business a minimum of three years • A commitment to good business practice • Prudent business management strategies • A history of good employee relations.

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Nominations Being Accepted for 2011 Res In Motus Awards

AMBER

Applications may be found online at www. lschamber.com. For more information contact Nancy Bruns at 816-524-2424 or nbruns@lschamber. com.

F R E E to th e p u bli c !

Schedule at a glance...

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7am - 5pm Exercise Swim (7am-10am), Open Swim (10am-5pm) Gym, Fitness Center, Indoor Track and Racquetball

ks & more!

Fitness Classes, Snac m, Gy en Op , im Sw FREE Open 7am - 3pm ing dical businesses includ m area hospitals & me , ng fili pro er nc FREE Screenings fro ca , try density, diabetes, podia blood pressure, bone & memory screening! ills sk tor mo , ns tio ina cc va flu n, sio muscle ten

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816.969.1500

www.lsparks.net

816.524.2424

www.lschamber.com

Chair Massage

8:30am Turbokick (Gym) 9am - 12pm Community Health Fair 9:30am Boot Camp (Gym) 11am - 12pm Meet KC Wolf 11:30am Zumba (Gym) & Zumbatomic (Aerobics Room)

Over 500 Pounds of Food Collected at Holiday Reception A very special thank you to all of our members who collectively donated more than $250 cash and over 500 pounds of food for Lee’s Summit Social Services at the Holiday Reception on December 1.

Each year the Chamber and Economic Development Council collect donations for the less fortunate at the event.

Once again the giving spirit of our members was evident.

The donations were delivered to Lee’s Summit Social Services and were very much appreciated. Thanks again to the generosity of our members.

Pictured is Social Services Executive Director, Geneva High (left) and Holiday Reception Chair, Rosalie Newkirk, HSMC Certified Public Accountants, PC (right).

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Country Creek Golf Club Teresa Schumaker 21601 EAST STATE ROUTE P PLEASANT HILL, MO 64080 (816) 540-5225 Fax: (816) 987-9938 E-mail: algrahamcc@yahoo.com www.countrycreekgolf.com Freeland Photography Mike Freeland 115 SOUTH MAIN STREET INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050 (816) 836-1192 E-mail: mike@freelandphotography.com www.freelandphotography.com Grider Home Group Reece & Nichols Realtors Rob Binney & Chris Grider 1153 NE RICE ROAD LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64086 (816) 554-5028 Fax: (816) 524-4665 E-mail: GriderHomeGroup@ReeceandNichols.com www.GriderHomeGroup.ReeceandNichols.com Lee’s Summit Jazzercise Kaye Lynn Acton 450 SW WARD ROAD LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64081 (816) 554-3322 E-mail: lsjazzercise@gmail.com www.jazzercise.com

Lee’s Summit Night with the Mavericks Friday, February 18, at 7:05 p.m.

Come watch the Missouri Mavericks take on the Rapid City Rush at the Independence Events Center!

Purchase tickets at the Chamber or through our online Calendar of Events at www.lschamber.com Rinkside Tickets - $21 (normally $26) or Terrace Tickets - $15 (normally $18) Contact Chrissy for more information, csymes@lschamber. com or 816-524-2424.

Lee’s Summit Deals Nicholas Kurucz 2108 SW BRITISH DRIVE LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64081 (816) 591-5571 E-mail: info@leessummitdeals.com www.leessummitdeals.com Lee’s Summit Lifestyle Magazine Steven Schowengerdt LENEXA, KS 66214 (913) 599-4300 E-mail: steven@lifestylepubs.com Liberty Orthopedic Associates, P.C. Sharol Carlson 2521 GLENN HENDREN DRIVE, SUITE 204 LIBERTY, MO 64068 (816) 781-6066 Fax: (816) 792-5130 E-mail: scarlson4@libertyorthopedics. com www.libertyorthopedics.com MetroMedia, Inc. Kathy Moore 4210 SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY SUITE 314A FAIRWAY, KS 66205 (913) 951-8440, ext 113 Fax: (913) 674-5379 E-mail: kmoore@metromediapublishers. com

Mission Electronics, Inc. Roxi Helphingstine 11450 W 79TH LENEXA, KS 66214 (913) 894-8480 Fax: (913) 894-8485 E-mail: roxi@missionelectronics.com www.missionelectronics.com Outback Steakhouse Joseph Robinson 1731 NE DOUGLAS STREET LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64086 (816) 246-7555 Fax: (816) 246-7588 E-mail: obs2652@outback.com www.outback.com Vemma Cindy Smith 2801 NW CHIPMAN ROAD LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64081 (816) 665-1525 E-mail: vervevemma@gmail.com www.EnergyYouNeed

For a complete list of members, visit www.lschamber.com

COURAGE: Lee’s Summit CARES Character Trait of the Month The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain with firmness; to act in accordance with one’s beliefs in spite of criticism.

• I believe that my organization is making a positive contribution to society.

• I am open to change in order to improve.

• I confront difficult issues with the appropriate persons involved.

• I trust people to make their own decisions.

• I take calculated risks in order to do my job effectively.

• I seek constructive feedback on my performance.

• I speak up when I perceive dishonest, unsafe or inappropriate behavior.

To learn more about the Lee’s Summit Community of Character initiative visit, www.lscharacter.org.

RIBBON CUTTING

Lee’s Summit Chamber members celebrated a ribbon cutting at Y.E.S! Kids Fitness located at 1251 NE Rice Road.

