June 22, 2015

OUR SPONSOR THIS WEEK:

SCORE ROUNDTABLE IN BARTOW COMING UP


MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FREE to Business Owners and those interested in starting a business, on the second Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Chamber: The popular SCORE Roundtable for businesses! Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month as we explore various topics of interest to our members. Chamber Business Roundtable is brought to you through the partnership between SCORE, Polk County SBA Center and the Chamber. To register, go to www.bartowchamber.com, or you may click here.

NEXT ROUNDTABLE: People to People Networking

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

ELECTRICAL - CONTRACTORS
Aveco, Inc.

Miss Rachel Lawrence
730 Creative Dr., Suite 7
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 225-5912
website
Join Date:05/15/2015

COMMUNITY ACTION & HUMAN SERVICES
Neighbor To Family

Ms. Heather Monteath, MA
1350 E. Main St., Suite A6
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7712
website
Join Date:05/29/2015

RESTAURANT
JK'S Cafe

Mr. Todd L. Sapulski, Sr.
211 1st Ave., NW
Mulberry, FL 33860
(863) 775-8224
Join Date:06/22/2015

SMALL BUSINESS HELP IS ON ITS WAY

SBDC Is Available At
Chamber On July 9

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, assists existing and emerging businesses in Polk County, through no-cost confidential business consulting, and low-cost training. Consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety of business topics, including: marketing, business certification, capital access, market diversification, developing strategic business plans, export services, and web optimization. A consultant will be at the Chamber on July 9, 2015 and available to Chamber Businesses. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bartowchamber.com and follow the links on the home page, or call (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.

CHAMBER EVENTS & MEETINGS

JUNE
Now-July 21, every Tuesday
Biz Kids Program

Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 a.m.
Professional Development Academy
Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center

Thursday, June 25, 9:00 a.m.
Neighbor To Family Ribbon-cutting
1350 E. Main St., Suite A6, Bartow

COMMITTEE OF 100 RESUMES IN AUGUST

The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, August 14, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old Hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at (863) 533-4196.

CLICK FOR A LIST OF MEMBERS

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sharon Casey, President
    Community Southern Bank
Myrtice Young, Immediate Past President
    Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Jennifer Hall, President-elect, Vice President
    SEMCO Construction
Gail Smith, Treasurer
    Community Southern Bank
Emily Spath Clark, Vice President
    Spath Jewelers
Clint Edwards, Vice President
    Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Rob Clancey, Vice President
    Polk State College
Carole McKenzie, Vice President
    Polk County Farm Bureau
Shannon Medley, Vice President
    Florida Industrial and Phosphate
    Research Institute


DIRECTORS
David Carmichael

    Boswell & Dunlap, LLP
Lennon Jordan
    Madrid Engineering Group
Jeremy M. Katzmann, MD
    Watson Clinic
Jeff Kincart
    A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure
J.C. Martin
    Kelley Buick GMC
Phil Minden
    Bartow Regional Medical Center
Callie Neslund
    Mosaic
Josh Palmer
    Palmer Insurance Agency, Inc.
Freda Ridgway
    Mosaic
Carlos Sandoval
    Bartow Ford Company
David Sandow
    Spherion Staffing
Anita Stasiak
    CenterState Bank
Lea Ann Thomas
    Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Valerie Tillmon
    Citizens Bank & Trust

SUPPORT YOUR ADVERTISERS




















WANT YOUR COMPANY
LISTED HERE?
Contact Barbara@bartowchamber.com

CLASSIFIEDS

$25 per run (up to 35 words), call 533-7125 or email Virginia.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE
perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.

REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE

Reserve your space now in the Fall Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 20,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information.

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

    We find ourselves getting complacent at times, and desensitized to struggles and tribulations that others face. We think, (probably unconsciously), that we're glad it didn't happen to us.
     But, last week's shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, built in 1891, one of the oldest AME Churches in America, did happen to us, ALL OF US.
     I followed the story: the horror of the crime scene seemed surreal juxtaposed to the circle of men outside the church, holding hands and praying for the victims and their families that night. And I thought, it boils down to good and evil. That night, evil triumphed.
     I appreciate our Community so much. We have one of the oldest churches in Florida in our own hometown, the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church. On June 25, a community vigil will be held to pray for the nine victims' families at our AME. I intend to keep Bartow and its churches in my prayers in the future. We need protection. The shooting could happen anywhere in America. Even here. The lessons are many we can learn from this. I hope to see you at St. James.
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015

TRAVEL WITH THE CHAMBER!



We have two very exciting Chamber trips coming up:

NEW YORK CITY HOLIDAY
November 30 - December 4, 2015

(Deadline: June 23, 2015. Reservations made after this date are subject to availability)
and
DISCOVER TUSCANY
April 14 - April 23, 2016

Call Linda Holcomb, 533-7125, for more information!

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: Kelley Buick GMC

Kelley Buick GMC Staff, Kyle Davis, Patty Currier and J.C. Martin along with Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson (third from left), proudly display the Chamber's Business of the Month banner at the dealership located at 255 W. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow. For more information, call 863-440-5025.

