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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Takers ultimately lose, but givers win forever. This is a rule the universe never breaks.”
Doulglas Larson, Bits and Pieces of Leadership, February 11
RON FRIESENHAHN BESSERUNG AWARDEE
New Braunfels native Ron Friesenhahn, a long-time member and catalyst for the New Braunfels Safe City Commission and New Braunfels-Comal County Crime Stoppers, was the recipient of the Chamber’s Besserung Award at the 92nd annual meeting and banquet held last Friday in the Civic/Convention Center. Friesenhahn’s leadership also helped establish the city’s Neighborhood Watch Program as well as the popular National Night Out Program. Friesenhahn is known as the voice of the Unicorns and does a televised sports show on the NBISD’s cable channel. Congratulations, Ron!
92ND BANQUET “POSITIVELY, NEW BRAUNFELS!”
The Chamber’s annual meeting and banquet last Friday evening was presented to a sellout crowd of nearly 900 at the Civic/Convention Center. Outgoing Chamber Chair of the Board Larry Hammonds served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening that included fast-paced awards ceremonies, a keynote by Clint Swindall of Verbalocity, the unveiling of a new community video, a $500 cash drawing and the announcement of the Besserung Award. Attendees also had the opportunity to attend the “after-party” in the ballroom with entertainment and refreshments provided. The Chamber thanks the many generous sponsors that made the evening possible that included a commemorative coin memento for each attendee. New Braunfels is off to a “positive” start in 2011!
BANQUET KEYNOTER MESSAGE:
Clint Swindall of Verbalocity was the keynote speaker at the banquet. Swindall gave tips to attendees on how to live positively, utilizing personal leadership. He recommended keeping an eye on what’s working and to stop being right all the time. The common greeting of, “How are you doing?” will be replaced by Chamber members in 2011 with, “Tell me something good!” For more on Swindall and his company go to www.clintswindall.com .
RAY BENSON TEXAN OF THE YEAR
Asleep at the Wheel founder, recording artist, producer and playwright Ray Benson was named the 2011 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference last Friday morning at a news conference at Gruene Hall. Benson will be presented with the award March 24 at a special reception in his honor at the Civic/Convention Center. Benson was selected for his advocacy of health for aging musicians as well as his volunteer work with multiple foundations. Benson was nominated for the award on November 3 by the late State Representative Edmund Kuempel, the night before Kuempel died. The half-day conference on March 25 will be dedicated to Kuempel. Information on registration and tickets for both the Texan of the Year Reception on March 24 and the half-day legislative conference on March 25 are available at www.txlegislativeconference.com . For more information on the press conference visit http://kgnb.am/news/ray-benson-texan-of-the-year .
DEALINE FRIDAY FOR LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE SPONSORS
The best value for an organization or business at the 45th Texas Legislative Conference is the Associate Sponsorship level. Associate Sponsors receive four tickets to the Texan of the Year Reception on March 24 featuring Texan of the Year Ray Benson and the half-day legislative conference on March 25. Associate Sponsors will also receive brochure credit in the conference brochure if conference organizers receive a commitment by this Friday. Members of the Conference Arrangements Committee are contacting previous Associate Sponsors for their support, and at press time over 70 had been confirmed. Other sponsorship levels in this year’s event are sold out.
CHAMBER MAGAZINE, MEMBERSHIP CARD IN THE MAIL
If you were unable to attend the 92nd annual meeting and banquet of your Chamber, don’t worry about missing out on getting the annual magazine; it’s in the mail to you! Also in the packet is a business after hours “mixer” schedule for 2011 along with your membership card to gain entry to Chamber “mixers” this year. Plus, a listing of the Chamber Board of Directors as well as Chamber staff members.
CHAMBER – COMAL ISD TO PARTNER ON TRUANCY INITIATIVES
The Chamber’s Business Education Partnership Committee is working with local schools, students, parents and the local judicial system in improving the attendance rate of students with low or poor attendance. The Juvenile Probation Department and law enforcement has also been an integral part of this project to date. The pilot program will be launched at Canyon Middle School soon. An on-campus court will begin February 7. County Court At Law Judge Charles Stephens, the catalyst for the project, will be at CMS every Monday to meet with students who have a truancy issue. The Chamber’s Truancy Initiative was awarded the top educational program in the state by the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives last November.
WALKING ACROSS AMERICA VET IN NEW BRAUNFELS TOMORROW
New Braunfels will welcome Army Veteran Troy Yocum tomorrow at 2:15 pm in the parking lot of the New Braunfels Marketplace. Yocum started his walk on behalf of veteran issues in Louisville, Kentucky last April with plans to raise $5 million for the Wish Upon A Hero and Soldiers Angels non-profit organizations to help military troops in difficult times. A formal send-off ceremony is planned for Yocum at the National Guard Armory on Wednesday. Go to http://drumhike.com/ and troy@followtroy.com for more information.
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