Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
Manteno Chamber: Makers Madness
The
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) hosts a competition called Makers
Madness. It’s very similar to March Madness basketball. The
-1st round of voting is now open.
We
have THREE members in the running--Plochman's, Rad Rides by Troy, and Urban
Farmer—all made in Manteno!
Voting
is open through midnight on February 28. Voters can cast up to
five votes per day in the first round as the field of products is narrowed.
Let’s
get the word out so our local employers can make it into the Sweet Sixteen
round—feel free to share!
https://makersmadnessil.com/cast-your-vote/
Ridgeland to host city Hall open house, ribbon cuttingPastors, representatives from the chamber of commerce and other city officials are on the slate to speak at the dedication and ribbon cutting for the brand new city hall building this weekend.
The city has a dedication and flag-raising ceremony scheduled for this weekend at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, at the new city hall building located at 100 West School Street.
Mayor Gene F. McGee and the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen will be present for the ceremony as well as Chase Bryan, president of the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce. Director of Community Development Alan Hart will give a presentation about the new building. Ridgeland High School Singers will sing and the Ridgeland High School AFJROTC Color Guard will raise the new flag over the new building.
Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church of Ridgeland Dr. Mark Byrd and Pastor Ryan Lamberson of Word of Life Church in Ridgeland are also expected to speak.
Tours will follow the ceremony.
The $15.9-million, 30,000-square-foot Ridgeland City Hall at School Street and U.S. 51 opened on the first of this month. Read more: Madison County Journal
New Arrival: Oxford Lafayette County Community Map
The new Oxford Lafayette County Chamber Community Map is available at the Chamber and Foundation offices today! Thanks to Jon Maynard, Pam Swain and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Virginia Peninsula Chamber Diversifies BoardBy Bob McKenna
On Dec. 8, the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce conducted its 2020 Annual Meeting and installed numerous new members to the chamber’s board of directors. The bylaws of the chamber call for a board that consists of an executive committee that includes a chairperson, a chair-elect, an immediate past chairperson, a treasurer, a general counsel, and up to five at-large appointees, and no more than 35 voting members elected for a term of three years. This year’s slate includes nine new voting members and five new nonvoting (ex officio) members. The new voting members are:
• Crystal Bright, external affairs representative, state and local affairs, Dominion Energy Services Inc.
• Jeffrey Johnson, director of Tech Center Research Park
• Bo Garner, partner, PBMares
• Jana Allen-Bishop, associate director, Executive MBA Program, William & Mary Raymond A. Mason School of Business
• Beth Beale, chief financial officer, Old Point National Bank
• Jan Phillips, vice president of nursing at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Bon Secours
• Dr. Sherwin Stewart, vice president of operations at Sentara CarePlex
• Denise Vaughn, vice president, communications, public relations and sustainability at Ferguson Enterprises
• Toni Williams, director, Partnership for a New Phoebus
Nonvoting members are: Amy Jordan, vice president, business development, Hampton Roads Alliance; Steve Cook, vice president of workforce innovation at Hampton Roads Workforce Council; Brian Smith, deputy, Hampton Roads Transit; Charles Cockrell, NASA program, strategy, communications and business development executive (science adviser); and Phillip Jones, Marine Corps infantry officer veteran, Harvard Master of Business Administration student, self-employed.
We are very excited to welcome these new members to continue the important work of the Peninsula business community’s most influential voice. The new members make us a much more diverse board on several levels, including race, sex, generation, thought, and business sector. Even more critically, in keeping with the chamber’s mission, this new board will be unified in a common goal to make our home and community more attractive to new business, to the expansion of existing businesses and to a greater spirit of innovation.
