Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Get Out of Your Own Way by Robert Cooper; Logan County Alliance President & CEO Andi Hake to resign; Molly Ward named Virginia Peninsula Chamber's 2015 Distinguished Citizen; Batesville Area Chamber serves as tourism hub; Kentucky Legislature Convenes As Parties Fight For Power; Michigan City Chamber announces new leadership; Chamber issue: Reeves vows to push for tax cuts, school choice; Chamber Initiative: Promoting Sheboygan County as "Someplace Better"; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!


Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Get Out of Your Own Way  by Robert Cooper

A Powerful Road Map for Surpassing Everyone’s Expectations

Break through your self-imposed limitations by learning how your own brain can be your biggest obstacle—or your greatest ally.

You’d expect your brain to be an always-reliable ally in your quest for a successful, satisfying life, but surprisingly the opposite is usually true. That’s because your brain is pretty much the same model your ancestors were using thousands of years ago when mere survival was everyone’s primary goal. It tells you now what it told them then: Play it safe. Avoid risk. Evade confrontation. Don’t venture outside the territory you already know. And never break the habits that have gotten you this far.

Coming at just the right time to help you deal with the growing demands of our pressure-packed, fast-changing world, Robert Cooper’s Get Out of Your Own Way helps you understand what’s going on in that head of yours. Once you know what really drives you, you can switch off the counterproductive parts of your brain, engage the helpful parts, and set out on the path to accomplishing what everyone else thinks you can’t. Based on more than two decades of worldwide research, Get Out of Your Own Way shows you the five keys for making the choices that let you engage and triumph over the realities of today’s world:

• Direction, not motion
• Focus, not time
• Capacity, not conformity
• Energy, not effort
• Impact, not intentions

Filled with wonderful stories—about everything from the note written by one of the author’s ancestors upon leaving Dublin for America in 1829 (“On the horizon is where hope lives . . . I am going there”) to the unlikely exploits of the world record–setting Jamaican bobsled team—this groundbreaking book confirms that the next frontier is not only ahead of you, it’s inside of you . . . and what everyone else thinks is impossible isn’t. Read more: Barnes & Noble


Logan County Alliance President & CEO Andi Hake to resign

Logan County Alliance President & CEO Andi Hake announced her resignation during a board of directors meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Hake’s last official day is Jan. 29, however she will hold a contract with the Alliance Board to complete and maintain certain projects until her replacement has transitioned or until her services are no longer needed.
When asked for a comment, Hake said she was not open to answering questions regarding the matter. However, a press release cited that her decision to leave the organization is due to personal reasons and that she planned to move on once her son graduated from high school.
“In May of 2016, this major milestone will happen. The Alliance festival season, however, begins in June and I realized this would not be the best time of the year for the Alliance to be searching for a new president. It seemed wise to resign at the beginning of the year and allow the Board ample time to find a new president and CEO," said Hake.
Hake held the position of executive director of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce since June 6, 2008 and the position of President and CEO of the Logan County Alliance since Jan. 1, 2015. Hake and the LCA have been funded by the City of Lincoln to support festivals that are held in the area.
Tracy Welch, a newly appointed Alderman Ward 1 City Council member said, “I was shocked by the announcement of Ms. Hake's resignation but understand that she must do what is best for her and her family. Andi has had a tremendous impact on the community and won't soon be forgotten. I wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.” Read more: Lincoln Courier


Molly Ward named Virginia Peninsula Chamber's 2015 Distinguished Citizen


Molly Joseph Ward can be tenacious when it comes to community work.

"You have to walk a fine line between stalking and advocacy," Ward told attendees of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting on Dec. 7 after accepting the 2015 Distinguished Citizen Award. "It's hard to find that spot where people don't think you're crazy."

After graduating from law school at the College of William and Mary and wanting to get involved with the community, the Hampton native recalled realizing just how persistent she could be when selling Christmas trees at Newmarket South for the Jaycees' summer camp program.

"I got to the point I wasn't going to let people leave without buying a tree," Ward said. "I couldn't sell anything for myself, but I could sell for other people."

That tenacity served Ward well when, during her time as Hampton mayor, she led the bipartisan coalition that persuaded President Barack Obama to designate Fort Monroe as a national monument and park through the Antiquities Act on Nov. 1, 2011. Ward remembers helping preserve the historic waterfront fort and ensuring public access to Fort Monroe as one of her proudest moments. Read more: Daily Press





Batesville Area Chamber serves as tourism hub


The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce may appear to be a great resource for area businesses, but actually the office has offerings – almost all free – for everyone as it serves as the city’s visitor center. Area residents may stop by the 16 E. George St. location weekdays between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to pick up a Batesville recycling guide or Walk and Bike Batesville brochure.

People considering moving here or with preschoolers will want information about Batesville, Oldenburg and Sunman-Dearborn’s public and private schools, including Ivy Tech Community College’s Batesville campus. Brochures about other postsecondary options include Indiana Wesleyan University, College Cooperative Southeast and Indiana College Network. Another document is about the 21st Century Scholars Program, which provides college tuition to students in low- to moderate-income families. They enroll as eighth-graders and must meet specific guidelines.

Families can find out about the Council for Educational Travel USA, which helps students travel abroad and seeks host families for students visiting here. The current Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce guide is in stock along with one detailing Ripley County.

