A Brief History (December 2006 - May 2008)         

December 2006
Christianna Flynn contacts all the advertisers in the Lambda Directory and announces a meeting for all those interested in forming a new LGBT Chamber of Commerce to be held at the Pretlow Library in Ocean View
Meeting attended by about 20 interested parties to discuss formation of Hampton Roads GLBT and GLBT Friendly Chamber of Commerce.

January 2007
Planning meeting held at the Vintage Kitchen

February 2007
Met with Kate Karameighan of the NGLCC
Initial board of directors formed (Christianna Flynn, President; Shannon Bowman, Vice-President; Heather Staples, Treasurer; Pat Mulligan, Secretary; Cindy Cutler, Gail Padon, Sherrise Powers, Michael Hamar, Melanie Brown, Don King)
Initial committees formed and bi-weekly meetings begin

March 2007
Mission statement conceived and accepted
Hampton Roads GLBT & GLBT Friendly Chamber of Commerce incorporated
May 9th launch date set
Hampton Roads Business OutReach is adopted as the organization’s official title.
By-laws are written and membership categories accepted
HRBOR wave logo designed and adopted
“Developing diversity, creating community” unanimously accepted as HRBOR tagline

April 2007
HRBOR’s first website comes online
Initial sponsorships collected
Launch invitations mailed
The first Third Thursday networking event is planned for June
HRBOR’s first press release is produced
Inside Business runs a front page story on HRBOR’s upcoming launch

May 2007
Town Pointe Club launch with over 200 in attendance!
Initial membership increased dramatically
Planning for the first Third Thursday event begins in earnest

June 2007
Bank of the Commonwealth in Virginia Beach hosts the first ever Third Thursday

July 2007
Michael Hamar hosts Third Thursday
Membership reaches 50

August 2007
Virginia Stage hosts Third Thursday at the Wells Theater

September 2007
HRBOR participates in “Out in the Park”
HRBOR’s first educational seminar on Domestic Partnership
Judy Boone Realty agents host Third Thursday at Pretty Lake Village

October 2007
First newsletter sent out
Mixers hosts Third Thursday
HRBOR joins the Ghent Business Association
HRBOR’s new website is launched

November 2007
Decorum hosts Third Thursday
HRBOR hires its first employee
Associate memberships are incorporated

December 2007
Third Thursday is moved to the second Thursday, and member vendors are invited to TR Dance
HRBOR’s first new board members Stacey Allin, Nicole Carry & Robert Ianucci elected

January 2008
The final founding membership is received
Skin, A Medical Spa hosts Third Thursday

February 2008
Captain Groovy’s hosts Third Thursday
Mark Board is elected to the board of directors

March 2008
Distinctive Event Rentals hosts Third Thursday

April 2008
Membership surpasses 100!
WHRO hosts the largest ever Third Thursday

May 2008
First annual membership meeting
Founding board members Christianna Flynn, Melanie Brown, Heather Staples and Pat Mulligan retire
New executive committee elected:  Shannon Bowman, President; Nicole Carry, Vice-President; Stacey Allin, Treasurer; Don King, Secretary
New board members Julie Stickell, Jodi Butler and Tim Fincham are inducted
Judy Boone Realty hosts Third Thursday at the Ocean View Fishing Pier
Anniversary Gala at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside!