Tag Archives: advocacy alert

November Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAdvocacy Alert: Proposition 1 Passes – Increased Funding for Transportation
The North San Antonio Chamber board of directors endorsed Proposition 1 – the constitutional amendment to provide for the transfer of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization and state highway funds, and we are so pleased that citizens turned out to vote for and pass this amendment on Election Day. A strong transportation infrastructure is fundamental to Texas’ quality of life and economic vitality, attracting new businesses and generating new jobs. Proposition 1 ensures the dedication of the revenue transferred to the state highway fund to be used only for developing public roads (not toll roads) and that those dedicated funds be allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with existing formulas to ensure that the entire state benefits from this additional funding.

Advocacy Alert: Vista Ridge Project Passes – Diversified Water Resource Secured
The North San Antonio Chamber board of directors endorsed the Vista Ridge Water Pipeline Project – a project that will deliver water for 162,000 households, 20% more water for San Antonio and protect the Edwards Aquifer during drought, and we are thrilled that the City Council voted to approve the project. Water is the key to economic development opportunities and quality of life for our city. We thank and applaud all of our community partners for advocating on behalf of this project and City elected officials for having the foresight to secure this vital water resource.

New Benefits Heading Your Way!
As a member of the North San Antonio Chamber, I’m excited to share with you that our chamber will soon offer new resources to help you manage your chamber membership, market your business on the web and monitor online traffic to your content on northsachamber.com.

The North SA Chamber will be converting to a new member software application, Chamber Master – that will enable the chamber to better manage information, involvement and events – while offering you enhanced benefits.

Starting the first week of December, members will enjoy new website features and benefits that will help you: market your business in the Member Directory; add company social media and website links to your online directory listing; promote an event through the Calendar of Events; post RFPs or market your product/service through the MarketSpace online member store; recruit talent through a more robust Job Bank; advertise your product/service through public or member-to-member Hot Deals and much more. Learn more.

Leadership Lab Call for Nominations
It’s that time of year again. The North SA Chamber is seeking a diverse group of bright and dedicated individuals to participate in the 2015 Leadership Lab class. Leadership Lab is the North Chamber’s award-winning leadership academy featuring best-in-class testing, training and relationship building. The series includes interviews and selection in January, an orientation in February, a retreat in March and monthly full-day classes through November, culminating in a graduation ceremony.

As your company is planning for the 2015 training and professional development budget, please consider Leadership Lab as a tool to cultivate your organization’s emerging leaders or to inspire seasoned managers or executives to a higher level of performance and community engagement.

Interested individuals must complete an application and submit it by Friday, December 5, 2014. Applicants will be selected for participation by the Leadership Lab alumni. Leadership Lab Program Brochure / Leadership Lab Application

Annual Gala
On behalf of the board of directors and executive committee, I invite you to join us for the biggest night of the year – the Annual North SA Chamber Gala – Carnival: Rio de Janiero on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the JW Marriott Resort. This event is a spectacular evening of elevated networking, entertainment and recognition as we welcome our incoming chairman, Rob Killen of Kaufman Killen, and the 2015 board of directors.

Be a part of it.
Your North SA Chamber is hard at work with member volunteers planning and producing 2015 programming that is essential to helping your businesses. On behalf of our staff and volunteer corps, I invite you to join a committee to take advantage of the connection opportunities your Chamber provides. You can learn more about various Participation Opportunities and upcoming Events online, or call the North SA Chamber at (210) 344-4848.

October Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAs a member of the North San Antonio Chamber, I’m excited to share with you that our chamber will soon offer new resources to help you manage your chamber membership, market your business on the web and monitor online traffic to your content on northsachamber.com.

The North SA Chamber will be converting to a new member software application, Chamber Master – that will enable the chamber to better manage information, involvement and events – while offering you enhanced benefits.

Starting the first week of December, members will enjoy new website features and benefits that will help you: market your business in the Member Directory; add company social media and website links to your online directory listing; promote an event through the Member Calendar of Events; post RFPs or market your product/service through the MarketSpace online member store; recruit talent through a more robust Job Bank; advertise your product/service through public or member-to-member Hot Deals and much more. Learn more.

ATHENA Leadership Awards
Perhaps one of my favorite events is the Enterprising Women’s Conference – this year celebrating 25 years of leadership and professional development designed just for women and featuring the presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Awards®. About 200 women attended the all-day conference and enjoyed a keynote address by San Antonio’s Poet Laureate Dr. Carmen Tafolla, networking and shopping among 40 exhibitors. More than 400 guests attended the luncheon program. The ATHENA Young Leadership Award® was presented to Irene Maldonado with the University Health System. The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award® was presented to Stephanie Chandler, Lauren Cimenello, Julia Mann and Elena Villaseñor Sullivan of Jackson Walker LLP. The ATHENA Leadership Award® was presented to Elizabeth Copeland with Strasburger & Price, LLP. Please join me in congratulating each of these deserving organizations, young and seasoned leaders for their professional accomplishment, community service and advancement of leadership opportunity for women.

To all who nominated an organization or an individual – thank you for taking the time to help recognize those who are making a difference in our community. As we plan for awards programs in 2015, please consider a supplier, customer or colleague who is worthy of an award nomination next year and look for nomination forms online later this year.

Leadership Lab Call for Nominations
It’s that time of year again. The North SA Chamber is seeking a diverse group of bright and dedicated individuals to participate in the 2015 Leadership Lab class. Leadership Lab is the North Chamber’s award-winning leadership academy featuring best-in-class testing, training and relationship building. The series includes interviews and selection in January, an orientation in February, a retreat in March and monthly full-day classes through November, culminating in a November graduation ceremony.

