events

Business After Hours 3 March 2008: Our March BAH was held at The Shack Youth Outreach at Epping in conjunction with Eastwood Chamber of Commerce. We would like to acknowledge our kind sponsors of food and beverages for this event: RG Music, Bendigo Bank, Kenny's Chinese Restaurant, Courtyard by Marriott, Midway Cellars, Eden Gardens & Garden Centre and Better Home Realty. More info on the night is available on our website - click here to read more and see photos.

Special Briefing for RBF Members & Guests - North Ryde Corridor, TONIGHT: The Macquarie Park Corridor Draft DCP, preliminary draft LEP plans and Draft Public Domain Manual are on public exhibition from 15 February to 14 March. The City of Ryde has arranged a special briefing for RBF members and others on our mailing list: Tonight, 4 March, from 4.00pm to approx. 5pm
Location: Macquarie University Lindsay Room on level 3 in the SAM Building, located in the centre of campus.
A brochure has been produced by the City of Ryde summarising the material on exhibition, including how to make a submission. The full suite of documents can be viewed at:- http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/development/controls_exhib/macquarie_dcp.htm
Please RSVP directly to Paul William-Smith, Economic Development Manager, City of Ryde on 9952 8051 or email PWilliam-Smith@ryde.nsw.gov.au

Business After Hours 7 April 2008: Our host for April is Eden Gardens & Garden Centre. Combining display gardens with a superb retail facility and excellent function rooms, Eden Gardens has won several local business awards. Join hosts Anna & Simon Ainsworth, members and guests of RBF and North Ryde Macquarie Park Chamber of Commerce for a delightful night! Invitations will be issued soon but meanwhile you can RSVP by email or phone Sabrina on 9807 4999.

Business Breakfast 9 April 2008 - Maxine McKew. Join our new Member for Bennelong for breakfast. Maxine McKew is passionate about her new role in politics, and will speak on a range of business-related issues pertinent to Bennelong: challenges and opportunities that the electorate faces, workforce participation and productivity, and more. There will be question time after Maxine’s speech. Costs: $35 members, $40 non-members, $280 table of 8. Click here to download the invitation/booking form, and RSVP by email, phone 9807 4999 or fax 9807 4988.

Also coming up... May BAH host is Macquarie Graduate School of Management. Our Child-Friendly Retail & Commercial workshop will be held in May. The Hon John Watkins MP will speak at a breakfast on 28 May.

We also have some events this year for which we are seeking major sponsors:

• The Ryde Business & Technology Expo on 6 August 2008. Held in conjunction with Expo Edge, the City of Ryde and Stamford Grand North Ryde. Seeking a major sponsor for the event and cocktail party, and silver sponsors for the event. There will be a LOT of publicity throughout the City of Ryde and beyond for this event - a fantastic opportunity to get your logo on all material and advertising for this event. Contact Sabrina on 9807 4999
• The 2008 RBF Charity Golf Day to be held on Thursday 13 November at Ryde Parramatta Golf Club. Seeking a major sponsor who will get naming rights (ie the 2008 RBF/(your company name) Charity Golf Day. Proceeds from auctions and other fundraising events associated with the day will go to The Shack Youth Outreach. We want to make this event the best charity golf day in Ryde - to find out more contact Sabrina on 9807 4999.

business of the month

Macquarie Community College needs no introduction to people who live and work in our fair City. CEO George Papallo OAM runs arguably the most successful community college in the State. MCC's Macquarie Business Training Centre offers VETAB-accredited business training courses as well as IT and professional development courses in a wide range of subjects. More about Macquarie Community College on our website.

member news

ROMAC fundraising dinner with Ray Martin: Rob Wilkinson of North Ryde Macquarie Park Chamber of Commerce and North Ryde Rotary is organising a fundraising dinner for ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children). The function will be a three course dinner on 14 March at North Ryde RSL, with Ray Martin as Master of Ceremonies. "There will be speakers on the night, a panel of well known personalities, entertainment and an auction. We are hoping that local companies will be interested in supporting us on the night, whether it be with one or two attendees, or a table of ten," said Rob. Rob is finalising details at the moment and will be issuing invitations shortly. For more info, contact Rob on 9888-3625 or email robwilk@bigpond.net.au

How good are your employment contracts at protecting your interests and reducing your risk as an employer? Director of Effision, Elisabeth Rasul, in her 12 years of experience within Human Resources, has seen many employers waste a great deal of time, money and energy due to employment contracts being either non-existent or insufficiently written. Expectations of the employment relationship have not been defined and issues of confidentiality, post employment restraints, intellectual property, remuneration and benefits have all been under scrutiny in employment courts.

To assist businesses better protect their interests, Effision has recently revised its suite of employment contracts. Covering permanent, fixed term and casual employment and also independent contractors, its contracts have been written in a professional, yet warm tone taking the hassle out of developing them from scratch. They include a cover letter and over 20 clauses and can be fully customised to an organisation’s culture and policies.

Businesses need never think about what to include in an employment contract again! Why not take up Effision’s special 15% off offer? (valid until the end of March) Contact Elisabeth Rasul at erasul@effision.com or by phone on 0417 656 125.

nsw business chamber news

Build International Client Relationships - Training Course: This module is part of a Diploma of International Business. Options are available to complete the whole diploma or attend individual units.

Location: North Sydney
Date: Thursday 6 March 2008
Cost: RBF Members $617.50, Non-members $650. Click here to find out more about the course and how to register.

OHS Consultation Course: This four day course provides essential information for OHS Committee Members, Health and Safety representatives and key personnel implementing an OHS system. It is WorkCover Accredited for OHS Committee Members and Health and Safety Representatives.

Location: North Sydney
Dates: 10/11, 17/18 March 2008
Cost: RBF Members $560, Non-members $580. Click here to find out more about the course and how to register.

OHS Risk Management Introduction Course: This one day course is designed for key personnel who require a general understanding of OHS risk management.

Location: Parramatta
Dates: Thursday 13 March 2008
Cost: RBF Members $275, Non-members $300. Click here to find out more about the course and how to register.

These are just some of the many courses available to RBF members at affiliate rates from NSWBC. More information on upcoming seminars is available here on the NSWBC website.

If you have any items you'd like to publicise to other members - special offers, upcoming seminars you're holding, open days etc - please email the Forum to have them included in our next Newsletter.

If you're not a member of Ryde Business Forum and would like to join us, click here to go to the membership page on our website and download the membership form.