Community 1st Credit Union, Small-business development meetings; BizBounce, Leadership luncheon; Zahns tour

Credit union awards scholarships

Community 1st Credit Union has awarded a total of $12,000 in scholarships to 23 local students.

Shelby Marsh, a Community 1st Credit Union Mount Pleasant branch member is the recipient of the $1,000 Walt Tetmeyer Memorial Scholarship.

In addition, 22 students from communities Community 1st Credit Union serves received $500 scholarships.

Community 1st Credit Union Fairfield branch member Bethany Burguson was selected for a $500 scholarship.

?Community 1st is pleased to recognize the students? accomplishments and to assist them with their continued academic endeavors,? Community 1st Credit Union President and CEO Phillip Van Mersbergen said.

Small-business meetings set

The next Small Business Development Center meetings in Fairfield are set for May 28 at the Indian Hills Jefferson County Extension Center.

Bryan Ziegler of the Small Business Development Center in Ottumwa comes to Fairfield the fourth Monday of each month to meet one-on-one with people who are considering starting up, have just started up or have been in business for a few years.

Ziegler reviews and provides advise in writing business plans and provides information related to government-related financing opportunities, especially Small Busines Administration loans.

Appointments are required for the one-hour meetings. Email Mario Van Dijk of the Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association at mario@fairfieldentrepreneur.com to check for timeslots still available.

BizBounce planned June 2

Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association is planning a BizBounce June 2. The location has yet to be announced. No fee is charged.

If a person has a business idea or already has a business, but has challenges or wants feedback on financing, marketing or anything else, the BizBounce event could help. Participants will have five to 10 minutes to give a presentation ? no PowerPoints or projectors are allowed, but props are fine ? in front of a panel of local business people, entrepreneurs and consultants with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. They will give feedback, possible contacts, points to consider, for another 10 to 15 minutes. It is an opportunity to connect, get feedback and bounce business issues off others.

New this year, BizBounce is combined with a business competition, with various prices and rewards. For details, go to: http://fairfieldfirst-biz.brain-belt.com/Fairfield_First%21/Biz_Plan_Competition.html.

For more information on the BizBounce, email mario@fairfieldentrepreneur.com. Registration, timeslot and submission of a questionnaire is required, to provide more information for the panel members.

Arzani speaker at Leadership Luncheon

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Leadership Luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 31 at Best Western Fairfield Inn.

Bryan Arzani, an internationally renowned motivational speaker, will present ?What?s Your Genius ? How the Best Think About Success!? He will share his experiences and help attendees learn and reflect on the challenges they face as leaders and potential leaders in their day-to-day lives. Everyone will leave with practical answers they can apply in their own communities, workplaces and organizations.

Reservations are required; call the chamber at 472-2111. The cost is $30 for chamber members and $45 for nonchamber members.

Zahs leading tour to Van Buren County

A day tour, ?Venturing to Van Buren County?, with Michael Zahs has been scheduled for June 1.

The activities will include stops at an Amish business, cheese factory, Cantril?s Dutchman?s Store, local history, the Bentonsport community and a midday meal at Bonaparte?s Retreat. A drive through Fairfield and Maharishi Vedic City also are in the plans.

The chartered bus tour will leave from Hy-Vee in Washington, Iowa, at 7:30 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.  The cost will be $67 per person. The tour is sponsored by the local branch of the American Association of University Women.

For information and reservations, contact Karen Murphy by emailing bandana319@yahoo.com or calling 319-653-5139.