You put a lot of time and effort into your professional image. But think about the people who get to “know” you online before they ever meet you in person—what kind of impression are they getting?

Like it or not, the Internet in general—and social media in particular—has turned each and every one of us into a public figure. And just like traditional public figures, we need to be continuously aware of the words and images that are representing us “out there.”

In this eye-opening presentation, Rachel Parker, Owner and Chief Strategist of Resonance, will guide you through the elements that can make or break your personal brand online—and show you how to ensure you’re creating a positive image among current and potential clients, among your peers, and across your community.

The thing about Democracy is that it is your government and it needs your participation.  There are so many levels where you can participate as a volunteer, elected officer, political supporter, board member and more.  Find subjects that excite you, learn more about the subjects, learn how you can be involved, and have fun.

1. Know Your representatives
   1. Look up your voter registration information at www.hctax.net under voter registration, search voter
   2. Identify your precinct chairman, city councilmember, school board representative, commissioner, state representative, state senator, federal representative, federal senator, etc.
   3. Look up your representatives and if interested get on their website and sign up for newsletters so that you can know the issues.
   4. Know yourself
      1. What issues are important to you?

i.     Your career

ii.     Your family

iii.     Your health

iv.     Special interest (parks, human trafficking, public school budget)

1. Research your issues

i.     Find out what issues resonate with you, what makes you excited, what you want to impact, what you want to change.

ii.     Find out which special interest groups support your issues

iii.     Find out which special interest groups oppose your issues

1. Think about how government impacts your important issues

i.     Research what government agencies impact your important issues

ii.     Look on the internet and find out what the agency does

1. Get Involved
   1. Go to meetings

i.     Neighborhood Organizations

ii.     Political party meetings

1. Go to your party of choice and find their calendar.
2. Contact the meeting organizer and attend the meeting.

iii.     City Council

iv.     Commissioners Court (County “Council”)

1. Contact your representative

i.     If you have a question

ii.     You want to know more about a government program

iii.     You want to compliment your representative

iv.     You want your representative to come speak to your organization

1. Volunteer for your political party

i.     Increase your visibility within the organization

ii.     Learn what elected officials do and what is interesting to you and what you need to do to be qualified for the position.

iii.     Find someone you admire in the party, meet them and ask them how they got to where they are so that you can make a plan for yourself.

1. Find out what open positions are coming available
   1. Elected offices

i.     Usually elected offices have a certain term, 2 years, 4 years, 6 years, etc.

ii.     Learn the requirements for the position.

1. Board Positions

i.     Mayor, Commissioners Court, Governor etc. appoint board of directors for many different boards.  If interested in the board, get to know the folks who appoint and let them know your interest.

ii.     Ask colleagues how to get appointed to the board that you are interested in joining.

1. Volunteer Organizations

i.     Work your way to leadership to hone your leadership skills

ii.     Find out a volunteer organization where someone who can help you get to the position you are seeking and start working with them to get to know them.

1. Start building your support system with variety and have fun while doing it.
   1. No one is elected alone so start connecting with people

i.     Children’s school people
ii.     Co-workers
iii.     Church
iv.     Trade organizations
v.     Volunteer organizations
vi.     Political organizations
vii.     Exercise class
viii.     Spouse’s co-workers, trade organizations, etc.

What can put your business at risk as you rush forward into the world of social media?

Have you made sure that your business does not cross the line into a violation of law in your enthusiasm to broadcast who your business is to the world wide web?

Do you have a social media policy?

Do you and your employees know the limitations for conduct on social media sites? If you have not thought about defamation, discrimination and federal regulations as part of your social media marketing strategy, then do not miss this chance to get some great legal tips on social media and cutting edge legal issues affecting your use of social media.

Michael has over 28 years of corporate management experience, including 22 years in sales. He has conducted training programs with many fortune 500 companies, including international programs in Venezuela and Mexico. Michael is a Certified Professional Coach and has also served five years on the Board of Directors for the Houston Chapter of the American Society of Training & Development, including in the position of President in 2005.

Soon customers will be charged additional $5 monthly fees to use their debit cards for purchases by the largest bank in America, Bank of America.

Perhaps you or your business will not pay the fee if you have at least $20,000.00 in combined balances in your account at BofA. However, if not you, this new debit card fee will hit your customers or your employees who do not have the $20,000.00 balance in their accounts.

Banks were given billions of bail out money including Bank of America when the recession first hit. In return we, the tax payers are paid back by bank fees that these banks could really do without because the bank industry has an aggregate record profit in the third quarter in the amount of $14.5 billion.

In this economy, it is our desire at NAWBO Houston  to make sure you have the most up to date and relevant information for your business to operate, and to take advantages of any qualifying events that will assist your company moving forward.

Please join NAWBO Public Policy in sending this letter to our state representatives and let them know that you want them to tell the banks NO to DEBIT Card fees. Enclosed is a format letter that you can email to your representative. Go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.  Follow the instructions to get to your representative’s site. Copy and paste the attached letter in the message box

It can’t hurt to contact them now to make sure they know you want them to stop this move by the banks.

As more information becomes available and as the legalities start to impact our businesses, we’ll keep you informed of the new changes and how they will affect you.

If you would like to get further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 281-825-3034 ext 1001 or at

Thank you,

Bless LaGrone,CPC

NAWBO Public Policy, Chair and the Public Policy Team

Preparation for Networking – commitment, attitude and passion

Common Challenges with Networking:

• Worried over how to best approach and engage a potential prospect to create interest

• Anxious about being perceived as pushy or aggressive when networking

• Discouraged from going to event after event and coming away with no viable leads

• Sick and tired of coming away with plenty of leads, but being paralyzed when it comes to following up

• Worn out that your efforts are being wasted because the people you talk to aren’t the right fit for your products or services

1. Set SMART Goals – What are you attempting to accomplish and why

1. Building a profile of who your ideal client is – Target Market

1. Emotionally Engaging Your Network

1. 5-10 Key Relationships -  feeding your ongoing stream of qualified referrals

Multi-Step Networking Process

5.    Strategically deciding where to spend your resources

6.    How to Build your Success Team

7.    Be Interested Before Being Interesting

8.    Deliver Incredible Value – Want more, give more!

9.    Building Your Reference Network

10.  Follow-Up Process

11.  Tracking Results – Behaviors