Welcome to the March 2017 edition of the “Heartbeat” where you will find information about the Heart of Birmingham and its activities.  Each month the chapter presents a speaker or program geared to the Birmingham business community. We welcome guests and encourage everyone to attend!

March 21, 2017 Meeting

Community Awareness/Know your Community

We welcomed two outstanding leaders in our community during our March 21, 2017 chapter meeting, Kelvin Sutton, Fairfield City Fire Chief and Nathaniel Rutledge, Bessemer City Police Chief.  Both were exceptional and brought a message about how our personal behaviors impact our communities.  Each offered insight and tips for improving the environment within our community.

Nathaniel Rutledge

Nathaniel Rutledge offered that each of us has a responsibility to ourselves and our neighbors.  He stated we are a product of our foundation and our community is reflected through that foundation.  He offered that if we want our community to improve we need to take actions such as the ones listed below.

1. When a child is out of order, speak up, sometimes its a cry for attention
2. Adopt a “Hey Spirit” – speak to your neighbors, know who lives next door to you, be observant
3. Encourage education – know that the average school age achievement level is only 7th grade, this has to change, be active in the schools, be a mentor

Kelvin Sutton

Kelvin Sutton as Fire Chief offered tips for improving the community as well as tips for preventing fires.  He encouraged us to:

1. Get involved in the schools – this is the opportunity to reach children before they get into trouble
2. Provide a strong foundation in your family, demand accountability.
3. Encourage good decisions – emphasize to family and friends that you are born with ability and its your decision what you do with it, choose wisely, think long term
4. Reinforce good behavior in the community by reinforcing good behavior and accountability in your family.
5. Your family influences the community.

Both agreed it is important to invite law enforcement into your community, keep up on the trends in your community and spread the word to others.

The profiles of each of these speakers reveals they live their convictions.

Nathaniel Rutledge served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned a B.S. in Criminology from Auburn University. Beginning in law enforcement in 1988, he became the Bessemer City Chief in 2003. He served as vice president and secretary of the AACOP and now is serving as its president.  He stated that Municipal chiefs make up the largest organized body of law enforcement in the state of Alabama.

Kelvin Sutton received a B.S. in Public Safety Administration from Athens State University. He has served the city of Fairfield for 23 years, 13 years serving as its Fire Chief. He has coordinated programs within the city for seniors and children, including the annual “Safety is Fun Day”, held in the City Park. which involves all city and private schools in Fairfield.  He established a Public Education program and has involved the department in charitable works such as the Muscular Dystrophy “Boot Drive”, in which the firefighters collect money for “Jerry’s Kids.”

Heart of Birmingham welcomes our newest member!

Members welcomed our newest member, Sandra Girouard.  Sandra is a former member who decided to re-join.  We are pleased to have you!  Welcome Back!

Updates from our Business Meeting

1. Kristie Curtis and Veronica Wallace reported that the “boosting” technique is increasing our Facebook presence with an increased number of likes.
2. Helen Shirley and the Women of the Year committee will present their results at the next meeting for consideration.
3. Sheryl Walker reminded us the Membership Event is April 29, 2017.
4. Lynda Lewis  reported that the North Jefferson Girl Scouts/Life Skills event had been moved to April 1, 2017, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
5. Carol Skelton reported the District I and IV Regional early bird deadline had been extended to March 31, 2017.  The chapter voted to use the remaining funds allocated in the budget be split among the attendees to assist in registration fees.
6. Veronica Wallace reported that 25 new member notebooks will be provided for the membership event.
7. Carol Skelton reported that 100 tickets for Bunco would be printed and each member would be ask to sell seven tickets.
8. Carol Skelton reported that discount tickets for “Biz Women Mentoring Monday” on April 3, 2017 are $35 and can be ordered on line.
9. The chapter voted to nominate Carol Skelton as the HOB Top 10 candidate for 2018.

photo credit: Reminder! via photopin (license)

Upcoming Events

North Jefferson Girl Scouts/Life Skills – April 1, 2017 – committee chair Lynda Lewis

Biz Mentoring Monday – April 3, 2017, Ross Bridge Resort and Spa

ABWA District I & IV Spring Conference – Naples Florida – April 20-22, 2017

Spring Recruitment Campaign – April 29, 2017 at the Viva Café

Bunco Event – May 19, 2017 – Tutwiler Hotel

Contributing editors Kristi Curtis and Carol Skelton