The Road Best Traveled set for October 29-31 at Salem Convention Center

An outstanding line-up of speakers, programs and events are set for the 2008 OSCC Annual Conference – The Road Best Traveled slated for October 29-31 at the Salem Convention Center. Registration for the event is open and available through the OSCC Web site. Conference registration is $150 for OSCC members through October 13 and $175 thereafter.

Among the highlights planned for the 2008 Conference are:

• Chamber expert and Chair-elect of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Mike Hauser CCE, president/CEO of the Santa Rosa (CA) Chamber of Commerce will provide insights into building the next generation chamber.

• Important Chamber “nuts & bolts” from Western Association of Chamber Executives Vice President, Steve Synder.

• Professional development & motivation trainer and keynoter Jean Bonifas will inspire and entertain you.

• Programs on workforce development, membership, government affairs and more.

• The exciting presentation of the 2009 Chamber Executive of the Year Award and the inaugural presentation of the Chamber Achievement Award.

The conference hotel is the Phoenix Grand Hotel. The rates range from $109-$149 per night. The hotel block is in effect through October 1; call 1-877-540-7800 and identify yourself with the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce.

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OSCC Chamber Achievement Award Nominations due September 26

Every day local chambers of commerce are making a difference in the communities they serve. And now the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce wants to highlight those stories. The OSCC Chamber Achievement Award will recognize a member for a program or initiative that elevates the role of their chamber in their community. The award is designed to highlight innovation, impact, collaboration and leadership demonstrated by Oregon Chambers. Nominations for the first annual OSCC Chamber Achievement Award must be submitted by September 26, 2008. Nominations will be judged by your peers and the award will be made at the 2008 OSCC Leadership Conference. Nomination forms here.

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OSCC 2008 Salary Survey Underway

While always a sensitive issue, CEO salary information provides valuable data to Chamber CEOs throughout Oregon. It allows you and your peers to better understand the market, the financial compensation that can be expected at all levels of experience, responsibility and commitment of time. Understanding this data, when based on full information provided by chamber CEOs throughout Oregon will enable each CEO to deal with his/her board with the confidence built upon solid facts. Because salary information is such a sensitive issue, this information will be kept confidential and no individual salary information will be published.

Information will be given out only by the OSCC Executive Committee member in charge of the project Julie Miller of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, and then only in high, low and average salaries. For example, a report might appear as follows:

Average Chamber Income: $215,815; High Chamber Income: $660,000; Low Chamber Income: $90,000; Average Salary: $41,438; High Salary: $62,000; Low Salary: $25,792; Average Membership: 360; High Membership: 460; Low Membership: 335.

Please take a few minutes to complete the on-line survey. It will help your fellow executives; it will help you. To receive salary information from the survey, contact:

Julie Miller
Executive Director
Bandon Chamber of Commerce
bandoncc@mycomspan.com
541-347-9616 Vox
541-347-7006 Fax

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It's Time to Enter the 2008 Publications Awards Competition

Each member is invited to enter the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce annual Communications Evaluation & Awards Program. How do your publications stack up? Are your publications the best in the State?

This year the evaluation will again be based on Chamber size and the publications include Chamber Directory/Community Guide, Chamber Brochure, Newsletter, Maps and Membership Packets. Only publications printed between November 1, 2007- September 30, 2008 are eligible for review. Application and entry guidelines here.

Evaluations will include the following criteria:

• Membership alert

• People intensive

• Editorial style

• General design

• Production

• Photos

• Headlines and copy

• Photo captions

• Editorial content

Submit the application form and copies of publications to:
Canby Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 35
Canby, OR 97013

All entries must be received by 5:00pm October 1, 2008.

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Welcome New Chamber Execs

Welcome to the following new chamber executives:

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Your Chamber Can Make a Difference

Each year, OSCC makes a commitment to professional development by providing its members with scholarships for training opportunities to national, regional and state Chamber gatherings. And for the past several years Julie Miller of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce has made a commitment to OSCC to help make that happen.  

OSCC is committed to the development of its members.  Breaking down financial barriers to access outstanding training and professional development opportunities for members is an important part of the value OSCC gives to its members.  

Each year, OSCC asks you to provide a "basket" representing your area that is raffled off at the annual conference in October with all proceeds going to the OSCC scholarship program.   

This year is no exception.   

1.  Don't take "basket" literally. An envelope with lodging, golf and dinner is just as good and easier to carry home.

Creative, fun and interesting is encouraged.  

2.  Attach a card to the outside of the package that states the name of the chamber, name of the Director or staff person, package contents and estimated value if appropriate.

If you have any questions call Julie Miller at 541-347-9616.

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OSCC Scholarships Due October 1  

Each year, OSCC makes a commitment to the professional development by providing scholarships to its members. Focused on professional development opportunities customized for the Chamber profession, guidelines for the OSCC scholarship programs include:  

• Every scholarship applicant must submit a written application stating how he/she will benefit from the training and why financial assistance is necessary. The application must be accompanied by a recommendation from the Chamber chair or, in the case of a staff person, the chamber’s chief executive, showing support for training and development. 

• To broaden potential experience, scholarships will be given for training opportunities and national, regional and state chamber gatherings. 

• The applicant’s Chamber must agree to make some level of financial contribution toward the applicant’s training at the event for which a scholarship is sought. 

• At least one scholarship for the WACE annual conference and one scholarship for the OSCC annual conference will be given to an “emerging chamber leader,” defined as a staff person who is considered a potential chamber executive. 

• An OSCC board-level committee will review applications and select scholarship recipients. Members of the scholarship review committee will be ineligible for a scholarship that year. 

• A waiting list for specific training opportunities will be kept. If a scholarship recipient becomes unable to attend a training. 

Full list of available scholarships listed here

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Chamber Volunteer Leaders Invited to Board Training Seminar 

The Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon Chambers of Commerce invite you and your Chamber Board of Directors to a special Board Training Seminar with Steve Snyder, Vice President of Chamber Relations for the Western Association of Chamber Executives. The session will be held Thursday, Nov. 13 from 1-5pm. A social follows from 5-6pm. More information here.