The board now has representation from all three Peninsula universities and Thomas Nelson Community College, the three primary Peninsula health care providers, and several regional organizations. Additionally, Dominion, Ferguson, and NASA are now represented on the board. The new perspectives and fresh energy will make the chamber a more vibrant force for long-term economic growth on the Peninsula and across the 757! Read more:
Virginian Pilot-Online
Indy Chamber: Things Done Changed
We led off with Biggie Smalls last week, but we’ll do it again in a more positive light today: We mentioned last week the game-changing letter from Indianapolis corporate leaders
speaking out against legislative proposals that would “stifle local priorities” – transit, housing, public safety and other issues we’ve worked hard to move forward in Marion County.
This statement from 60+ executives from major employers and civic influencers got plenty of attention, and we hope their message changes the tone at the Statehouse. Early in the week, this optimism seemed well-founded as we rallied against two bills that would have scuttled progress on civilian oversight of law enforcement rebuilding trust between police and the citizens they protect.
SB168 would have put IMPD under a state-dominated oversight board; the bill was softened by amendment (two local appointments on the board), but was still an unprecedented invasion of local control. It was pushed to a summer study committee due to a bottleneck of bills in Senate Appropriations (which would have also had to pass it due to its fiscal impact), which we’ll cautiously count as a win.
SB394 would effectively eliminate the new IMPD General Orders Board, preserving local control but overruling efforts at civilian oversight by mandating the administrative power of the chief of police. As we said last week, when residents have no voice in law enforcement, they’ll also stay silent when the police seek their help – mistrust is crime’s quiet accomplice.
There was a motion to shift the subject to a summer study committee as well, but the bill’s author said he’d rather see it die in committee – a sentiment with which we heartily agree, but we’ll stay vigilant to make sure this language doesn’t re-appear as an amendment to another public safety measure later in the session.
In another modest victory,
SB392 (Marion County Zoning) was amended to eliminate township-level zoning appeals in favor of representation from across the county on the Indianapolis/Marion County zoning appeals board – avoiding a maze of confusing bureaucracies that would have complicated economic development.
Where the sidewalk ends
Unfortunately, things got tougher on Thursday, when the Appropriations Committee narrowly passed
SB141. This is the bill that strips funding from IndyGo for bus rapid transit routes by changing the rules to force private fundraising for public infrastructure.
You already know our position: Transit creates a more competitive business climate by connecting people and employers, and rapid transit service like the Blue Line along Washington Street has transformative potential for neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization.
Cancelling these projects also cancels $40 million in planned road and sidewalk improvements along Washington Street (part of more than $200 million in infrastructure investment on all three BRT lines). It means writing off nearly 13 miles of new or repaved sidewalks and multi-use pathways, 18 miles of repaved streets, and 65 new traffic signals as collateral damage in this bizarre vendetta against improved transit.
Not only that, the bill would impede efficiency efforts by IPS to manage transportation costs by partnering with IndyGo, and serving students attending charter schools like Purdue Polytechnic (which has
located both of its Indianapolis schools along rapid transit – the Red and planned Blue Lines).
Here’s the bright side: Concerns about interfering in local issues – and overriding local officials and voters – were prominent in discussion around the vote, so our message does seem to be resonating. The committee was initially deadlocked before one member changed his vote to give the full Senate a chance to weigh in.
So we’ll take the fight to the floor as well. In a possibly good omen,
SB42 was decisively defeated on third reading earlier this week. While not singling out Indianapolis, the bill would have strained local budgets by limiting flexibility to adjust public safety spending – we can make the same arguments against state intervention in the spending priorities of specific local agencies, with the backing of our business community. Read More:
Indy Chamber
Christian County Chamber plans 2nd outdoor market to showcase local businesses
For the second time during the coronavirus pandemic, the Christian County Chamber of Commerce will host an outdoor vendor market in its parking lot.
Many community events that normally give small business owners an opportunity to showcase their goods have been canceled since March, so the chamber wanted to help fill that gap, said Kirstie Darnall, vice president for events and marketing.
“One way we found we could do that was to use our parking lot,” she said.
