December 2014

Small Town

America's

5 Rules to Negotiate a Better Salary Saving Money on Your Holiday Shopping

List Exciting STEM Careers and Opportunities Aplenty in the Navy
How to Maximize your Tax Benefits for Charitable Gifts
Georgia State Director Heads South
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 1

Contents

5 Five Rules to Negotiate a Better Salary

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD
Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital
publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad.
www.RuralLeaderMagazine.com
Marketing
Treasure Marketing, LLC
Photographer
Tiesha Allen
TieFotos
Contributing Writer

6 Overlooking Insurance During Your Job

Search Could Cost You
7 Money Saving Tips
So You Can Earn Your
Degree Without Going
into Debt
8 Learn What's Important to Small Business
Owners
9 Small Town America's 100 Most Influential
People
15 How to Make
Your Home Ownership
Dreams A Reality

Sara Lee Crumbs, Director,

Quitman County Family Connection

16 Saving Money on
Your Holiday Shopping
List

17 Ten Tips for Becoming More Efficient

and Eco-friendly Business
18 Growing Your Business: Tips to Apply for a
Small Business Loan
21 Exciting STEM
Career and Opportunities Aplenty in the Navy
23 How to Maximize
Your Tax Benefits for
Charitable Gifts
23 Important Guidelines to Landing that
Perfect Job
24 Georgia State
Chamber Director
Heads South

Best Small Town Restaurant

Readers Forum

The Scoop Deli and Ice Cream located at 115 West

Jefferson Street in downtown Thomasville, Georgia is
Tell us what you think about our publicathe recipient of this issues Best Small Town Restautions, if you have a great idea for a story, or to rant honor. The popular eatery was voted Best of
just share. We may print your comments in
the Best four consecutive years (2011-2014) by the
Times Enterprise Newspaper. The Scoop is a family
Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your
run business owned by Linda Hurst.
comments, youre giving permission to call
you for an interview. Please be sure to include The popular establishment specializes is making
healthy food fast with a large variety of homemade
your name, address, email address, and phone sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts made fresh
number so we can reach you. Write to us at
daily. Operating Hours are Monday through Friday
RuralLeaderMagazine@gmail.com
9AM until 5PM, and 11 AM until 4 PM on Saturday;
closed on Sunday. For more information, call 229Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part,
551-0012 or write to theScoopDeli@yahoo.com.
in English, or other languages, is
prohibited without written consent.
Send editorial ideas to
Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief
RuralLeaderMagazine@gmail.com

2 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

In Every Issue

2 Best Small Town Restaurant

27 Under 20 Honors
27 Classifieds

Editors Note

Dear Reader,
2014 has been a phenomenal year! Since the release of the inaugural issue in March, weve received an outpouring of support
regionally as well as nationally. Rural Leader under 20 and 40 under
40 honors were immensely successful. Best Small Town Restaurant
honors was another sweet spot as recognized popular mom and pop
restaurants in small communities.
In this issue, we present more insightful articles on not only leadership, but also practical tips to advance ones career or to enhance
business practice and productivity. By far, however, we are most
proud and excited to unveil 2014 Small Town Americas 100 Most
Influential People! These deserving individuals represent small rural
communities across the nation. We salute the nominees for their
contributions and efforts, which make small town America a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
We sincerely thank you for your unwavering support throughout
the year. As we embark into the New Year, we aim to continue to
grow this publication and to try new concepts. Rural Leader Magazine will be published six times per year beginning January 2015.
Until then, we wish you and yours a happy, safe, and prosperous
Holiday Season!
Sincerely,

Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Dear Rural Leader Magazine,

Loving this magazine! I cannot
wait to read the next issue.
Brian C.
Alabaster, AL

Reader's Voice

Dear Rural Leader Magazine,

I was so impressed with the 4o
under 40 issue. It is high time the
folks in small towns get the recognition we deserve!
Francis. W
Baconton, GA
Dear Rural Leader Magazine,
Thanks for the article, What
Employers Want. The article was
timely and informative.
Brandon C.
Farmville, VA

Dear Rural Leader Magazine,

Thanks for another great issue!
Linda F.
Quincy, FL

Dear Rural Leader Magazine,

I enjoyed the article, Eight tips to
Conducting Meeting Confidently. I
learned a lot. Thanks so much.
Vanessa C.
Tellico Plains, TN
Dear Rural Leader Magazine,
Thank you, thank you for recognizing our young rural leaders.
This is a phenomenal gesture.
Please keep up the great work!
Danny K.
Grantville, MD

Dear Rural Leader Magazine,

Thank you for being a voice for
rural leaders across the country. I
am a fan for life!
William D.
Blue Mountain, MS
Dear Rural Leader Magazine,
I am so pleased with the work that
you are doing! Thanks for your
efforts to focus on leaders in rural
communities.
John D.
Bainbridge, GA
Dear Rural Leader Magazine,
I received an invitation to view
your publication from a friend
online. Two words: Loved it!
Genny T.
Attapulgas, GA
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 33

