Dear ACCI Members:

Welcome to the New Year of 2006! Here's hoping that this will be a memorable and exciting year for all of us.

I realize that it is only January, but I am amazed at how many events we have on our 2006 calendar already! Elsewhere in this issue you will find a breakdown of events for the coming year, as plans stand now. There are times when luncheon dates or speakers change, especially when plans are made so far in advance, but it is a pretty good rule-of-thumb.

As the year passes, we will continue to update you about events and activities, and will forward you registration information in order to attend. Do you want to schedule a Business After Hours? Would you like to offer a discount to members through our Member-to-Member Discount program? Do you have some suggestions or recommendations? Give me a call - I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Bernadette “Dee” Hanrahan
Executive Director

RECENT EVENTS CAUSE GREAT NEED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

As a result, we are often unsure of just how we can help. We hear often about misuse of donated funds by some organizations, scams created by dishonest people who promote non-existent help organizations to get donations, etc. Often this places us in a position of not being sure who we can make donations to, knowing that the funds will be properly used.

The following information was obtained from the internet - we thought you might be interested in seeing it:

"The following contribution percentages given to charities that reach the identified people that are need. The percentages between 100% and the dollars which get to those in need is called administrative expense:

GoodWill........96%
UNICEF.........91%
Red Cross.......81%
Humane Society......75%
Salvation Army........92%
Save the Children.....87%
American Cancer Society......80%
Special Olympics......74%
Catholic Charities.............92%
Habitat for Humanity.......85%"

Source: Internet/Don Layne

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Our desire is to see that Shoptalk is a vehicle which provides services and information about our members and a way to highlight your goods, services and accomplishments. If you have annoncements about your company which you would like to share with your fellow ACCI members, please forward the information to us by mail, fax or e-mail. Due to limited space, notices will be published on a first-come, first-served basis and edited in length.