The Network regroups, reorganizes
Fri, 2016-08-26 05:00
News Staff
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The Network, a group formed in 2012 by local businesses, took time out on Monday to regroup and relaunch itself.
During a Monday meeting at Frames & Things, board vice president Robert Weidinger II told those present that for the past several years, the liquor petition dominated The Network, an effort that he called a “massive task.”
“We hadn’t had a meeting in a long time, and there was some confusion,” Weidinger said before he along with Mitch Lofton, as well as Larry and Joyce Hauk held a closed session of the board. They emerged, with Mitch formally announced as president, Weidinger as vice president, Larry Hauk as secretary and Joyce Hauk as treasurer.
They also emerged with a new focus to meet regularly again, along with having meeting agendas along with minutes.
Lofton said he has filed with the state of Texas and The Network is an officially sanctioned group and there can be no other group called “The Network” in Coryell County.
“There is another group called The Network, Inc., near Houston,” Lofton said, adding that that group is sending The Network a letter stating they have no problem or issue with the Copperas Cove group’s name.
The group hasn’t forgotten the upcoming proposition on the ballot for the sale of liquor in Copperas Cove and will be also holding voter registration drives and promoting awareness of the November ballot item.
On Tuesday, The Network held what’s called a “Surge” at Cato Fashions. A surge is an event featuring a business-related topic and also a time to introduce business owners to each other and let them exchange business cards and network.
Joyce Hauk welcomed those who attending and spoke about some of the past Surge topics, which included a visit from a Secret Service agent who discussed counterfeit money. Another topic was discussing how the upcoming bypass, now open, might have an effect on local businesses.
Hauk also talked about the importance of local businesses supporting each other, an initiative of The Network.
“It’s about businesses taking care of businesses,” Hauk said. “When one business is successful, all are successful.”
The speaker on Tuesday was Sean Corrigan, president and CEO of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce.
He shared business principles for those trying to promote and grow their businesses.
“You need to treat your business like a chamber of commerce,” Corrigan said. “How are you going to get anywhere if you don’t know where you’re going?” He stressed the importance of business owners having five- and 10-year goals for their businesses.
After Corrigan spoke, those present each had the chance to introduce themselves and their businesses, as well as share about any upcoming events.
Jennie Snelling with Quine Associates manages Cove Terrace Shopping Center. She shared that the center is turning 50 this year and there are plans in the works for a celebration in October.
Edith Freyer, with the local Altrusa chapter in Copperas Cove, talked about the group’s upcoming golf tournament on Oct. 22. Altrusa is a business women’s group which raises thousands of dollars each year to donate books to CCISD students.
The next Surge will be on September 20, with speaker Mike Desmond, owner of PAR Guns.
“We are back to the business of talking about business,” said Weidinger.