August 2011

TCCE Monthly Member Update

Your source for up to the minute news and information for Texas Chambers!

“Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?”      — Winnie the Pooh

Save The Date:

• “Be on Guard- Understand the Risks that Can Threaten Your Chamber”, Friday August 12, 10:00 a.m. CST – Free webinar
• TCCE Chamber Basics(Austin) – August 25, 2011
• TCCE Program of the Year Entry Deadline – September 23, 2011
• TCCE Board Strategic Planning Retreat - October 13, 2011
• TCCE Fall Board Meeting – October 13, 2011
• TCCE Volunteer Conference(Austin) – October 14, 2011
• CHAMBER WEEK IN TEXAS – October 17-21, 2011
• TAB 2nd Annual Higher Education Conference (Austin), October 18, 2012
• TAB National Affairs Conference (Washington) - June 6-8, 2012
• TCCE Annual Conference(Bastrop) – June 24-26, 2012
• TAB Chamber Partners Conference (Austin) - December 4-5, 2012

TCCE 2011 Sponsorship Opportunities
Be Seen, Be Noticed, Be Heard. TCCE sponsorship opportunities give your organization or community a place to stand out from the rest (Click here for 2011 sponsorship summary).

New to the Chamber Industry? Need training to bring you up to speed?
Then plan to attend CHAMBER BASICS on August 25, 2011 in Austin, Texas. Chamber Basics was designed by TCCE as an affordable training opportunity for new chamber professionals (for both Chamber CEO’s and Chamber Staff). Take the first step to learning more about chambers and hear from experienced chamber professionals. (Click here for link to Program and Registration Info)

Chamber Basics – Carpool and Room share info:
If your budget is tight – might want to consider carpooling to Chamber Basics or sharing a room with a fellow chamber professional. If you are interested – please go to the TCCE LinkedIn Group and post your route or room request – and let’s see if we can get you matched up! If you are not familiar with LinkedIn – and need help getting set up – call TCCE and ask for Phyllis (512) 637-7711. Good luck!

Interested in Volunteering for a TCCE Board or Committee position?
(Click here for link to Volunteer Leadership Interest Form)

“Be On Guard - Understand the Risks that Can Threaten Your Chamber”
Have you heard about the new Monitor-Frost Insurance Program?
Monitor Liability Managers, LLC & Frost Insurance recently announced a Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance Program specifically for members of the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE). Members of TCCE receive preferred pricing, several coverage enhancements and access to a suite of risk management services, administered by Gordon & Rees, LLP.

Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance provides:

• Directors and Officers Liability
• Employment Practices Liability
• Fiduciary Liability (optional)
• Crime Insurance (optional)

ATTEND our FREE upcoming webinar on Friday, August 12, 10:00 a.m. CST Learn the steps to protect your chamber from potential lawsuits. Register today!

Do you facilitate Chamber Board Retreats in Texas?
Do you facilitate board retreats for Texas Chambers? If so - be sure to register with TCCE. We will include you on a list of retreat facilitators for the many chambers and non profits that call us for recommendations. Cost to register: $50 for non-members. No charge for current TCCE members! Fill out the registration and email or fax it to us today. (Click here for 2011 TCCE Retreat Facilitator Registration Form).

Chamber Week is coming soon- October 17-21, 2011
The week of October 17-21, 2011 will be proclaimed by Governor Perry as Chamber of Commerce week in Texas. Take advantage of this great promotional opportunity for your chamber! (Click here for sample resolutions and suggestions on how to take full advantage of Chamber Week in Texas to promote the chamber in your community!)

Volunteer Conference for Chamber Execs and their volunteer leadership
Make plans now to bring your volunteer leadership team to Austin and train them on how to effectively work at a board level for a nonprofit organization. Join volunteers and chamber execs as we move chamber boards to exceptional performance on October 14. (Click here for link to Program and Registration info).

TCCE 2011 Program of the Year
Get recognition for the great work your chamber is doing in your community. Take the time to apply for the TCCE Program of the Year. Awards are given at the October 14 Volunteer Conference in Austin. (Click here for the 2011 Program of the Year Application Form).

