It is the Season for Giving Thanks.  With the upcoming holiday it seems appropriate to think of all the things we are thankful for.  It goes without say that we are thankful for our families, our health, even our employment in such a tight economy.  Taking the “thankful” theme and coupling it with our previous theme of the many values of our ALA membership, our Business Partners come to mind.  The relationships we have with our Business Partners not only provide members with discounts for both services, and products, their continued support is what allows our Chapter to offer monthly educational luncheons in addition to our educational retreats which provide continuous professional development opportunities.  Going beyond our local Chapter, Business Partner support assists ALA National with our annual and regional conferences.

This is a perfect time of year to reach out and thank the Business Partners you have relationships with.  Perhaps “take them” to lunch, or send them a personal note thanking them for their ongoing business relationship.  Not all of our members are in a position to make purchasing decisions and that’s fine.  Those members can still have strong professional relationships.  They can assist the Business Partners with scheduling appointments to meet with the manager in their firm that does make the purchasing decisions.  In fact, you would be surprised at how far a discussion with a vendor can take you.  You may have a idea that would help their business, or even refer them to another firm or company that would be beneficial to them, perhaps even a new market area for them.  I encourage all of you to take the time to personally reach out to our Business Partners and thank them for their continued support.  Have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you, for your continued support and dedication to the Chapter.

Chapter members participated again this year in the Climb for Life Event, benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  The event was held on Saturday, September 17th at the World Marriott Center in Orlando.

2011 Holiday Chairty:  Our Chapter is proud to support the Aspire Charter Academy as our Holiday Charity this year.  Our very own Sharon Owen serves on the board of the Aspire Charter Academy, an Orange County Public Charter School in Orlando. 

Aspire was founded to serve children in grades K-2 who have emotional and/or behavioral difficulities.  These children are bright, with average or above average intelligence and will sit for the FCAT exam.  They want to do well in school, but their emotional needs oftern dominate their behavior, thereby making them unable to focus and participate in "typcial" classroom settings.  Many of the children who attend Asprie come from disadvantaged areas of Orlando and have experienced tremendous difficulties in their neighborhood schools.

Aspire needs our help to continue its mission.  The allocation of funds received by Aspire from Orange County Public Schools is not enough to provide the level of attention their students need.  Unlike a typical public schhol, they must pay for all forms of facilities and liability insurance, transportation and teacher benefits with funds provided by grants and private donations.

How can we help?  The Chapter will be donating 100% of our holiday luncheon fees to Aspire!  We can also support this program by asking our member firms to donate (through a jeans day or otherwise) much needed funds and/or supplies.  Supplies can include: school supplies, snacks, back packs, and winter coats (for 5-8 yr. olds).

For more information, contact Lorrie Bearden.

Deron Jewitt, CLM - Killgore, Pearlman, Stamp, Ornstein & Squires, P.A.

Marie Colon - Littler Mendelson, P.C.

Lillian Maher - deBeaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris & Neal, L.L.P.

Diana deLuna - Paul & Perkins, P.A.

Claudia Baker - Darden

Getting to know you Debbie Eubanks!

1.  Where is your hometown?  Parma, Ohio which is just outside of Cleveland.

2.   What was your first job?   Sales Associate at Stride Rite shoes.  A year of shoving shoes onto the feet of babies and little kids kept me from wanting to have children of my own for another 10 years after I left that job.

3. What would be your dream job?   Something outdoors, involving water and recreation. 

4.  If you could have any 3 people over for dinner (dead or alive), who would they be?   Benjamin Franklin, Marilyn Monroe and Robin Williams

5. If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?   Morocco.  It seems so exotic and mysterious.

6. What is the name of the book you are currently reading?   Just finished reading The Help.  Great book and was pleasantly surprised that the movie was just as good. 

7. Words you live by?  Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!
Audrey Hepburn

8. Who is/has been the most influential person in your life?  My first boss in a real "office", Pat O'Donoghue.  He and his wife Tommie are like my second set of parents.  They took me under their wings and taught me so much.  But mostly they believed in me and gave me a lot of responsibility at the young age of 18.   At an age when I could have gone in another direction they were there to steer me down the right path. 

9. What is your favorite color?  Purple.

10. What is your favorite food/meal?  Anything with cheese.

ALA Honors New CLMs

Congratulations to Carol Joyner for her CLM accomplishment and distinction!  Way to go!

Calling all volunteers!

It's that time of year to form this year's Nominating Committee for next year's board.  We need two members to volunteer to serve on the nominating committee.  If you are interested, please contact Kim Novak.

We are not stopping there!  This is your opportunity to get involved!  Participating in a leadership position or Committee Chair is very rewarding way to utilize your skills, and benefit your Chapter and Firm!  If you are interested in serving in an officer or committee chair position, please contact Kim Novak.  You will be glad you did!

CFCALA Membership Renewal

A reminder to keep in mind ALA and CFCALA annual member dues when preparing your budgets for next year (if you haven't already completed that process!).  The Chapter will again offer the pre-paid luncheon option, where you can prepare for your all the monthly luncheons with your renewal dues - and SAVE!

Regional News

Region 2 Conference - Charlotte, NC

November 3 - 5, 2011

The Westin Charlotte

National News

2012 ALA Annual Conference & Expo - Honolulu, Hawaii

April 22 - 26, 2012