4 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

5 Rules to Negotiate a Better Salary

Between networking, polishing your resume, applying and

interviewing, finding a job is time
consuming. Once the offer comes
in, all your hard work is done,
right? Not necessarily. Now is the
time for negotiating - a process
few people are comfortable with.
Skipping it, however, can mean
that you miss out on better benefits or a higher salary.
"You should always negotiate
a higher salary," says Vanessa
Jackson, director of career services at The Illinois Institute of
Art - Chicago. "Hiring managers
expect this, so they do not start by
offering the highest salary in their
range."
Rule 1: Be polite
The first rule when it comes to
negotiating is to always be polite.
"Say 'Thank you very much for
this opportunity. I am so excited
to join your company.' Then move
into the negotiation," says Shannon Delecki, assistant director of
career services at The Art Institute
of Michigan.
Your requests should never
sound like demands. If they do,
you could negotiate your way right
out of a job. Remember, the negotiation is a balancing act. You want

a higher salary but you're looking

to work with the person on the
other end of the negotiation, so be
respectful and use good manners
always.
Rule 2: Know your worth
Make sure you've done your
research. "Know the average salaries for the position and for the
market," says Delecki. That means
what others with similar experience would make in the same city
where you'll be working.
And this isn't a time to be
modest about your potential value
to the company. "Tell the company
why you are worth more than you
are being offered. Show them how
you will contribute to the company's profits and help their bottom
line," advises Delecki.
Rule 3: Ask for the right
amount
Ask for too little and you'll sell
yourself short, but if you ask for
too much you'll risk offending
your future employer. How much
should you ask for? Jackson recommends anywhere from $3,000 $5,000 above the company's offer.
After conveying your gratitude for
the job offer, confidently state: "I'm
hoping to negotiate a salary closer
to $XX."

Rule 4: Don't forget other

benefits
There are times that companies
may not be able to budge on the
dollar amount, but that doesn't
mean negotiations are done. This
could be an opportunity to negotiate other benefits like paid time
off. "Ask the company whether
they can be more flexible about
vacation or PTO days," says Delecki.
In addition to vacation days,
other benefits that you could try to
negotiate for include flex time for
working from home and subsidized day-care costs. "I've known
people who negotiated for immediate vesting in the company's
401(k)," observes Jackson.
Rule 5: Be realistic
Keep in mind, people negotiating higher-level jobs will likely
have more success negotiating.
If you are just out of college and
accepting an entry-level job, employers typically will not negotiate
much, if at all. Young professionals
can always ask, but they must be
realistic about what they should
ask for and about what an employer is likely to approve.BPT

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 5

Overlooking Insurance During

Your Job Search Could Cost You

An improving economy has

many people entering the job
market and looking for new employment opportunities. But if job
seekers are not insurance-smart
in their search, they may end up
in worse financial shape than they
were in their previous role.
Earning a higher salary is the
primary goal for many job seekers,
but research from the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) shows that
many job seekers ignore the wider
benefits package, not realizing
that insurance benefits alone can
account for nearly 10 percent of
total compensation, according to
research from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. This could be costly,
as 25 percent of job switchers
found out. In fact, new employees
reported that insurance-related
changes in their new position
either slightly or greatly worsened
their overall financial situation.
If you are exploring new opportunities in the job market, make
sure you ask these questions.
Five tough questions to ask
when changing jobs
1. Beyond salary, what are the
other financial implications of
making a job change?
2. What options do I have to

6 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

cover medical expenses while I'm

between jobs?
3. If something catastrophic
happens to me between jobs, is my
family protected?
4. Have I thought through all of
the financial consequences of a job
change that includes a long-distance move?
5. All things considered, could
this be a good time to start my
own business?
Asking yourself these questions
will put you in a better position to
research new opportunities in an
informed way. Before you decide
to accept a new position, make
some smart insurance decisions
to be sure you and your family are
protected during the transition.
Five insurance-smart things to
do as you change jobs
1. Find out if your new employer has a mandatory waiting period
before health insurance coverage
takes effect. If so, consider a shortterm plan to cover the gap.
2. Conduct a line-by-line comparison of your current health
plan with plans offered by your
new employer to determine the
right blend of deductibles, co-pays
and coinsurance for your needs.
3. If you have children and your
health insurance coverage is at

risk of lapsing, look into government-sponsored programs, such

as Children's Health Insurance
Plans (CHIP). These plans may
provide coverage at little or no
cost to you.
4. See if your current group life
insurance plan has a conversion
privilege. You may have 31 days
from the day you leave your employer to submit an application.
5. Insurance rates and coverage vary greatly from state to
state. Before a move across state
lines, contact your state insurance
department so you know what to
expect.
Accepting a new position can
be an exciting time in your professional life. By asking the right
questions you can ensure your
new job is even more profitable
for your family than your last. For
more tips, tools, videos, interactive
games and downloadable apps to
help you get smart about insurance during a job change or other
life event such as buying a car,
buying a home, getting married,
becoming a parent or even turning
50, visit InsureUonline.org.
A fun video by the NAIC illustrates the importance of educating
yourself on insurance during these
life events.BPT

Money-Saving Tips
So You Can

Earn Your Degree

Without Going into
Debt

Many students, such as Kevin, come to Columbia College from a large state university. To be financially smart he enrolled in the
evening program, which he balanced with an overnight job. He was involved in many campus activities, and also was a student
worker.

If you've just finished high school and you're headed to college, or if you're an adult student looking to
go back to school, chances are you've thought about
student debt. You're not alone.
The epidemic of student debt is taking higher education by storm. In 2011, combined student debt
eclipsed the $1 trillion mark. Consider the fact that
total credit card debt in the United States was estimated at $798 billion that same year, and you can see
why student debt is such a problem.
While concerns about accruing debt may make
you nervous, obtaining your college degree is the key
to better career opportunities and a higher earning potential throughout your professional life. So
how do you earn the degree of your dreams without
a mountain of debt? Follow these money-saving,
debt-prevention tips and you'll see the benefits on
graduation day.
* Avoid the credit card blitz. As a college student
you will be inundated with new credit card offers.
While the idea of spending now and paying later
may be tempting, credit cards carry some of the
highest interest rates available. Frequent use of your

credit card without paying the balance off in full

will cause you to pile up debt quickly. What's worse,
poor use of your credit card - maxing out the limit or
making late payments - hurts your credit score and
could make future purchases like a home or car more
difficult. Avoid credit cards if possible, but if you
must have a card, try to limit your cards to no more
than two and don't charge more than you can pay off
each month.
* Maintain your current job or take a part-time
job. Paying off credit cards or staying ahead is easier
if you're working part-time. Many students don't
want to work during their college years, but parttime work is an excellent way to avoid debt. Working
even a few hours a week can help you pay down your
bills and provide for a little financial cushion so you
don't always have to feel like a poor college student.
* Seek advice at your school. Universities across
the country are more aware of student debt than ever
before, and some of them are even instituting programs to help students save and reduce debt. Columbia College of Missouri's Money Stacks Program
Continued on page 8
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 7

