March 2013 Word from the Chairman

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASpring is in the air and with the season comes all things fresh and new. Now is a great time to make a new start and begin re-connecting with your North Chamber. Why not take some time to reflect on why you joined the North Chamber in the first place? Perhaps you wanted to network, build relationships and work on business development … or maybe you’re looking for leadership or professional development opportunities.

Get Connected. Get Involved.
Whatever your motivation for membership with us, we’re excited that you are a part of it. Now it’s time to get connected and get involved. One of the best ways to get connected is to join a committee, where you can work alongside fellow member professionals to plan and implement events, volunteer for events or benefit from informational sessions on a variety of topics from government affairs and technology to social media. Learn more about Participation Opportunities.

If you require more personalized assistance, please reach out to the staff liaison for membership and marketing, Renée Crittenden-Garcia, and she will be happy to help you identify ways that you can make the most of your membership.

Remember, the North Chamber is a membership organization and all that we do depends on the volunteer participation and support of our valued member businesses. It’s your leadership and involvement that helps to keep Bexar County strong.

Social Media
I certainly recognize that your time is precious and there’s only so much you can dedicate to activities outside of your office. If you aren’t able to attend meetings regularly, you can always stay engaged with North Chamber happenings, member and community news through our social media channels.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter, use hash tag #keepSAstrong

Follow us on LinkedIn

Additionally, the North Chamber wants to help you promote your business online. All members are invited to share their company news, which is posted to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Chairman’s Council member news is posted to the North Chamber blog and may be viewed on the North Chamber homepage, in addition to social media channels. Learn How to Submit Member News.

For those members who are working at the business of social media every day, you may want to consider involvement in the new Social Media Committee where volunteers will participate in a users’ group to provide mutual counsel on social media strategy, tactics and trends and plan and implement a social media informational/instructional event. This is the first year for this committee, which is being chaired by Lisa Lewis, CPS Energy. You’re invited to attend the first committee meeting on Monday, March 25, at 11:30 a.m. at the North Chamber office.

Mark Your Calendar
For those of you who enjoy a little friendly competition and networking with fellow members, I hope you’ll join us for the Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 9, at the beautiful and challenging TPC San Antonio. We’re getting an early start this year with tee time starting at 7:30 a.m. As we anticipate a bright sunny day (and no rain like we encountered last year), you can still register for a foursome or join Dahill in sponsoring the tournament.

Lastly, I hope you’ll continue to Buy Local. Buy North Chamber. If we each commit to purchasing from a fellow North Chamber member – imagine the impact that could have on each of our businesses! Please visit the North Chamber website Find A Member section to assist you as you review your company’s needs and consider suppliers (you can search by business category, alpha by company name or just companies offering a coupon/special offer).

On behalf of our North Chamber staff and board of directors, I thank you for your continued membership, involvement and support. We appreciate all you do and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Brad Rollins
2013 North Chamber Chairman of the Board
Dahill

February 2013 Word from the Chairman

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe have just come off the heels of a wonderful Annual Gala – A Night in Monte Carlo, and I was humbled by the opportunity to be among the businesses and leaders who came together to celebrate past success and to look ahead at our future plans for strengthening our community. There are so many generous companies and hard-working volunteers who contributed resources and time to make the night a success. Please join me in thanking our VIP Sponsors: AT&T Mobility, Corporate Travel Planners, eESI, Frost, McCombs Enterprises, Security Service Federal Credit Union, SWBC, USAA Real Estate Company and Texas Capital Bank; as well as all of the event sponsors, North Chamber staff, creative and sales team volunteers and the Dahill team for their support of the evening.

Additionally, I know we all enjoyed the casino gaming benefiting the wounded warriors and the North Chamber’s educational non-profit, Lead SA. It was an incredible honor to host and recognize the wounded warriors. We’re pleased to be able to support them, and I know that each of you will continue to honor the men and women serving in our armed forces.

Buy Local. Buy North Chamber.
It doesn’t go without saying – 2013 is the year to Buy local. Buy North Chamber. Each of our companies has to purchase to run our businesses. I challenge each of you to take the first step by making a list of your top five or ten purchasing needs and look from within the North Chamber membership to fill that need. You can begin your search by going online to northsachamber.com and clicking on the FIND A MEMBER tab to search the North Chamber’s online membership directory. Additionally, think about the folks you’ve met at North Chamber events or serving on chamber committees that may offer a service or product you’re seeking. And if you require more specialized assistance, just call the North Chamber to obtain a referral or a list of providers for a specific business category.

