Statewide Chamber Of Commerce Executives Donates To Moore Chamber of Commerce

Oklahoma City (June 12, 2013) – This week the chair of the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) presented a check for $5,000 to the Moore Chamber of Commerce.

On May 20, 2013, an EF5 tornado struck the community of Moore and many businesses were devastated by the storm. This check, approved by the OCCE Board of Directors on June 5, 2013, will go directly into the Moore Chamber’s account to help offset any potential loss of membership investment.

“On behalf of OCCE, we are proud that we can be a part of helping to rebuild Moore and show our support for the efforts of the Moore Chamber of Commerce,” said Tracy Mosley, IOM, OCCE chair and president of the Choctaw Chamber of Commerce.

The check was presented to Brenda Roberts, executive director of the Moore Chamber, at their board meeting on June 11.

Early estimates indicate 60 businesses were affected by the tornado with 30 businesses being completely destroyed.

OCCE encourages you to assist the Moore Chamber of Commerce by becoming a member of their organization in their efforts to rebuild their business community. For membership options, visit:http://www.moorechamber.com/.

OCCE is organized to encourage the highest professional standards for the men and women in chamber of commerce management and to advance close unity among its members. For more information visit www.occe.com.

Sopurce: OCCE website

Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of All Sizes Can Now Apply for Federal Disaster Loans Online.

What is the SBA Disaster Loan Program?

In the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes and other disasters, the SBA is the primary source of money from the Federal government for long-term recovery assistance. For disaster damage to private property owned by individuals, families and businesses not fully covered by insurance, the basic form of the Federal assistance is low-interest, long-term disaster loans from the SBA.

Property owners usually have some insurance coverage, but often it does not cover all losses or even the type of hazard, which caused the damage. This leaves individuals and businesses with significant uninsured costs.

System Requirements

•	The recommended browser for this site is Internet Explorer 8.0 or later.
•	If you have dial-up Internet service, you may experience delays.
•	You must have cookies and JavaScript enabled.
•	You should allow pop-up messages.
•	You must have Adobe Reader installed.

For more infromation go to www.SBA.gov 

Demand-Driven Training - Hallmark of Grants for Community Colleges - $2 Billion Initiative to Develop Targeted Training Programs for Unemployed Workers

Demand-Driven Training — Hallmark of Grants for Community Colleges

Speaking from Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colo., on Sept. 18, Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez announced the latest grants awarded under the Trade Adjustment Assistance and Community College Career Training program. This multiyear, nearly $2 billion initiative is helping to further develop targeted training programs for unemployed workers, especially those impacted by foreign trade, in growing industries such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care. The third installment of grants announced this week provided $474.5 million to fund projects at nearly 200 community colleges and universities in every state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Front Range Community College will lead a nearly $25 million grant to a consortium of nine colleges across Colorado focused on expanding training curriculum for advanced manufacturing careers. During the announcement, Perez said: "This is an unprecedented investment in our community college system... and by extension in our people's ability to find solid work that can raise a family. This is about education, labor, business and community leaders coming together to meet the real-world challenges of a complex global economy." Perez was joined by Lt. Gov. Joseph Garcia, FRCC President Andy Dorsey, Colorado Community College System President Dr. Nancy McCallin, Executive Vice President of Mountainside Medical Peter Neidecker (one of the employer partners involved in the grant program), and FRCC precision machining student Sheri Dron. Following the announcement, Perez met with students from the school's automotive and machining programs to hear about the impact these funds will have on current and future students.

Source: DOL email 9/20/13

Chamber of Commerce news, events, jobs, ongoing education from http://www.villageprofile.com National Publisher of quality chamber directories, maps, smart phone apps for non-dues revenues. Midwest United States. John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 Chamber of Commerce all over the United States have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Visitor Maps and Publications, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at (800)-600-0134 x239.

#LoveMyChamber - Weekly Reasons Why I Get A Great Return on Investment (ROI) from my Annual Chamber of Commerce Dues - Reason #3 Research and Data Lists

Weekly Chamber of Commerce Return on Investment #3 - Research/Data Lists

Business-to-Business 
Looking for a targeted source of business leads? Chamber members have access to statistical data from multiple sources on the local area, from the Economic development office, local library district, or federal, state and municipal sources.

Many chambers have access to business Reference USA - This database of 24 million U.S. Businesses  and 260 million consumers contains verified, accurate data and is updated monthly. Plus this is the only business database enhanced with more than 20 million phone calls per year. Looking for Canadian Businesses? There are 1.5 million more.

