ATTENDANCE: 22 present

Meeting called to order 8:15 a.m.

April Groves, President, announced the new board members:

New Business

Back to the Basics 2008 – WBA will have educational meetings once per quarter. The surveys that were returned listed networking and business growth as the two largest reasons for joining WBA.

Bylaw update – Michelle Englehart will be updating the bylaws.

Night meetings – Evening meetings will have a fee of $35.00 for members, $40.00 for non-members, $45.00 at the door.

Charity – Members need to nominate a new charity for 2008. Please submit all nominations to Wendy Maxwell for the agenda at the February meeting. Members on the agenda for a charity will be given two minutes to present the charity to the group. A new charity will be voted for in March.

Laura Evans asked members to invite potential new members to the meetings.

Member benefits - April Groves will be adding an additional page to the website. This page will be for members who wish to offer a discount to other members. Please submit any discounts you would like to offer to April.

Membership cards – Michelle will be working on a laminated membership card for each member.

Website – Please check the website to make sure your listing has only the information you would like listed.

Agenda – Please submit to Wendy and item you would like on the agenda by Friday before the meeting.

Meeting Location Schedule:

January Host, Clyde Usher – Clyde offers training for public speaking, employee training, and management supervision. She will be participating in a program named Rising Stars for underprivileged children ages 8-13. This will be a 10-14 week course or even a week day camp. She will be looking for sponsors. A sponsorship will cost $200-$300 per child and several sponsors could divide the cost a sponsorship.

Member Announcements

Julie Hales – Richmond Hill Magazine – Julie has profiled a WBA member in each issue. All members are invited to the annual party on January 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jack Hyde’s on Belfast Keller. The magazine will be offering a 10% discount on advertisements for the next issue.

Laura Evans suggested working with the Chamber on the Business Expo.

Toastmasters will be meeting at Magnolia Manor on Monday, January 14th at 8:30 a.m. It is a great way to practice and improve public speaking skills.

Shirley Rowe – Rowe photography is offering a service for deployed new dads. New mothers may bring in the baby and Rowe Photography will do a disc of photos to be mailed to the fathers. There is no charge for the service and it should only take 15-20 minutes.

Laura Evans – Edward Jones – Lunch at Beef O Brady’s, January 15th at 12:00. There will be a representative from the Social Security Administration to answer questions. There is no charge, but please RSVP to Laura at 756-5113.

Bryan County News – please send any business news to April for consideration. This could be a new hire, biography, etc.

Usbourne Books – Naomi announced she is being considered for the Savannah Book Festival.

Meeting adjourned 9:00 a.m.