The chamber’s Spring Vendor Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 13. There was a Christmas-themed fair in November, when approximately 20 vendors participated. They ranged from speciality shops, local distributors of national products, craft merchants and food trucks.
Darnall said there are two key advantages to the parking lot market — some customers are more comfortable browsing outside during the pandemic and the chamber’s location at 2800 Fort Campbell Blvd. is highly visible.
Dustin Gilbert, a Hopkinsville real estate agent who also runs Home Sweet Hoptown, a line of community-branded goods, participated in the November market and was the first to sign up for the spring event.
“Everyone at the last one was masked up” and had plenty of hand sanitizer, said Gilbert. Being outside in an open space gave shoppers room to stay socially distant, he said.
Gilbert launched his company a couple of months before COVID-19 began spreading in Kentucky. Although he couldn’t have predicted it, the virus pushed customers in the direction of his business model with online shopping and curbside deliveries. The chamber’s parking lot market is another way for him to grow his business.
There’s no charge for vendors who are chamber members. Nonmembers pay $25 for a spot, which is two parking spaces.
Business owners, including those with food trucks, may register online until March 10. Additional details are available on the registration page or by emailing Darnall.
Jackson County Chamber Women's Week
The Jackson Chamber’s Women’s Week presented by American 1 Credit Union, March 8 – 12, is a weeklong celebration of difference-making women in Jackson County, recognizing their achievements and contributions to our community. The five day celebration features a kick-off party & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies, the opening of the virtual American 1 Women’s Expo (March 8 – 29), an Economic Luncheon featuring Athena Award Winner Mindy Bradish-Orta as the keynote speaker, and daily recognition of women in Business, Health Care, Education, Public Service, and Non-Profits on the Chamber’s website, social media and email blast program.
Women’s Week commences on Monday, March 8th, which is International Women’s Day, at 11 a.m. with a Community Proclamation and Address from Mayor Derek Dobies.
"We are excited to work with the Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the contributions that women all over Jackson make to improving our community," said Mayor Derek Dobies. "Recognizing leading women in our community is one way we can empower the next generation of women to tackle some of the biggest challenges confronting our city."
The virtual American 1 Women’s Expo presented by The Chamber will go live online (www.JacksonWomensExpo.com) Monday, March 8th at 11:30 a.m. and continue through March 29th.
“American 1 has proudly presented the Jackson Women’s Expo to our community for nearly three decades,” said Martha Fuerstenau, President/CEO of American 1 Credit Union. “A partnership with the Jackson Chamber is a natural fit, and we look forward to seeing how the event continues to evolve.”
The Jackson Chamber encourages all members of our community to submit the names of difference-making women for recognition during Women’s Week presented by American 1 Credit Union. Simply email Tim Booth, Events and Legislative Affairs Director, at Tim@JacksonChamber.org with the name, occupation, and a brief description of your nomination.
“One of our most important roles as an organization is to encourage collaborations that benefit our entire community.” said Craig Hatch, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “Women’s Week is a sterling example of collaboration. The Chamber, American 1, and the City’s efforts will make a difference in 2021 and beyond,” he added.
For comprehensive Women’s Week information, including sponsorship packages, Women’s Expo vendor packages, and a daily event schedule, visit www.JacksonChamber.org/Womens-Week, or visit the Chamber’s Facebook Page.
WMC Thanks Gov. Evers, Legislature for Protecting Small Businesses from Unexpected PPP Taxes
Gov. Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 2 (AB 2) into law on Thursday, which will protect thousands of Wisconsin small businesses from facing hundreds of millions of dollars in unexpected taxes on loans received through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The bill became necessary when the state’s Department of Revenue (DOR) announced in January that expenses paid for with revenue from PPP loans would not be deductible for tax purposes – resulting in a surprise tax in excess of $400 million. Congressional intent was clear that these forgivable loans were meant to be tax free.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – the combined state chamber and manufacturers’ association – immediately called on lawmakers to uphold the promise made in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Sen. Roger Roth, Sen. Howard Marklein, Rep. David Armstrong and Rep. Robert Wittke paved the way in the legislature.