Business of the Month of June is . . .
Kelley Buick GMC
At Kelley Buick GMC, the motto is: "Do whatever it takes to earn your business," and at the dealership the staff would like to show you that they are committed to putting the customer first. You won't find high pressure sales people, just friendly, reliable and knowledgeable staff who will help you find what you're looking for in a used or new car, truck or SUV. The used car section can't be beat, and the  every vehicle is inspected before it goes on the lot to ensure it meets the high standards of the award-winning Bartow dealership, Kelley Buick GMC.
BTW, JC Martin wants you to know, "We would like to offer 5% off on your service bill when you take a Buick test drive." COOL DEAL!

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

30 YEARS
Peace Valley Enterprize, Inc.
First Methodist School, Inc.


10 YEARS
Bartow Christian Books & Gifts

5 YEARS
Boring Business Systems, Inc.
Evolve Professional Landscape Management, LLC
Norman & Furlong Financial Group, Inc.

INTO THE JUNGLE OF CONFLICT

Professional Development Academy:
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP EVENT
INTO THE JUNGLE OF CONFLICT

Presented by J. Lenora Bresler, J.D., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, ASC.

Although people tend to avoid conflict, research indicates that conflict can actually be helpful when it is handled correctly, especially when the focus remains on the task at hand rather than interpersonal differences.

Conflict is a lot like the jungle: it is a place of potential danger and consequences, but also a place of discovery and healing. Success in conflict, as in the jungle, depends on preparedness and having the right resources at one’s disposal.

In this fascinating interactive program, participants explore the four default conflict styles and practice approaches that maximize success. In conflict resolution, an individual must adapt his or her approach to the circumstances. Using a collaborative learning approach, participants work through personal conflicts to prepare for confrontational discussions. They master a simple formula for opening a conversation in a way that will not put a recipient on the defensive, and identify aspects that can escalate conflict.

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center/
Polk State Corporate College Auditorium
310 Technology Drive, Bartow, FL
Cost: $39.00 Per Person


SIGN UP HERE.

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BARTOW RETAIL ACADEMY DATES CHANGE


BARTOW RETAIL ACADEMY TO TEACH
MARKETING & SALES TACTICS TO BUSINESSES

      Polk County business owners are invited to learn new marketing and sales tactics for their small businesses at the Bartow Retail Academy, beginning July 21 at DMAR Business Center, 300 East Summerlin Street, Bartow. The Academy, presented by Main Street Bartow, Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Florida Small Business Development Center at University of South Florida, will include four seminars for just $120. The seminars take place June July 21, 23, 28 & 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
      Businesses in the Bartow CRA District qualify for a scholarship and can register by calling Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508 or Greater Bartow Chamber at 863-533-7125.

read more...

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION SET


FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION COMING UP

Theme: FREEDOM FOREVER
Saturday, July 4, 2015

     Want to be a contributor and help Bartow celebrate July 4th?
     Bartow's 4th of July Committee's Chair, Frank Rouse, urges everyone to help defray the cost of Bartow's 2015 4th of July Celebration. "Your financial and personal contribution will guarantee a successful 4th of July Celebration. And we want to you be sure to come out and enjoy the festivities. Invite your friends and neighbors to Bartow's July 4th celebration," Rouse said.
     The celebration will begin with a patriotic concert from the Bartow Adult Concert Band, at the Bartow Civic Center from 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is free and seats are first come, first served.
     The 4th of July Extravaganza is set from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Mosaic Park. This event features live music, food vendors, games, and much more.
     And, at 9:30 p.m., it's time for the big event: the fireworks display.
     "The celebration is a reminder that we live in a nation dedicated to freedom, liberty and justice. It is only right and proper that we should honor our "America the Beautiful," as well as our military on July 4th," Rouse noted.
     If you would like to contribute, send a check made payable to:
Bartow's Fourth of July Committee
680 E. Main St., Suite 201
Bartow, FL 33830
     Checks may also be dropped off at the Chamber

MEMBER MICRONEWS


OUR COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER
AT AME PRAYER VIGIL

A community prayer vigil is set for June 25, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. James AME Church in Bartow, it was announced today. The vigil is to pray for the healing of the families who lost loved ones in the shooting in Charleston, SC last week.
Victims were: Susie Jackson, 87; Daniel Simmons, Sr., 74; Ethel Lance, 70; Myra Thiompson, 59; Cynthia Hurd, 54; DePayne Middleton, 49; Rev. Sharonda Singleton, 45; Clementa Pinckney, 41 and Tywanza Sanders, 26. St. James AME is located at 795 S. Fourth Avenue in Bartow.

CHARITY GOLF TOURNEY
TO BENEFIT SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

Tindale Oliver's first annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Summerfield Crossings and Golf Club on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from noon until 5 p.m. For more information, contact Scott Michael, 813-224-8862, Ext. 1245 or
Andrea Sauvageot, 813-224-8862, Ext. 1282

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Newsletter1 - June 22, 2015