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and @MetroIBA on Twitter
October 2016 Newsletter
Networking Event
Tuesday, November 1
4:30-6:30 pm
Co-hosted by
Scarborough Fair and The Little Wine Shoppe
2238 Carter Ave, St. Paul 55108
Guests welcome / No RSVP required
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses. Please check our website for upcoming times and locations.
Letter from the President
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Public Policy Caucus last month. Your input and engagement allows us to focus our energy on what is important to you and the broader independent business community. Sorting through issues and policies could be a never-ending job, which is why coming together as a group makes it easier to distill priorities from a large list of possibilities. It also helps to get an updated idea of what truly matters to you and your businesses. So much is happening in our cities and getting to the root of it can make the steps for moving forward much clearer. This holds true for issues affecting our country as well. With our focus put on the outcome of the election it’s easy to lose sight of what’s happening below the surface. If we peel back the layers, the question that is left in my mind is how did we get here?
While this election cycle seems particularly bad, the expectations, or lack thereof, put on parties and candidates is not dissimilar from past election cycles. Though taken to an extreme this year, it is the way the game is played.
That game does not serve us or our communities. It creates a disconnect from the actions and statements of political leaders to the people living in our country. To us. And to the work we do. What is particularly scary this time around is the way people are referred to by group names. Both candidates have used this way of speaking. And it’s becoming more and more common. We’re no longer talked about as individuals but grouped as categories representing races, genders, sexual orientations or socioeconomic status. This disconnect is dangerous for potential future polices and also because it reinforces preconceived perceptions about each group.
It is important to talk about race, gender, and class, but we must do it in a way that engages a shared vision, in a way that builds rather than pits us against each other and pits the larger country against one group or idea.
Many of you do this already. Through one on one personal conversations, by being involved in neighborhood and community work, and by ultimately focusing on building and creating through your stores and businesses. The more we can do this, the more we can draw lines of what is and is not contributing to the world we want to see, the more likely it will be that the leaders who make it through the ranks carry this with them.
Recently three leaders in our community were honored for their work in this realm. Our very own Executive Director, Mary Hamel, Public Policy Committee member, Brett Buckner, and editor of Minnesota Business Magazine, Steve LeBeau were all honored during the India Association of Minnesota and Hindu Society of Minnesota Communities at large Nonviolence Day Celebration earlier this month for their work in the community. We are lucky to be an organization with such strong members and leaders. Together we are building a movement we can be proud of.
Until next time,
Molly Glasgow
Owner, Point Acupressure
President, MetroIBA
Buy Local Guide Launch
With special guest speaker, Mayor Chris Coleman
Tuesday, October 18
4:30-6:30
Summit Brewing Co
Celebrating 30 years!
910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul
Be among the first to see our second edition Buy Local Guide to the Twin Cities.
We’ll be printing up 25,000 copies and would love your help getting them out and about town.
Join us for delicious libations, a few words from the mayor, and pick up a case or two of the guide to share with your networks.
Thanks to Tiger Oak Media for once again designing and publishing a beautiful guide. 11,000 of the directories will be distributed along with Minnesota Business Magazine in October.
Plaid Friday
KICKOFF EVENT
Friday, November 18
11 am
Midtown Global Market
920 East Lake Street, Mpls
Calling all Retailers and Holiday Shoppers!
For the third year, we’ll be celebrating our local, independent shops with our Plaid Friday campaign.
If you are a retailer and would like to participate, contact mary@metroiba.org to get included on this year’s map.
Then, get ready to shop ’til you drop at any of our participating retailers on Fri, Nov. 25 – sporting your plaid ensemble, of course!
Shop local and independent for the best service and gifts on Plaid Friday,… and all through the holiday season.
Plaid IS the new BLACK
Thanks to this year’s retail leads, Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply and Wet Paint Art as well as our media partners, Pioneer Press andWDGY Radio.
Give to the Max Day November 17
Want to support your local indies but don’t own a business?
Give To The Max Day is for you!
Go to www.givetothemax.org and donate in any amount.
.png) Some contributions will be matched. If you care about the Buy Local movement and want to support your locally owned, independent retailers and Main Street, this day is for you!
Member News
 A huge shout out to Board Vice President, Michael Frasier, Rubric Legal, who was one of the bright legal eagles who went after the attorney responsible for frivolous ADA lawsuits against small businesses. His efforts are bearing fruit, if this Pioneer Press article is any indication.
 Wet Paint Artists’ Materials & Framing is having a 40th (!) anniversary celebration the weekend of October 27-30. This free, open-to- the-public event will feature family-friendly art activities, raffle prizes and refreshments.
Business Owners Roundtable
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Join a monthly peer group of MetroIBA member participants to discuss business issues; share concerns, ideas, contacts, and event information; and receive and offer feedback.
Pick a group that fits your schedule:
Third Thursday of the month
3:30-4:30 PM
CHESS
33 E Wentworth Ave., Suite 320
West St. Paul
RSVP – host & moderator Carol Keyes
carkey@chess-safety.com
651-481-9787
Last Thursday of the month
8:30 – 10:00 AM
*Burdette & Associates
5775 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 700
St. Louis Park, 55416
host & moderator Phyllis Burdette
RSVP to Mary Hamel – mary@metroiba.org
*note: this is a new location
Enjoy the benefits of membership
Membership benefits include:
- Discounts from other member businesses
- Member directory listing on buylocaltwincities.com
- Members only discussion group through list serv
- Expanded online presence through Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
- Free webinars and monthly networking events
- Public policy advocacy/Rapid Response Team
- Free subscription to Minnesota Business Magazine
….and much more
Business memberships are only $18 per month or $180/year ($50 for each additional storefront). Choosing the monthly option helps MetroIBA lower our costs by maintaining a consistent cash flow. Monthly payments also reduce administrative costs, and allow us to focus on growing the independent businesses that we represent.
If you have recently received notice that your membership is about to lapse, simply go to buylocaltwincities.com/join and renew online. Or, you can mail your payment to:
MetroIBA
2190 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Thank you Volunteers
Mary Jo Koplos~Postal Dispatch Business Center
Interested in volunteering? Contact Mary Hamel.
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