Sheffield / Second Chance Fashion Show
Friday August 15th 7PM at Sheffield Family Life Center the City Union Mission's Second Chance thrift store will be presenting a fashion show. This is a chance to actually see some of the high quality low cost clothing sold at the Second Chance thrift stores. Learn about the fun and excitement happening at Sheffield with programs such as kick boxing, career development, gourmet cooking, youth, singles groups, and activities for people of all ages. Free gifts, opportunities to buy the clothes you see, a raffle, after show reception, GREAT music, and much more planned for this unique evening. Sheffield is located at 5700 Winner RD Kansas City Missouri 64127 816-241-4831.
Models. We need models. We are looking for models of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors for this show. Have you always wanted to walk down the run way? Call Rick at the Second Chance store if you are interested in modeling, 816-483-7484.

Who: The Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce will host two presentations for small business owners and not-for-profits featuring consultant Dodie Jacobi and Missouri Bank’s Julie Nelson Meers.  Each lunch presentation begins at noon, and will allow time for questions.  Members and non-members are encouraged to attend one or both sessions for cumulative benefit. See specific topics for dates and locations.
1st in the series: this is being made possible with assistance from LISC. . Fax or e-mail in your reservation by Monday noon 08-25-08 nekcchamber@aol.com.
When: Tuesday August 26, 2008.  Noon to 1:30 PM
Where: The Urban League of Kansas City 1710 Paseo, KCMO 64108
Workshop & Luncheon fee: $20 with RSVP by noon August 25.  $30 at the door
Lunch: Deli box lunch, choice of Meat or Veggie
Workshop topic:  Conversational Finance, The Basic Vocabulary of Financial Statements
Business owners needn’t be fluent in the language of finance, but knowing how to speak basic finance-ese is imperative for owners who want to grow their business.  Julie joins Dodie to teach you how to speak the financial statement equivalent of “where’s the baggage claim?” so you can converse clearly with your bookkeeper, accountant, or banker.  Learn the language of financial statements, and you can read valuable details about your business even without a professional translator!
Bios of the two presenters are included here.

     Dodie Jacobi Management Consultant

Dodie has a 25-year career creating marketing and growth strategies with entrepreneurial ventures.  She has consulted with more than 75 companies from sundry industries - from start-up sole proprietor, to “Mom & Pop” shop owners, and multi-million-dollar-funded gazelles.  She is a three-time entrepreneur and co-founded three not-for-profit organizations.  Dodie also helped develop business plans for several entrepreneurship support programs funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.  Currently, Dodie consults with small businesses in the for- and not-for-profit sectors, teaches courses for small business owners at Missouri Bank, and is a frequently quoted media source.  Dodie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University.  She lives in Hyde Park with dogs Tilly, George, and Maddie, and can frequently be found in KCK riding horse Sami.

Julie Nelson Meers Senior Vice President, Missouri Bank.  Growing up the daughter of a community banker in a small town in central Kansas, Julie discovered her interest in banking and small business at an early age.  Julie spent 8 years working with regional banks, Commerce Bank and Mark Twain Bank, as a middle market commercial lender, before joining Missouri Bank in 1996 as a commercial lender.  She quickly developed a reputation as an advocate and financial educator for small business, particularly for those in the creative industry.  Today Julie serves as Senior Vice President with responsibilities in both Commercial Banking and Marketing, and serves as part of the bank’s Executive Management Committee. She also co-owns Meers Advertising with her husband Sam Meers.  Julie has served on numerous boards and committees and is a frequent guest speaker on a range of entrepreneurial, banking, and financial topics. Julie graduated from the University of Kansas in 1988 with a degree in Business. She lives in Brookside Missouri with her husband Sam, daughter Katherine, and Golden Retriever Boulder. 

Government Relations Committee - Beginning in September, members will have an opportunity to see their elected officials monthly as the Chamber's Government Relations Committee, chaired by Scott Wagner, will meet on the first Friday of the month at 8AM for coffee and discussion.  The location is still to be determined but the Chamber hopes you'll take this opportunity to be in front of our elected officials. Contact Scott Wagner 816-756-7272.

“New Tools” City Program and Celebration
Community leaders and the Mayor have met to hold a Kick-off event on Saturday Sept 6, 2008. 6 pm to Midnight.  The evening will include a bus tour, by invitation only, through the area. Following the tour, a celebration that is free to the public will be held at the Concourse Park.  The festival will include music, food vendors, fun and games. 

The purpose of the tour and celebration is to provide leaders an opportunity to see up close and personal an area of town that is in need of “New Tools” to help redevelop, revitalize and restore itself to a vibrant and vital part of KC.  Additionally, the festival will provide an opportunity for the residents and businesses owners of NE a sense of community and pride. Please consider helping support this one day event with a sponsorship or participating with a vender booth. You may fill out the enclosed form or contact Jennifer Leon with The Main Event at 816-795-6616 with questions or to discuss this further. You can also contact  Mayor Mark Funkhouser about sponsoring the event at 816-513-3500.