From
The Chair
Fellow
Oregon Chamber Executives,
Since
this is our first newsletter for 2009, I’d
like to introduce you to the officers and Board
who were elected at the October Annual Meeting.
Chair: Leslie
Carnes, Pendleton
Chair Elect: Debbie Fromdahl,
Roseburg
Vice Chair: Julie Miller, Bandon
Sec/Treas: Taryl Perry, Junction City-Harrisburg
At Large: Brad Hicks, Medford
Past Chair: Deanna Palm, Hillsboro
Legislative Committee Co-Chairs:
Deanna Palm, Hillsboro and Janet Steele, Albany
Directors:
Sandra McDonough, Portland
Mike McLaran, Salem
Lorraine Clarno, Beaverton
Eric Sande, Redmond
Bev Doolittle, Canby
So
far this year legislative issues are keeping the
OSCC legislative team busy, as well as our
lobbyists. In addition to the legislative
conference calls you’ll read about elsewhere
in this newsletter, as a member of OSCC you
should be receiving weekly legislative
updates from Tracy Rutten and Kelly Ross of
Western Advocates, usually on Mondays. I highly
encourage you to read through the material
provided for issues that affect your members and
the business climate in Oregon. Then, share the pertinent information with
your board and your members so they can tell
your legislators how proposed bills will affect
them. With thousands of bills being introduced
during the session, having Western Advocates and
the OSCC Legislative Team sort through them for
you is an invaluable service that we rely on to
make best use of our time and resources. In my
opinion, this is definitely not the year to sit
back and just see what happens… it’ll be too
late! So if you are not receiving these emails,
please let me know and we’ll ensure your email
address is added to the list of recipients.
I know that many of you are new in your current
positions or new to the Chamber world. I
remember very clearly when I first stepped into
this role and how daunting it was to try to
absorb all the ‘nuts and bolts’ of running a
chamber. If you are feeling that way, help could
be just a phone call away! OSCC has organized a mentor
program to pair seasoned executives who are
able to share their knowledge, skills and
expertise with those new to their positions. If
you would like to be included in either capacity
or would like more information, please contact
Julie Miller, executive at the Bandon Chamber, who
coordinates the program. (bandoncc@harborside.com)
One of OSCC’s goals is to provide and support
professional development opportunities so all
chamber executives can grow and thrive. Read
through this newsletter to find other
opportunities.
It’s
an honor to serve you as the Chair for OSCC this
year. If at any time you have questions or
concerns about the organization please contact
me. I am always eager to hear how OSCC can
better serve your needs, so if you’ve got
suggestions or ideas please forward those as
well.
It
appears that spring may have finally arrived in
Pendleton over the weekend and I hope you’re
enjoying some warmer weather and sunshine as
well!
Best
wishes,
Leslie
Carnes
leslie@pendletonchamber.com
541.276.7411
OSCC
Legislative Updates Set
As
a service to its members, the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly conference call during
the legislative session.
Participation in the calls are free and open
to any OSCC member and include updates from
the OSCC Legislative Team, our lobbyists from
Western Advocates and an occasional guest. Set
for 3:00pm on the fourth Monday of the month,
the schedule for calls is as follows:
For
access numbers to the call contact OSCC
Legislative Team Co-chairs Deanna Palm
(Hillsboro) or Janet Steele (Albany).
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of Page
OSCC
Members Honored by Western Association of
Chamber Executives
Brad
Hicks, president & CEO of the
Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce was
named 2009 Executive of the Year by the Western
Association of Chamber Executives. The award
recognizes a Chamber CEO who, in the judgment of
the Executive of Year Award Committee, is an
outstanding chamber administrator and chief paid
executive.
In
addition, Jason Brandt, director public
affairs for the
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, was named the
2009 Hathaway Staff Person of the year. The
Hathaway award is presented in memory of Gerald
W. Hathaway, a dedicated, devoted and diligent
25-year veteran of the chamber of commerce
management profession.
OSCC
Scholarship Applications Due on May 29
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 be a member in
good standing of OSCC and 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, the waiting list will be
consulted.
Full
list of available scholarships listed here
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OSCC
Annual Leadership Conference Set
Please
mark your calendars for Oct. 28, 29 and 30 for
the 2009 OSCC Annual Leadership Conference
at the Eagle Crest Resort. Room rates range from
$90 to $110. For
reservations call 800-682-4786. The
Conference Planning Team is putting together an
outstanding line-up of quality content,
networking and fun.
Chambers
in the News
Beaverton
Economic Gardening expands outside city limits
East
County resident takes over leadership of West
Columbia chamber office
Chamber
blogs about China visit
North
Oregon Coast town launches Tourism Stimulus
Program
The
cowboy mystique is alive and well in Pendleton
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