Thursday, October 16, 2014

Chamber Executive Kentucky Digest - October 2014

Kentucky Chamber Goals: Put young kids first to improve our education system
Four years ago the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region created a set of "Bold Goals" for education, income and health to be achieved by the year 2020. The collective vision has now been endorsed by more than 250 of our region's leading business, civic, education, government, philanthropic, and nonprofit organizations. As chair of the United Way campaign in Northern Kentucky this year, and as co-chair of the regional Read On! campaign, I've been referencing these goals during every meeting and event. Why? Because these goals need to be met if we are to have a thriving community and the quality of life we all want.
Of all the goals, I believe the Kindergarten Readiness Bold Goal is the most important to achieve long-term success. Decades of research by economists, neuroscientists and educators show that early childhood education is the biggest "bang for the buck." Investments in the early years of a child's life, including high-quality preschool, result in long-term gains for students and significant savings for governments and taxpayers. Read more: Cincinatti.com

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell speaks at Jessamine Chamber of Commerce luncheon

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell spoke at a Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week, addressing chamber members and local government officials on the state of current affairs in Washington. McConnell, the guest speaker at the luncheon Wednesday touched on topics such as coal jobs, world affairs and the memory of Richard J. Corman. McConnell opened his talk with a local tie by fondly remembering the founder of RJ Corman Railroad Company. Read more: The Jessamine Journal

Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber President Appointed to U.S. Chamber Committee

Lee S. Lingo, President of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, has accepted an invitation to serve as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Transportation, Infrastructure and Logistics Committee for the 2014-2015 year.
The 140-member committee meets twice a year to formulate U.S. Chamber policy in transportation infrastructure, and also serves as a forum for networking and education about infrastructure issues. In the coming year, the committee's work will focus on reauthorization of the federal aviation law and continue its work on water resources, marine transportation and surface transportation, according to a letter from the U.S. Chamber. Read more: Surfky.com

Senator-elect Max Wise addresses McCreary County Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

The McCreary County Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly luncheon last Wednesday with Max Wise, senator-elect for Kentucky's 16th District, serving as guest speaker. Barring the surprise entry of a write-in candidate, Wise will assume the senate seat in January after defeating incumbent Sara Beth Gregory in last May's Republican Primary. Read more: McCreary County Record

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - by Sheryl Sandberg, CEO Facebook

Thirty years after women became 50 percent of the college graduates in the United States, men still hold the vast majority of leadership positions in government and industry. This means that women's voices are still not heard equally in the decisions that most affect our lives. In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg examines why women's progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled, explains the root causes, and offers compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.

Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook and is ranked on Fortune's list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2010, she gave an electrifying TEDTalk in which she described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk, which became a phenomenon and has been viewed more than two million times, encouraged women to "sit at the table," seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto.

In Lean In, Sandberg digs deeper into these issues, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to cut through the layers of ambiguity and bias surrounding the lives and choices of working women. She recounts her own decisions, mistakes, and daily struggles to make the right choices for herself, her career, and her family. She provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career, urging women to set boundaries and to abandon the myth of "having it all." She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women in the workplace and at home.

Written with both humor and wisdom, Sandberg's book is an inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth. Lean In is destined to change the conversation from what women can't do to what they can.

Future of coal topic of Maysville-Mason County Chamber meeting

The story told to attendees of the Maysville-Mason County Chamber of Commerce meeting wasn't good news regarding the future of coal in Kentucky. Rodney Hitch, manager of Economic Development for East Kentucky Power Cooperative was the featured speaker for Thursday's business meeting. Hitch has been involved in economic development most of his career, having served in a variety of capacities in Rowan County and the Appalachian region.
The focus of Hitch's presentation was the impact of regulations imposed on fossil-fueled power plants under the current administration in Washington and the EPA. Read more: The Ledger Independent

Chamber business: Goldman Sachs is looking to help 10,000 small businesses with a $500 MILLION investment

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is a $500 million investment to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. 10,000 Small Businesses is designed for business owners with limited resources who have a business poised for growth. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to growing their business and creating jobs within their community. Learn more about this program and eligibility requirements. Further information: 10,000 Small Businesses

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

"I make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes."

-Sara Teasdale