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February 2012 Newsletter
March Networking Event
Tuesday, March 6 at 7:30 a.m.
Please note morning event
Joule co-working space
1200 Washington Ave. S
Minneapolis
651.492.8761
http://cojoule.com
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday at member
businesses around the Twin Cities. Nonmembers are welcome to attend up to three events. Members are encouraged to bring guest attendees at any time. No RSVP required.
Annual Meeting Networking Event
Wednesday, March 14 at 6 p.m.
Warners' Stellian Headquarters
550 Atwater Circle
St. Paul
warnersstellian.com
Stay tuned for program information and announcement of special guests.
Letter From the President
As we approach our 2012 annual meeting, I remain confident of our current path and hopeful for the future of our alliance.
Our board of directors is unified and focused on directives in support of our mission. Committees are creating more membership value and building awareness of what we are and why we matter. Mary Hamel and I have made our reservations to attend the 2012 annual AMIBA conference scheduled for late March in Louisville. I hope you decide to attend our annual meeting March 14 to spend time with fellow members, listen to updates from our committee members and cast your vote to decide who will lead us moving forward. Invitations for the annual meeting should be in your mailbox in about a week.
Jeff Warner, Warners' Stellian
MetroIBA president
Increase in 2012 Member Dues
After several months of discussion, the board voted to increase business and nonprofit membership dues from $125 to $150.
Our annual dues have remained at $125 for more than three years. During this time the value of membership has greatly increased and raising the fee will enable us to reach all of our goals for 2012. The rate for citizen members will remain at $50.
Donations in any amount are always appreciated and can be tendered online at www.buylocaltwincities.com or mailed to:
MetroIBA
2190 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Committee Updates
Join our Education Committee! Help plan our Spring Educational Event on Succession Planning in Your Family Business. Contact Mary Hamel at mary@metroiba.org.
The Policy Committee is on the move! Our new database, generously donated by thedatabank, has given us the capability to send out Action Alerts to our membership. This means that in addition to sending out a membership wide emails, we can link to your area's elected official's contact information. Our first Action Alert will be coming out soon on the E Fairness Bill, which has been gaining steam and support from both parties.
MetroIBA members engaged in a lively discussion about the Marriage Amendment at a Policy Caucus held on Feb. 13. Addressing the group were Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families; Ann Kaner-Roth, executive director of Project 515; and State Sen. Scott Dibble
.
Minnesotans United is soliciting business community support in opposition to the amendment through an initiative called Businesses United for All Families, which includes marketing exposure for participants.
Nearly 80 of our members had already responded to a survey distributed by The Policy Committee. The caucus was an opportunity to share the preliminary results and additional feedback was solicited. The survey and the policy caucus discussion will guide any position that the committee may develop at its next meeting on March 7.
Members who have not yet responded to the survey are encouraged to do so by Feb 17. Results will be shared with our members.
Public Policy Committee members are participating in a new business initiative on Health Care Reform being organized by Physicians for a National Health Plan-Minnesota. Heidi Pliam, a member of our committee, is chairing the first meeting of this group that will be held March 1.
Our Marketing Committee continues to grow, which is a good thing because we have a LOT on our agenda for 2012. Thanks to Tim Medenwaldt of Metro Payroll, Alan Evans of FirstTech and Loren Schriber of Castle Building and Remodeling for joining to participate in creating new signage and brochure and planning our July retail promotion, Celebrate Your Independents.
Spotlight On A Sustaining Member
Sustaining member thedatabank was founded in 1998, through the vision of its two founders, Chris Hanson (MetroIBA board member) and Mark Paquette. Their mission was to create positive social change through technology. They have succeeded by providing high-performance, easy-to-use, affordable software solutions to nonprofit organizations engaged in making the world a better place.
Thedatabank's web-based nonprofit software is uniquely designed to help each of its clients develop and sustain long-term relationships with supporters. By providing a database-driven suite of integrated software modules, thedatabank can create an affordable, effective relationship management and communications system specific to each organization's needs.
Thedatabank has provided software to more than 1300 organizations nationwide, with a large client base in Minnesota.
"We support the work of MetroIBA and are honored to be in the company of other like-minded independent businesses."
-Founder, Chris Hanson
To learn more, visit www.thedatabank.com.
Congratulations to MetroIBA Members
Every year, St. Paul’s district councils nominate members of their area for the Neighborhood Honor Roll. This year, two MetroIBA member businesses were given this honor.
Tom Bielenberg and Hans Weyandt, co-owners of Micawber’s Books, “run one of the most neighborly small businesses in the Twin Cities,” according to the council. Every year the owners hold a book sale to benefit the local elementary school. Bielenberg and Weyandt represent the ideal independent neighborhood business owners: committed to personal service and being good neighbors.
And just down the avenue, Tim Faacks and Tom Spreigl from Tim & Tom's Speedy Market have enthusiastically supported neighborhood events as well as held numerous events of their own. For many of the neighborhood’s young people, clerking at Tim and Tom’s is their first job. The Speedy Market provides a great selection of groceries, including local and organic products. Every neighborhood should be so lucky to have a Tim & Tom's Speedy Market.
And our resident revolutionary, Laura Zabel, executive director of Springboard For The Arts, was recognized in Minnesota Monthly magazine.
Dr. Charles Crutchfield, whose practice is located in Eagan, was named One of America’s Top Doctors by Castle. See Dr. Crutchfield on CNN discuss skin cancer risks. http://bit.ly/ytMb4R
Ingebretsen’s, celebrating 90 years as a family business on Lake Street, was featured in KFAI News.
And more indie bookstore news…A Huffington Post article mentioned Magers & Quinn in Uptown, citing its many reading events and unique collection of new and used publications. Read, "Independent Bookstores: How To Compete With Amazon."
And new member Corset Boutique & Personal Styling will be featured on KARE11 News @ 4 on Wednesday, Feb. 29 providing fashion tips on how to transition your winter wardrobe into spring.
Thank You Volunteers!
Michele Slifer - Website Content Editor
Julie Warner, Warners' Stellian - Newsletter Editor
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