Business Selection Criteria include:
Company name, Executive title, Business type, Sales volume, Employee size, Year established, And more...,

Residential Customers

Looking for potential residential customers?  - over 80 million consumers are listed. 

Customer Segmentation

If you would like to segment your audience to set a more targeted approach,  over 260 million consumers are listed by lifestyle interests listed below.

Apparel Fashion Beauty

Arts History Science

Books Magazines

Charitable Donor

Cooking Wine

Collectibles

Hobbies Crafts Sewing

Health Diet Fitness

Home Improvement - Decor

Motor Vehicles

Motor Sports

Outdoor Recreation

Travel 

And more categories.

Chamber of Commerce Return on Investment Reason #3 - Research/Data Lists  - The Value Proposition - Chamber annual dues: Around $250. Value of benefit #3 with no other participation in the chamber; $350 - Return On Investment #1-3 - $1850; Total ROI for Chamber Membership - 740%.

Talk to your local chamber of commerce about all the benefits of membership.



--

John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 Chamber of Commerce all over the United States have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Visitor Maps and Publications, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at (800)-600-0134 x239.

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea - That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back by Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum

That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back by Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum 

America is in trouble. We face four major challenges on which our future depends, and we are failing to meet them—and if we delay any longer, soon it will be too late for us to pass along the American dream to future generations.

       In That Used to Be Us, Thomas L. Friedman, one of our most influential columnists, and Michael Mandelbaum, one of our leading foreign policy thinkers, offer both a wake-up call and a call to collective action. They analyze the four challenges we face—globalization, the revolution in information technology, the nation’s chronic deficits, and our pattern of excessive energy consumption—and spell out what we need to do now to sustain the American dream and preserve American power in the world. They explain how the end of the Cold War blinded the nation to the need to address these issues seriously, and how China’s educational successes, industrial might, and technological prowess remind us of the ways in which “that used to be us.” They explain how the paralysis of our political system and the erosion of key American values have made it impossible for us to carry out the policies the country urgently needs.

       And yet Friedman and Mandelbaum believe that the recovery of American greatness is within reach. They show how America’s history, when properly understood, offers a five-part formula for prosperity that will enable us to cope successfully with the challenges we face. They offer vivid profiles of individuals who have not lost sight of the American habits of bold thought and dramatic action. They propose a clear way out of the trap into which the country has fallen, a way that includes the rediscovery of some of our most vital traditions and the creation of a new third party movement to galvanize the country.

       That Used to Be Us is both a searching exploration of the American condition today and a rousing manifesto for American renewal.

Serve Illinois Announces the 2014-2017 AmeriCorps Request for Proposals.

The Serve Illinois Commission is looking for programs interested in administering AmeriCorps funds. AmeriCorps members serve their communities by improving education and healthcare, protecting public safety, safeguarding the environment, providing disaster relief and promoting civic engagement.

The Serve Illinois Commission, part of the Illinois Department of Human Services and the office of the Governor, administers the AmeriCorps state programs in Illinois, and is charged with enhancing and supporting community volunteerism. Serve Illinois is funded by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service and currently supports 30 AmeriCorps programs throughout the state.

AmeriCorps members dedicate a year to helping communities meet their unmet human service, education, public safety or environmental needs. They receive a modest living allowance, student loan deferment and training. Full-time members are also eligible to receive health insurance. Members who successfully complete their service receive an educational award of up to $5,645 to help pay for college, graduate school, vocational training or to pay off student loans.

Serve Illinois will host mandatory meetings for interested parties in Belleville, Chicago, Dixon and Springfield. Proposals are due by November 22, 2013. Funded programs will be in their work in July, 2014. Details on the meetings and the application process can be found at www.Serve.Illinois.gov.

Yours in Service,

Scott McFarland
Deputy Director
Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
Office of Governor Pat Quinn
815 E. Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62701-1915
Ph: (217) 685-5930
Fx: (217) 557-0515 Scott.McFarland@illinois.gov www.Serve.Illinois.gov

For more information, please visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov.

Weekly Chamber of Commerce Return on Investment #2 - Contacts and Introductions

Chamber managers and staff are a great source for local information and business contacts that can help you run your business (and your life) better. Below are some of the community assets a chamber could provide you (as well as the primary contacts names) of the respective organizations and departments.