Small business, big commitment. Learn what's important

to small business owners

A new survey commissioned by Ink

from Chase and NAWBO found some
interesting differences in how men and
women operate their small businesses.
Explore the following infographic to see
how men and women compare and how
they are working to grow their businesses over the next 12 months.BPT
Money Saving Tips, continued pg 7
provides students with important
financial education and the tips and
tools they need to graduate with little
to no debt. You'll learn about saving,
spending smartly and how overall
financial awareness can help you avoid
debt.
* Avoid using loan money for
non-education related costs. Think
your loans are like a low-interest credit
card? Think again. Instead of looking
at your loans as a source of free money,
budget your loan money solely for tuition, books and related fees. This will
ensure your loan money is spent as it
was intended and you stay on budget.
* Save money where you can. College is expensive, but there are plenty
of ways you can save. Purchase new
textbooks only after you've exhausted
rental or used-book options. Living
at home or in the dorms is more cost
effective than renting a place of your
own. Plus, if you live on campus or
close to public transportation, you can
eliminate the need to own your own
vehicle, which will save you even more.
A college education is an investment
that will benefit you the rest of your
life, and while you may be concerned
about the debt that pursuing a degree
can create, saving and spending smartly will allow you to attain your degree
without a mountain of bills. To learn
more about Columbia College of Missouri and its Money Stacks Program,
visit www.facebook.com/CCMoneyStacks.BPT
8 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

2014
Small Town

America's

itizens of small towns and cities across

the nation are truly unsung heroes. The
level of involvement, commitment, and
intense effort to improve their communities sometimes go unnoticed. They
serve in various capacities throughout our nation:
some are doctors, lawyers, judges, local, state, and
federal government officials, teachers, students,
bankers, ministers, and business owners. In essence,
they are everyday people doing extraordinary things.
The full scope of their individual contributions may
never be fully realized by those who do not understand the small town dynamic. However, collectively,
these exemplary individuals represent the heart and
soul of small communities.

Our anonymous panel of judges received scores

of nominations with the daunting task to select 100
individuals who met the following criteria: 1) nominee must reside within the United States and live or
work within a small town or city with a population
of 80,000 or less; and 2) be least 18 years of age and
have made a significant contribution to community.
Nominees could self-nominate or be nominated by
an individual, group, or organization. Nominations
were accepted June 1st through July 31st.
Without further ado, we introduce the 2014 Small
Town America's 100 Most Influential People. Rural
Leader Magazine wishes each nominee continued
success. Again, congratulations!
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 9

Robert Albritten
Owner

Albritten Funeral Service

Dawson, Georgia

Joe C. Bishop
Judge

Pataula Judicial Circuit

Superior Court
Dawson, Georgia

Rev. Dr. Marvin Brown

Minister
New Providence Baptist Church

Ashburn, Georgia

Craig Cates
Mayor

Key West, Florida

Mario Avery

Mayor
Fairburn, Georgia

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

U.S. Representative
GA 2nd District
Columbus, Georgia

Dr. Raymond Burse

President

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky

J. C. "Chris" Clark, Jr.

President
GA Chamber
Fitzgerald, Georgia

10 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Brady Beckwith

Hats for the Homeless

Traverse City, Michigan

Kenneth Boswell
Mayor

Enterprise, Alabama

Patty James-Bentley
GA House Representative
District 139
Butler, Georgia

Dr. David Bridges

President

Abraham Baldwin Ag College

Tifton, Georgia

Dr. Daniel Bingham

Dean
Helena College
Helena, Montana

Kevin Brown

Community Advocate

Marion Co. Family Connection

Buena Vista, Georgia

Rosalyn Carter
Former First Lady U. S.

Joyce Sutton-Cameron
Mayor

Jimmy Carter
39th U. S. President

Bill Clinton

William C. Collins

Dr. John Culbreath

Hope, Arkansas

Summerville, SC

Albany, Georgia

Trotwood, Ohio

42nd U. S. President

Plains, Georgia

Mayor

Plains, Georgia

Retired Educator

Dr. Marvin Crumbs

Principal
Columbus High School
Columbus, Georgia

James A. Diossa

Dr. Waded Cruzado

President
Montana State
University

Victoria Darrisaw
State Court Judge
Albany, Georgia

Boseman, Montana

Alice Dupont

T. Craig Earnest

Community Advocate
Quincy, Florida

Pataula District Attorney

Cuthbert, Georgia

Rev. Dr. Timothy French

Barbara Gaines
Minister/Prophetess

Criss Garcia
Councilman

Minister
Beulah Baptist Church
Macon, Georgia

Gerald Greene
GA House Rep.
District 151

Cuthbert, Georgia

West Orange, New Jersey

Jacksonville, Oregon

Rosey Grier

Rodney Grogan

Minister/Actor/Former
Professional Athlete
Cuthbert, Georgia

Gino Dino
Artist

Damascus, Virginia

Macon, Georgia

Mayor

Central Falls, Rhode Island

Hardie Davis
Pastor/Businessman
GA State Senator
District 22

Mayor
Patterson, Louisiana

Larry Ellison
Owner

Susan Upton Farley

Lani, Hawaii

Mayor
Village of
Woodland, Ohio

Corderal Gilbert

Dana Graham

Minister
New Generation Church
Fort Gaines, Georgia

Hal Haeker

Mayor
Alma, Nebraska

Mayor

Northfield, Minnesota

David S. Hamm, Jr.