Celebrating the Dream through Service

Recognize a Teacher in a Special Way

Dr. Martin Luther King’s message of service is the focus of activities scheduled for the 14th annual celebration in Lee’s Summit.

Each year the Chamber’s Education Committee and the R-7 School District collaborate to recognize educational excellence. The Chamber and school district partner to honor 12 annual Excellence In Teaching Award recipients at an evening reception where the Teacher of the Year is announced.

Celebrating the Dream through Service is the theme of numerous community-wide activities that will begin on January 8 and conclude on January 17.

This year, the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce will be participating in two activities.

• The first involves building book shelves for the Langsford Boys Group Home. Call Mark Dickey at 816-524-2424 or email mdickey@lschamber. com if interested in this project.

• The second project is a partnership with the Chamber, City of Lee’s Summit and the United Way of Greater Kansas City. All three groups will host a training opportunity in preparation for the Chamber’s free tax preparation service at City Hall during the month of February. Call 816969-1013 for further details or to sign up for this project.

To view a complete list of service opportunities, visit www.cityofls.net.

This program is designed to focus on the role of the teacher and their overall dedication to service and excellence in the profession. Twelve teachers/counselors/library media specialists will be recognized by the Chamber with the Excellence In Teaching Award. Those among the 12 who are full-time classroom teachers will also be finalists in the R-7 Teacher of the Year program.

The Teacher of the Year is recognized as a representative of all the outstanding teachers in the district. The R-7 Teacher of the Year competes in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year program.

Consider nominating the individual who comes to mind when you think of the phrase ‘outstanding teacher’ for the Lee’s Summit Chamber Excellence In Teaching and the R-7 Teacher of the Year award. You may nominate your favorite Lee’s Summit R-7 teacher, library media specialist or guidance counselor by filling out an application available at www.lschamber.com.

The deadline for applications is February 4, 2011. Please note that nominees must have worked for five years or more in the R-7 School District. To find out if a nominee has at least five years experience in the district, please call 816-986-1017.

JANUARY 2011 CALENDAR January 4 • Noon, Membership Committee meeting, Depot • 3:30–4:30 p.m., Recess for Success, TOPIC: Strategic Planning for Businesses. PRESENTER: Patrick Geschwind, Patrick Geschwind & Associates SPONSOR: The Fountains at Greenbriar LOCATION: John Knox Village - Manhattan Room

Current Resident

January 5 • 8 a.m., Technology Committee meeting, Depot • Noon, Ambassador Committee meeting, Depot January 6 • 7:30 a.m., Health Care Committee meeting, TMC Lakewood • 8 a.m., Business Sustainability Committee meeting, Depot • 10 a.m., Ribbon Cutting- Primary Care Plus, 2741 NE McBaine Drive- Suite A January 8 • 9 a.m.–Noon, Community Health Fair & Legacy Park Birthday Bash, Legacy Park Community Center, 901 NE Bluestem Drive January 10 • 4 p.m., Annual Dinner Task Force meeting, Depot January 12 • Noon, Emerging Entrepreneurs Committee meeting, Depot January 13 • 7:30 a.m., Executive Committee meeting, Depot • 7:30 a.m., Visitors Council Committee meeting, Gamber Center, 4 SE Independence • 4:30–6 p.m., Business After Hours, Home Video Studio of Lee’s Summit, 500 SW Third Street January 14 • 1 p.m., Ribbon Cutting- Lee’s Summit Jazzercise, 450 SW Ward Road January 17 • Holiday- Chamber Office Closed January 19 • 8 a.m., Education Committee meeting, Steppin Out - The Studio, 750 NW Main Street • Noon, Board of Directors meeting, R-7 Administrative Office, 301 NE Tudor Road January 20 • 4:30–6 p.m., Chamber Young Professionals Networking Event, Morehead Agency, LLC, 519 SW Third Street, #C. (planning committee meets at 4 p.m.)

January 21 • 7:30 a.m., Monthly Membership Breakfast, PROGRAM: Sunny Side Up Breakfast. SPONSOR: Summit Bank of Kansas City. LOCATION: Gamber Center, 4 SE Independence Ave. January 25 • 11:30 a.m., Business Development Council meeting, Depot January 26 • Noon, Membership Committee meeting, Depot January 28 • 7:30 a.m., Governmental Relations Committee meeting, John Knox Village - Manhattan Room, Chipman Road & Jacob Drive January 29 • 6 p.m., Annual Dinner and Auction, The Pavilion at John Knox Village, 400 NW Murray Road

2011 PARTNERS GOLD

American Foodservice Great Southern Bank Humana Health Plans, Inc. Kansas City Power & Light

SILVER

Bank of Lee’s Summit Discover Vision Centers DVA Enterprises, Inc. First Community Bank HSMC Companies John Knox Village Lee’s Summit Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep Metcalf Bank Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Paradise Park, Inc. Saint Luke’s East – Lee’s Summit Summit Bank of Kansas City Truman Medical Center Lakewood University of Central Missouri

BRONZE

Allee & Company, CPA, LLC B Positively Promoting U, inc.

Dean's Trophies, Shirts & Awards Excel Bank KC Metro Insurance Agency Lee’s Summit Journal Lee’s Summit Nissan Missouri Central Credit Union Parker Swearngin, LLP Pfizer Animal Health STS-Summit Technical Solutions, LLC Technology Plus, Inc. The Wilson Group, Inc. Wal-Mart