January 16, 2004
Gear up for the battle over workers' compensation reform . . .
To build support for its comprehensive workers’ compensation reform package, The Business Council is offering to brief chambers on the proposal. The presentation includes an explanation of The Business Council’s reform package as well as a discussion on the need for reform of the current workers' compensation system.
This must be the year that comprehensive workers’ compensation reform is passed, said Kerry Kirwan, The Business Council’s legislative analyst specializing in workers’ compensation. "The Governor opened the door by calling for reform in his State of the State address," Kirwan said. "But the business community needs to be the driving force behind reform."
The drive for real workers' comp reform comes as the state AFL-CIO is intensifying pressure for major benefit increases and indexing of benefits to the statewide average wage, Kirwan added. “It’s important that businesses understand what these reforms will mean to them,” Kirwan said.
Nominate your members for the NYS Small Business Awards . . .
The New York State Small Business Awards are presented annually to honor outstanding small businesses. Awards are presented to the Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Advocate of the Year, and Small Business Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year during a ceremony which recognizes the exceptional achievements of the award winner.
Any small business is eligible for nomination, and all completed applications are considered. Chambers of Commerce may make nominations, and applications must be received by March 26, 2004. For a downloadable application form, please go to www.nylovessmallbiz.com/home.asp. For more information, contact Cindy Shannon at CShannon@EMPIRE.STATE.NY.US
Grant funding available for international exchange . . .
The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program, a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative, provides U.S. companies and organizations competitive grants to host professionals from Eurasia for three to six months of training. SABIT is committed to promoting Eurasian economic development by providing hands-on training to managers and scientists in U.S. business practices, while advancing market access through cross-border relationships and public private partnerships.
SABIT grants help foster relationships among export-ready small and medium enterprises with potential customers, distributors, or partners in Eurasia. The majority of U.S. host companies enter into business relationships with their SABIT intern. U.S. host companies also receive assistance from interns in areas such as market access, certification, customs, taxation, logistics, networking, and accessing marketing data.
At the end of January 2004, SABIT will open the next round of grant funding. Applications will then be accessible through registration on its Web site: www.mac.doc.gov/sabit/. For more information, please contact Patrick Brennan at 202-482-2077 or patrick_brennan@ita.doc.gov, or visit www.mac.doc.gov/sabit.
Tell us about it . . .
Ray San Fratello, formerly of the Genesee County Chamber has just taken over as president of the South Lake County Chamber in Florida. It is 25 miles due west of Orlando and 21 miles north of Walt Disney World. The chamber has 650 members and only one staff person, so there is lots of room to grow - and the community is booming along a number of fronts. For more information, visit www.southlakechamber-fl.com/. Congratulations and best of luck, Ray!
Congratulations to Jean McPheeters, IOM, of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, who graduated last week from Institute! Institute is the premier professional development program for chamber, association, and nonprofit professionals. It is run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
You’ll notice new letters after Jean’s name: IOM, for Institute of Organizational Management. The IOM graduate recognition acknowledges the recipient's completion of the program and exposure to the fundamental issues of nonprofit organization management. It is an essential step toward professional certifications such as the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), granted by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, or the Certified Association Executive (CAE), granted by the American Society of Association Executives. Any Institute graduate can use the IOM designation. Just call Greg Melia at the U.S. Chamber at 202-463-5764 for more information.
The Chenango County Chamber of Commerce is seeking an individual to serve as a Business Development/Zone Coordinator. Responsibilities include development, coordination and implementation of programs and services to attract new business and retain and expand existing business. This includes, but is not limited to: development, implementation and measurement of program effectiveness; preparation and administration of grant applications for economic development; managing prospect development; tracking and reporting of economic trends in the Chenango County area (including monthly and annual Empire Zone reports); and knowledge of local, state and federal business assistance and incentive programs. The ability to effectively organize ideas through the use of written and oral communications and to maintain confidentiality, where appropriate, is critical. A bachelor's degree in a related field, and three years of increasingly responsible experience in economic development, or a combination of relevant education and experience, are required. Please send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Tammy J. Carnrike, CCE, 19 Eaton Avenue, Norwich, NY 13815.
The Livingston County Chamber of Commerce seeks an experienced, multi-talented person to lead its organization in service to its members. The president will be responsible for general management of the Chamber, including supervision of staff and direct liaison with the Board of Directors and its volunteer committees with major focus on program and project expansion, client communication, development and promotion of tourism. Requires a bachelor’s degree and management experience. No phone calls. Send resume and salary requirements by January 19, 2004 to: Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, Search Committee, 4560 Millennium Drive, Geneseo, NY, 14454. Fax: (585) 243-4824.
It’s time to start thinking about submitting your entries to the 2003 ACE Awards! The Awards for Communications Excellence recognizes those professionals who excel in the communications field while celebrating the importance of chamber communications. The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) presents awards for the following categories: Electronic Communications, Graphic Design, Publications, Reports/Special Publications, Strategic Programs and Writing. The winners in each category, along with the Best of Show award winner, will be recognized at the Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, August 10-15. For more details and a timeline for submitting your entries, visit: www.acce.org/profdev/awards/ACE/default.asp. The deadline for the 2003 ACE program is March 1, 2004.
Got a question you’d like to ask other CANYS members? Job opening in your chamber? Great idea you’d like to share? Send it to maggie.moree@bcnys.org.
