A Note from the Founder: CBN-USA Membership - It’s What You Make It!

Do you feel like you are getting a good value for your membership dollars? Whether you joined for good Christian fellowship, advice and council from fellow believers in the marketplace, or to grow your business through good old-fashioned networking, the Christian Business Network will meet your needs to a degree commensurate with your level of effort. Just as a college degree is not awarded for just showing up to class, benefits from your membership will not occur by just showing up at a meeting once a month.

No matter what your primary objective may be, an effort must be made to get to know your fellow members beyond one brief conversation each month. There is an abundance of knowledge and God-given talent among your fellow members, and I believe God fully desires us all to use these talents and knowledge to benefit fellow believers. My prayer is that you will take your relationships with a few fellow CBN-USA members to the next level by sharing a meal, scheduling a phone conversation, or setting a more formal appointment if business is to be conducted.

Aside from the benefits of good relationships with fellow believers in the marketplace, membership does have other privileges. (I’ve heard that somewhere else before!) So please review this checklist of basic membership benefits to make sure you are taking full advantage of your affiliation with CBN-USA:

• Are you attending multiple chapter meetings in your area?

• Are you conducting business presentations for more than one chapter?

• Do you have an ad in the directory if your region offers one?

• Do you have a link to your business web site from the CBN-USA website?

• Are you actively providing leads to fellow CBN-USA members?

• Are you regularly checking the job resource page on the CBN-USA website if you are looking for employees or employers?

• Have you considered taking a leadership position with CBN-USA in your local chapter or region?

Proverbs 15:22 tells us, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.” So whatever your “plans” are, use your network of “counselors” and you will surely succeed!

Have a red-letter day!
Brian Benson

Dayton Region Happenings

On Tuesday, April 4th, Dayton had its 3rd Business showcase. The showcase sold out all 35 booths (we had 38 to be exact) and there were well over 100 people in attendance. We had a number of non-member exhibitors and a couple from the Cincinnati area. In addition there was praise and worship featuring Springboro recording artist Jennifer Drury and a very unique comedy act called, Chatty Church Ladies (Dayton always has to be different!). We even did a little business. Pictures are below.

Friday, March 31st, marked the start-up of the 6th chapter in the Dayton area. We had 37 in attendance. More information on this chapter is available on the front page of the web site as well as under chapters and events.

Is he really looking at the information or sneaking cookies?

Who are these ladies? And why are they at a Christian business event? The Christian comedy team that appeared… Chatty Church Ladies

Have you seen my help? Darrel said I was going to have assistance at this booth!

Second Annual Dayton Regional Charity Golf Outing

All the details have been finalized for the May 22 Second Annual CBN-USA charity golf outing sponsored by the Dayton Region. Last year we had to turn away foursomes. This year we can have up to 144 golfers. You won't want to miss this fun-packed event. Come help us raise money for a good charitable cause. You will also want to see who the real golfers are CBN-USA! More details are available on the front page of the web site as well as under “Events”.

Regional Happenings

The Cincinnati and Dayton regions will be combining to participate in two Southwest Ohio market place ministry events. We will have booths at each.

The first will be an all day event on Saturday, April 29th from 8am–4pm. This event will be held at Solid Rock Church, just off the Monroe exit of I-75. The conference is titled Navigating the Course to Business Success and features Chuck Proudfit of At Work On Purpose, a CBN-USA partner, as the keynote speaker. More information can be found at http://www.solidrockchurch.org/whats_new.htm.

The second event is on Saturday, May 13th from 8am–12pm. This is an event sponsored by At Work on Purpose and will focus on different aspects of workplace ministry. Chuck will do a keynote presentation followed by individual breakout sessions, one being led by Mike Peters of CBN-USA Cincinnati. Please plan on attending, as AWOP always has great events. The event is at Landmark Baptist, just west of the Glendale-Milford Road exit of I-75 on the north side of Cincinnati. Information can be found at www.atworkonpurpose.org.

Featured Member: – Bill Gaffney

Bill has a passion for helping others and receives his biggest blessings from being able to network people together, be it business people or ministries. In his role as Director of Membership for the Dayton Region, he has been one of the key reasons for the growth of the region. His tireless efforts are truly appreciated.

Bill also serves on the board of the Greater Dayton Task Force Supporting Promise Keepers as the business servant and is co-director of IFCB (International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen) in Dayton. Professionally he is membership chair of the Greater Cincinnati Professional Coaches Association and a founding member of Dayton Coaches.

Bill has been active in his local church, Church of the Messiah, for over 10 years. He has served as Men’s Ministry coordinator for many years, as well as co-facilitating several home groups/Bible studies and serving as head usher.

Bill also spends cherished time each week working with other men who have spiritual battles going on in their lives, something he has done for over 20 years. He counts as his role models his parents, the late Loren Minnich (see October 2005 CBN-USA Newsletter), and a minister who truly was a spiritual father. All have taught him it is only through giving that you receive.

Finally, he is proudest of his three children (a son and two daughters), Hilary, Geoff and Katie and two grandsons, Ethan and Elijah Joseph.

Bill dancing with Ethan at a Biblical Festival a little over two years ago.

Central Ohio Region – Southwest Chapter Meeting Change

The Southwest Chapter, which meets at Frankie’s Café in Grove City, has changed its monthly meeting day from the fourth Monday to the fourth Tuesday. The meeting will still begin at 11:30a. If you haven’t been to this chapter recently, the networking, the fellowship, and the food are great! Details can be found here on the CBN-USA website.