General Information
Public and Private School information - Pre-school, elementary, middle and high school
Local Churches
Sheriff
Licence Branch
Animal Shelter
Auditors Office
Sewer Treatment
Sewer District
Assessor's Office
Parks & Recreations
Local, District, and County Courts
Surveyors Office
Planning & Zoning
Mayor's Office
State Representative
State Senator
Health Department
Prosecutor's Office
Treasurer's office
Highway Department
Economic Development
Veteran Service Office
U.S. Congressman
U.S. Senator
Circuit Court Judge
Recorder's office
Voter Registration
Library
Rural Electric Membership Corporation
Woman, Infants and Children's Program

Relocation Information
Gas
Electric
Propane
Telephone
Internet
Garbage Collection
Cable
Satellite
Wireless

Chamber of Commerce Return on Investment Reason #2 - Community Contacts and Leadership Information - The Value Proposition - Chamber annual dues: Around $250. Value of benefit #2 with no other participation in the chamber; $500 - Return On Investment #1&2 - $1500; Total ROI for Chamber Membership - 600%.

Which Words Can Boost Your Email Open Rate?

• Specific words used in email subject lines can have a big impact on open and click rates, according to a study by Adestra. For example, the word "alert" in subject lines had a 38.1% higher than average open rate and 61.8% higher click rate, while other commonly used words dramatically lowered open and click rates. The word "learn," for instance, had a -35.5% lower than average open rate and -60.8% lower click rate. Differences also existed between the same words depending on if they were used for B2B, B2C or e-commerce messages. To view the study and see the full list of subject line words along with how they performed, go to http://dbhc.us/9
  
  Source: www.adestra.com 

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea - First Things First by Stephen Covey

1. First Things First

by Stephen Covey, Roger Merrill, Rebecca Merrill

I'm getting more done in less time, but where are the rich relationships, the inner peace, the balance, the confidence that I'm doing what matters most and doing it well? 
Does this nagging question haunt you, even when you feel you are being your most efficient? If so, First Things First can help you understand why so often our first things aren't first. Rather than offering you another clock, First Things First provides you with a compass, because where you're headed is more important than how fast you're going.

2013 Midwest Regional Government Affairs Conference

The Premier Advocacy Training Program for Chamber Professionals

Do you always mean to attend the Regional Government Affairs Conference, but find your schedule gets too full before you get around to looking at the schedule?

Make your development a priority!   We will have two great conferences in two fantastic cities you can choose from.

October 9-11, 2013  |  View agenda  (PDF)

Chicago Millennium Knickerbocker  Note: The hotel room rate is available 3 days post and prior to the conference.
163 East Walton Place
@ North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60611
(312) 751-8100
Room Rate: $219.00
Register here.

To reserve your hotel room at the discounted rate of $219, please click on the dedicated link below.  From there, you will be prompted to enter your arrival and departure dates, personal information and any special requests.  You will receive an e-mail confirmation upon confirming.

Click here to book online for the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel.

Agenda

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Regional Government Affairs Conference - 2013

Millennium Knickerbocker 

Chicago

Wednesday – October 9

Noon – 3:00 State Chamber Roundtable – Expanded this year by popular demand, state 

chamber execs and government affairs staff will have more time than ever to 

exchange ideas on what’s working and what issues are emerging that could 

spread.

12:00 – 5:00 Registration

1:00 – 3:00 Concurrent Roundtable Discussions

Get the conference off to a solid start with one of these open-ended discussions 

with your peers. With the economy pressuring the budgets of our governments, 

our members, and our chambers, we need new ways to get things done. Nothing is 

off-limits, and if you are facing a difficult situation chances are another 

participant is, or has, too. There’s always plenty we can learn from each other.

State Chamber Roundtable (continued)

Metro Chamber Roundtable

Taking Your Government Affairs Program to the Next Level

Moderated by Dave Kilby, President, Western Association of Chamber Executives

3:15 Welcoming Remarks

“Enterprising States” and the Demographics of a Changing America

Joel Kotkin, Distinguished Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures, Chapman 

University

Described by the New York Times as America’s “uber-geographer,” for over three 

decades Joel Kotkin has been writing about global, economic, political and social 

trends. He was an author of the U.S. Chamber’s “Enterprising States” report, 

which takes a no-nonsense look at what it takes to grow in America today and 

who’s leading the way.

“Energy Forecast: Sunny, If Governments Allow It”

Karen Harbert, President, Institute for 21stCentury Energy

A “Frack” Discussion

An explosion of oil and natural gas production is taking place – on private lands. 