Minister

Piney Grove Missionary

Baptist Church
Cuthbert, GA

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 11

Jeffrey Haynes

C. J. Huff

Minister/Business Owner
Commissioner District 2

Superintendent
Joplin Schools

Early County, Georgia

Joplin, Missouri

Rev. Justin Johnson

Michael Johnson

Cool Springs Baptist Church

Dane Co. Boys & Girls Club

Pastor

Fort Valley, Georgia

John Lewis

CEO

Madison, Wisconsin

Matt Largen

U. S. Representative
GA 5th District

President and CEO

Williamson, Inc.

Rev. Charles McDonald

Anna McIntyre

Troy, Alabama

Minister
Mt. Early Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

Franklin, Tennessee

4-H Youth
Development Coordinator

Ball Park, Georgia

12 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Pamela G. Jackson
Founder
Youth Becoming
Healthy Project

Diane Joens
Mayor

Cottonwood, Arizona

Albany, Georgia

Michael Johnson

Robert Johnson

Hank Johnson

U. S. Representative
GA 4th District
Lithonia, Georgia

Carvel C. Lewis

Owner/President
Lewis Mortuary II

Columbus, Georgia

Mayor
North Wilkesboro,
Carolina

Georgetown, Georgia

Ricardo Lopez
Mayor
Crystal City, Texas

Mim McConnell
Mayor
Sitka, Alaska

Alan W. McDonald
Mayor
Heber, Utah

Andy McKenzie
Mayor
Wheeling, West
Virginia

Michael S. Monrones

Steve Morford

Community Support Specialist

GA Family Connection

Mayor
Silver City, New Mexico

Principal

Spearfish, South Dakota

Gene Morgan

Salvatore J. Panto, Jr.

Quincy, Florida

Easton, Pennsylvania

Commissioner

Karen Pfeifer
Vice Mayor

Cottonwood, Arizona

James D. Reynolds
Mayor

Mayor

Max Pittman

Owner
P & P Land Services
County EMA Director
Benevolence, Georgia

Kevin C. Richardson
Mayor

Eagle, Idaho

Lake Barrington, Illinois

Dorothy B. Scruggs

Bradley D. Sellers

Talbot Co. Family Connection

Warrensville Hgts, Ohio

Community Advocate
Talbotton, Georgia

Mayor

Dr. Anthony O. Parker

President
Albany Technical College
Albany, Georgia

Gary Raney
Sheriff

Kris Peavy

Arthur Perkins
Mayor Pro-Tem

Randolph Co. Ext./4-H

Coleman, Georgia

Denham Springs, Louisiana

Jose A. Ray, Jr.

Winifred Rembert

Council Member

Boise, Idaho

Silver City, New Mexico

Artist
Cuthbert, Georgia

Dr. Luke Robins

President
Penisula College

Tom Rouse

Mayor
Sonoma, California

Turkeisa Rushin

Wayne Seybold

Jason Shelton

Port Angles, Washington

Mayor
Marion, Indiana

Mayor

Minister

Empowerment Temple
Cuthbert, Georgia

Shirley Sherrod

Tupelo, Mississippi

Author and Co-Founder

SWGA Project For
Community Education
Baker County, Georgia

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 13

Freddie Powell Sims

GA Senator
District 12
Dawson, Georgia

Calvin Smyre
GA House Rep.
District 135

Columbus, Georgia

Dr. Georgia Tuttle

Mayor

Lebanon, New Hampshire

Richard West
Founder/Owner
West Foods IGA
Edison, Georgia

Rev. Dr. Allen Smith

April Holt Smith

Founder
Southern Gospel News
Digital Magazine
Potost, Missouri

CEO
Butterfly Cosmetics &
Laschon Kouture
Buena Vista, Georgia

Marsha Taylor

Judith H. Thompson

Owner
Secret Garden Embroidered Art & Gifts

Ben Wheeler, Texas

Jesse L. Tweedle, Sr.

Mayor
Plesantville, New Jersey

Joseph Williams

Commissioner
Stewart County District 2
Lumpkin, Georgia

14 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Publisher/Editor
The Metro Gazette
Albany, Georgia

