After over 10 years in running his own business and 2 years behind the helm at proNet, Jamie has taken the brave step of changing direction with his career and is moving back into the heady world of employment again; this time into the educational sector at a local high school.

Jamie comments;

I felt it was time for a career change at a time when I was taking stock of my life and what I wanted to do with the rest of it. I’ve worked in the education sector with young people on a voluntary basis before and found it very rewarding. So based on that – I thought I’d take the plunge and change direction. That, and the holidays are good of course!

He continues,

I’ve really enjoyed my time at proNet and have met some great people and have made some good friends along the way. I hope that the group continues to grow from strength to strength and I’ll have no hesitation in recommending my new found colleagues towards the services of proNet members if needed.

So with a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Jamie and wish him the very best of luck in his new found role.

Feel free to pay us a visit during the school hols Jamie.

Kate Leadbeater – corporate fundraiser for Kirkwood Hospice and a member of proNet’s Spen Valley group, met up with Chris Cox of Huddersfield web designers Made by Bridge at a proNet meeting earlier this year.

The New Kirkwood Hospice Website

Through this meeting, Chris became aware that there was a need for an improved website for the Hospice and as a result his company, Made by Bridge were awarded the project to redesign and develop the Hospice’s new website.

Their new site has now been launched and offers visitors a much more useable and interactive experience.

Garry Wilkenson, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Kirkwood Hospice remarks:

We hope the new-look site will encourage more people to visit and find out about the work of the Hospice. It includes online application forms for some of our events, making it easier for supporters to get involved.

Malcom Pow, Chair of proNet’s Spen Valley group comments,

I am delighted that the Hospice was able to secure this generous donation from Made by Bridge. It certainly shows the value of business networking, particularly in these difficult times.

View the Hospice’s cool new website for yourself at www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk

Jamie says,

The UK Government has confirmed that Agency Workers will benefit from increased protection from 1st October 2011 when The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) 2010 come into force.

He continues,

These regulations aim to give agency workers fair treatment, pay, holidays and working rights that mirror those of the employee. So in other-words, if your company employs agency or temporary workers, then you can’t avoid not knowing about this important piece of new legislation for the employee and employers alike.

The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) - 1st October 2011

To help employers come to term with these new regulations, THE Agency is running a 2.5 hour breakfast briefing on Wednesday 21st September in Cleckheaton.

This workshop is free of charge and includes a light breakfast which will be served at 8.00am on the day of the workshop. The main presentation will start at 8.30am and finish at 11.00am.

Places are limited so booking is essential.

To book your free place, call Kim or Catherine at THE Agency on 01274 869100 or email Kim on kimbarnes@theagency.org.uk

There is ample and free parking at the venue.

Further information is available online at www.eventsbot.com/events/eb223083986

This workshop is designed for people who have an existing WordPress blog but aren’t really sure how to develop it, publicise it or use it effectively for their business but still want to explore its full potential.

More information may be found at www.eventsbot.com/events/eb242782816

Discounts are available for proNet members and multiple bookings or you can give Jamie a call on 07792 090 700

proNet is proud to belong to this supportive and important membership scheme.

To help celebrate this milestone, Kathy and her team at the hospice are holding a celebratory networking event for all it’s corporate members at The Viaduct Cafe, Dean Clough in Halifax on Thursday 12th August 2010 starting at 5pm until 7pm.

If you wish to attend either as an existing corporate member of the hospice, as a member of proNet or want to learn more about becoming a corporate member of the hospice, please contact Kathyrn on 01422 387 147 (email: kathryn.rogan@overgatehospice.nhs.uk

Download the official invitation by clicking on this link [PDF document, opens in a new window]

• Jon Huby from lettings and property management company Let’s Go Professional
• Julian Thornhill of Thornhill Financial Services
• John Davies, Painter and Decorator

And at our Spen Valley Group;

• Danny Matharu from events marketing company Hillrich Ltd
• Beverley Shutak from Siddalls Colour Printers in Cleckheaton
• Paul Ferris from Mirfield based Yorkshire Telecom
• Robert Cannon, a wills and probate professional from Allguard Legal Services

Welcome to you all and we hope you find your membership with proNet to be enjoyable, productive and above all else, profitable.

Attend a Meeting

If you would like to meet these people or any other member of proNet, you are welcome to attend as a guest at one of our forthcoming business networking breakfasts.

If you’re interested in attending our Bradford Group, more details about the group and how you can book your place may be found by clicking on this link.

Similarly, if it’s the Spen Valley Group that interests you, more details and booking information may be found by clicking here.

You are of course, welcome to attend both groups if you like to network with the new members above as well as other meeting visitors and established members.

A £10 cash meeting fee, payable on the door, is asked of all visitors to proNet’s meetings.

Read on for more details.

Keeping You Mind in the Right Place

…When It’s Impossible

Just how do you stop your business, other people, too many things to do and adversity from driving you mad? How can you keep a sunny disposition through all that lot? Come and find out! Gary Blonder is an experienced Stress-Counsellor, motivational speaker and hypnotherapist. You have nothing to lose, and it could change your life!

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there IS such a thing as a free seminar, and with tea/coffee thrown in! Oh and of course there will be an opportunity to network without parting with that mandatory tenner everyone else charges!

When? Thursday 10th June 2010 at 9.30 – 11:00

Where? The GRID@Bradford South Low Moor Business Park, Off Common Road, Low Moor Bradford BD12 0NB

More Details: Tel 07837 970745, info@garyblonder.co.uk

More about Gary on his website at www.garyblonder.co.uk

SAGE is an accounting software package favoured by many businesses, however few business owners know how to use it effectively. With the help of Vicky’s training CD-ROM that obstacle is being broken down and using Sage becomes a whole lot easier.

Vicky was approached by a Canadian company who recognised that her extensive experience in teaching and training coupled with her detailed knowledge of accountancy were a winning combination and as such, she was asked to develop the CD-ROM to aid business owners in being able to use SAGE Line 50 more effectively.

Find out more about Vicky’s CD-ROM and buy a copy for yourself by following this link.

Overgate Hospice provides specialist palliative care for adults in the Calderdale area. All patients have a life-limiting, advanced, progressive illness.

Jaimie Dobson, Chair of the Spen Valley group says,

We’re really pleased that Kathy has joined us.The Overgate is small charity that does some sterling work and by joining proNet as a member, Kathy’s presence gives the group a fundraising focus that will ultimately benefit the charity. We’re looking forward to helping her meet her fundraising targets.

Corporate Member

To seal proNet’s commitment to The Overgate, proNet has become a corporate member of the Hospice. This opens up additional networking and business opportunities for our members as well as fundraising and support opportunities for the hospice.

Welcome on board Kathy.

John’s speciality is nighttime photography and this is demonstrated well with some of the great shots he’s taken being printed and discussed in detail, in the magazine’s multi-page article dedicated to his work. Take a look at John’s own blog to learn more, view some of his images (in addition to the one below) and download PDFs of the article.

More Good News Stories Wanted

Are you a proNet member? If so, why not share with us your good news business stories. We’ll blog about them here and provide those all important links back to your own website or blog.