Hundreds of thousands of good jobs have been created and government revenues 

have benefited enormously. But public lands with high potential have been locked 

up and governments are considering drastic regulations that could cripple production on both public and private lands. Karen Harbert will lead a tour of the 

opportunities and the obstacles presented here. (Followed by a panel discussion 

on shale oil and gas production opportunities)

6:00 – 9:00 Opening Reception, Sponsored by the Center for Women in Business

Dinner / Entertainment

Thursday – October 10

7:30 – 10:30 Registration

7:30 Breakfast with the Pollsters – What Small Businesses (Your Members) Think

Robert Fronk & Sarah Simmons, Harris Interactive

The brains behind the U.S. Chamber’s Quarterly Small Business Survey tell us

the sentiment among some of our most important (and hard to divine) members.

Harris will have new data from the field to help us better communicate with… 

well, ourselves.

9:00 – 12:15 Concurrent Tracks (Choose One)

1) COMMUNICATIONS TRACK

2) PUBLIC POLICY TRACK

Case Study: Immigration – Diverse Coalition; Shared Goals

Tamar Jacoby, President & CEO, ImmigrationWorks USA

Labor and Legal Reform: States Take the Lead

Glenn Spencer, Workforce Freedom Initiative

Harold Kim, Institute for Legal Reform

Issue Pods (pick 3 of 5)

Choose three sessionsthat matter to your chamber for whirlwind, interactive

discussions led by U. S. Chamber experts. The “pods” are great opportunitiesto 

focus in-depth on your primary issues with colleagues who share your concerns.

Healthcare

Regulation 

Tax/Budget

Trade

Women in Business

Free Enterprise Network

12:30 – 1:45 ThursdayLunch Keynote 

Rich McClure, President, UniGroup Inc.2:00 “Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons Learned from Political 

Engagement”

Dr. Paul Green, Roosevelt University

“Transportation and Infrastructure Update” 

Janet Kavinoky, U.S. Chamber

6:00 – 8:00 Dinner / Entertainment

Friday – October 11

8:00 – 9:45 FridayBreakfast Keynote

‘Addressing the Skills Gap and Putting our Financial House in Order’

Ed Rust, CEO State Farm, Immediate Past Chair U.S. Chamber

9:45 Protecting Intellectual Property and You 

Closing KeynoteLunch 

Stephen Moore, Senior Economics Writer, Editorial Board, The Wall Street 

Journal

Illuminating the inter-workings of our government and our economy has been 

Stephen Moore’s specialty for many years. He is among the best at clarifying how 

the actions of the former affect what we can expect from the latter, for better or 

worse. Prior to joining the Journal’s Editorial Board, Moore served as a senior 

economist on the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, as a budget expert 

for the Heritage Foundation and as a senior economics fellow at the Cato Institute.

12:30 Adjourn

Your Illinois Small Business Could Win $10,000 from the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Elgin Community College

Business Plan Competition

The ISBDC at ECC is offering a $10,000 prize to the small business that prepares and presents the best business plan describing how they intend to grow their existing business.

The purpose of this competition is to encourage existing businesses to conscientiously and deliberately plot a course that will extend the life of their business, increase its value, and generate profits. While business plans are typically produced when there is a need to borrow money, they should also be developed periodically to reset direction, especially when expansion is involved. The business may be able to support the growth activities on its own, or require outside funding. Either way, the business plan provides the necessary direction.

Entrants will be judged on the business owner's ability to convey a clear and convincing approach to expanding the business over the next three years. The competition has two rounds. All that qualify (per the Eligibility Requirements below) may enter the first round, which requires submission of a written business plan that adheres to the format and guidelines provided by the ISBDC. The deadline for Business Plan submission is November 15, 2013.

The owners submitting the top 10 business plans will compete in a second round to identify the "best of the best." The second round requires a brief presentation to a panel of judges. The presentation itself may take no longer than 10 minutes, and will be followed by a maximum 10 minute Q&A. Presentations will occur in early December, 2013 at ECC. The winner will be announced mid-December, 2013.

Eligibility Requirements
The business must be located in Illinois
The business must be 3 or more years old
The business must be classified as "for profit"
If the business plan is declared a finalist, the business owner submitting the plan, or the owner's designee, must be available to present the plan to a panel of judges at ECC in early December, 2013

For questions, or to apply, contact the ISBDC at 847-214-7488. We will register you as an entrant and provide you with business plan and presentation templates. We will also schedule you for counseling services or a workshop to assist you with your business plan activities.

Source: ISBDC at ECC





John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 Chamber of Commerce all over the United States have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Visitor Maps and Publications, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at (800)-600-0134 x239.