Go online. Get connected.
Whether you’ve entered or mastered the digital arena or not, there is no arguing that we are indeed operating in the digital age. It can be a little scary for some of us, but all sizes and types of businesses are using technology, web, email and perhaps social and mobile media at some level to operate and/or market their businesses.

There’s never a better time than now to get educated, go online and get connected. To seize the moment, take advantage of high quality low cost instruction at the Small Business How 2 Series. On Tuesday, March 19, you can learn How 2 set social media policy for your organization, and thereafter learn how to create and share content on the top social networks and how to integrate your digital media.

Furthermore, please take advantage of the digital marketing tools the North Chamber has provided our members. First, I hope you’ll join me and Dahill in “liking” and “following” the North SA Chamber on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – where the North Chamber will help your company fan-build and increase visibility by posting member company news and “sharing” and “re-tweeting” member social content.

Visit the Marketing Toolkit to learn how to submit company news, add a coupon to your directory listing and enhance your directory listing with a color logo, detailed company description and social media links.

Building Leaders
At Dahill, we were proud to sponsor the February 13 kick-off breakfast welcoming the 84-member Leadership Lab Class of 2013! Special thanks to our 2012 North Chamber chairman of the board Larry Anthis, Frost; 2014 chair-elect, Clay Jett, Texas Capital Bank; and Leadership & Professional Development Council Chair, Annie Turner, Wells Fargo, for attending and providing remarks to inspire the Lab class to discover, be inspired and succeed. I also want to recognize the Leadership Lab chair, Malcolm McGee, CMIT Solutions, and co-chair Lisa Pinto, SWBC, for their leadership. I know you’ll continue to support these emerging leaders.

Be a part of it.
The North Chamber remains committed to offering topical and timely, quality programs. We do that through partnership with and the participation of our member companies and the individuals within them. The only way your company is going to truly benefit from all the chamber’s offerings is to tap in and connect now. To learn more about what events and committees are awaiting your involvement, go to northsachamber.com and click on Participation Opportunities. Remember, everything we do as companies and individuals is making a difference and helps to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong!

Chairman’s Vision for 2013

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABrad Rollins
Dahill, President
2013 North Chamber Chairman of the Board

An Ohio native, Brad Rollins relocated to San Antonio in 1999 and has embraced the community, serving professional and charitable organizations including the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, MS Society and many environmental and military causes. While encouraging community involvement throughout his organization, Brad is president of Dahill – one of Texas’ largest office technology providers, and in 2013, he will preside over the North Chamber and Lead SA board of directors serving nearly 1,400 member businesses across Bexar County. Guiding 500 employees in 16 offices in eight Texas cities and New Mexico, Brad fosters a creative environment that empowers employees to share ideas, identify solutions and lead. He says, “I am at home at the North Chamber where I feel that same sense of collaboration and the entrepreneurial spirit.”

A North Chamber member since 2001, Dahill recognized early on the value of the chamber environment and the opportunities it provides members to get involved and build relationships while working together for the good of the business community. “This chamber is much more personal,” says Brad, “We’re really a big chamber with a small town feel to it. When you take the time to be a part of it you can use chamber programs and benefits to build your business.”

In 2013, Brad will lead the North Chamber to concentrate on: encouraging members to do business with each other; emphasizing member benefits and social media; delivering leadership and professional development; and offering topical, timely and quality programs.

Buy Local. Buy North Chamber.
Passionate about bringing members together to do business with one another, Brad says his primary goal for 2013 is to promote a dynamic chamber of commerce. Brad envisions a localized economic recovery generated by and for North Chamber members. Plainly, says Brad, “Each of our member businesses needs to purchase to operate. If each of us commits to review our supplier lists, identify chamber members who meet those needs, and then buy and sell products and services with each other – that could have quite an impact on each of our businesses.”

Looking to capitalize on the North Chamber’s recent entrance into social media, Brad wants to enlist the social network to play a big role in a member-to-member commerce initiative. “Our members are increasingly interested in learning how to market their business with social media. In the New Year, the North Chamber will meet that need with informative instructional series and a ‘buy local, buy from North Chamber members’ initiative,” details Brad.

