November 24, 2004
January Legislative & Leadership conference . . .
Registration forms will arrive at your chamber next week for the premiere CANYS event of the year … the 2005 Legislative and Leadership Conference, January 18-19 in Albany. Invest just 27 hours of your time and come away with:
- Insights on New York State’s economy from renowned economist Hugh Johnson, First Albany Companies
- Proven customer service techniques and sales tactics to boost your membership from author and top national salesperson and entrepreneur, Hal Becker
- Boardroom panache and “implement it tomorrow” leadership training through an interactive workshop with award-winning speaker Ann Allen Adams
- Updates on education policy from and an executive briefing with Education Commissioner Richard Mills
- Strategy for the 2005 legislative session from the Business Council’s Government Affairs Council meeting
- “Gee Whiz!” ideas from other chamber execs during the fast-paced 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes session and the Shirtsleeves after-hours bonus session at our privately reserved martini lounge
Plus programming on legislative accountability, destination marketing, national association updates and more! Watch for registration forms arriving early next week and encourage your staff to attend with you on January 18 & 19, 2005.
Federal transportation stalemate . . .
After numerous attempts to reach agreement on a six-year authorization of the federal highway and public transportation programs (TEA-21), Congress was unable to produce a conference report and final action on the bill and appears to want to wait until next year. A similar fate was suffered by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
Without enacting authorization legislation, TEA-21 continues to operate under its sixth short-term extension, which continues highway and public transportation programs until May 31, 2005. The WRDA bill has been waiting for action since November 2000.
The House and Senate have approved an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 4818) that includes record funding for highways, public transportation, aviation and Army Corps water projects. The legislation provides funding for fiscal year 2005, which began October 1 and lasts until September 30, 2005.
More information cab be found on the U.S. Chamber’s Americans for Transportation Mobility web site at: www.a-t-m.org. Information in this article provided by ATM.
Sarbanes-Oxley compliance . . .
Recently, some chambers have asked about the Sarbanes-Oxley act and its implications for chamber boards. While the act targets publicly traded companies, it has implications for the not-for-profit sector as well. One of the partners of the U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation program, Bostrom, says associations can follow the guidelines of the Act in five areas. Chambers might be interested in the following article: http://www.bostrom.com/solutions/Solutions2-1.htm
Marty DeLaney of the Bethlehem Chamber has also shared with us an 11-page document from Board Source, formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards. The document contains explanations and recommendations in a briefing format. Please e-mail maggie.moree@bcnys.org if you would like a copy.
Dues are due . . .
Please take note when your chamber’s 2005 CANYS membership investment crosses your desk. Dues and updates to your chamber information are needed by December 31 in order to ensure an on-time publication of the 2005 CANYS directory. Thanks in advance for your attention!
Manhattan Chamber is national award finalist . . .
The Manhattan Chamber, headed by Nancy Ploeger, is a finalist for the U.S. Chamber’s 2004 Corporate Citizenship Awards. Their unique community grant program is being considered for this national award, being given out in early December.
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce runs two major "street fairs" in Manhattan that give store owners, artists, restaurants and other vendors and opportunity to have hands-on marketing with those living in their community. The streets are closed and more than 800 vendors and entertainment stages set up. Each vendor takes a 10x10' booth space, for which the chamber charges $215 for the day. After paying the bills and taking a minor management fee, the remaining funds are then given to non-profit organizations in the community supporting quality of life programs. MCC encourages all chambers to think of this fun, great way to involve your businesses and the community in a positive way! For more details, visit: www.manhattancc.org/marketplace/about/about_detail.cfm?QID=103&ClientID=11001
Tell us about it . . .
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.
