Jim Butler Memorial Charity Golf Classic
July 13, Sunnybrook Country Club

Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt presents this fund-raiser to benefit Silent Observer. Four-person golf scramble. Includes lunch, heavy hors d'oeuvres after golf, prizes, silent auction, raffle. The Silent Observer program receives approximately 1,800 tips per year and on average assists all local law enforcement in solving two cases per week. Silent Observer is a non-profit organization dependent on donations and fund-raisers, including this event. Jim Butler was chairman of the golf event for the past eight years.

11 a.m. tee off, Sunnybrook Country Club, 0-642 Port Sheldon Road, Grandville. Cost: $540/foursome, $140/individual. Registration: Download form at www.silentobserver.org/fundraising.asp.

Jun 29
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber University class "Big University/Small Business." Learn how the University of Michigan can help your business, from a panel of U-M representatives who will share how they are nurturing innovation, industry connections and economic development in the state. 9-10:30 a.m., Chamber offices, 111 Pearl St. NW. Cost: free, pre-registration required: 771-0303 or www.grandrapids.org.

Jul 8
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Member Orientation. Learn what Chamber membership has to offer. 8-9 a.m., Chamber offices, 111 Pearl St. NW. Cost: free, breakfast provided. RSVP: 771-0303 or www.grandrapids.org.

Jul 9
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Business Exchange, Summer Style. Special luncheon at the ballpark. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fifth Third Ballpark Pepsi Stadium, 4500 West River Drive. Cost: $18/member early registration; $23/member after Jul 6, and for future members (may only attend once). Reservations: 771-0303 or www.grandrapids.org.

Jul 9
The Employers' Association program "Respecting Differences: Preventing Harassment, Discrimination & Workplace Violence," presented by Ellen Levey. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $160/members; $210/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 10
Ed Suchecki Memorial Buc Open golf scramble to benefit Grand Haven Middle School and High School athletics. Noon-7 p.m., Grand Haven Golf Club. Registration/information: Jack Provencal, (616) 850-6000 or provej@ghaps.org.

Jul 10
The Employers' Association program "CPR Certification & First Aid," presented by Michael Bouwens, Emergency Response Training. Certification is good for two years. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $50/members; $60/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 13
Health Intervention Services 6th Annual Golf Event. Best ball scramble with shotgun start. Lunch, dinner and snacks provided. Prizes awarded to top teams. 1 pm start (a.m. tee times available), Railside Golf Course, 2500 76th St. SW, Byron Center. Cost: $150. Registration: (616) 475-1326, ext. 110, thoekstra@hisgr.com or www.hisgr.com.

Jul 14
The Employers' Association program "Progressive Discipline & Termination," presented by Rob Strate, SPHR. Program stresses the importance of early intervention when performance or behavior issues arise. 8:30-10:30 a.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $65/members; $90/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 15
WMWTA Annual Golf Outing. West Michigan World Trade Association's four-person scramble. 10 a.m. shotgun start, Saskatoon Golf Club, 9038 92nd St. SE. Cost: $105/WMWTA members; $130/nonmembers. Registration: (616) 771-0569 or e-mail abbotta@grandrapids.org.

Jul 15
The Employers' Association program "Basic Leadership Skills, Fast Track," presented by Rob Strate, SPHR. Participants will take an online behavioral profile prior to program and then meet to interpret the results. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $130/members; $165/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 16
The Employers' Association program "Advanced Employment Law," presented by Varnum Law attorneys. Session further examines employment law introduced in the HR Certificate 1 series. 8:30-10:30 a.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $150/members; $200/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 17
Lakeshore ATHENA Awards deadline to submit nominations. To download form: www.grandhavenchamber.org.

Jul 21
Muskegon Inventors Network monthly meeting. Speaker is Dr. James Wolters, professor, Grand Valley State University. 6-8 p.m., Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, 380 W. Western Ave. If door is locked, call (231) 578-9876. Reservations: irmgard.cooper@imc-products.com.

Jul 21
The Employers' Association program "Turning a Negative Encounter Into a Positive Encounter," presented by Lynne Goede, PHR. 8:30 a.m.-noon, 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $95/members; $135/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 22
Performance Partners Consulting seminar "Diverse Personalities for Successful Business," presented by Wayne Klausing. 9 a.m.-noon, Dominican Center, 2025 E. Fulton St. Cost: $79. Information/reservations: (616) 874-2071.

Jul 22
West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative, Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest and Grand Valley State University Community Conversation: "Entrepreneurship in Michigan," one of four conversations taking place across the state as part of the Michigan's Defining Moment Public Engagement Campaign. The conversations will help inform the decisions of state lawmakers. 5-7 p.m., GVSU L.V. Eberhard Center, 301 W. Fulton St. Free, but registration is requested: www.gleq.org and click on "Events."

Jul 23
The Employers' Association program "Managing Conflict," presented by Dawn Longcore. 8:30 a.m.-noon, 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $95/members; $135/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.

Jul 23
West Michigan Strategic Alliance GreenTown Conference Grand Rapids, designed for mayors, elected officials, city managers, public works directors, park district officials, planners, developers, engineers, architects, landscape architects, builders, school leaders and other community stakeholders who are interested in creating sustainable communities. Speakers include Mayor George Heartwell and Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kan., a town destroyed by a tornado that is rebuilding "green." Includes group discussions. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Grand Valley State University DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St. Cost: $295 (discounts available). Registration/information:greentownconference.com.

Jul 28
Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce Issue Forum — Community Conversation. Tools to move Michigan and Muskegon forward. Open to Chamber members and nonmembers. 7:30-9:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor, 939 Third St., Muskegon. Cost: free. Registration: www.muskegon.org or e-mail rsvp@muskegon.org. For more information: www.thecenterformichigan.net.

Jul 30
Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, celebrating Executive Air's 50th anniversary. 4:30-6:30 p.m., Hanger No. 2, Executive Air Transport, 103 Sinclair Drive, Muskegon. Cost: $5 donation benefits the MACC Foundation. Registration: www.muskegon.org.

Aug 2
James Kettlewell Memorial Golf Outing. Golf and dinner with food, prizes and a silent auction. Proceeds will be used to memorialize Kettlewell within Forest Hills Central Ranger football. 12:30 p.m., Thornapple Pointe Golf Club. Cost: $75. Registration(by Jul 15): jenny@meleca.org.

Aug 17
Positively Warren Golf Classic. Tenth annual golf classic benefiting the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame and Warren Reynolds Library at Saint Mary's. 10:45 a.m. registration, noon tee-off, 4:30 p.m. dinner, auction, reception and raffle, Egypt Valley Country Club. Cost: $250 golf; $60 dinner. Registration: www.postivelywarren.org.

Meetings and Conventions

Jun 26-30
United Church of Christ 2009 National General Synod Convention. Citywide/DeVos Place. Information: Claire Bunker, (616) 233-3553 or cbunker@visitgrandrapids.org.