For a grassroots effort to work, Brad says North Chamber members have to get online, get engaged and use the tools the chamber has provided. “Make 2013 the year you commit to marketing your business through the North Chamber. Enlist your marketing folks to examine the online Marketing Toolkit, and find everything you need to access benefits like online directory search, social media engagement, offering member specials and promoting your business via North Chamber media.”

Leadership & Professional Development
Recognizing that many small to mid-size businesses don’t have access to internal professional development, Brad is dedicated to offering information, training and leadership development that provides professionals the skills they need to move to the next level. “Our business community wants a readied workforce and people who are prepared to lead. The North Chamber delivers a number of programs that do just that.”

Brad says Leadership Lab, the North Chamber’s nine-month leadership cultivation series, is the centerpiece of that effort. “I’ve observed people go through the program, and right away I could see a difference in how our employees perceive themselves. You can’t underestimate the value of feedback from people outside of your organization,” he adds.

Additionally, Brad is a proponent of the Small Business How 2, Sustainability and CFO Breakfast Series. “These programs not only offer small businesses specialized information, but also contribute to businesses’ operations and bottom line when instruction is applied,” he says.

Keeping Bexar County Strong
The North Chamber’s mission is to strengthen San Antonio through the delivery of advocacy, networking, recognition, leadership and professional development programs. “Overall, the North Chamber is committed to ensuring that we offer the most impactful programs,” says Brad. “So the North Chamber remains committed to monitoring government affairs and public policy issues that affect our members, connecting people to people, honoring our community’s leaders and bringing businesses the tools they need to advance,” he adds.

Finally, as a steward of the North Chamber, Brad has assembled a team of seasoned business leaders to guide the North Chamber in 2013. “As we embark on this New Year, I want to thank Larry Anthis and his board for the incredible, active and hands-on leadership in 2012, and I proudly assume the privilege of chairing this great organization,” says Brad. “I invite each of our members to embrace the concept of commerce among us, find an area of interest in the chamber and be a part of it. I want to thank each of our members for all of your support, attendance and volunteerism – and for all that you do to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong.”

Chairman’s Reflection on 2012

by Larry Anthis
2012 North Chamber Chairman of the Board
Vice President, Frost

The North San Antonio Chamber and Lead SA Board of Directors, our supporters, volunteers and Chamber staff have achieved so much in 2012. When I began my chairmanship in January, the primary objectives for the year were: to meet the needs of the millennial generation; emphasize leadership development; maintain high quality programs; reimagine our connectivity to the community; advocate for business; and broaden member participation.

To that end, the board of directors built a strategic plan to anticipate the current and future needs of our membership over the next three to five years. We executed the agenda immediately and made great strides in communications, leadership cultivation, event support and attendance, membership development and advocacy.

Reimaging our connectivity to San Antonio
In an effort to engage our membership more fully, we conducted a survey, and you, our members, noted the positive impact the North Chamber is having  not just on the North side, but also across  San Antonio and Bexar County. In response, we refreshed our brand and re-focused our core emphasis on “Keeping Bexar County Strong.” This continues to be a dynamic and evolving chamber because of our volunteer leadership.

You also communicated the importance of relationship building, advocacy, informational programming, participation and visibility. As a result, the North Chamber revised and expanded membership benefits to reflect the resources our members value most, including: communications, visibility, referrals, discounts/offers and exclusive member programming. The result is a new, multi-platform, digital content marketing program that promotes our members and engagement with the larger community.

Engaging with the community and our members
There are several issues on which to focus as a member – whether it’s small business, technology, sustainability, leadership, finance, government affairs, and get involved on a committee. And, due to a varied and diverse program offering, enriching volunteer opportunities and an emphasis on value-packed membership benefits, we increased our membership by 234 members as of November 2012 while achieving an average membership retention rate of approximately 80%.

Furthermore, recognizing our chamber’s ability to make a difference with our excellent programs, Mayor Alan Baxter of Windcrest and the Windcrest Economic Development Corporation (EDC) approached us to deliver a chamber of commerce experience to the businesses of Windcrest. For the first time, the North Chamber added a regional council in partnership with the City of Windcrest and the Windcrest EDC, and the Windcrest Council was started this year.