Dr. Peter Vermeulen

Pastor
Cuthbert UMC
Cuthbert, Georgia

Yvonne H. Williams
Author/Motivational
Speaker
Atlanta, Georgia

Byron Spires

Editor
The Havana Herald
Havana, Florida

Mike Thurmond
Attorney/Author
Athens, Georgia

Jennifer Vidrine
Mayor
Ville Platte, Louisiana

Christopher K. Wright
Mayor
Dawson, Georgia

Chris R. Stricklin

Colonel/U.S. Airforce
Leadership Professional
Montgomery, Alabama

James Turner
Minister

Greater St. Mark MBC

Camilla, Georgia

Dr. Eddie Watson

Author/Minister

Clay Hill Christian Retreat

Fort Gaines, Georgia

Dr. Paul Young

President
Sheridan College
Sheridan, Wyoming

Millennials: How to make your home ownership dreams a reality

Owning a home is part of the American Dream,
yet standards on income, credit and debt are making
it tougher to buy a home than it was 10 years ago.
Even though requirements are relaxing, only three
out of five borrowers get approved.
While stricter standards make it tougher for young
families to qualify for a mortgage, millennials said
they understand why these standards exist and think
the tougher requirements wont stand in their way of
buying a home, according to a new survey commissioned by loanDepot.
In fact, millennials today are serious about doing whats required to get a mortgage. The research
surveyed 1,000 millennials who dont own a home
and found 35 percent plan to buy within five years.
Whats more, millenials are taking steps now to turn
their dreams into a reality by getting their credit
in order, paying down debt and saving for a down
payment.
Income is a key to opening the doors of homeownership for millennials, and theyre more than
committed to it; theyre actively planning for it, says
Anthony Hsieh, chairman and chief executive officer,
loanDepot LLC. Our improving economy is making
it practical for millennials who want to own their
own homes in a few short years to get ready now.
Their strong desire to become homeowners, coupled
with the commitment of getting their finances in
order, suggests a renewal in first-time buyer demand
may be possible if we sustain necessary economic
and market conditions.
With their prospects improving as the economy
picks up, millennials are forming households faster
and making more money compared to a few years
ago. One in three millennials said an increase of

15 percent or less in income will be enough to turn

them into homebuyers, a significant proposition for
the economy.
Because mortgage lenders use debt-to-income to
evaluate a borrowers ability to repay a loan, student
debt is a growing burden on millennials interested in
financing a home. Unlike medical debt, student debt
carries an equal weight to credit card debt. Nearly
half of those surveyed said its unfair to weigh both
types of debt equally.
As for the tougher requirements to getting a
mortgage, millennials do think the tougher standards guard against risky loans and will help prevent
another mortgage crisis. More than half say making
it easier to get a mortgage will result in more foreclosures.
If you have student debt and want to buy your
first home, here are a few ideas and tips to help you
prepare:
* Lower your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). DTI
is your total monthly income as compared to your
total monthly debt payments. Most lenders will only
lend to you if your DTI is at or below 43 percent. So
to lower it, try to increase your income by pursuing
a promotion or raise, finding a higher-paying job or
taking on part-time work. Decrease your required
monthly debt payments by refinancing or consolidating student loans and paying down any credit card
balances.
* Get your credit score in order. Analyze your
credit report before you start the home buying process. Dispute incorrect derogatory information and
ensure all three credit-reporting bureaus list all of
your positive information. Pay all your bills on time,
reduce credit card balances to 30 percent of the credit
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 15

limit or lower, and dont open new credit cards if you already have a few.
* Save for a down payment. Make a budget for each month before it starts, with a plan for spending and
saving, and stick to it. Stash away extra money from bonuses, overtime or financial gifts on your birthday or
holidays. Find a roommate to help pay your rent or move into a less-expensive rental. Do freelance or contract work on the side. Sell unneeded stuff on Craigslist.-BPT

Saving Money on Your Holiday Shopping List

The holidays can get expensive, especially if you
have a large list of family and friends to shop for, or
if you are planning to host a party or two. There are
some ways, however, that you can save money this
year and potentially make your planning for the season a bit easier as well.
Be sure to start early so you can take advantage
of as many money-saving opportunities as possible.
And while youre at it, try some of these ideas to keep
more money in your pocket:
* Keep an eye on your email. Click on the promotional emails from your favorite retailers letting you
know about special holiday discounts. If you have
your shopping list - and gift ideas - already planned
out, you can take advantage of these special promotions.
* With your list in hand, use your computer to
compare prices quickly on those items. You can
search several stores in a matter of minutes, and also
discover coupon codes or cash-back options through
Ebates.com, resulting in additional savings. Plus, you
dont need to drive all over town wasting time and
gas money!
* Thanks to the Internet and shipping, you can
shop at almost any store in the nation. Use Ebates
to find specialty stores and boutiques all across the
16 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

country that may offer an item at a cheaper price

than if you were to shop at a retail store with a middleman markup.
* Take advantage of holiday free-shipping offers,
and have those gifts or decorating supplies for your
upcoming parties delivered to your home or office
- or the recipients house. Some stores also will have
gift wrapping available for a minimal cost, helping
you to save additional time and money on wrapping
supplies.
* Get some money back when youre all finished.
Ebates not only provides you with free shipping
discounts or coupon codes, but also will give you
a check back in the mail for a percentage of your
purchases. Its a nice way to celebrate the holiday
season, knowing that youve saved money and have
some extra funds left when youre all done with your
shopping.
With these money-saving tips, youll be able to
stick to your budget. This holiday season, youll be
the family member whos relaxed and enjoying the
festivities happening all around you, because you will
have accomplished everything on your to-do list and
saved some money in the process.-BPT

10 tips for Becoming a More Efficient

And Eco-Friendly Business

Sustainability is good for the environment, but

did you know it's also good for the bottom line? The
headlines are filled with stories about the latest and
greatest sustainability goals and projects for large
corporations. But, you don't have to be a giant company to be a green business.
Sixty-five percent of leaders at small and medium sized-businesses are committed to increasing
eco-friendly activities, according to the Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey. The survey also revealed
that half of small businesses believe sustainability is
good for the bottom line and will become a standard
practice in the next five years.
"Our research revealed that SMBs welcome the
opportunity to learn more about sustainability, and
there is compelling data that education can move the
needle on sustainability," says Cox Enterprises Executive Vice President Alex Taylor. "There is a correlation between the amount of sustainability knowledge
business leaders reported having and their level of
participation in eco-friendly programs."
While some projects require large-scale investments, small businesses can easily become more efficient in many other ways. Here are some quick tips
that can help any sized business improve efficiency.
1. Turn off computers and other office equipment
when they are not in use.
2. Lower your heater thermostat to the lowest
comfortable setting when your business is occupied.
Set the temperature back further when the business
is unoccupied.