“WMC heard from countless members of the business community about the devastating impact these surprise tax bills would have on their companies,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt Bauer. “This legislation is critical for thousands of employers who are still recovering from the worst economic downturn in a generation.”
WMC led a coalition of nearly 50 business associations and other advocacy groups to encourage bipartisan support of the bill. AB 2 was approved earlier this week by a vote of 87-3 in the Assembly and 27-5 in the Senate. Read more: WMC.ORG
Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2020 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory
The Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2020 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Krisann Durnford and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Muskego Area Chamber 2020 Community Resource Guide and Business Directory
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
ACCE: Reinventing Your Organization During a Crisis
In today's Harvard Business Review, David Lancefield, a catalyst, strategist and coach for leaders, makes the case that the midst of a crisis is the ideal time to take a fresh look at your organization and take steps to make it more resilient. Based on his recent interviews and experience working with leaders over the last 25 years, he shares
five strategies to help build a more capable and resilient organization while a crisis is in progress.
FuseDSM: Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
Doreen Marshall, Ph.D.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Human beings like certainty. We are hard-wired to want to know what is happening when and to notice things that feel threatening to us. When things feel uncertain or when we don’t generally feel safe, it’s normal to feel stressed. This very reaction, while there to protect us, can cause all sorts of havoc when there is a sense of uncertainty and conflicting information around us.
A large part of anxiety comes from a sense of what we think we should be able to control, but can’t. Right now, many of us are worried about COVID-19, known as the “Coronavirus”. We may feel helpless about what will happen or what we can do to prevent further stress. The uncertainty might also connect to our uncertainty about other aspects of our lives, or remind us of past times when we didn’t feel safe and the immediate future was uncertain.
In times like these, our mental health can suffer. We don’t always know it’s happening. You might feel more on edge than usual, angry, helpless or sad. You might notice that you are more frustrated with others or want to completely avoid any reminders of what is happening. For those of us who already struggle with our mental wellness, we might feel more depressed or less motivated to carry out our daily activities.
It’s important to note that we are not helpless in light of current news events. We can always choose our response. If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:
Separate what is in your control from what is not. There are things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus on those. Wash your hands. Remind others to wash theirs. Take your vitamins. Limit your consumption of news (Do you really need to know what is happening on a cruise ship you aren’t on?).
Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone, and it’s important not to compare yourself to others. It’s ok if you’ve decided what makes you feel safe is to limit attendance of large social events, but make sure you separate when you are isolating based on potential for sickness versus isolating because it’s part of depression.
Get outside in nature–even if you are avoiding crowds. I took a walk yesterday afternoon in my neighborhood with my daughter. The sun was shining, we got our dose of vitamin D, and it felt good to both get some fresh air and quality time together. Exercise also helps both your physical and mental health.
Challenge yourself to stay in the present. Perhaps your worry is compounding—you are not only thinking about what is currently happening, but also projecting into the future. When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened, gently bring yourself back to the present moment. Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences in your immediate moment and name them. Engaging in mindfulness activities is one way to help stay grounded when things feel beyond your control.
Stay connected and reach out if you need more support. Talk to trusted friends about what you are feeling. If you are feeling particularly anxious or if you are struggling with your mental health, it’s ok to reach out to a mental health professional for support. You don’t have to be alone with your worry and it can be comforting to share what you are experiencing with those trained to help.
We are in this together, and help is always available. If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Jack Klemeyer: The Four Agreements
Jack Klemeyer
Certified John Maxwell Coach,
Grow Your Business Coaching, LLC
jack@gybcoaching.com(317) 755-6963 - Work | (317) 755-6963 - Mobile
www.gybcoaching.com
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps, Apps, Quarterly Magazines, Digital Directory Sales and Community Profiles: The no cost, no risk best Chamber Publishing Partner in the USA!
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