President's Message
Whether you are for or against the war is not the issue. The fact that you are free to express your opinion without being tortured or killed is what makes this country great. On December 15, 1791 the ?Bill of Rights? was ratified and with it the first ten amendments to the constitution gave us the right to free speech and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, to name a few. Iraq?s people now freed from oppression are expressing their religious rights and demonstrating to be treated fairly by the government. No more than 30 days ago such demonstrations would never have occurred for fear of being killed. Just give people a taste of freedom and they are ready to feast on it.
Last year the voters in Los Angeles had a unique opportunity to decide to form two new cities or stay together. Politicians made promises to us. They promised to improve our City. We need to make sure that these politicians keep their word. The decisions made by our local, state and federal elected officials affect us tremendously and if we do not watch our backs, unfortunately no one will. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights give us freedom but it is our votes and our voices that make that freedom happen. We have to get involved so that our voices are heard.
With the budget crisis it is now more important than ever to make sure that our elected officials are looking out for our best interests. By expressing our opinions, we can keep our communities safe. By getting involved in your communities, you can keep them from being changed into something you don?t want. We need to stop our politicians from taking away our rights for the betterment of a few wealthy individuals. Compromise is the road to success and vigorous discussions of the issues pave the road to that success.
The lure of a Chamber is that you have access to your local, state and federal elected officials. You have access to other members of the community from small business owners to bankers to community groups and everything in between. You can have your voice heard. You can increase your business opportunities. Get involved and speak your mind because it is here in the United States of American that you are free.
Welcome to Our Newest Members
The Board of Directors and Members of the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce welcomes our newest members. We are proud to have you among us.
Benefit Service Center, Inc.
Christine Drake
21943 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-678-0040 (phone) website:
www.bscinc.com
818-678-0030 (fax) email:
christy@bscinc.com
Benefit Administration
The Benefit Service Center Inc. (BSC) is your partner in Benefit Administration. Founded in 1991, we are a privately held company providing customized benefit administration of Health and Welfare plans for clients of all sizes. Services include enrollment/eligibility, premium reconciliation, toll-free hotline for plan participants, claim resolution assistance and COBRA.
Thank You Renewing Members for Your Continued Support
The strength of the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce lies with our membership. Renewing members are our greatest resource. Your support of the Chamber and its programs benefits all businesses as well as our community.
Antropy, Inc.
Computer Service
648-6597
BFI Waste Systems
Waste Management
883-6505
The Boeing Company
Aerospace Manufacturer
586-4252
Chatsworth United Methodist Church
Church
341-1270
Northridge Fashion Center
Retail Center
885-9700
Papa John?s
Restaurant
725-2600
VCA Labs, Inc.
Video Manufacturing, Distributing and Duplication
718-0202
Articles
Mardi Gra Night
by Ivy Weiss
?Mardi Gras,? a gala Monte Carlo Night , will be held Friday, June 27 at the Hilton Woodland Hills. The Chamber is presenting the evening to benefit Haven Hills. For 26 years, Haven Hills has provided services for over 80,000 women and children in the San Fernando Valley who were the victims of domestic violence.
Your admission price includes international dining and desserts, 23 gaming tables and amazing prizes and raffle opportunities. The night will be filled with winners, as prize packages will be handed out throughout the evening.
Tickets are $50.00
There are sponsorship opportunities that will get your business name out in front of 300 to 400 people from all over the Valley.
? Wheel or Craps Table + 2 tickets $350
? International Food Station sponsor + 2 tickets $350
? Black Jack or Specialty Card Game Table + 2 tickets $200
For only $25.00 a dealer will wear your business name on her/his shirt for the entire evening.
Sponsor opportunities are rich, but limited. Please check out the enclosed flyer and contact the Chamber in order to guarantee your name will be seen.
Invitations will be mailed out later this month. Or, you can look for the flyer in this issue and fill out the ?tear-off? portion now to ensure your space at the tables and/or a sponsorship.
Bring your lucky charm, your appetite and sense of fun and plan to visit the ?Mardi Gras? It?s a safe bet.
Give Back a Smile
Since its launch in 2002, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry?s (AACD) humanitarian program Give Back A Smile (GBAS) has a lot of people smiling. Dr. Bernie B. Villadiego of Chatsworth and other members of the AACD and dental laboratories have signed up for the program that restores the smiles of domestic violence survivors.