Advocating for business
Moreover, we successfully advocated for the North Chamber membership on economic development issues including:

  • my participation at the 2012 White House Business Summit discussions with the Executive Office and Business Forward;
  • board of directors opposition to impromptu zoning changes by the City Council;
  • board of directors endorsement of City Bond Election for transportation infrastructure;
  • board of directors consensus that led to a decision for the North Chamber to support Pre-K 4 SA as a viable solution to the city’s growing need for an educated workforce;
  • my appointment as a 2013 City Commissioner on the Convention & Visitors Bureau through a newly-created appointment for business leadership; and
  • my appointment to the 2013 executive committee for the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation.

Just over a decade ago, the North Chamber launched a Capital Campaign to secure $1 million to build and finance our own office building – a first in a city that hosts multiple chambers of commerce. North Chamber members met the campaign financial goals, and in 2002, the doors opened to the North Chamber’s headquarters. I’m proud to say the North Chamber has been an exceptional financial steward, and this year, we have retired the building debt.

Cultivating and recognizing leaders
Additionally, we have continued our commitment to cultivate our community’s emerging leaders. The Leadership Lab Class of 2012 has expanded to 86 graduates – the largest since the program’s inception in 1999. This program too has been re-envisioned and re-focused on empowering leaders, self-discovery and success.

Furthermore, we have continued to honor leaders at every age and career stage. We began the year recognizing Pat Duncan, USAA Real Estate Company, with the San Antonian Award, and later Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley, SWBC, with the Gov. Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Salute to Excellence Award, while 10 other business leaders were recognized through the Small Business Leaders Awards program and the ATHENA Leadership Awards® program.

Keeping Bexar County Strong
In closing, the North Chamber is successful because of our members and your participation. Our board met monthly and consistently focused on topics that addressed the needs of our members. I salute the North Chamber and Lead SA board of directors, our supporters and volunteers, and the hard-working chamber staff led by Duane Wilson for working tirelessly to fulfill our promise to the community to “keep Bexar County strong.”

Finally, as I depart, our incoming Chairman of the Board Brad Rollins, Dahill, is preparing to lead this great organization in 2013. Brad and Dahill have been wonderful supporters of the North Chamber and the San Antonio community and I know you’ll welcome him and his leadership team. The North Chamber is here to help you be noticed, be heard, be informed and be there as we work to strengthen our community. Please get involved and be a part of it all. Thank you for the privilege and honor of serving as your Chairman.

November 2012 Word from the Chairman

A big part of our focus this year has been leadership development and communication with a new generation of business leaders. I believe our city and its economy will always need engaged and informed leadership who have a conviction for moving our community forward, so I’m especially proud that later this month 86 Leadership Lab participants will graduate – making the class of 2012 the largest since the program’s inception in 2000.

The critical component for leadership cultivation is continuity, so the North Chamber is now accepting applications for the 2013 Lab class. The curriculum will include the journey of discovering personal leadership style, exploring integrity and corporate culture, achieving high performance, developing communication skills, creating organizational change and much more. New this year, the series will include a session on negotiations and how to influence decision-making.

Because the program provides real world examples and allows for engagement with a diverse group of professionals, Lab participants get more than outstanding content. They also enjoy camaraderie with leaders from a cross-section of industries and businesses. If you are interested in being a part of the 2013 class, applications are being accepted through the end of November. Discover… Be Inspired … Succeed. Apply today.

A Look Ahead to 2013

As we look ahead to the coming year, Chairman’s Council members will be treated to an exclusive breakfast on Thursday, December 6, featuring renowned economist Dr. Ray Perryman who will provide his annual economic outlook. Always entertaining and informative, Dr. Perryman’s forecast should be especially enlightening following this year’s important Presidential election season. Special thanks to Amegy Bank for underwriting this event.

The New Year also means it’s Gala time. I hope you’ll join us on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa for a night in Monte Carlo. Come enjoy an evening of high-level networking and celebration as we welcome the 2013 Chairman of the Board Brad Rollins of Dahill and a new Board of Directors. We will reflect on what we’ve accomplished over the year and hear the chairman’s vision for 2013.

Be a part of it.

