May 13, 2004
New York Day in Washington just three weeks away . . .
Have you sent in your registration yet? CANYS' fifth annual New York Day in Washington, June 8-9, 2004, is only three weeks away. New York Day provides chambers and business people an opportunity for meaningful contact with Congressional legislators and staff. Your colleagues on the New York Day planning committee have worked hard to bring you:
- A Legislative Reception on Capitol Hill featuring made-in-New York refreshments
- A Congressional Breakfast, highlighted by addresses from Senator Charles Schumer AND Senator Hillary Clinton
- An Issues Briefing with Ed Mortimer, Director of Congressional Affairs and Executive Director of Americans for Transportation Mobility at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and officials from Governor Pataki’s office
- A New York Delegation meeting on homeland security issues, hosted by Rep. John Sweeney, member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security
It’s not often that New York’s chamber community can gather in one place – as a cohesive force – to meet with both Senators Schumer and Clinton, and interact with dozens of our Congressional representatives as well. Make the time, bring a Board member, and sign up now! Registration information is HERE.
Please encourage your Congressional Representatives to join you at the reception and breakfast. Also, don't forget to schedule your own legislative visits for Wednesday afternoon.
Summer Membership Meeting in Oswego County . . .
Take this special opportunity to get a late-session update on legislation, network with other chamber professionals, energize and reward your chamber's staff members, and enjoy the best parts of the summer! Register TODAY for CANYS' second annual Summer Membership Meeting in Fulton, New York, June 21-22.
A registration fee of only $50 brings you the following leadership development and networking activities:
Monday, June 21
1:30 PM ~ Welcome Reception at the Riverside Inn
3:00 PM ~ Oswego County Quest
5:30 PM ~ Dinner on the water’s edge at Bayshore Grove
7:30 PM ~ Hawaiian Luau with the Island Band
Tuesday, June 22
7:30 AM ~ Legislative briefing with full breakfast
8:30 AM ~ Golf Outing or Hiking Expedition (choose one)
12:30 PM ~ Luncheon and Business Meeting, featuring a presentation on
how one chamber executive brought the magic of Ebay to her local businesses,
a full membership session,
and leadership facilitators from PPS International
3:30 PM ~ Event concludes
Plan to attend with your full chamber staff! Registration information is HERE. For additional details or questions, e-mail maggie.moree@bcnys.org
Reading the fine print: a reference . . .
Note: this article contains no legal advice or opinion – please consult your chamber’s counsel for advice on your organization’s needs. In recent CANYS programs and Board discussions, questions have come up involving particular laws as they apply to chambers. Below is some information you might find useful in answering questions that might come up at your chamber.
Regarding the open meetings law: The New York State Department of State’s Committee on Open Government verifies that the open meetings law only applies to governmental agencies, and not governing bodies of private organizations. More information on the open meetings law and the state Freedom of Information Law can be found here: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/coogwww.html
Regarding the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Multiple reference documents can be found on the Department of Justice web page: http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/04_7.html
Regarding the IRS Form 990 and other disclosures: As part of tax-exempt status, most not-for-profit organizations are required to make certain records available to the public. As stated in the IRS document, FAQs regarding the Exempt Organization Public Disclosure Requirements, organizations are required to disclose Form 990, Form 990-EZ, Form 990-BL, Form 1065, Form 1023, and/or Form 1024 to any person requesting such documents. For more information on disclosure, visit the IRS web site at: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96430,00.html#3
Welcome to CANYS, Lancaster Area Chamber . . .
A new member has joined the Chamber Alliance! Kenneth Adams and the CANYS Board wish a warm welcome to the Lancaster Area Chamber. The chamber’s membership currently surpasses 500, encompassing over 11,500 member employees, and is growing stronger daily. The chamber works to enhance the quality of life for the business community and the residents of Lancaster, Depew and Elma – an area located in Erie County, in Western New York State, about a dozen miles east of downtown Buffalo. Lancaster boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Buffalo Metropolitan area, reflecting both the strength of local companies, and the access to a growing diversity of employers within easy traveling distance. To learn more, or to send a note of congratulations on behalf of your chamber, e-mail the Lancaster Chamber’s president, Kathy Konst, at KKonstCC@aol.com.
U.S. Chamber eastern region government affairs conference . . .
Due to the Veterans’ Day holiday, the U.S. Chamber has changed the dates of the eastern region government affairs conference to October 4-5 to better accommodate more chambers. The conference will be held in Providence, Rhode Island. Hotel and registration information is forthcoming.
The purpose of this conference is to bring together state and local chamber staff, executives, and volunteer government affairs leaders from throughout the Eastern Region to compare government affairs strategies, discuss priority issues, and learn from each other's victories and headaches. Since this conference will be held just prior to the 2004 elections, the pending local, state and Federal races will also be reviewed.
Tell us about it . . .
CANYS Chairman Kenneth Adams of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce was recently featured in an article in the New York Times (free registration required to view): http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/11/nyregion/11profile.html
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking a President/CEO for its 1000-member organization in Batavia, NY. Information & Application are available at www.geneseeny.com or by calling 585-343-7440 by 5/28/04.
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.
