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President's Message


Maureen AldridgeBy Maureen Aldridge, ACE, president/chief executive officer, Claremont Chamber

In November 2007, the SCACCE Board of Directors met to plan the 2008 program of action. The organization puts a high priority on professional development for Southern California chamber executives and support staff.

Mark your calendars for September 25 and 26 when the SCACCE Annual Conference & Volunteer Leaders Summit will be held in Orange. The committee is putting together two great days for you and your volunteers to attend. We are also planning our December staff roundtable in Simi Valley.

Your board is working hard on these two events so that you can continue to further your education and professional development, which is important to all chamber executives and employees.

We also have several scholarship opportunities available for:

SCACCE Annual Conference & Volunteer Leaders Summit; WACE Annual Conference; Academy and Academy Plus; California Chamber Business Legislative Summit; Staff Roundtable; and the U.S. Chamber Institute.

I encourage you to apply for one of the scholarships so you can attend one of the above events. Travel expenses are included in some of the scholarships to help offset the cost of these events.

If you have any questions or ideas regarding SCACCE please give me a call at (909) 624-1681.

SCACCE officers and Board for 2008



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Conference 2008 to focus on "Strengthening Your Chamber’s Infrastructure"

By Larkin-Reed, ACE, president/chief executive officer of the Orange Chamber

2008 conference program & registration (PDF): click here

Heidi Larkin-ReedSCACCE Conference Committee Chair, Heidi Larkin-Reed, ACE, president/chief executive officer of the Orange Chamber, and her committee, have a great program planned for the 2008 SCACCE Conference to be held on September 25-26 at the Doubletree Hotel located in beautiful Orange. The Volunteer Leaders Summit will be held on September 26, and is targeted to the chamber volunteer leaders.

Some of the topics to be addressed at the conference include:

Establishing Relevancy of Your Chamber in Challenging Economic Times; Successfully Marketing the Chamber’s Government Affairs Program; Building an Effective Board of Directors; Top Business Trends Chambers Need to Be Aware Of; Recruiting Young Executives to Get Involved with the Chamber; and Keys to Recruiting and Retaining Members.

2008 conference program & registration (PDF): click here



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Volunteer Leaders Conference Back by Popular Demand

Dave KilbySteve SnyderThe 2008 Volunteer Leaders Conference will be held in conjunction with the annual conference on Friday, September 26. Chamber volunteer leaders are strongly encouraged to attend this full day of substantive information on key issues facing volunteer leaders at local chambers. Dave Kilby, senior vice president at the California Chamber and Steve Snyder, vice president of local chamber relations at the California Chamber will return by popular demand. The core focus of the daylong workshop is geared towards helping volunteer leaders understand their role at the local chamber, and understand what it takes to move their chamber forward as a powerful business organization. Chamber executives are encouraged to join their volunteer leaders since the key to the success of a local chamber is the dynamic team leadership that must occur on a regular basis.

Registration materials for the 2008 SCACCE Conference and Volunteer Leaders Summit will be mailed out in early summer.



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Get in the Loop on Statewide Business Issues – Attend the California Business Legislative Summit on May 20-21

The California Chamber’s Business Legislative Summit will be held on May 20-21 in Sacramento. The premier legislative event of the year will feature keynote speaker, George Stephanopoulos, chief Washington correspondent for ABC News. The day will also include information and presentations covering key business public policy issues facing California. Over 800 business representatives come together during the Summit to communicate the “business message” to the Capitol. We hope you will join this powerful group. Attached is a link so that you can get event details and register online. Register today as seating is limited and hotels are filling up fast. There are also sponsorship opportunities available to California Chamber members. Details and registration.

SCACCE seeking applicants for scholarships to the
2008 California Business Legislative Summit

SCACCE will be awarding one scholarship to the upcoming 2008 California Business Legislative Summit. Applications and criteria have been mailed to SCACCE members. The deadline is April 15. Any questions regarding scholarship applications should be directed to Marlene Carney at (909) 593-0449. Chambers must be members of SCACCE in order for their employees to be eligible to apply for a SCACCE scholarship.




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Best Practices for a Better Chamber

The following represent some best practices from around the Western U.S. that may be of interest to Southern California chambers. Each edition of SCACCE Connections will try to feature some great examples of chambers being relevant to their members’ needs.