Finally, how will you make a difference in 2013? The North Chamber can be a catalyst for change in your company. There are so many ways for you to be a part of it: serve on a committee, attend or sponsor an event, do business with a member, advocate for business, share information, or learn something new. I appreciate the difference that you make for your business and this dynamic Chamber. Whether or not you increase your involvement, know that your North Chamber will continue to advocate for your business, recognize your achievements and offer leadership and professional development opportunities. It’s our pleasure to serve you and we hope to see you soon.

October 2012 Word from the Chairman

A friend of mine related a story about how he built his business. He was a successful engineer working as a partner in a firm in the corporate world; however, his dream was to be an entrepreneur. He followed his dream, resigned his position and bought into a partnership in a commercial janitorial business.

He sacrificed and gave all he had to make this small business a success. After three months, his dream turned into a late night of scrubbing toilets and wondering whether he had made the right decision.

His business partner observed him and said, “I know what you are thinking. You want to quit!” He continued, “You are wondering if you can get your old position back and how you can recoup your investment.”

My friend said, “That is exactly what I am thinking!”

The partner said, “I know that because I have been there. But tomorrow you need to get up and go sell.” He said, “You need to keep selling even if you don’t know how you are going to cover the contracts.”

The next morning my friend got up, put on his suit and began to sell. He never looked back and built his business into a multimillion dollar company.

Your story may be different than my friend, but the same in that we all could use perspective on how we are growing our business and career. Take the time to ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing going to grow my business?” As 2012 comes to a close and we wrap up another year, take a moment to identify what it will take for you and your business to grow to the next level in 2013. Are you heading in the right direction and doing those things everyday?

The North San Antonio Chamber, its staff, board and membership can be a voice for you and your business and a catalyst to help you get to the next level. I am consistently amazed at the resources provided to small and large businesses and their leadership. Take advantage, today!

The 2012 Leadership Lab class is graduating next month and nominations are being accepted for the 2013 class through November. You can find out more about this award-winning program and apply online. Our members send prospective leaders every year because they see the value of gaining perspective and building relationships. This trend will continue as we endeavor to train a new generation of leaders. Discover … Be Inspired … Succeed!

The How 2 Access Capital seminar will be held Wednesday, November 7, and the Sustainability Series Fueling Your Success will be held Thursday, November 8, while our final Chairman’s Council Breakfast will feature the annual economic outlook presented by renowned economist, Dr. Ray Perryman, on Thursday, December 6.

We’ve added 231 members this year to our roll and have grown our net membership by 59! The North SA Chamber staff and Board of Directors will continue to find ways to keep your business strong. Even if you are not involved as much as you would like, rest assured that the North Chamber is working on your behalf everyday, every week and every year.

Remember to vote! Early voting starts Monday, October 22 through Friday, November 2, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 6!

Larry Anthis, Frost

September 2012 Word from the Chairman

When the North San Antonio Chamber decided to re-image our connectivity in 2012, it was a real opportunity to talk to our membership, understand their perceptions of this Chamber and identify their media usage and preferences. Special thanks to the Membership Council chair Chris A. Scherer, the Membership Committee chair Maria Barrett, and staff liaison Renée Crittenden-Garcia, for their work in surveying our membership.  As a result we are having a historic year of growth in membership and depth of involvement.

Additionally, we’ve got a brand new look and re-focused our core emphasis on “Keeping Bexar County Strong.” You may have noticed the new look on our social media channels and here at our headquarters.

In August, we launched a new website, featuring the Marketing Toolkit to help you navigate chamber communications, visibility and referral resources; enhanced Find A Member online membership directory; Chamber and member news content; easy access to Events Calendar & Registration; expanded photo and video event coverage; and social media follow/share options. Special thanks to Texas Creative for delivering a fresh, new logo and hard-working website that will help to promote our members, and our gratitude for the efforts of the many members who helped to achieve the overall rebranding initiative including: Accolades Awards & Engraving, Allegra Print, Cheapo Signs, Comsite, Eagle Print, Full Fusion, Phoenix Promotional Products and Zukini Creative.

Part of the vision this year was to engage with the millennial generation and continue to support small business. Thus, we’ve taken care to utilize dynamic and integrated communication platforms that allow us to listen and respond to our members like never before, as well as give them a voice and increased visibility opportunities.

This kind of environment is ideal for identifying and developing new leadership, and I am extremely proud of our investment in Leadership Lab, the conception of an internship program for small and midsized business and the affirmation from our membership that these are indeed the kinds of programs that help to grow their businesses.

