January 5, 2005
Minimum wage posters available online . . .
As previously reported, the minimum wage in New York State increased
to $6.00/hr. on January 1, 2005.
All employers are required to post the new minimum wage poster in their
workplaces. In case you or one of your members needs a copy, it can be
downloaded and printed from the following web link: www.labor.state.ny.us/pdf/ls207_2005.pdf
For more general information on New York State minimum wage requirements,
the Department of Labor's general minimum wage page can be accessed at:
www.labor.state.ny.us/business_ny/employer_responsibilities/workprot/minwage.htm
Two weeks away: January Legislative & Leadership conference . . .
Time is running out to register for the 2005 Legislative & Leadership Conference, January 18-19 in Albany! Click HERE to download a registration form and get ready for the following special sessions:
- 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 lounge
Plus programming on legislative accountability, destination marketing, national association updates and more! Encourage your staff to attend with you on January 18 & 19, 2005.
Greater Olean Area Chamber wins accreditation . . .
Congratulations to the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce on being awarded accreditation with four stars from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has been the leading business organization in the greater Olean area since 1906. Its business plan reflects activities related to lobbying local and state leaders and developing programs, and supporting workforce development, small business owners, large corporate entities, non-profit organizations, manufacturers, and area residents. GOACC recently reached an all-time high membership of 800 member businesses. For more details, visit: www.uschamber.com/chambers/accreditationrelease.htm
The rise of regionalism . . .
In the November/December 2004 edition of ACCE’s magazine, Chamber Executive, Linda Hillman of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber, and Lyn Taylor of the Albany-Colonie Chamber shared some advice on the rise of regionalism. Their comments are reprinted here with ACCE’s permission:
The rise of regionalism: Chambers must work across community lines
to lead the way
“While many larger metropolitan areas have regional chambers, or
at least a larger chamber acting regionally, chambers outside of the major
cities have also come up with unique ways to join forces for the betterment
of their regions. The Tech Valley Chamber Coalition in New York is one
such example.
‘We wanted to figure out what we could do to break down some of the barriers to the communities working together,’ says Linda Hillman, President, Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce and one of the three founders of the coalition.
… ‘The coalition has been successful in branding the whole region,’ says Lyn Taylor, President, Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber in the coalition and another of the three founders. Taylor is chairperson of the marketing division of the coalition. ‘We are indeed becoming known as the next great technical area of our country. This has brought more companies to our area. They believe in the future of this region and want to be part of it.
Despite the extra workload, Hillman says it's worth it. One of her chamber employees is a recent graduate from a local college but grew up in New Hampshire. When she asked him why he didn’t return to New Hampshire after he graduated, he replied that he had heard so much about the Tech Valley that he thought there was a great future in the region so decided to stay in the area.
Another time, Hillman received a phone call from an elderly gentleman who was a local resident and read about Tech Valley in the newspaper. He wanted to know about job opportunities so his grandson could relocate to the area.
Meanwhile, each of the chambers participating in the coalition continue their work in their local areas. ‘My primary job is running the Rensselaer Chamber to provide services for our members,’ says Hillman. ‘We partner with Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency on economic development for the county. We’re working with individual municipalities to expand a key highway. We’re a small chamber with a government relationship committee which takes a stand.’”
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.
