[Vision2020] Faith and fireworks and the Moscow Chamber

[Bill London]

Like Bruce, I welcome a stronger Chamber of Commerce.  And one of the best ways to do that is for the Chamber to become something more than a businessman's club.  After all, the Chamber does get a significant percentage of its operating money from the taxpayer through support from city of Moscow, etc.  My main complaint is the lack of transparency and open-ness in its decision-making.
The sacking of the previous director (after just a few weeks on the job) and the refusal by the Chamber to admit or explain what was going on is the most recent example.
I hope the new director will break open the culture of secrecy at the Chamber.
Keim speaking directly through V2020 is a good start
BL
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bruce and Jean Livingston 
  To: Darrell Keim ; Vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 12:39 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Faith and fireworks and the Moscow Chamber


  Darrell Keim seems to be making sincere and genuine outreach efforts to insure that the Chamber of Commerce is an inclusive and open organiziation.  He has come to LEDC meetings.  He requested to meet with me in my capacity as MCA president.  He has met with many others from a broad cross-section of the community.   Just last month, the Chamber agreed to co-sponsor a forum with the MCA, which sponsorship was critical to getting the GMA to co-sponsor as well, on the marketing efforts of a new local organization, the "Buy Local Moscow" group of locally owned businesses.

  The Chamber of Commerce is a very important group.  It can be very important to the town, and it can do many good things in the community.  It behooves the Chamber to increase its membership, as Darrell is seeking to do by leading and reaching out to all segments of the community.  I commend Darrell for his efforts to broaden the base of the Chamber by increasing community membership.  The more participatory the Chamber is, the better, it seems to me.  I have talked to good people from across the political spectrum who care about the Chamber, and I believe that they are trying to work toward achieving the broad community support that will make the Chamber prosper -- and in return make Moscow more prosperous.  

  Bruce
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Darrell Keim 
    To: Vision2020 at moscow.com 
    Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 11:36 AM
    Subject: [Vision2020] Faith and fireworks and the Moscow Chamber


    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 
     


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