March 1, 2004
Workers' comp e-advocacy update . . .
In the first week and a half of the campaign, nearly 5,000 faxes have landed on legislators’ desks, demanding reform to the workers’ compensation system. Great job! Thank you for getting your members behind this important issue. The following chambers and associations are off to a great start: Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber, Orange County Chamber, Greater Binghamton Chamber, MACNY, and Chautauqua County Chamber.
Reform can happen this year because the timing and political climate are showing signs of opportunity. But reform won’t happen unless your members stand up and shout for change!
Please remind your members about the E-advocacy campaign currently underway. Make sure each of your Board members and governmental affairs committee members has participated. Let us know if you need anything to assist you in spearheading involvement. Next week, The Business Council will be sending you talking points to use during phone calls to your legislators … the next step in our campaign for reform. Your efforts are important, and there is much work yet to be done!
TEA-21 extended again . . .
With time running out on the previously extended TEA-21 program, the Senate passed an additional extender - this one effective until May 1, 2004 - to keep the federal TEA-21 program in place. The House had passed an extender, prior to the Senate, when it became apparent that the omnibus re-authorization of TEA-21 (or TEA-3) could not be reached before the February 29, 2004 deadline. The President promptly signed the bill after Senate approval, effectively continuing the program for an additional two months. The Congress had passed extender legislation last fall that kept TEA-21 in place until February 29th. Recently both Houses passed TEA-3 bills but could not agree on funding levels. The President threatened to veto any bill to renew the program that would cost more than $256 billion over six years.
CANYS Governmental Affairs Committee takes shape . . .
The CANYS governmental affairs committee held a planning meeting on February 27 and agreed on a mission and responsibilities. The mission of the committee will be to support the shared legislative agenda of The Business Council of New York State and its member chambers. The committee responsibilities will be as follows:
1) To act as a sounding board for The Business Council
- Provide quick response to Business Council issue queries via e-mail
- Join in regularly scheduled conference calls with Business Council leadership
- Print Business Council articles in CANYS members’ own newsletters
2) To act as a “First Response Team”
- Phone calls, letters, E-advocacy, etc. to state legislators
- Provide a pool of chamber executives for committee testimony, press conferences, etc.
3) To keep a CANYS Inventory
- Collect chambers’ positions on public policy issues
- Maintain a list of chamber executives willing to serve on “First Response Team”
- Determine the number of people employed by CANYS members’ members (an overall job count)
To fulfill some of the committee responsibilities, a survey is currently being developed to collect chambers’ public policy positions, and to determine the overall number of jobs represented by CANYS member chambers. Look for the survey within the next week, and please respond promptly. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please e-mail maggie.moree@bcnys.org
Register now for chamber financial management 101 . . .
Registration is now underway for ACCE's Regional Education Seminar on chamber financial management, hosted by CANYS and the Greater Syracuse Chamber. This one-day seminar could save your job… and your chamber!
Join Ed McMillan, CPA, CAE, on Wednesday, April 14th, as he leads you through the practical and critical components of successful chamber financial management. The cost of registration is for a full-day (9:00 am–4:00 pm) seminar and includes continental breakfast, networking lunch and course notebook. Participants will also earn 3 credits towards their CCE. Registration is $179 for ACCE and/or CANYS members, and $229 for non-members. Leave the money in your budget and the time on your calendar to make sure your chamber gets the financial skills it needs!
Register online at http://www.acce.org/profdev/regional/loginNY.asp, or watch your mail for registration materials coming soon.
Tell us about it . . .
The Corning Area Chamber of Commerce seeks a candidate to join its management team. The successful candidate will have: excellent knowledge of living, working and the visitor experience in the Finger Lakes Region; proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe software, be web savvy; marketing experience; a desire to lead and innovate; and a good relationship with the area business community. A four-year degree is required. Prior to March 5th, send cover letter, resume, and references to Muggleton@CorningNY.com.
Jean McPheeters at the Tompkins County Chamber
needs your help: "Does anyone have a county budget process that they
can recommend? Does their budgeting system work? Do people understand
it? Are they happy with the results? If anyone does, please let me know
and I’ll call them and find out whom I can talk to about their system.
"Also, do any of you send a survey or some type of questionnaire
to people who seek relocation information? If so, please let me know.
jean@tompkinschamber.org
or 607-273-7080."
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce is seeking a Director for the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Mail/fax/e-mail cover letter with 3 references, resume and writing sample to: Jean McPheeters, President, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, 904 East Shore Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850. amy@tompkinschamber.org fax: 607 272-7617
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.