Weekly Reasons Why I Get A Great Return on Investment (ROI) from my Annual Chamber of Commerce Dues - The Annual Membership Business Directory - Reason #1

The award winning chamber of commerce annual business directory is the most comprehensive business guide to the chamber area and has a minimum circulation of 5,000 copies. Display advertising is available to members only at very low rates. Every chamber directory contains an alpha listing and/or a category listing making it easy for any new company/new resident or another chamber member to find a local resource from their own chamber. When consumers know that a small business is a member of the local chamber, they are 63% more likely to patronize the business in the future. The Value Proposition - Chamber annual dues: Around $250. Value of this benefit with no other participation in the chamber; $1,000 - Return On Investment - 400%.

Chamber of Commerce news, events, jobs, ongoing education from http://www.villageprofile.com - National Publisher of quality chamber directories, maps, smart phone apps for non-dues revenues. Midwest United States. - John Dussman 800-600-0134 x239

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea - What's Your Purple Goldfish?: How to Win Customers and Influence Word of Mouth: by Stan Phelps

 

What's Your Purple Goldfish (WYPG) is about differentiation via added value. Marketing to your existing customers via G.L.U.E (giving little unexpected extras). The end result is increased sales, happier customers and positive word of mouth.

Praise for WYPG?

"In business you must do something that's above and beyond what's expected. Phelps shows the ingredients behind creating signature extras that are unconventional and innovative. Every business should be asking themselves, "What's our Purple Goldfish?"

-Tony Hsieh, NY Times bestselling author of "Delivering Happiness" and CEO of Zappos.com, Inc.

"Influence isn't a score, it is the ability to cause, effect or change behavior. Phelps shows marketers how to add that 'little something extra' that influences consumer behavior and drives word of mouth."

- Brian Solis, Author of The End of Business as Usual, Named a Top 2011 Business Book by Publisher's Weekly

“What's Your Purple Goldfish? is the new benchmark for customer service and experience excellence. The single source for numerous concepts and innovations that can help build the foundation for a world class brand! (I just hope my competition doesn't find this book.)”

- Chris Zane, Author of Reinventing the Wheel - The Science of Creating Lifetime Customers

“Stan’s approach of delivering the unexpected, lagniappes, is a great way to break from the pack and instill a mindset of customer delight across your company.”

- Bruce Temkin, Author of The 6 Laws of Customer Experience

“Your project has been an inspiration. I’ve talked about it many times, and included links in my articles. CEM can be complicated, but your examples show that with some creativity, companies can stand out by doing a little something extra.”

- Bob Thompson CEO of CustomerThink.com, the world's largest community dedicated to customer-centric business, Author of CrowdService: Harnessing the Wisdom of Crowds in Customer Service and Support

“What's Your Purple Goldfish? busts a myth and reveals a simple truth about customer service. Stan uncovers the recipe for creating signature added value that increases customer satisfaction and drives positive word of mouth.”

- Barry Moltz, Author of Bounce, Crazy and B-A-M

“What's Your Purple Goldfish? is unique in that it doesn't leave you asking ‘Now what?’ after you've read it. It's filled with actual illustrations of what successful businesses are doing right now to differentiate themselves and add value to their customers' experiences.”

- Steve Curtin

“What's Your Purple Goldfish? is a great guidebook full of real-world examples business owners can use to increase great experiences to delight and surprise their customers. Read this book before your competitors do or be left in the dust.”

- Phil Gerbyshak, Author / co-author of 10 Ways to Make it Great! and #Twitterworks

“I have been a huge fan and contributor to The Purple Goldfish Project since inception because many companies talk about being ‘customer centric’ but few actually are. This project is a reflection of all those great companies that are getting it right every day, winning the hearts and minds of their customers one customer at a time!”

- Paul Dunay, Author of Facebook Marketing for Dummies

“At the heart of the marketing lagniappe concept lies the truth that we cannot simply meet the expectations of customers. Every experience starts with a person who had a need they would trade something of value to have solved. Lagniappe can create the difference between needs not solved or solved poorly, and needs solved so well we happily tell others of the experience. Purple Goldfish, crafted wisely in customer experiences, can be the difference between mediocre and great business performance.”

- Linda Ireland, Author of Domino: How Customer Experience Can Tip Everything In Your Business Toward Better Financial Performance

How do you stand out in a sea of sameness?