In fact, one of our members – Quality Fence and Welding, recently acknowledged Leadership Lab as an important component of their professional strategy in a recent San Antonio Business Journal article. Craig Noto said, “‘I like learning about communication,’” referring to an effective listening workshop, while, his next daughter, Crystal, stated, “For me, it’s about networking. ’” For every generation the needs may be different, but the North San Antonio Chamber is poised to respond.

This year, your North San Antonio Chamber has been involved in issues that affect your businesses and our community.  Earlier this year the board took a position in support of a $500M+ bond package that will provide for citywide roads and infrastructure projects – among many others; and most recently, this Chamber was asked to respond to the Pre-K 4 SA initiative. Following the Mayor’s Vision for San Antonio luncheon and after discussions with our Executive Committee and Board of Directors, leadership voted to support placing this initiative on the November ballot for the voters to decide. While the Board discussion was not unanimous on the details of such a new program, the North San Antonio Chamber did request additional citizen oversight and emphasize the importance of parental involvement. We have historically supported educational attainment and workforce development initiatives, and we are hopeful for the success of Pre-K 4 SA. Ultimately, the voters of San Antonio will decide if this initiative has a chance for success.

Finally, Lead SA recognized SWBC co-founders Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley with the Governor Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Salute to Excellence Award for their exceptional entrepreneurialism, philanthropy in the areas of education and health care, and their contributions to economic development across the region. Congratulations to them both and to the continued success of SWBC.

Let’s all continue to work together to build business and leaders across Bexar County. Thanks for all you do to keep San Antonio strong, and I hope to see you soon.

Message from the President & Chairman of the Board

Keeping your business and our community strong is at the core of everything we do.

As you know, we’ve asked for feedback on your perception of the North Chamber and your preferences for media usage and benefits. You communicated to us the positive impact that the North Chamber has had not just on the North side, but also on San Antonio and Bexar County overall. In response, we’ve freshened our brand to clearly state that we are the North San Antonio Chamber.

We only had to look to our vision statement “to be the chamber of choice in San Antonio and Bexar County,” and mission “to strengthen member businesses and the community through advocacy, networking, recognition, leadership and professional development,” to re-focus our core emphasis on “Keeping Bexar County Strong.”

New look

You, our members, are the first to get a sneak preview of the new look. We will immediately begin to transition the new brand into our building, collateral materials and digital media. We’ll launch the logo on our social media channels tomorrow.

Be a part of it.

On Friday, August 24, visit one of our online communities to be among the first to see the new brand. If you aren’t on a social network yet, why not take this opportunity to build a profile and join the conversation?

Still to come.

The complete transition to the new brand will continue for several weeks. Stay tuned to learn more about the upcoming new website and updated membership benefits.

It’s our pleasure to serve you and we hope to see you very soon.

Duane Wilson
President & CEO, North Chamber

Larry Anthis
Chairman of the Board, North Chamber
Vice President, Frost

Word from the Chairman

On behalf of the North Chamber it’s my honor to lead this vibrant community of businesses and professionals. Thanks to your membership, the North Chamber is building business and leaders across Bexar County as we advocate for business, provide networking, recognize and cultivate leaders.

We always say, “Participation is the key to maximizing your membership.” That’s true, but we want to help you amplify your involvement with additional resources and benefits. In an effort to engage more fully, we conducted a membership survey, and you, our members, communicated the primary importance of professional relationship building, advocacy, information, participation and visibility.

To address these focus areas and provide opportunities that enhance your membership experience, the North Chamber will revise and improve membership benefits to reflect the resources our members value most, including: communications, visibility, referrals, discounts/offers and exclusive member programming. Revised membership benefits will be available and announced in Fall 2012.

As we work to improve connectivity, we will continue to host events that address mobile technology and social marketing and engage our growing online communities. While we will no longer mail a printed newsletter, in August 2012 we will introduce new digital media featuring an email newsletter and website with more member visibility via social communities, blog content, photos, and enhanced online directory and referral tools.

Already we are posting member news on Facebook and Twitter, and as we develop and introduce new media, we will post member content to our blog, spotlight content in our email newsletter and website, and post blog links to our social media profiles based on membership level. I do hope you’ll like and follow us and share and re-tweet often!