Chamber and the English Works Program
The Santa Ana Chamber implemented the “English Works Program” as a way to address the gap in workforce competency and employability. It involves a community campaign that is a collaboration of the chamber and the community college district. A major goal is to advance the English literacy skills of up to 50,000 Santa Ana residents by the year 2010.
mmetzler@santaanachamber.com
www.santaanachamber.com
Creating a Strong Local Economy
Supporting the Community Networking Opportunities

Chamber Launches Hollywood Shopper
The Hollywood Chamber’s full-color discount booklet, Hollywood Shopper, gives local businesses the opportunity to reach over 30,000 locals residents. The chamber created this booklet for those who prefer to shop and spend money within the community. Promoting local businesses and offering discounts benefits both chamber members and residents, and helps strengthen the city economy. kaylee@hollywoodchamber.net
www.hollywoodchamber.net
Creating a Strong Local Economy Supporting the Community

Chamber Offers Pathways to Success
Pathways to Success, a group organized by the Carlsbad Chamber, consists of teams of 10 business owners from various industries. Each group has a facilitator, follows an agenda, brainstorms and problem solves together. Pathways to Success offers business owners an opportunity to address business concerns, and goals, with a group of peer consultants. The group meets twice a month and facilitators rotate. The program is only available to chamber members.
towen@carlsbad.org
www.carlsbad.org
Creating a Strong Local Economy Networking Opportunities

Chamber Announces Economic "Gardening" Program
The Beaverton (OR) Area Chamber has created an Economic “Gardening” Program that will provide business expertise and technology assistance to small -and mid-sized companies. The program will help “grow the economy from within,” and increase the number of jobs in the community. Businesses will be asked to provide information during a review and strategy session at the chamber. The program team then reviews that information and a brief summary of recommendations is presented to the business.
evelyn@beaverton.org
www.beaverton.org
Creating a Strong Local Economy Networking Opportunities



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Southern California Chambers
and Executives in the Spotlight

Michael Robinson has been hired as the new president of the San Diego North Chamber, replacing Gary Powers. Robinson previously served as president and chief executive officer of the Vail Valley Partnership for the Chamber and Tourism Bureau in Eagle County, CO.

The Moorpark Chamber has hired Patrick Ellis as its new president and chief executive officer, replacing Lisa Masotti.

California Assembly Member Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) recently selected Heidi Gallegos, executive director of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber, as “60th Assembly District Woman of the Year.” She is also a member of the Rowland United Board of Education.

Janet Cook has been hired as the new executive director of the Indio (CA) Chamber, replacing Anita Kramer. Cook previously served as the executive director of the Palm Springs Chamber from 2004-06.

Former Pasadena City Council Member Paul Little has been hired as the chief executive officer of the Pasadena Chamber, replacing Lynne Hess.

Ted Owen, president and chief executive officer of the Carlsbad Chamber, recently received the “Pursuit of Excellence in Transportation Award” from the San Diego chapter of Advancing Women in Transportation.

Nichole Chambers has been selected to serve as president/chief executive officer of the Dana Point Chamber. Chambers spent the last five years as the communications manager for the Greater Riverside Chambers.

Terry Saverson, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego East County Chamber, has announced her retirement at the end of the year, ending a decade of leadership at the chamber, and 14 years of work in the East County. Saverson has headed the chamber since its inception in July 1997, when the La Mesa and El Cajon chambers merged.

Jim Bauman, President/CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce has accepted a new position at the Boyne Lake (WI) Chamber of Commerce.  Jim will be missed in his capacity of Webmaster for SCACCE.

+ + +

The Following Southern California Chamber Executives have Received Scholarships from SCACCE:

U.S. Chamber Institute (2008) - Briana Juarez, events coordinator, Oceanside Chamber

W.A.C.E. Conference 2008 - Serena Anderson, communications and marketing, Ventura Chamber; and Bev Jorgensen, director of corporate relations and membership services, Carlsbad Chamber



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Professional Development Opportunities

SCACCE Events
www.scacce.org

"Strengthening Your Chamber's Infrastructure"
SCACCE Annual Conference

September 25-26
Doubletree Hotel, Anaheim/Orange County (Location is in Orange)
www.scacce.org

SCACCE Staff Roundtable
December 8
Simi Valley

W.A.C.E. Webinar
Membership – Achieving a Bigger Impact – The New Retention Plan
November 19, 10-11:30 a.m. (Pacific Time)
www.waceonline.com

W.A.C.E. Annual Conference
February 4-6, 2009
Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas NV
www.waceonline.com

CalChamber Business Legislative Summit
May 20-21, 2008
Sacramento
www.calchamber.com

W.A.C.E. Academy
August 10-13, 2008
Hyatt Regency, Sacramento

www.waceonline.com

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
Convention 2008

August 16-19, 2008
San Diego
www.asaenet.org

American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)
Convention 2008:

July 31-August 2, 2008
Pittsburgh
www.acce.org



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SCACCE
Southern California Association
of Chamber of Commerce Executives

c/o California Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1736, Sacramento, CA 95812-1736
916.444.6670   FAX:916.444.6685
E-mail Webmaster

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