Indiana, Ripley County and Batesville maps; phone books; and real estate guides are other resources.

History buffs can pick up a brochure about Batesville happenings in 1920. Those who like to sight-see can discover information about the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail 1863 and five Underground Railroad driving trails. Read more: Batesville Herald Tribune



Kentucky Legislature Convenes As Parties Fight For Power

The Kentucky state legislature has gaveled in to begin work on a two-year state spending plan under a new Republican governor.

The state House and Senate both convened around noon Tuesday. It was set to be a light day for lawmakers as they introduce bills.

But behind the scenes Republicans and Democrats have been grappling for control of the House of Representatives. Democrats have a four-seat majority, but Republicans could force a tie if they sweep four special elections scheduled for March 8.

Meanwhile, new Republican Governor Matt Bevin was entering his first legislative session. He has been scheduled to deliver a major speech to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on Thursday followed by a budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly on January 26. More: NewsChannel 5



Michigan City Chamber announces new leadership




Mary Jo Orlowski will take over Monday as president of the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Most recently, Orlowski served as the director for member service at the Greater Bloomington (Ind.) Chamber of Commerce recruiting more than 750 members during her tenure there. She was part of the team that led the Bloomington organization in winning the National Chamber of the Year Award from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2012.
Orlowski, who holds a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology from Indiana University, spent much of her youth in Michigan City. “I am thrilled to join the Michigan City Area Chamber and to meet the members,” Orlowski said in a release. “The Chamber’s work is vital to the region’s business community and I look forward to working with the board, volunteers, and staff to grow the organization and represent the interests of local businesses.” More: South Bend Tribune



MEC, Chamber issue: Reeves vows to push for tax cuts, school choice

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said he will again push for students to be able to cross district lines to attend charter schools, and for a corporate tax cut coupled with a “raise for taxpayers,” or individual income tax cut.
Reeves on Monday outlined his priorities for the 2016 legislative session that begins Tuesday. He spoke at the Stennis Institute for Government’s press corps luncheon in Jackson.
“I don’t believe some arbitrary line should preclude parents getting the best education possible for that child,” Reeves said.
When the Legislature in 2013 passed law clearing the way for charter public schools, the Senate passed a version that would allow students to cross district lines to attend them. The House rejected that language. Republican Reeves said an increased GOP majority in the House after November’s elections should help this and other measures pass into law.
Reeves also said he wants lawmakers to review, and likely change, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program funding formula for K-12 public education. He said the formula, passed in 1997, is outdated and its spending policy is based on C-level districts.
“A and B performing districts are spending a higher percentage of their total budget on instruction and a lower percentage on administrative expenses,” Reeves said. “C districts, conversely, spend a considerably higher percentage on administration and lower on instruction.
“This formula was created before the Internet, before we had students using (electronic) tablets in the classroom,” Reeves said. “We’d be foolish not to revisit how we spend more than $2 billion a year.”
Reeves said the state’s corporate franchise tax “is the stupidest tax on the books.” He said it discourages capital investment in Mississippi and no neighboring states have it. He pushed unsuccessfully last year to phase the tax out over 10 years and said he’ll push a similar proposal this year. He said he will again also push for elimination of the lower brackets of the state’s income tax, providing a “pay raise for taxpayers."
Reeves said anemic revenue growth in recent months and what appears to be a very tight state budget for the coming year won't deter his desire for tax cuts. He said he supports broader tax cuts and "making our tax code flatter" as opposed to tax credits, breaks or incentives for specific businesses.
"I don't think revenue in any one day, week, month or year should determine long-term tax policy," Reeves said
As the Mississippi Economic Council — the state’s chamber of commerce — pushes for tax increases to pay for road and bridge maintenance, Reeves said, “I support spending more resources on our roads and bridges.” He did not say what, if any taxes, he would agree to increase to pay for this, but  “that’s a conversation we are going to have this session.” Read more: Clarion Ledger

Chamber Initiative: Promoting Sheboygan County as "Someplace Better"


Hoping to get past the stigma of living in a state that is known for its cold and rural lifestyle, the Sheboygan County Chamber and the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation announced a new cooperative initiative Tuesday called "Someplace Better" to get people to take jobs and move into Sheboygan County.
The catalyst for the initiative is with the growth of the area's economy.  Dane Checolinski with the EDC highlighted that the county has had its GDP grow at a rate more than three times the state average in recent years, ranking in the top-20 percent in the nation.  Also, the growth in jobs in Sheboygan County has been 7.3-percent from August of 2011 to August of 2015.  "Sheboygan County has averaged adding a thousand jobs every year, year after year, since the recession.  Our job growth has been so rapid, that we've even outpaced Dane County, often considered the jewel of the Wisconsin economy."
Checolinski went on to say that with the growth comes needs.  "Sheboygan County's job market is now under water.  Sheboygan County has more jobs than people to fill them."
To highlight this, representatives from four of the largest employers in Sheboygan County - Kohler, Aurora Health Care, Bemis, and Sargento - shared their thoughts on the current job market.  Each said they currently have dozens of job openings, plus they plan to increase their workforce with new jobs, given their own growth.  In addition, the companies say there will be a need for new people to be hired as current employees retire and leave the workforce. Read more: WHBL.com

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your publication proposal, Click here

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