Source: Amazon.com

Chamber Executive Job Opening - West Suburban Executive Director Job Description

Executive Director

West Suburban Chamber of Commerce

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The West Suburban Chamber of Commerce & Industry represents for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in

8 communities including Hodgkins, Countryside, Western Springs, La Grange, McCook, Indian Head Park, La

Grange Park and Willow Springs. The Executive Director acts as the chief executive and administrative officer

of the Chamber and oversees all the functions of the office and the organization, serving as coordinator, advisor,

membership recruiter, and member advocate. Additionally, the Executive Director works collaboratively with

the Foundation Director to provide support for Foundation projects as well as working to maintain and

strengthen relationships with the leadership of represented municipalities.

AUTHORITY:

The Executive Director is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Board of Directors and is

accountable to the Board and Board President.

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the Chamber office operates in accordance with the

Bylaws. When the Bylaws do not address a situation or procedure, the Executive Director shall act in

accordance with the Executive Committee’s direction. Suggestions and ideas for activities or projects outside

the normal scope of Chamber work, which requires significant staff time or unbudgeted funds shall require the

approval of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director may be supported by a full or part-time paid

Assistant, contractual (freelance) employees and/or volunteers as circumstances require. The Executive

Director is responsible for maintaining employment records and training, supervising, and reviewing office

staff members regarding the procedures and expectations of the Chamber.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Executive Director holds a high-profile position requiring broad experience with both for-profit and notfor-profit organizations, the ability to multitask and at a high level in a fast-paced environment of tight

deadlines and overlapping priorities. The Executive Director will also be proactive and forward thinking with

the objective of increasing the vitality, effectiveness and influence of the WSCCI and its mission to serve as an

advocate for business and constantly promote and assist in enhancing the well-being of the communities that

served through networking, professional development, and legislative involvement. Proficiency with Microsoft

Office suite is required. Specific requirements and experience include a verifiable track record of execution

and achievements in:

 Sales and/or marketing efforts and ideas

 Project management

 Office management

 Leadership

 Community and Municipality outreach

 Bachelor Degree preferred

HOURS:

As the Executive Director serves as not only office manager but also event coordinator and administrator, the

position involves both normal office hours (9a.m. – 4 p.m.) and evening and weekend meetings and events.

Flexibility with schedule is essential.

Membership

The Executive Director is responsible for retaining, recruiting, maintaining and enhancing the Chamber’s

connection with member businesses and organizations.

1. Retain Member Businesses

a. Visit and communicate with current members to ascertain member needs

b. Update database

c. Send out renewals

d. Contact members for past due renewals

e. Present monthly membership reports to Chamber Board

2. Solicit New Members

a. Communicate with municipalities to keep informed on new and potential businesses to the area

b. Update new member packet/pocket folder

c. Maintain a sales planner to ensure/complete sales calls to potential new members

d. Present new member names to board

e. Maintain and update Member Handbook

3. Plan Member and Board events

a. New member events

b. Business-After-Hour events

c. Chamber Board and Committee meetings including meeting minutes

b. Maintain and strengthen relationships with local municipalities

Event Coordination /Sources of Income

The ED is responsible for planning, developing, executing and evaluating the financial and operational success

of events and other sources of income and activities. Additionally, the Director is charged with developing new

sources of revenue growth to ensure the fiscal strength of the WSCCI. Example sources of revenue for the

Chamber include:

 Memberships

 Sponsorships

 Marketing Activities, i.e. membership directory, Ads

 Member Events, i.e. Awards Gala, Networking Lunches, Holiday Luncheon

Interfacing and Communicating with Local Municipalities

The Executive Director will communicate and meet regularly with leaders of the municipalities served by the

WSCCI to advocate for and on behalf of both the local governments as well as local businesses. The

responsibility of maintaining communication with local governmental leaders also includes legislators

representing the WSCCI at the county, state and federal levels of government. Finally, the ED will partner with

local municipal leaders to foster greater participation of anchor businesses in the local communities.

Chamber Web and Print Content/Publications

The Executive Director maintains responsibility for coordinating the information contained in various sources

of communication including e-mail, print and web communications. This includes remaining current with and

monitoring of social media outlets such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Oversight includes but is not limited to:

1. Collecting editorial content and copy

2. Obtaining photos from Chamber events

3. Coordinating the publication/release of communication

4. Ensuring website is current and user friendly




OPERATIONS

Budget:

The Executive Director is responsible for implementing and maintaining the Chamber budget and monitoring

income and expenditures.

1. Development

a. Work with Treasurer and Executive Committee to establish working budget

b. Meet regularly with Treasurer and Executive Board to monitor progress

2. Implementation

a. Maintain accurate records of all income and expenditures

b. Ensure expenditures remain within budget

c. Receive payments and perform bank deposits

d. Assign and review Quickbooks reports to part-time office manager/bookkeeper

e. Submit Quickbooks reports to Treasurer

Office Management

The Executive Director is responsible for directing office operations, delegating tasks as needed to carryout and

fill obligations of position and managing support staff.

