Business calendar Dec. 7

Monday

Elder Options: Department of Social & Health Services offers a three-day class starting Monday on the fundamentals of caregiving for people working in assisted-living homes and adult family homes, providing in-home care or working with the developmentally disabled population, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 28-hour class is for paid and family caregivers. Those attending will receive a certificate upon successful completion. Tuition and registration: 360-696-5920 or 800-608-2388.

Tuesday

Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon: Regular marketplace and networking evening will be replaced with a holiday party at 5:35 p.m. Dec. 9 at Kell’s Irish Restaurant, Ceili Ballroom, 112 S.W. Second Ave., Portland. $35-$45 members, $45-$55 others. Register: 503-229-3819 or oregonweo.org/gm_dec_2008.

Holiday networking event and toy drive: Sponsored by the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Oregon Chapter, 4:30-7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Touché Restaurant and Bar, 1425 N.W. Glisan St., Portland. Free admission to those who bring an unwrapped industry-related toy. Member firms attend for $25. Register: Jacquee at jchristnot@geoengineers.com.

Best in County Awards: Clark County Chamber hosts the awards given to outstanding organizations in Clark County, 7-9 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Hostess House, 10017 N.E. Sixth Ave. Free. www.clarkchamber.com or 360-258-1181.

Wednesday

Washington State Tax Consultants: Vancouver chapter monthly meeting, 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Rose Besserman Room in the C-Tran Building, 3514 S.E. 164th Ave. Susan Lauderdale, 360-694-8206.

Marketing workshops: The Institute of Management Consultants, the international professional association works with business owners and corporations to develop strategy, improve performance, offers a marketing workshop and get-acquainted meeting, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Country Inn & Suites Hotel, 7025 N.E. Alderwood, Portland. Cost is $30. Registration: imc-oregon.org, Patricia Coate, info@imc-oregon.org, 503-336-4151.

Pension and benefits breakfast meeting, sponsored by the Western Pension & Benefits Conference, with speakers Kimiyo Dowell, from the Department of Labor, and Eric Sharp, vice president of Oppenheimer Funds, 7:30-9 a.m. Dec. 10 at 1849 S.W. Salmon St., Portland. Public welcome. Cost is $35 members, $50 others. Register: www.westernpension.org or 503-684-8469.

Thursday

Business plan workshop: SCORE sponsors a workshop for new and developing businesses, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at 601 S.W. Second Ave., Room 2030, Portland. Topics include developing a business plan, financial planning, organization and management strategies and how a marketing plan fits into the business plan. Cost is $75 prepaid, $85 at the door. Limited space. Register: www.scorepdx.org or 503-326-5211.

Friday

Legislative Outlook Breakfast, hosted by Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Identity Clark County and Columbia River Economic Development Council, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St. Cost $30. Meet legislators from the 15th, 17th, 18th and 49th districts. Shared business priorities will be presented. Register: www.vancouverusa.com or 360-694-2588.

Upcoming

Women Entrepreneurs Organization of Washington: Networking, 5 p.m. Dec. 17, followed by dinner meeting, 6 p.m. at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive. Members, $29 and guests, $35. Donations accepted fro Safe Choice. Reservations needed by Dec. 12; www.weowa.org.

Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: Workshop for Northwest business leaders of early-stage and midsize firms is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and 8 in downtown Portland. Vancouver-based business management expert Keith Cupp, president of Gazelles International and a partner in Executive Mentors and Trainers, will speak. Lunch will be provided both days. Workshop focuses on principles and practical tools that make it easier for managers to grow a business and increase company value during changing economic times. Cost is $695 to $1,250. Register: www.gazelles.com or Joanne at 703-858-2400.

Weekly meetings

B2B Leads: Provides business-to- business networking and leads. Call 503-310-2494 to register or visit www.B2Bleadsgroups.com. Chapters include: Vancouver Premier, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays at Julianos Pizza, 15606 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Vancouver Salmon Creek, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Billygans Roadhouse, 13200 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver. Clark County, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Round Table Pizza, 5016 N.E. Thurston Way, Vancouver. Orchards, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at Fat Dave’s II, 9324 N.E. 76th St., Vancouver.

Business Networking International: A business referral group, 7:15-8:45 a.m. Tuesdays at Umpqua Bank, 12019 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Marc Davis, 360-823-2225.

Christ @ Work: Business owners, executives and managers who lead and grow their companies utilizing Christ-centered principles. Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 a.m., Park Tower Addition, 201 N.E. Park Plaza Drive, first-floor conference room, Vancouver (Cascade Park); Fridays, lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Park Tower Addition, 201 N.E. Park Plaza Drive, Room 4, Vancouver; Sundays, 9:40 to 10:55 a.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 11005 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver (Salmon Creek). 360-514-8114 or e-mail gameier@garymeier.com.

Le Tip International: Vancouver Cascade Group, meets 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at the Spaghetti Factory, 730 S.E. 160th Ave. Le Tip is a privately owned, professional business leads organization. Troy Drelling, president, or Liz Morris, publicity director, 360-566-7911, or voice mail, 360-260-6903.

Clark County Chamber of Commerce: Member focus breakfasts from 8 to 9 a.m. on the first four Thursdays of each month. Open to members and guests. Reservations appreciated. Call 360-258-1181 or e-mail info@ClarkChamber.com. Locations are always the same: First Thursday of the month, Umpqua Bank, Hazel Dell branch, 600 N.E. 99th St., Vancouver; second Thursday, Umpqua Bank, Mill Plain Boulevard branch, 12019 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; third Thursday, Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, third-floor cafeteria, 2211 N.E. 139th, Vancouver; fourth Thursday, QFC, 3505 S.E. 192nd Ave., Vancouver. For workshops or seminars offered by members to the general public, visit www.ClarkChamber.com/calendar.php.

Job Connection with Goodwill Industries: A free job lead referral program to assist people in their job search. Applications for the program are taken 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Goodwill Industries, 6425 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd. 360-695-1923.

Professional Referral Network: Free referral group meets every Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. at Cameo Cafe, 7703 N.E. 72nd Ave., Vancouver. 360-750-4447.

The Columbian welcomes submissions about Clark County residents or businesses as well as regional business events. Information must be received by noon Tuesday preceding the intended Sunday publication date. Send to mary.ricks@columbian.com.