More than 650 AACD members from across the United States have volunteered their time and expertise to give domestic violence survivors a chance to erase the physical scars of their abusive past and the courage and self-confidence to heal the wounds of emotional abuse. An AACD member and a GBAS volunteer Dr. Bernie B. Villadiego has been practicing dentistry for 14 years and was looking for a program where he felt he would make a difference. Through this program Dr. Bernie Villadiego and his team have the ability to help restore the appearance and self esteem levels of those who have been abused. ?It is an opportunity to help someone rebuild their lives. I don?t mind the time I spend helping someone and the costs are minimal while the rewards are great,? says Dr. Villadiego.
How the program works:
Domestic violence survivors who have suffered dental injuries during a violent attack can call the Give Back A Smile national toll free number 800-773-GBAS (4227).
The survivor then undergoes screening sessions with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence staff and a local counselor.
Eligibility includes that the injury is to the front teeth and is a result of domestic violence from a spouse or significant other. Additionally, applicants must be out of the relationship for at least one year. If eligible, they are then referred to AACD?s Give Back A Smile program for a referral. The survivor is then referred to a local member dentist who makes the final determination of eligibility and, if approved, begins dental treatment.
For more information regarding the Give Back A Smile program, contact Dr. Bernie B. Villadiego in Chatsworth at 818-341-1345 or AACD?s Kristin Klinknerat 800-543-9220 or via e-mail at
givebackasmile@aacd.com. Survivors wishing to apply for the program should call the national hotline at 800-773-GBAS (4227).
Sales Opportunity
by Ivy Weiss
The Chamber is seeking to increase its sales force. We are looking for a dynamic self-starter who enjoys outside sales and meeting new people. The best candidates will have the ?gift of gab,? imagination, and good organizational skills. Hours are flexible. Contact the Chamber at 341-2428 or fax your resume to 818/341-4930. Pay commensurate with productivity.
Top Ten Reasons to Not Attend a Luncehon
10. You enjoy ?brown bagging? it.
9. You?re not interested in opportunity drawings and/or free stuff.
8. Who has time for camaraderie?
7. You?re not interested in hearing about your community.
6. You have no interest in meeting with elected officials and their
representatives.
5. You have all the business tax deductions you need.
4. You don?t care about free advertising for your business.
3. You have all the business contacts you can handle.
2. You don?t need any more business.
And the number 1 reason for NOT attending Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber luncheons?
1. Networking??Overrated.
2003 ?Happy Days? Business Expo
by Wendi Day, Bodywise International
Chair, Business Expo
It?s time!
One of the Chamber?s most fun and best networking events ? the 3rd Annual Business Expo is just around the corner. We will be bringing back the 50?s on Wednesday, May 28, at the Warner Center Marriott from 3:30pm to 7:30 pm.
We are excited that David Lopez, Tunes Entertainment, will be our MC and DJ for the Expo again this year. With the theme being ?Happy Days? you can bet there will be great music, good food, wonderful door prizes and lots of networking opportunities.
And, we hope the participating vendors will have fun with the theme. Decorate your table and yourself?poodle skirts, fuzzy dice, and ?DA? hairstyles will be the order of the day.
We have expanded the format this year to include all businesses ? home-based to large corporations. To be sure that all vendors have the chance to meet everyone that stops by, we will be having a ?Passport? again this year. All the businesses participating in the Expo will be listed in the passport and all the visitors must have a representative from each vendor sign their passport to be eligible for the grand prize drawing. We encourage the vendors to have drawings at their individual tables, as well. We are also offering sponsorship packages to give your business even more exposure prior to and during the event.
New members get a half table free, with only a minimal expenditure to secure the full table. Gee whiz, what a deal!
Jenny Gosselin, Jano Graphics, is enthusiastic about the event. ?This is better that a networking social, because we get to see what other businesses do, not just hear about it. It?s a far better way to put your name and business out there.?
Stephen Oliver, Chem-Dry Anytime, uses the Expo, as a favorite marketing tool. ?I was able to demonstrate how some of our products work, which you cannot do at a mixer. I definitely increased my business and name recognition after participating in the past two Expos.?
So, don?t be left out this year, we are close to enrollment deadline and the spaces are filling up. Applications are attached in the newsletter. Please call the Chamber office (341-2428) with any questions you may have.
Be there or be square!