1. Supervise and review support staff

a. Develop and maintain an office schedule

b. Secure reliable daily phone coverage, message-taking and response during office hours (9am - 4pm)

2. Ensure proper maintenance of office equipment,

3. Maintain supply closet inventory of office supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.

4. Implement other initiatives as needed to support WSCCI

Source: WSCCI email

Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley to Retire in 2014 - Illinois Loses a Job Creator and Business Warrior

Ray Drake, Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said that Whitley 

announced his retirement plans to the Chamber Board today at the board’s quarterly meeting.

“In his 12 years as president and CEO, Doug has transformed the Illinois Chamber into a robust 

organization that is well-respected and recognized for its leadership as the unifying statewide 

voice of business in Illinois,” Drake said. “As a result of Doug’s initiative, leadership and 

management, the Illinois Chamber today has seven policy councils that address the most 

important public policy issues, an effective government affairs operation, alliances with the 

nation’s leading advocacy organizations and a very capable staff.”

Whitley has a long record of business leadership and expertise in taxation and regulation, which he has earned in a career spanning the public and private sectors. Before joining the Illinois Chamber, Whitley also was:

President of Ameritech Illinois. 

Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue during the administration of Governor Jim Edgar.

President of the Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois 

Legislative staff member in the Illinois House of Representatives.

A lifelong Illinois resident, Whitley spent his youth in Atwood, a small, central Illinois farming community of 1,200, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.*

Doug Whitley worked to create job growth and economic expansion in Illinois. He exposed the core bureaucratic costs of doing business in the state. This recent article appeared in Crain's Chicago Business and on the Illinois Chamber website. 

-----

Why is it so Hard to do Business in Illinois/Chicago?

August 19, 2013

Today's President's Message appears in this week's Crain's Chicago Business as a guest

column on the opinion pages. It was prompted by a column written a few days ago by

Crain's political writer, Greg Hinz. In his column, Hinz exposed the costly burden and

common business frustration imposed upon a private sector investor and job creator who

has plans to open an automobile dealership in Chicago.

I applaud Crain's and Hinz for telling the story and making the experience public. However,

I concluded the litany of governmental failings, scandal and corruption that we have

endured as business minded people, employers, taxpayers and voters should not be

dismissed as simply another story of the day.

Why is it so Hard to do Business in Illinois/Chicago?

The most important issues facing Illinois' elected leaders are unacceptably high

unemployment and the perennial public finance shortfalls exacerbated by a lagging

economy. These are issues that can best be resolved by encouraging and facilitating

private sector investment.

Yet you would not know it by observing our governments' performance. Time and again we

see our reputation as "The City that Works" and our storied connection to "Honest Abe"

besmirched and tarnished.

Two weeks ago we learned a planned multi-million dollar investment to establish a Ford

dealership in Chicago has been frustrated with costly delays from political leverage being

exerted over unrelated business interests. Last week we watched a Congressman and

another Chicago Alderman get sentenced to federal prison.

The frequency of these actions goes to the heart of the Illinois business owner's

frustrations. Why is it so hard to do business in Chicago/Illinois? Ask the Ricketts family

about how easy it is to invest $500 million of private capital to renovate their own property.

Ask WalMart about the barriers of entry into the Chicago market. Chicago politicians stymied the build out of multiple locations, millions in construction investment, hundreds of

jobs and economic opportunity in neighborhoods desperate for fresh food, affordable

products and jobs. Aldermen even concocted special legislation to impose excessive, anticompetitive minimum wage requirements directed solely at the company.

Ask Northwestern University about the ease with which an under utilized property can be

turned into a modern research facility.

Why did ComEd have to struggle with the Governor, the Attorney General and the

Commerce Commission in order to invest $3.5 billion towards introducing a safer, more

efficient, state of the art electric grid to Chicago customers who will benefit from greater

service quality and management of energy usage? How does one not recognize that such

a program equates to equipment purchases from local suppliers, construction work and

new permanent jobs?

Contractors engaged in the construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway and the Englewood

Fly-Over know "winning the low bid" exposes slim margins to further challenges associated

with sub-contractors, minority set asides, excess of bureaucratic reporting and an

occasional congressman's suggestion that a favored party get a contract, too.

Oh, and least we forget...non-union contractors need not apply for the billions of taxpayer

dollars spent on public works by Illinois governments. Illinois taxpayers are oblivious to the

premium.

