Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
Indiana Vision 2025: A Plan for Hoosier Prosperity
The mission: “Indiana will be a global leader in innovation and economic opportunity where enterprises and citizens prosper.”
In early 2012, the Indiana Chamber officially unveiled its new long-range economic development plan called Indiana Vision 2025.
This fifth biennial Report Card evaluates Indiana’s performance compared to the other 49 states, identifying areas of progress as well as focuses for additional improvement. The data serve as a starting point for regional discussions, as well as policy and program enhancements.
Learn the latest about how our state is faring.
2021 Report Card (May 24, 2021)
Full Report Card
Two-page narrative
Cathi Hight of Hight Performance Group and one of the top Chamber Speakers in America: Signs Your Board Needs An Overhaul
“One frequently overlooked means of preparing for the future is through a high-performing, strategically focused board of directors (BOD). Most (organizations) don’t utilize a true, functioning BOD beyond the minimum statutory requirements, and those that do have a functioning BOD often lack directors whose competencies and experiences are well-aligned to anticipate and execute on potential future opportunities. In both instances, the business lacks the right people in the right place to see beyond the day to day and craft a winning vision of the future.”
~ Michael Mangum and Ed Rowell, Fails Management Institute
I was conducting online research on developing future-focused boards of directors and I stumbled upon the FMI article How to Create a Future-Ready Board of Directors. Although FMI as a management and investment firm serves engineering and construction companies, they offer wise advice on creating and leveraging boards of directors to navigate uncertainty and position organizations for long-term success.
In my experience as a certified Motorola University instructor for continuous improvement and benchmarking, I know the importance of competitive and comparative benchmarking. Competitive benchmarking is when we learn best practices from peers in our industry. Comparative benchmarking helps us glean insights from those outside of our industry who do things well that would benefit us.
What I found very insightful is this infographic that describes Five Signs Your Board Needs an Overhaul. In working with associations and chamber of commerce leaders and boards across North America, I’ve heard about and experienced boards that exhibit one or more of these signs.
Any combination of these can impede an organization’s ability to navigate future trends and be positioned for success. This can create a comfort around the status quo, a reluctance to change, and prevent real and needed change over time.
Which of these signs are prevalent with your board?
How can you develop a board of directors to lead and position your organization for future success?
Contact Cathi Hight here: Cathi Hight, Hight Performance Group <cathi@hightperformance.com>
Muskego Chamber: Student Opportunities Among Local Businesses
Muskego Chamber invites you to learn about student work opportunities through the MHS Connect Academy program at our May 18 Networking Lunch with MHS Connect Academy Coordinator Jim Michlig. See details below. Register Online Sorry, I'm not able to attend
Date: May 18, 2021
Time: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM CDT
Website: http://www.muskego.org
Muskego Chamber Networking Lunch
Presentation by Muskego High School’s Jim Michlig
Topic: Student Opportunities among Local Businesses
Learn about internships, hiring students, and the Connect Academy program.
Location: Matty’s Bar & Grille, 14460 W College Ave
Build Your Own Taco & Salad Bar. Cash bar available for beverages
$15 per person; Register by May 11
5 Star Chamber: Battle Creek Area Chamber: Celebrating Kara Beer's 10th Year Work Anniversary
Celebrating Kara Beer for 10 yearsWe wish to congratulate the leader of our organization, Kara Beer on 10 wonderful years as President of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for your innovation, service, creativity, passion, and all that you do for our community and organization.
You are continually connecting and empowering business and community professionals to have the courage and confidence to be catalytic leaders in addressing their business and communities' greatest needs.
Congratulations!
Email Kara
Today's Lunch and Learn with Chick-fil-A is currently full!
We are excited to offer a zoom option though so you can still hear this wonderful content. We will go live at 11:00!
Please see below.
