Over 500 Members Make their Voice Heard

     The election results for the 2008-2010 board term are in and were announced at the General Membership Meeting held on October 30 at the Tower Theatre. Incoming Chair, David Rosell introduced the two new directors serving their first term and two returning directors who will be serving their second term on the Chamber Board. First term directors are: Tim Knopp of the Central Oregon Builders Association and Kyle Frick of Mid Oregon Credit Union.  Returning directors are Tom Collier of Classic Motor Car Co. and Jade Mayer of Brooks Resources.  Congratulations to the four directors elected by the membership and to all the candidates who expressed their willingness to serve as a director for the 2008-2010 term of office.

Top of Page

UGB (Urban Growth Boundary) Discussion Continues

     The Bend City Council and the Bend Planning Commission began a series of joint meetings to discuss policy matters and the approach the Planning Commission is taking regarding their role in the UGB expansion process. They held their first meeting on October 29 and plan on another meeting, now scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in the Barnes and Sawyer Room at the Deschutes Services Building on November 29.  Early indications are that the Planning Commission is looking to bring around 4,000 acres into the expanded UGB, with the goal of providing plenty of land for both residential and commercial/light industrial development.  This larger UGB footprint seems to have the support of some of the City Council. The UGB presented in June by the city was around 3,050 acres. As Planning Commission Chair, Cliff Walkey stated, “A larger UGB will naturally fall out of our detailed analysis of the variables”. The question is, can the city fully justify a larger UGB in order to get it through the state’s process?

Top of Page

Good Access is Good Business

     The Bend Chamber, along with Linda Crossman, Accessibility Manager for the city of Bend, Central Oregon Coalition for Access (COCO), and the Bend Downtowners will present a seminar from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers. This seminar will present background information on demographic and census statistics on disposable income for people with disabilities, access to business from parking to entrance and accessibility needs within a business location plus tax incentives for businesses hiring people with disabilities. If you’re looking for workers and want to learn more about this outstanding workforce, join us on November 15 at 8:00 a.m. For more information, or to RSVP for this informative seminar, call Kim Burgess at 541-693-2182.

Top of Page

Need a Place to Meet and Eat for the Holidays or that Important Business Meeting

     Did you know the Chamber has a listing of meeting spaces, some with food service?  With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s nice to know that you can call one place and receive information about meeting and banquet rooms, how many people they will hold and who to contact. One such place is the Black Bear Diner on NE 3^rd Street. The Black Bear has a meeting and banquet room which holds up to 50 and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. From AmeriTel Inn to Widgi Creek Golf Club, the Chamber has information on meeting and banquet room space for your next party, business meeting or event. For a complete list of meeting spaces, call the Chamber at 382-3221.

Top of Page

SB 583 – the Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act

     On October 1 a new law, which was passed by the Oregon Legislature during the last session, went into effect. SB 583 requires new safeguards a business must have to protect their customers from identity theft. This new law requires businesses to think through the information they collect and retain from their customers and take steps to include employee training on safely handling paper or electronic data, using encryption software to shield personal information on computers and locking paper documents in a secure place. When and if a breach of protected information occurs, businesses are required to notify customers of the breach. For more information about this law, contact the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Also, look for a more in depth report on this new law in the December Business Journal.

Top of Page

One Voice Trip – Speaking with One Voice in DC

     In late March or early April of 2008 (depending on the schedule of Congress), the Chamber will once again be conducting its One Voice trip to Washington, DC.  The goal of this trip is to meet with our US Senators and Representative to discuss issues important to this community. “By having a cross-section from the community meeting with our elected representatives in DC, we act as “one voice” on the issues we present. The message is a lot more powerful and less special interest motivated when the group represents diverse interests from within the community,” Mike Schmidt stated at a recent meeting with some chamber members. If you’re interested in more details about the 2008 One Voice DC trip, call Mike Schmidt at 382-3221.

Top of Page

Coming events    

     Nov 7: Economic Forecast Breakfast at the new Riverhouse Conference Center from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. RSVP by registering at www.bendchamber.org/EFB. Reserve seating through table sponsorships for as little as $325 for 5 seats or $595 for 10 seats. Individual seats are available for $45.  Where is our local economy heading, are we in a recession, what industries will be strong looking forward? These and other questions will be answered. This is a “don’t miss” breakfast for anyone interested in what’s going on economically. 

     Nov 9: Legislative Council Breakfast at the Bend Golf and Country Club from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. RSVP required for this breakfast meeting. Call 382-3221 to make a reservation. This meeting will be part two of the Town Hall discussion on Juniper Ridge and Ron Garzini will be joining us. How about the Ron Garzini memo? Is the deal off with the Master Developer? How about the land changes relative to the UGB and Juniper Ridge? Should the city buy out Ray Kuratek and the Juniper Ridge Partners, LLC? Let your voice be heard! This is the last breakfast meeting for 2007 and we will be unveiling new 2008 program changes. It’s exciting, to say the least! 

     Dec 6: Member Holiday Party at The High Desert Museum 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Parking is limited as is the number of attendees. RSVP early to make sure you will have a reservation for one of the best holiday networking parties in Central Oregon and it’s free to all Chamber members. [sign up now] Call 382-3221 to reserve your spot.  Shuttle busses will be provided for your convenience.  

Top of Page