3. Use paper efficiently by printing double sided

and using shredded scrap paper as packing materials
for shipping.
4. Talk to your building manager about incorporating recycling programs, as well as energy and
water-efficient appliances.
5. Offer paperless billing to reduce costs associated
with materials and mailing.
Operating in an efficient manner is important, and
engaging your customers and employees can also
make a difference.
1. Consider teleworking as an option for employees.
2. Encourage employees to keep reusable mugs
and bottles at work. Earth911 reports that the average American office worker uses 500 disposable cups
every year.
3. Ask your employees for ideas on how to operate
more efficiently.
4. Offer discounts to customers who bring their
own bags or opt out of taking one.
5. Add a note to your email signatures with the
message: Consider the environment. Please print this
email only if necessary.
These easy tips can start your business on a
journey toward becoming a more efficient and
eco-friendly organization. The benefits start at protecting the earth and extend to enhancing the bottom
line.BPT
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 17

Growing Your Business:

Tips for Applying for Small Business Loans
The outlook for small business is up with many
business owners feeling good about the future of the
economy, their financial positions and their plans for
growth, according to Capital One's Spark Business
Barometer. But for many business owners looking to
secure capital to either start or expand their enterprise, the process can be challenging, particularly
for those with a limited or negative track record, or
poor personal credit. Fortunately, there are a variety
of products and programs designed to help address
those challenges and enable business growth, one
of which is offered through the U.S. Small Business
Administration (or SBA).
18 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

SBA loans offer a number of key advantages, including longer payback terms and higher borrowing
limits, which can be useful when financing necessities like real estate and equipment. For example,
Freshbikes, a bicycle shop based in the Washington,
D.C., area, worked with Capital One to refinance
debt it incurred by expanding its business and opening new stores. This resulted in an improved payment schedule and additional working capital for the
now-thriving business.
Unfortunately, despite the many benefits SBA
loans offer, few small businesses take advantage of
them, and those who do say they find the process for

applying for SBA loans "complex and confusing." In

fact, Capital One's latest Spark Business Barometer
found that a majority (79 percent) of small-business
owners are aware of SBA loans, but only 9 percent
have actually applied for one (and most business
owners who did apply found the process complicated.)
There are a number of ways to simplify the SBA
loan application process, and given the SBA recently
announced that they will extend fee waivers for loans
meeting certain requirements, now is a great time to
understand how these loans can work for your business and consider applying for one.
Capital One has a few tips to keep in mind when
applying for an SBA loan:
*Know your business. The first thing any lender
wants to know is how well you know your business.
Do you know your cost of sales, gross margin, payroll
expenses off the top of your head?
* Look for a Preferred Lender (PLP status). Preferred lenders have more experience and authority in
processing SBA loans, which is critical when it comes
to navigating the SBA's requirements and procedures. Working with a lender who fully understands
the process and can explain it to you will make life a
lot easier. Since they are experts in this area, typically
your loan will close more quickly, as well. Preferred

lenders are usually listed on the SBA website for your

state. You can always contact the SBA directly as well.
* Come prepared. SBA loans require comprehensive document packages. Be prepared with full copies
of your personal and business tax returns for the last
three years, current financial statements and projections and personal financial statements. Check the
SBA's website at www.sba.gov for required documentation for the product that interests you. Having a
complete package up front can save a lot of time.
*Consider applying for a smaller loan. In an
effort to streamline the application process, the SBA
recently announced plans to maintain current fee
waivers to make it easier to secure smaller loans for
small business, including a 2 percent fee waiver for
loans $150,000 or less. If you want to reinvest in your
business, now is a great time to act.
Capital One is committed to helping small-business owners achieve their financial goals by offering
SBA loans with features or opportunities that might
not be available through conventional loans, and
helping small-business owners to navigate the application process. For more helpful information on
managing a small business, visit www.capitalonesmallbusiness.com.BPT

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 19

20 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Exciting STEM

Careers and Opportunities Aplenty in the Navy

There's a big push for students to excel in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM), and for good reason. The careers available
to students pursuing degrees in these areas present
students with plenty of exciting and challenging opportunities. What you might not realize is how many
of those opportunities exist in the Navy.
The Navy is looking for intelligent students with
critical thinking skills who are interested in careers
that involve working on the world's most-advance
weapons systems, developing the next generation
of medical technology, or a number of other fields
of STEM study. It is estimated more than 1 million
STEM jobs will be created by 2020, creating a great
need in the market for qualified employees.
For these reasons, talented, committed individuals
with a STEM education will be needed to maintain
the U.S. as a world technology leader. The U.S. Navy
is partnering with organizations across the U.S. to
help promote an interest in STEM subjects among
elementary to college-level students. The Navy STEM
for the Classroom tool is available for teachers and
students, providing lesson plans and interactive tools
to increase learning in these subjects.
One program incorporating STEM subject learning with real-world experiences is the Oceanography
and Meteorology lesson, which provides students
and teachers in the classroom tools to learn, study
and measure the principles of oceanography like
waves, tides and currents. Once they understand how
these principles affect ocean navigation, students will
be able to pursue other exciting opportunities like a
hands-on search-and-rescue scenario.
The Navy also offers the Navy Proving Grounds

widget, which is an interactive tool for students to

test their minds in diving missions, flight school or
at-sea trials.
Students with a background in STEM courses have
the opportunity in the Navy to work with some of
the most awe-inspiring ships, submarines, aircraft
and communications systems, develop unmanned
vehicles and robotics that keep people out of harm's
way, and pioneer advances in everything from nuclear propulsion to biofuels or medical research. A
STEM-related career in the Navy provides almost
limitless possibilities for leadership and relevant
experience.
Joining the Navy allows students interested in
STEM subjects to continue their learning with ongoing development opportunities during nearly all
stages of their career. These opportunities include:
* Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC)
scholarship program with up to $180,000 available
for college.
* Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program,
which offers up to $168,300 for students who finish
a degree in math, engineering, physics or chemistry,
and allows them to begin the process to become a
commissioned Navy Nuclear Officer.
* Civil Engineer Collegiate Program giving students pursuing civil engineering degrees the opportunity to pursue projects around the world right out
of college. This program also offers up to $113,100
while finishing a college degree.
For more information about opportunities to serve
in the Navy, call 866-408-1241 or visit navy.com.
BPT