We saw the University of Illinois suffer a scandal over legislative intrusion and now we

watch the transit boards imploding as cronyism and questionable appointments are

exposed.

Governor Blagojevich thought his "golden" appointments to boards, commissions and the

U.S. Senate were worth millions. And so they were. Edwards Hospital exposed the abuse

of power and corruption at the Health Facilities Planning Board.

So, is every potential investment a shakedown opportunity? Is Illinois governed by threat,

coercion, a union squeeze, a minority hold-up, a double-dip, a no-show job, a kick-back

and a sweetheart deal? Does a successful investor have to employ the "right" law firm, the

"right" lobbyist, the "right" consultant, take care of a family member or precinct worker,

donate to the "right" charities and keep the campaign contributions flowing in order to

accomplish legitimate business objectives?

In Springfield, the General Assembly has taken to approving laws governing business tax policy and the telecommunications industry with short-term termination dates. Not only

does the approach undermine corporate investments for lack of stability and predictability

associated with long-term planning, but the cynic knows the necessity of returning to the

General Assembly for reauthorization contributions.

We regard Chicago as a world-class city. So, like Moscow, we acknowledge the existence

of a mafia, but we elect ours. The taxpayers' tolerance for high cost and inefficient

government is matched only by donors' willingness to pay for it and the voters perpetuating

such political entertainment. It is a high price to pay.

I conclude that Illinois business continues to do well in this state despite the perpetual

failings of our governments. There are many reasons why Illinois is still a good place to live

and do business, but that is content for a future column. Stay tuned.

--- End of article

* Source: Biographical information from Illinois Chamber website. Crain's Chicago Business article as noted

Show Your School Spirit and Brighten Downtown Business Districts from Zion, Illinois

Remember when ZB Student Athletes used to paint the windows of downtown businesses to show school spirit!?!?!?

WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK!
We have several ZB sports teams interested in participating in this special Homecoming 2013 event but we need businesses with lots of windows or big windows!

HOW CAN THIS BENEFIT MY BUSINESS?????
Having your business pictured and named in the ZB News and online at ZB Guide for FREE!
Having Area Residents Notice Your Business as they drive down the street!
Create Positive Community Relationships with students, coaches and area parents!
A Team of Athletes to clean your exterior windows after homecoming weekend is over!

WHEN IS HOMECOMING???
Homecoming is September 27-28 but the Bees will be painting windows beginning September 20th so we can get the pictures submitted to the ZB News & ZB Guide before Homecoming weekend!

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?????
Purchase washable tempera paint in the following colors: Yellow, Black, White, Red, Blue (it costs anywhere from $3/8oz bottle to $6/small kit of 6-2oz bottles-you can check at Ace Hardware, a department store such as Walmart, or a craft store such as Michaels) *NOTE: Lots of windows require at least 8oz of each color ,
dishwashing liquid to add to the paint to help it wash off easier,
small disposable cups or containers for paint to be poured into,
small paint brushes or brush sponges (also available at Ace Hardware or department stores),
lots of paper towels and window cleaner (for the days following homecoming weekend so the athletes can clean their artwork off of your windows),
snacks for athletes if you would like to offer anything for hungry artists.


Source: Zion Illinois Chamber of Commerce email

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Building an Entrepenurial Ecosystem in Your City

Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City - 

By Brad Feld

An essential guide to building supportive entrepreneurial communities"Startup communities" are popping up everywhere, from cities like Boulder to Boston and even in countries such as Iceland. These types of entrepreneurial ecosystems are driving innovation and small business energy. Startup Communities documents the buzz, strategy, long-term perspective, and dynamics of building communities of entrepreneurs who can feed off of each other's talent, creativity, and support.
Based on more than twenty years of Boulder-based entrepreneur turned-venture capitalist Brad Feld's experience in the field?as well as contributions from other innovative startup communities?this reliable resource skillfully explores what it takes to create an entrepreneurial community in any city, at any time. Along the way, it offers valuable insights into increasing the breadth and depth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by multiplying connections among entrepreneurs and mentors, improving access to entrepreneurial education, and much more.

• Details the four critical principles needed to form a sustainable startup community
• Perfect for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists seeking fresh ideas and new opportunities
• Written by Brad Feld, a thought-leader in this field who has been an early-stage investor and successful entrepreneur for more than twenty years

Engaging and informative, this practical guide not only shows you how startup communities work, but it also shows you how to make them work anywhere in the world.

Source: Amazon com