Now is an exciting time for the North Chamber, our members and San Antonio. We are on the cutting edge of programs in leadership, sustainability, infrastructure and marketing, and we welcome you and your employees to be a part of it all.

It’s our pleasure to serve you and we hope to see you very soon.

Word from the Chairman

On behalf of our membership and staff, we salute you for working to grow your business, employees and our vibrant community. Because of your membership and individual participation, the North Chamber is keeping San Antonio strong as we advocate for businesses large and small; provide exceptional business-to-business connections; recognize leaders at every age and career stage; and cultivate the workforce through leadership and professional development training.

Connectivity & Communications

We always say, “Participation is the key to maximizing your membership.” While that’s true, we want to help you amplify your involvement with increased visibility opportunities and enhance your membership experience with meaningful and convenient communication.

Earlier this year, I challenged our leadership team to reimagine this Chamber’s connectivity to the community. Already, we are exploring ways that we can engage more fully. You’ll see we’ve hosted and planned events that address our members’ increasing reliance on mobile computing devices, smartphones, and digital and social media, and now you can join the conversation in our communities on Facebook (North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce), Twitter (NorthSAChamber) and LinkedIn.

To lead this effort at the operational level, please join me in welcoming to the North Chamber staff a longtime member and volunteer, Renée Crittenden Garcia, as she assumes the new role of Vice President of Marketing & Business Development. Coupled with our efforts to improve connectivity, Renée will work with our Membership Council and Committee to revise and improve membership benefits to reflect the resources our members value most. Watch your in-box for your invitation to participate in various feedback forums.

Advocacy & the 2012 Bond Election

We’re excited to welcome back County Judge Nelson Wolff, who will provide the Bexar Facts at the Annual State of the County Address on Thursday, May 18, at the Omni San Antonio Hotel. This will be an informative update as there are many new infrastructure projects that will impact our Chamber membership.

Early voting has begun (through Tuesday, May 8) for the May 12 election regarding the City of San Antonio’s $596M bond project – and every vote counts! The bond dollars are divided as follows: $337M+ for streets, bridges and sidewalks; $128M+ for drainage and flood control; $87M+ for parks, recreation and open space; $29M+ for library, museum and cultural arts facilities; and $14M+ for public safety facilities.

Some of the more notable projects include $30M for the completion of the 1604/281 Northern Interchange; $6.6M for Callaghan Road improvement (Evers to Centerview); $8.8M for Hardy Oak Blvd; $30M for Hausman Road (Loop 1604 to IH10). In addition to highways, there are significant dollars included for drainage, parks and libraries throughout the North Chamber service area.

This entire bond package – which had significant public input, will be completed without raising taxes, and because San Antonio has successfully managed its finances, the City has the nation’s highest bond rating of AAA allowing the City to borrow money at a lower rate.

The bond measure will make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely by: requiring an annual financial audit; establishing a citizen oversight committee to ensure an open competitive bidding process that supports local job growth and that funds are spent properly. In addition, no money will go towards the development of a light rail system or a downtown street car.

Each of the above mentioned projects will have its own proposition on the ballot; however, the North Chamber Board of Directors has recommended that all propositions merit a “yes” vote. To learn more about the proposed bond projects, visit the City’s website at sanantonio.gov/2012bond.

Mark Your Calendar

For those of you who enjoy the friendly competition and fellowship of a day on the greens, I hope you’ll join us for the Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 10, at TPC San Antonio. The golf committee, chaired by Kara Sagebiel, JBGoodwin Realtors/Kara Sagebiel, has planned an exciting event. I want to offer special recognition to our chair-elect Brad Rollins and Dahill for their title sponsorship and his help in securing the Tourney’s awesome venue. Plan to attend, network and stay late to toast the winners!

Additionally, we are seeking nominees for the ATHENA Leadership Awards Program®. If you know a leader who’s inspiring women to achieve their full potential, please nominate and encourage your nominee to complete an application and submit it by the deadline, Friday, June 1, 5 p.m.

Now is an exciting time for the North Chamber, our members and our growing City. The North Chamber is on the cutting edge of programs in leadership, sustainability, infrastructure and education, and we welcome you and your employees to participate as an event attendee, committee volunteer or sponsor. It’s our pleasure to serve you and we hope to see you very soon.