Starkville Partnership is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Chick-fil-A Customer Service Luncheon
Time: May 11, 2021 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82903126927?pwd=RnE4K3ZESW9VQnFrT3VqeERHSlFsZz09
Meeting ID: 829 0312 6927
Passcode: 597247
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82903126927#,,,,*597247# US (New York)
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My Best,
Hunter Harrington
Director of Membership Development
630 Workforce Education Foundation Scholarship
Mary is or has been involved in numerous clubs and organizations including the Hornet Swim Club, Chapel Choir at DGFUMC and DuPagePADS. She is an active swimmer and has served as a lifeguard at Indian Boundary YMCA. In her application essay, she stated, “There is something to be said about the feeling you get when you complete a challenge. In the pool, in the classroom, or in life, I feel most proud – and most ecstatic – after doing something I was not entirely sure I could do.” Mary plans to study Physics and Mathematics.
Drew Driscoll also has an active volunteer background, serving as president and vice president to the Young Conservatives of America, a student representative to Student Congress and officer of the Spanish Club. He also has volunteered for the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club, was a peer mentor for Navigating Adolescence and worked in several toy drives for Sharing Connections. He was a National Honor in 2020-2021 as well as on Downers Grove North Honor Roll, Spanish Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society in 2020. He has worked at the Hinsdale Golf Club and Amateur Hockey Association Illinois. Drew plans to become a mechanical and aeronautical engineer. Drew said, “Designing aviation would be a dream job.”
The 630 Workforce Education Foundation scholarships are awarded annually to Chamber630 Members, their employees and their families only. Any employee (or their student) of any business that is a Chamber630 Member in good standing is eligible to apply.
Chamber630 Board Chairman and Vice President in Commercial Banking at Byline Bank said, “Over the years, almost $30,000 has been awarded to deserving students. This is a great benefit of Membership for anyone who intends to go to a vocational or trade school, a two or four-year college or university.”
Funding for this scholarship is through the generosity of businesses and Chamber630 business Members. Donations are accepted throughout the year. If you are interested in contributing, please contact Info@Chamber630.com or call 630-968-4050. Chamber630 thanks the Scholarship Committee for their many hours dedicated to this effort.
Mclean County Chamber: State Legislative Panel at Hancock Stadium
On Tuesday, June 8 at 7 a.m., the McLean County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual State of the State at the Hancock Stadium Club on the campus of Illinois State University. The panel discussion will begin at 7:25 a.m. and will focus on the current legislative developments in Springfield and how they will affect our business community in McLean County. The event is free to all Chamber Members attending virtually or in-person. Registration is required.
Confirmed panelists include Senator Jason Barickman (R, 53rd District), Senator Sally Turner (R, 44th District), and Representative Dan Brady (R, 105th District). Also invited are Representative Tom Bennett (R, 106th District), Senator Chapin Rose (R, 51st District), Representative Keith P. Sommer (R, 88th District) and Representative Dan Caulkins (R, 101st District).
For more information, please visit www.mcleancochamber.org or contact Marketing & Communications Manager, Tori Weinberg, at 309-829-1186 or tori@mcleancochamber.org.
Carroll Chamber Of Commerce And CADC Executive Director, Shannon Landauer, Accepts Position With Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation
Executive Director of the Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC), Shannon Landauer, announced Friday that her tenure in Carroll is coming to an end next month.
Landauer joined the Carroll Chamber of Commerce in 2014, and prior to that, she served as the Boone County Development Agency Executive Director. She says it was a difficult decision to make, but the move to a larger region was the next logical step in her career.
Landauer’s influence on Carroll’s economic environment is overwhelmingly positive. From helping businesses in the area navigate the challenges of a global pandemic to facilitating a joint effort between the CADC and City of Carroll to contract with the Retail Coach to bring new businesses to town as well as support existing ones, she and her staff are always looking for ways to better the community. She says she will be leaving behind a top-notch team to carry on the Chamber and CADC’s mission.
She says the Carroll-area is well-positioned to make great strides in the coming years.