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 21

How to Maximize Your Tax Benefits

From Charitable Gifts
You answer calls to support your alma mater, the
local animal shelter and the American Red Cross
with gifts of money and volunteer time. And after
cleaning out the closets, dressers, kitchen cabinets
and garage, you take a trunk load of donations to the
thrift store.
You know your gifts of cash, time and household
items may be tax deductible, but what do you need to
do to verify that and maximize your deduction?
"Being charitable can cut your taxable income, as
long as you follow a few simple rules," says Jessi Dolmage, spokesperson for popular digital tax preparation brand TaxACT. "Those include giving to eligible
organizations and keeping accurate records."
To determine if you've donated to eligible organizations, search the IRS' database of Exempt Organization Select Check at www.irs.gov. Most religious
organizations and government agencies are eligible,
even if they're not listed in the database.
Keeping detailed records is important for accurate
valuation of your gifts (and in turn your tax deduction) and in the unlikely event of an audit. Dolmage
says records should include organization name,
22 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

donation date and amount.

For monetary gifts, keep the written acknowledgment from the organization with the donation date
and amount. A canceled check or card statement
with the transaction date also suffices for gifts under
$250.
If you receive merchandise, benefits or privileges
in exchange for a gift, you must subtract the value of
those from the original gift amount. If your payment
is more than $75, the organization must give you a
written statement with a description and estimated
value of the merchandise, goods or services.
For non-cash donations, document the charity
name, date and location of the items, along with a
reasonably detailed description of the items. If you
receive a receipt from the charity, keep it with your
records.
The IRS requires additional documentation for
vehicle donations. You must receive a written acknowledgment or Form 1098-C from the charity for
the vehicle.
Non-cash donations, such as clothing, kitchen
gadgets and furniture, must be in good condition or

better. The tax-deductible amount of those items

is the fair market value (FMV), the price if they
were exchanged between willing buyers and sellers. Special rules apply to donations of cars, boats
airplanes, property subject to debt, investments
that have appreciated in value and inventory
from your business.
Mobile apps can make tracking throughout
the year painless. Donation Assistant by TaxACT
tracks cash, non-cash and recurring gifts, with
FMVs for more than 1,300 commonly donated
household items. You can also save photos of
your donations and receipts. When doing your
taxes, import the information and TaxACT Deluxe will calculate your maximum deduction and
complete your tax forms.
You can deduct charitable gifts you made
between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 only if you itemize
deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A. In order
to itemize, all of your itemized deductions must
exceed the standard deduction amount based on
your adjusted gross income and filing status.
Additionally, you must file Form 8283 if your
non-cash contributions total more than $500,
and include a qualified appraisal of property
worth more than $5,000.
Download the free Donation Assistant app at
www.taxact.com/apps and learn more about the
tax rules of charitable giving at www.irs.gov and
www.taxact.com/taxinfo.BPT

Important Guidelines for Landing that Perfect Job

Graduating students are out in

droves trying to find jobs that will
enhance their careers. But before
beginning the resume and interviewing process, there are certain
do's and don'ts that students
should be aware of so they will be
competitive in today's limited job

market.
"Beyond the usual resume and
interview, it is also important
to note that having a social media presence is mandatory," says
Stephanie Hausladen, director of
career services for Heald College
- Fresno. "Recruiters will do their

homework before they invite you

in for an interview - 98 percent of
recruiters are using social recruiting according to a recent survey
from Bullhorn."
Hausladen says to keep these
tips in mind: Social networking
do's (Cont'd on page 25)
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 23