As your company is planning for the 2015 training and professional development budget, please consider Leadership Lab as a tool to cultivate your organization’s emerging leaders or to inspire seasoned managers or executives to a higher level of performance and community engagement.

Interested individuals must complete an application and submit it by Monday, December 1, 2014. Applicants will be selected for participation by the Leadership Lab alumni. Leadership Lab Program Brochure / Leadership Lab Application

Annual Gala
On behalf of the board of directors and executive committee, I invite you to join us for the biggest night of the year – the Annual Gala on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the JW Marriott Resort. This event is a spectacular evening of elevated networking, entertainment and recognition as we welcome our incoming chairman, Rob Killen of Kaufman Killen, the 2015 board of directors, and honor our 2015 San Antonian award recipient, Dr. Ricardo Romo of The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Advocacy Alert: Support for Constitutional Amendment for Increased Funding for Transportation
A strong transportation infrastructure is fundamental to Texas’ quality of life and economic vitality, attracting new businesses and generating new jobs. According to the latest report of the 2030 Commission, approximately $6.1 billion per year in construction funding is needed to achieve “worst possible” transportation conditions and $9.5 billion per year is need to achieve “minimally competitive” transportation conditions.

Thus, the North San Antonio Chamber board of directors supports the proposed constitutional amendment to provide for the transfer of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization and state highway funds, and for the dedication of the revenue transferred to the state highway fund to be used only for developing public roads (not toll roads) and that those dedicated funds be allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with existing formulas to ensure that the entire state benefits from this additional funding. Whereas the proposed amendment would not fund fully the state’s overall transportation needs, it would be a key step toward securing critical funding for transportation projects in Texas. The proposed amendment will be on the November 4, 2014 ballot and we encourage you to vote in favor of the amendment that increases funding for transportation. Help to keep Texas moving!

Be a part of it.
Your North SA Chamber is hard at work with member volunteers planning and producing top quality professional development programming to help your business. On behalf of our staff and volunteer corps, I invite you to join a committee or attend an event to take advantage of the services your Chamber provides. You can learn more about various Participation Opportunities and upcoming Events online, or call the North SA Chamber at (210) 344-4848.

September Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRRecognizing Excellence
One of the most rewarding aspects of Chamber service and involvement is to participate in one of our recognition programs. We recently recognized Jane Macon, Edith McAllister and Rosemary Kowalski with the Governor Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Salute to Excellence Award, and it was an honor to listen and learn more about three of San Antonio’s most distinguished trailblazing women. Each has contributed so much to our economic and social landscape through her professional, civic and philanthropic works. To each – Jane, Edith and Rosemary, we salute your excellence!

You’ll have another opportunity soon to join our chamber community in recognizing the nominees of the ATHENA Award® Program on Friday, September 26, at the Omni Hotel at the Colonnade during the Enterprising Women’s Conference. EWC will feature informative speakers – including San Antonio’s Poet Laureate Dr. Carmen Tafolla, networking, retail exhibits and the presentation of the prestigious ATHENA Young Leadership Award, ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award and the ATHENA Leadership Award to a deserving organization, young and seasoned leader for professional accomplishment, community service and opening doors of leadership opportunity for women.

Advocacy Alert: Support for Constitutional Amendment for Increased Funding for Transportation
A strong transportation infrastructure is fundamental to Texas’ quality of life and economic vitality, attracting new businesses and generating new jobs. According to the latest report of the 2030 Commission, approximately $6.1 billion per year in construction funding is needed to achieve “worst possible” transportation conditions and $9.5 billion per year is need to achieve “minimally competitive” transportation conditions. The current State budget results in a $1.1 billion shortfall in transportation construction funding and that shortfall will increase to $3.5 billion in the next biennium based on current revenue projections.

Thus, the North San Antonio Chamber board of directors supports the proposed constitutional amendment to provide for the transfer of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization and state highway funds, and for the dedication of the revenue transferred to the state highway fund to be used only for developing public roads (not toll roads) and that those dedicated funds be allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with existing formulas to ensure that the entire state benefits from this additional funding. The proposed amendment will be on the November 4, 2014 ballot and we encourage you to vote in favor of the amendment that increases funding for transportation. Help to keep Texas moving!

Online Resources: Training, Job Bank
Did you know the North SA Chamber offers an Online Training web shop? In partnership with a premier Internet source for thousands of online training courses, your Chamber provides your business access to online training – anytime, anywhere. Your HR department and managers can utilize online courses to create a well-trained, knowledgeable workforce in an efficient, convenient and cost-effective manner; and your employees can access courses at their computer workstations, home computers, tablets and even smart phones. The online training catalog features hundreds of high-quality affordable courses created by world-class training developers, and covers virtually all industries including human resources, management, healthcare, safety and many more.

The North SA Chamber also offers a no-cost Job Bank for member businesses to gain access to a larger pool of applicants, and the online search tool is a free community resource to job seekers. Members may post job openings and there is no additional charge beyond your annual membership dues. You will need a personal login to post a job, and you may request a login here. All job listings are reviewed and approved for publishing, posted within 24 to 48 hours and remain online for 30 days – or until a member removes the post.

New! – North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife
We have teamed up with MetLife to present the North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program that offers members with 2 to 999 employees competitive group rates for life, dental, disability and vision coverage. To learn more about how this supplemental coverage program can benefit you, download the Membership Benefit Solutions flyer, contact your agent or broker or search the FIND A MEMBER online directory to find a member agent or broker.

Be a part of it.
Your North SA Chamber is hard at work with member volunteers planning and producing top quality professional development programming to help your business. On behalf of our staff and volunteer corps, I invite you to join a committee or attend an event to take advantage of the services your Chamber provides. You can learn more about various Participation Opportunities and upcoming Events online, or call the North SA Chamber at (210) 344-4848.