One of the most requested changes to the MPBA has finally come... our new website!

Since changing our name from MPBPA to MPBA, we realized it was time to change our domain name and to take this opportunity to update our web offerings to members and guests alike.  We got quite a bit of feedback about this from members and believe everyone will be truly enthusiastic about the new website, which can be found at:

www.MyMPBA.com

(The old link - mpbpa.com - will also lead to this new site.)

Of particular note is the searchable Membership Directory.  You can search by business name, business type, or member first or last name.  Likewise, you can see all members in a single list.  There are links with each profile that will allow you to email the member or visit their website.

This particular feature of the website (a searchable database) was the most requested change and one we're proud to bring you.

Of course, this new database was built on the information contained in the previous website.  So we're asking members to take a moment and look up their listing in the directory.  If you are not there, if you need some information changed, if you'd like to add a photo or change your photo, please email Diane Pauldine by clicking here.  She will collect updates from members and then make them on a monthly or semi-monthly basis.  (So if your submitted change doesn't happen immediately, please be patient.  We will get to it asap.)

Coming soon to this new website will also be the ability to pay luncheon, event or membership fees via Paypal.  Also, we will launch on online forum that will allow members to communicate with one another on a wide variety of topics.

We welcome you to check out the new website and offer feedback.

Eric DeMoura was appointed to the position of Town Administrator on October 1, 2010 where he currently manages nine departments, 550 employees and a $66 million annual budget. Prior to his appointment as Town Administrator, Mr. DeMoura served as Deputy Town Administrator for four years, and as Deputy Director of Administrative Services for three years.
 
Prior to joining the Town of Mount Pleasant, Mr. DeMoura held the position of Deputy Mayor in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he assisted the mayor in the management of 30 city departments, 2,000 employees, and a $130 million budget. As Chief Advisor to the Mayor, he lobbied state and federal government to secure funding and improve education and aging infrastructure. He spearheaded the development and implementation of more than $100 million in infrastructure improvements and developed a financial plan that erased a $1 million deficit at the city's nursing home. Reforming budget processes, purchasing procedures and personnel policies defined the quality of his position in Taunton.

Additional experience included the position of County Manager of Caswell County, North Carolina, where Mr. DeMoura began his public service. Highlights included the management of 23 county departments, 250 employees and a $20 million budget.

Mr. DeMoura is a graduate of Clemson University. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and a M.P.A. in Public Administration. He also holds a City/County Administration Certification from the University of North Carolina.
 
He is a member of the International City/County Management Association and the South Carolina City and County Management Association.
 
Mr. DeMoura lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife Jamie, his daughter Cally and his son Cannon.

For more information, visit the Town of Mount Pleasant website.

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Welcome to the first newsletter of the New Year! I hope that we will see you at our first meeting of the year on Thursday, January 20th at the Holiday Inn.

January is always one of our highest attended meetings. To start off the year, our new Town Administrator, Eric DeMoura, will update us on the goals and plans for the future of Mt. Pleasant. I am looking forward to our continued partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant in 2011.

I would like to thank all of you who attended the second annual December "planning meeting." We had a lot of audience participation, for which I am truly grateful. My goal this year is to make sure that we add value to our members through our programs, and to promote utilizing our membership for our business needs. An important part of that is receiving feedback from our members on what would benefit them the most. Look for some exciting new additions that were discussed at this meeting and will be implemented throughout the year.

Let's be honest. The main reason people join organizations such as MPBA is to network with other professionals so they may gain referrals. Most who attend our luncheon are able to chat for about 15 to 20 minutes before the busy agenda takes over. Then they head back to their office and wonder why those referrals aren't coming their way. The truth is most of us would not refer a friend, family member or client to someone we don't know. John Carroll spoke to the Association in 2009 on "best practices" when attending a networking event. In 2010 we also had our second annual "mix-it-up" March, in which members and guest randomly drew table numbers as a way to foster networking with new people. It's easy to get in the habit of sitting with someone we know each month. One of the most popular events in 2010 was our Speed Networking Event.  Let's face it, if you want to get something out of the association, you need to be willing to put something into it. This year make it a point to meet and get to know new people.

Our luncheons are designed to educate our members on topics and issues that are important to them. That was evident by the great topic and speaker suggestions we heard in Decembers planning meeting. The agenda for the luncheons does not allow for more than 15 to 20 minutes at the beginning to get to know other members. So how do we change that? In 2009 we began quarterly "Member's Only Happy Hours". No agenda, no speaker, just an opportunity for our members to get to know each other. With that in mind, and with feedback from the participants of our planning meeting, we will plan to have monthly "Member's Only Happy Hours." Please feel free to submit your suggestions on locations 'East of the Cooper' to any board member. I personally look forward to getting to know each of you more.

Finally, I would like to thank our sponsors. Please take the time to visit their website, and if you get the opportunity, please thank them for their continued financial support of your Association. Our programs would not be possible without them! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact me or any board member, and don't forget to visit our website under "Membership Benefits" for more details.

That's it for now. I look forward to seeing you at next Thursday's meeting. And I look forward to a productive 2011 for MPBA.

Cheers to all!
Shawna Garris
MPBA President
Assistant Vice President for Tidelands Bank

Thur., Jan. 20 - 12 p.m. - MPBA Meeting, Holiday Inn

 ** Thur., Jan. 27 - 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
MPBA Members Only Happy Hour - drop in at Crave at Seaside Farms.  Appetizers provided.  Come and mingle with other members in an after-hours social setting.