TCCE 2011 Scholarship Opportunities.
Each year, TCCE raises money through its live and silent auctions, in order to provide scholarships to chamber professionals across the state to attend training sessions at the state and national levels. If your professional training budget is feeling a strain this year – apply for a scholarship to the program of your choice! (Click here for 2011 scholarship summary & application).

SURVEYS – SURVEYS and MORE SURVEYS!

Win a free iPad! Fill out the Governmental Affairs Survey!
TCCE has commissioned Russell Autrey to conduct a Governmental Affairs Survey on behalf of TCCE. It is designed to give feedback to TCCE on how to better serve its members as they enter into the Governmental Affairs/Advocacy arena. As a special incentive to complete the survey, all survey participants will be entered into a drawing for a free iPad! So fill out the survey as soon as it hits your inbox. And good luck!

2011 WACE Membership Retention Survey
Each year, the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) conducts a membership retention survey of local chambers throughout the West and Southwest. Several state chamber organizations are participating in this year's survey in an attempt to get a more accurate read on what is happening with local chambers in the areas of membership attraction and retention. We would greatly appreciate your participation in this research. Thanks in advance. Results of the survey will be shared with TCCE. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2K8HSTPBDZV

TCCE Long Term Strategic Planning is now underway!
Your TCCE Board of Directors is working hard to prepare the organization for the future. The organization will be undergoing a long range strategic planning process during the next few months. You will receive a survey request from our facilitator, Chuck Ewert and may be asked to participate in a series of stakeholder interviews as well. Please take the time to share your ideas and suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help!

Go to China and Make Money for Your Chamber While Doing It! This program is a great value for your members and a fantastic fundraiser for your chamber. (Click here for more information). To visit with a sales representative on this extraordinary opportunity, contact Denise Rabalais, Texas District Sales Manager of Chamber Explorations at (817) 423-0104.

A special offer for TCCE members from Monitor Liability Managers: Get discounted rates on Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance from Monitor Liability. Protect your chamber today! (Click here for Insurance Quotes).

TCCE Publications Is it time for your annual salary review? Are you training new board members? Do you need a new promotional brochure for your Chamber’s sales team? TCCE offers several helpful publications to educate you, your Board of Directors and your volunteers. (Click here for TCCE Publications Order Form)

TCCE Retail Survey Results are in! — Get the information you need to sell memberships to those “Big Box” retailers in your community. For access to the most recent report – follow the link to the TCCE Library on the TCCE website. (Click here for TCCE Retail Survey Results)

TCCE Job Opportunities — Don’t forget to check the TCCE website for new job postings in the industry. Just click on www.tcce.org. And keep an eye out for new career opportunities!

Congratulations to our 2011 Award Winners!

2011 Marvin Hurley Award: Martha Noell, Prsident/CEO, Weslaco Chamber of Commerce

2011 TCCE Distinguished Service Award: Eddie McBride, President/CEO, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to our new TCCE Vendor Members – Shop Members First!

• The Christmas Light Company, Contact: Antonio Garcia, antonio@xmaslightco.com
• WebLink International, Contact: Aaron Cox, aaron.cox@weblinkinternational.com

Welcome to our new TCCE Chamber Members!

• Rio Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce, Contact name: Linda McKenna, President/CEO, linda@valleychamber.com
• Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Contact name: Carolyn Teague, Chamber Manager, chamber@mt-vernon.com
• Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, Contact name: Al Arreola Jr., President, al@drchamber.com
• Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Contact name: Wes Jurey, President/CEO, wjurey@arlingtontx.com
• Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce, Contact name: Kym French, Executive Director, kym.french@yahoo.com
• George West Chamber of Commerce, Contact name: Becky Allen, Executive Director, chamber@georgewest.org

TCCE TRANSITIONS Our congratulations go out to each of you on your new positions – let us know how we can help you!

• Penny C. Reeh, President/CEO – Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce has been inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Texas Festivals and Events Association (TFEA) at their recent annual conference and trade show in Corpus Christi. She joins 38 other professionals who have been inducted in the organization’s history. Congratulations, Penny!

New job? Been promoted? Send your info to psnodgrass@txbiz.org

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