Georgia State Chamber

Director Heads South
Sara L. Crumbs

J. C. "Chris" Clark, Jr. Director

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

iving in a rural community has some of

piece in solving the poverty issue. Education, parthe greatest advantages in the world. You
ticularly in grades K-12 are another factor that Clark
know your neighbors. You don't have a
believes is necessary to change.
sense of urgency most find in big cities.
In Georgia I think we are lucky, he states. We
You value team work because working
have a very strong University system. We have
together can bring in some big results.
a technical college system that is tops anywhere.
And yet, most of us in the rural communities often While we have pockets on K-12 that are improving,
feel ignored by the bigger cities in our state. So when the jobs of the future are going to require some kind
Chris Clark, director of the Georgia Chamber of
of degree. We are graduating kids now that can't
Commerce visits Southwest Georgia, it is a big deal.
compete in college.
Clark, originally from Fitzgerald, spoke to mem He believes that we need to have a major conversabers of the community during the Council of Govtion about education. He sees the state as graduation
ernments meeting in Cuthbert, GA.
two tiers of students. The disparity between one
We are servant leaders to serve the businesses of
student who has access to the latest technology and
the state of Georgia, he begins. We want the state
opportunities, which many in metropolitan areas
to be more competitive. We want our communities
have, versus those students in rural communities
to be more competitive, our businesses to be more
who are working with less that adequate materials,
competitive and for individuals We are servant leaders we have kids who can't compete.
to be more competitive.
We have to invest in technology. We
Clark stresses that his job is to serve the businesses of have to invest in the schools and we
to remove the obstacles to the
the state of Georgia..." have to hold our kids to higher stansuccess of these four entities.
dards, as well.
But taking a look at rural Southwest Georgia and it's We play a c couple of different roles, Clark said
standing for economic success based on education,
when asked about the influence the State Chamber
employment, voter turn-out and other factors, Clark has regarding education. One of them is to look at
has ideas on what the current picture is and what it
policies and to advocate for those policies that we
will take to make a change for the better.
know will make a difference. Part of our job is to
The state of it is that we're seeing some improvemake sure that we have the best data so that legislament but we're not anywhere near the growth that we tors have the right information to make the best desee in some of the more metropolitan areas, he said. cisions. We also realize that the Chamber is unique
That's not just Georgia but Alabama, North Florida, that we have a member in every community. We can
and Tennessee. When you look at the numbers hard bring members together to talk about what needs to
and you look at that black belt coming down from
take place to make education better.
Virginia and sweeps all the way down into Louisiana, The third issue involves transportation and inwe do have persistent poverty in that area.
frastructure to help with economic success in rural
Clark points out some immediate needs that
Georgia.
should be addressed to overcome this issue. Health
We have to invest in infrastructure so that comcare is a big issue to bringing in companies and mak- panies can get their workers in and out, their goods
ing the area more competitive. He sees it as a critical and products in and out, he added.
24 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Leadership is influence...
Nothing more...Nothing less.
John Maxwell

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 25

Landing the Perfect Job, continued from page 23

* Recruiters using social media to check out potential
employees breaks down to the following: LinkedIn
(97 percent), Facebook (51 percent), Twitter (49
percent), Google+ (19.1 percent), and Pinterest (3.6
percent), so make sure your bio, your skill sets and
your interests are current and accurate and be sure
to have a professional photograph taken and used for
these sites.
* Google your name before being interviewed so you
know what is out there. Your interviewer will check
all social media outlets before talking to you.
* Set those privacy settings. If you don't, the world
will know what you did over the weekend and it
could jeopardize your chances of getting the interview or even the job.
Social networking don't s
* Don't tweet anything inappropriate, someone is
always looking.
* Don't post compromising pictures, jokes or personal stories on the Internet. Recruiters and potential
employers are checking.
Beyond social media, an integral process of job hunting involves having a proper resume, below are some
resume do's and don't s to remember.
Resume do's or FAKTA
Focus: Make your resume reader friendly and use
bullet points for specifics.
Appearance: Do not use the title resume. Put
name, address, one phone number, an email address,
education, and experience. In describing you former
employment list your title/position, the name of the
employer, the city and state (no street address) and
dates of employment. In describing your education
spell out the name of the degree (Associate of Arts,
Bachelor of Arts), the name of the college, the city
and state where it is located and your major and minor. Do not justify margins or use smaller than 10.5
font.
Keywords: In order to get noticed, your resume
needs to contain keywords that directly target the
jobs you are interested in. Your resume keywords
should include specific job requirements, including
your skills, software and technology competencies,
relevant credentials and previous employers. There
are various websites that list keywords.
Transferable skills: Transferable skills are the skills
you've gathered through various jobs, volunteer
work, sports or other life experiences that can be
used in your next job or new career.
Accomplishments: A solid list of accomplishments
on a resume can demonstrate your work ethic and
ability to achieve results but avoid exaggeration, irrel26 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

evancies and ancient history. Accomplishments are

more important to describe than duties.
Resume don't s
* Don't have misspellings or typos; proofread carefully.
* Don't put a career objective statement at the beginning.
* Don't use personal pronouns or include personal
interests or hobbies.
* Don't lie.
* Don't have an inappropriate email address. What
may have been cute in college may not be accepted in
a professional setting.
Interview do's
* Wear appropriate, conservative clothing.
* Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview to
give yourself time to freshen up.
* Treat others in the office with respect. They may be
asked how you treated them.
* Have a firm handshake.
* Make eye contact with the interviewer at all times.
* Write the interviewer a thank you note.
Interview don't s
* Don't make excuses for past decisions or make negative comments about former employers.
* Don't bring up salary or appear desperate for employment.
* Don't treat the interview casually like you are shopping around for a job.
* Don't chew gum or suck on candy (including
breath mints).
* Don't play with your cellphone while waiting for
your interview to start.
* Don't interrupt the interviewer.
By following these guidelines, prospective employees will have a better chance to compete in the job
market and land that perfect job. The Internet is an
invaluable source of information on how to be the
best candidate for a job.BPT

CLASSIFIEDS

WANTED
Contributing Writers/
Journalists

Interested
individuals
must
submit
resume
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Rural
Leader Magazine via email.
Candidate must have a background Candidates will be notified
in Journalism or creative writing promptly of application status.
WANTED
Can work on tight deadGraphic Designers
lines
and
on
assignment;
Internship Scope: 6 months to a year Candidate must have background
Position
is
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Interested individuals must submit in a wide-range of design apa resume' and a writing sample to plications such as Adobe InDeRural Leader Magazine via email. sign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Candidates will be notified Be willing to work on assignpromptly of application status. ment and on tight deadline
Position is none paid or may
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WANTED
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Honoring Young Individuals for Exemplary Academic

Achievement and Service to Community

Under 20
Nationally and Abroad

Rural Leader Magazine Under 20 Initiative was created to recognize outstanding youth in small rural communities nationally
and abroad. We need your help to identify deserving youth for
future editions. Visit RuralLeaderMagazine.com to nominate.
RuralLeaderMagazine.com 27

28 RuralLeaderMagazine.com