Tues., Feb. 1 - 11:30 a.m. - MPBA Board meeting (Tidelands Bank)
 

SCORE to host seminars in January & February

SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, will host two educational seminars in January and February.

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, there will be a seminar on Small Business Financing, Understanding Financial Statements and Community Resources for financing.

On Wednesday, Jan. 19, the programs will continue with Legal Aspects of Business, The Business Plan and Marketing Your Business

On Thursday, Feb. 10, there will be a Quickbooks Seminar on using Quickbooks to manage your business. Cindy McGuckin of Trident Tech will be the speaker.

All of these seminars are available for a low cost and will be held at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, call SCORE at 727-4778 or visit www.score285.org.


Got a bit of news to share with the membership?   Keep it short and to the point and we'll be happy to include it in the next newsletter.

MPBA "Featured Member"

MPBA is proud to announce "Featured Member" as a new segment of our monthly Newsletter. (See below for the first one.)

The Featured Member will be given the opportunity to showcase themselves and their business in our next Newsletter. 

So how do you become a Featured Member?  Easy, It is a new addition to our Members-Only Drawing. Just attend the monthly luncheon and you will have the chance to become our next Featured Member!

A side note: Lots of prizes!

Another reason to attend meetings?  We will continue to give away $1000 in radio advertising from Clear Channel Communications as well as the coveted fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements. Also, this year, the Holiday Inn will be donating room nights as a prize for the member drawings. (And for January, they are also giving away two tickets to the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on January 30th at Boone Hall Plantation!

Lots to win!  Be sure to attend!


MPBA Member-to-Member Program

One of the great ideas that came out of the December Planning Meeting was an idea to promote members networking within our own membership. Since most of us wouldn't do business or refer a friend, family member or client to someone we don't know, the only way to overcome that is get to know each other.

Even for those members that have a hard time networking this will be an easy way to get started. As we get to know each other, our businesses will grow. It's not just about doing business with each other, it's about adding value to our own existing clients by being able to refer someone we know and trust that may fit their need.

Here is how it works:
Meet with other members of the Association. No agenda required. Have coffee, go to lunch, drop by their office, etc.

Go to MyMBPA.com and look for the "Member to Member" link (soon to be set up). Find your name and list your activity to be rewarded a point.  At the end of the year the person with the most points will get the following year's membership free!

This will be done on an honor system!
Points System
Member to Member Meeting    ..........................    1 Point
Attending Association Luncheon .....................    1 Point
Attending Association Sponsored Happy Hour .....    1 Point

Remember: This is a work in progress. We will continue to update you on this program as it is implemented.  Meantime, get to know the other members and do some business together!

Owners - John and Diane Pauldine
Phone: 884-9147
E-mail: Diane@itsamailthing.com; John@itsamailthing.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 113 Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
Website: www.GoDMC.com
Product or Service: Full service bulk mail and print shop; target marketing, mailing lists, graphic design, websites
Year founded locally: 1994

John and Diane Pauldine never dreamed that what began as a moonlighting venture in their home 15 years ago would turn into the successful business it is today.

A full service print and mail shop, Direct Marketers of Charleston can tailor the perfect bulk-mail marketing strategy for its clients, from start to finish. Under one roof, DMC offers marketing expertise, in-house graphic design, printing, customizable mailing lists and even website design.

The company prides itself on a can-do attitude and personable service. Those characteristics, along with consistent performance, have led to its success and steady growth over the past 16 years.

Direct Marketers of Charleston now has 10 employees, but it began in 1994 with John and Diane working in their home at night. The couple was working for Diane's parents, who at the time were the publishers of the Moultrie News. Looking for extra income, John and Diane jumped at the chance to assist a local business with its mailing campaign that targeted newcomers to the area.

After receiving a check for their work, John went to several banks to try to open a business account for a business that didn't technically exist.They then applied for a business license, purchased mailing permits and paid the postage for the job just completed.

"When it was all said and done, we had $12 left over, but we were in business," John said. "From that point on, we started creating relationships one customer at a time and buying equipment to fulfill their printing and mailing needs."

As the printing industry has evolved over the past 16 years, Direct Marketers of Charleston has changed its capabilities and products along with it. The company has installed digital printing equipment which enables them to be competitive in short run four-color work and also allows them to offer variable data printing.

"Our product mix is a combination of four different disciplines: marketing, graphics design, printing and bulk mailing services," John said. "Because we have expertise in those four disciplines, we help our customers navigate through one-to-one communications with their prospects and/or customers. We feel we can deliver a better product and customers have a better result."

For more on Direct Marketers of Charleston, click here!

For those of you who have become involved with the hottest social network out there - Facebook - you can now join the MPBA Facebook group. We intend to develop this as an adjunct to our website as a method to share information and communicate with one another.

Because it has been asked, be aware that joining our Facebook group does not automatically make other MPBPA Facebook members your friends. It's simply a way to keep up with the MPBPA.

Please join our Facebook group to network, stay informed and further extend the wonderful connections you've made at the meetings. Click the link below to go to our new page and contribute:

Click Here To Go To The MPBA Facebook Page

Get real-time information on business events (i.e., grand openings, and what's "coming soon"),
meeting notifications, and relevant project updates. Follow @mtpleasantbiz  for updates on all things business & everything Mount Pleasant.

Follow @mtpleasantbiz on Twitter for information & updates, and for direct questions, contact: Quin Stinchfield, Business Development Coordinator, via @ mpbiz@townofmountpleasant.com or 843.377.5365