It's always great to meet with members of other chambers and that is what the Carol Stream chamber will do on Wednesday, February 7th at the monthly luncheon.

Speaking on Business Disaster plans will be DuPage County Health Departments, George Tella. He will help us relax, knowing we can prepare our COOP -- Contingency of Operations Plan - - in case of a disaster of any kind.

Joining us will be the Glendale Heights and West Chicago chambers.

The luncheon will be from 11:30am until 1:00pm with five mini-exhibitors to visit. Be sure to bring business cards so you can participate in the drawings. CS Chamber members will have the chance to be one of four "Businesses of the Month" simply by attending and dropping a card.

RSVP by 2/6 and your lunch will be $20, or $25 after 5pm on the 6th. Walk-ins and visitors will be $25 Join us!

By now you have probably been contacted by Vaughan, Thain and Spencer and may have already ordered your ad for the 2007-2008 Business- Community Directory. Work is underway on this valuable publication and we need your help.

When you receive your email to double- check your contact/description information, please be sure to do so, in order to produce an accurate and up-to-date directory.

We thank John and Paulette at VTS for their outstanding efforts and look forward to the new book coming out late spring/early summer. Call the office today if you need more information on the directory.

Celebrating its 11th year, the Five Star Business Expo will be held at Indian Lakes Resort on Friday, February 16th, 2007. 120 companies will be exhibiting their businesses between 10:00 and 3:00pm, including 14 ever-popular Food Sponsors sampling their finest. It's a FREE event you won't want to miss attending.

Members of the Carol Stream Chamber, or one of the other four participating chambers - Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Addison or Glendale Heights only can participate.

Plan to attend and visit our businesses who will be exhibitors. Remember, only exhibitors can distribute information/brochures, etc. Business cards can be handed out.

Directly following will be a "Kick Back With Us" After Hours at 3:30pm in the Fireside Lounge.

This expo is something memorable that members who have visited it usually try not to miss it again. We hope to see you there. BRING BUSINESS CARDS!!!

Buffalo Bill Cody was born 2/26/1846. Why am I telling you this? What is the connection? Cody's Food and Fun on Main is the connection and the location of our February After Hours on Thursday, February 22nd from 5:30-7:30pm.

Rest assured that Mary and Steve Ahart along with Bill Cody Ahart and staff will 'do it right' as they host us for this event.

The food, decor and atmosphere is perfect for this Wild-West-themed bar and restaurant. Mary promises to have my favorite, mini-tacos, along with their signature Tequila Lime Wings and more.

After Hours are free to attend -- make sure you put it in your PDA and join us!

Have you ever felt the fear of being a victim of a violent crime? Please join us March 21st as we learn easy ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from violence. Officer Rich Garza from the Carol Stream Police Department will present a program on "Self Defense - Personal Safety for Women".

Join us on Wednesday, March 21 at Windsor Park Manor, 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream at 11:30am-1:30pm. Lunch will be provided by Windsor and will cost $20 for chamber members and $25 for visitors.

This special event is open to any resident of Carol Stream, anyone working at a Carol Stream business and all CS Chamber members. Men are welcome, too.

WHAT does an Ambassador do?
•Help with registration at luncheons and events
•Be a Greeter at events
•Attend Ribbon Cuttings and Open Houses
•Contact new members to welcome them
•Be a lunch buddy or ‘mentor’

HOW does this help?
•The chamber office – Assistance at busy events, help with retention
•The current chamber members – welcoming, assisting
•The Ambassador – Visibility and networking
•The new chamber members – feeling welcomed, introduced, ‘connected’ to members

WHO should be an Ambassador?
•A member of the Carol Stream Chamber
•Someone who has a flexible schedule who can attend ribbon cuttings
•A person who wants to help others
•Someone willing to ‘buddy-up’ with newer members
•A business member who wants a bit more visibility

Does this describe you? Contact the Chamber office if you are interested in being a Carol Stream Chamber Ambassador – (630) 665-3325. There will be an organizational meeting just before the February After Hours, Feb. 22 at 4:30pm @ Cody's, 2330 N. Main, Wheaton. Board Director Lea Jackman/WDSRA will be the chair for this exciting committee.

Take out a pen, open your calendar and mark that you are busy on Thursday, March 15th, because that is the day of the 2007 Chamber Reverse Raffle.

Held at the Holiday Inn from 5:30- 9:30pm, this fun-raising event will be 'the' event of the month. Raffle tickets sell for $100 each -- and there are only 200 of them so you have a great chance to win one of 101 prizes or THE GRAND PRIZE of $5,000. It will be a night to remember! Contact the chamber office or a board member if you want to purchase YOUR chance to win!

Super Star Sponsors are:
Advantage National Bank
Allied Waste Services
LaSalle Bank
ServiceMaster Restoration by VVV
Sunrise Chevrolet

The Expo Sponsors are:
Addison Independent Newspaper
Addison Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Ltd.
Allegra Print & Imaging
Anderson Digital Services
Balance Family Chiropractic
The Business Ledger
Daily Herald
Harris Bank
Liberty Suburban News - Press Publications
Midwest Bank & Trust
Massage Clinique, Inc.
Sign*A*Rama
Village of Addison
West Suburban Bank

THANK YOU, ALL, AND SEE YOU ON FEBRUARY 16TH AT THE FIVE STAR BUSINESS EXPO AT INDIAN LAKES RESORT!

The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for 5 director positions. A letter will soon be mailed to all chamber members.

The director’s term is for three years and requires attending and participating in monthly board meetings, chairing or assisting as a co-chair for a committee. In addition we require attending as many events and functions as possible and wholeheartedly supporting all Chamber activities.

If you are interested, contact the chamber office.

...Do you want to get the 'word out?' EBlasts are available for $40 Let us email your news to chamber members... ... ... Congratulations to chamber members Sue King & Char Danko/Picture This on Chocolate for their nominations for Carol Stream Citizen of the Year!! ... ... ... Deadline to get a flyer in the next newsletter is February 23rd. We need 400 flyers and $120 to put them in the March mailing, which will be mailed the first week of the month... ... ... Congratulations to our Executive Director, Luanne Triolo, on receiving an award -- Carol Stream Special Citizen of the Year!... ... ...July 24th is the Golf Outing date == Klein Creek in Winfield is the place!... ... Stay warm and..."let's be careful out there!"