Her final day with the Carroll Chamber and CADC is June 16. Hear More: 1380 WCDM
Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber hires executive director
Former newspaper publisher Andy Bruns starts July 1
Andy Bruns, a former regional newspaper publisher for Lee Enterprises, has been tapped as executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, the chamber announced June 4.
Bruns replaces Christopher Finley, who resigned in March to become director of marketing and public relations for LewisGale Regional Health System. Cheryl Ward has been serving as interim executive director.
A Southern Illinois University journalism graduate, Bruns had been regional publisher for Lee Enterprises since April 2020. He oversaw The Roanoke Times and Lynchburg News & Advance, among other publications. Before that, he held roles with Gannett and GateHouse Media.
“He has extensive leadership experience having spearheaded marketing and media organizations across the country for decades,” Zach Wimmer, president of the chamber’s board, said in a statement.
Bruns has served on multiple nonprofit and chamber of commerce boards. He and his family have vacationed at Smith Mountain Lake since 2016, and moved there full time in April 2020. Read more: Virginia Business
Kentucky Secretary of State talks elections with Knox Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams addressed the Knox County Chamber of Commerce last Tuesday during a virtual meeting where he discussed the current state of the election system in Kentucky.
Adams, a native of Paducah, served as Deputy General Counsel to Governor Ernie Fletcher before moving to Washington to accept an appointment as Counsel to the U.S. Deputy Attorney General in the second Bush Administration.
Since then, Adams has represented several national political committees, numerous national political figures, and statewide campaign efforts in all 50 states after moving to full-time private practice in election law, first as General Counsel to the Republican Governors Association, and later opening a national practice in the field. In 2016, Adams was appointed to the Kentucky State Board of Elections before being inaugurated as Secretary of State on January 6, 2020.
“I want to give you just a quick update about the state of our election system—what we did last year to accommodate the pandemic and ensure people could vote, what lessons we learned and what we’ve done on a permanent basis to adopt some changes that worked out pretty well from both sides perspectives and then I’ll make sure I’ll leave plenty of time for some feedback anybody has,” Adams said.
Adams said the first bill he proposed and ultimately got passed was a bill requiring a photo ID be presented in order to vote in an election. Read more: Times Tribune
Keck's 'city' address looks to tear down walls
During his “State of the City” address to the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce June luncheon crowd, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck talked about the concept of “building” frequently.
Building new things in the city. Building something positive. And, ultimately, having the wisdom not to build walls that divide.
“It’s been said that whatever good things we build end up building us,” said Keck, “and there’s no truer statement for what’s happening in our community. It’s certainly been true for me.
When I took office ... it had been some time since opportunity had knocked on Somerset’s door. We needed that opportunity. We needed to make our city relevant again. We needed to make it more vibrant and energetic,” he added. “... We built a new door, and we invited opportunity to come in.”
Keck said that for years, he’s listened to Somerset residents dream about what their community could be, including a more active downtown area, and he’s resolved to make those dreams a reality. He mentioned projects which he’s made a focus as being among these things — a downtown market, outdoor art, and the opportunity to increase tourism by linking to Kentucky’s famous Bourbon Trail, an aim for which Keck worked to lure Horse Soldier Bourbon to town.
He challenged members of the community to be Somerset’s “best ambassadors” — said Keck, “If you’re not excited about Somerset and Pulaski County, how will anyone else (feel that way)?” — and said that was the origin of the “seemyset” slogan and hashtag, encouraging people to tell their own stories about why they love the area.
“That will look different for each of you,” he said. “It might mean Lake Cumberland and all that it has to offer. ... It might mean the historic downtown that’s filled with cars the fourth weekend seven or eight months a year. It might mean the Fountain Square. It could mean agriculture, and maybe someday, bourbon. Whatever that destination is, whatever that thing that gets you excited is, we want you to tell that story.” Read more: Commonwealth Journal
