[Vision2020] Faith and fireworks and the Moscow Chamber

[Darrell Keim]

Ellen and V2020,

I can't comment about the Chamber relating to fireworks.  I would, however,
like to address Ellens comments regarding the Moscow Chamber being hijacked
by religous zealots.

I'd like those interested on Vision 2020 to know how the Chambers bylaws
indicate it is to be run, what it does, and how it serves our community.

This could be a somewhat lengthy note.

Let me state up front that employment at our Chamber is open to all
qualified applicants; and our many volunteer positions are open to all
Chamber members.

Please note that I don't care to address past history.  I wasn't responsible
for it, nor do I claim to know enough to speak knowledgably about it.  I
also feel it has minimal bearing on how the Moscow Chamber will be run now
and in the future.  Please grant me that much of a tabula rasa.  Also note
that I am relatively new to the Chamber, but not to our community.

Our Chamber is run by a 16 person Board of Directors.  This volunteer
committee consists of business owners and leaders from throughout the
community.  They are nominated and elected to three year terms by their
fellow Chamber members (of which there are over 400).  Any Chamber member is
eligible for nomination, all members are asked to vote.  These elections are
held yearly.

This working committee is tasked with overseeing what events our Chamber
does, and which directions it pursues.  Basically, they work to help us live
up to our mission of leading "the business and economic community and
support the free enterprise system while preserving and enhancing the
quality of life."  The Chamber Executive Director both reports to this
committee, and receives support from it.  In a very real sense this
committee is the Directors boss.

This committee oversees a variety of subcommittees, which I will attempt to
summarize below.  I believe that you will see much of what our Chamber does
and how it serves Moscow by looking over this list.  In a very real sense,
these sub-committees are where the rubber meets the road for our Chamber.

Sub-committees*:
Government Affairs-The Chambers watchdog for upcoming national, state and
local legislation effecting member businesses.  This committee compiles a
yearly list of legislative priorities, and attempts to work toward changes
that will benefit Moscow businesses.  This committee is also in charge of
the Chambers Candidates Forum, and Legislative Tour to Boise.  Gov't Affairs
is tasked with attending Moscow City Council meetings.

Education/Workforce Development-This committee has a two fold mission.  1.
It works with the Moscow School District to encourage them to provide course
work and opportunities that will help students become stronger members of
our workforce.  Go to www.latahworks.org for an example of something the
district has been developing in conjunction with our Chamber.  NOTE:  This
is a very preliminary version.  2.  Via monthly Chamber business
luncheons we provide different topics of benefit to our member businesses.
Upcoming topics will include a mixture of trainings applicable to our
businesses (i.e. Best hiring practices, sexual harassment, etc), hot issues
(water, etc), and larger forums (candidates forum, etc).

Community Development-This is our economic development arm and actively
participates in efforts toward improving or expanding our community's
economic base.  It is an active participant in Moscow revitalization efforts
and plays a leading role in advocating for improvement of the physical
appearance of our community, planning and zoning efforts, and growth-related
issues such as groundwater management, and transportation planning.  This
sub-committee is tasked with attending applicable City of Moscow Community
Development meetings.

Ambassadors/Public Relations-As the public outreach arm of the organization,
this committee – through its active and visible Ambassadors – provides
support and outreach to the business community through appearances at
events, parades, open houses, groundbreakings, grand openings, VIP
functions, and the ever-popular Business After Hours functions.  The
committee helps serve as the organizations "Red Carpet Brigade" for our
community.

We also have membership and finance committees, but I think those are self
explanatory.  Other ad hoc committees may be created as deemed appropriate.

In addition to these committees, we also maintain a small staff that answers
countless questions about Moscow from visitors, sends out relocation
packages, helps at events, writes grants for local efforts, supports our
volunteer board and much more.

Long story short, our Chamber works for the betterment of Moscow business
and quality of life.  We believe they are inextricably linked.  We are open
to all, and governed by a diverse group of Moscow business leaders.  We're
not perfect, but we are constantly striving to improve.  I'd say we are a
pretty accurate reflection of Moscow in that sense.

I hope this note has provided you with an understanding of what our Chamber
is, and services it attempts to provide.

Sincerely,

Darrell

*Please note that since I am new some of these Sub-committees duties are
new, thus still being put into place.

>Moscow hasn't had it's own fireworks show since the Chamber of Commerce was
highjacked by a >group of fuddyduddy religious zealots who would rather
re-write American history.

>Ellen Roskovich
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/attachments/20071015/68ea1918/attachment-0001.html