Chamber Weekly

UPCOMING EVENTS
   
6/16 Nonprofit Forum ~ Who Have You Partnered With Lately? Getting Beyond Survival
   
6/16 Professional Development Series ~ "11 Ways to Avoid Social Media Hype"
   
6/16 Ribbon Cutting ~ Terrango Glen Senior Care
   
6/17 Young Professionals Network~Sun Mountain Fun Center
   
6/1/8 Ribbon Cutting ~ Hayden Homes
   
6/19 Town Hall Breakfast Forum 2009
   
6/19 Commute Options Employer of the Year
   
6/22 Chamber Summer Opener Golf Tournament
   
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 Bend Chamber
 777 NW Wall St, Ste 200
 Bend, OR 97701

 Phone: (541) 382-3221
 Fax: (541) 385-9929
 
info@bendchamber.org
 
www.bendchamber.org

Bend Chamber Weekly
June 12, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator

This Week's Highlights

Local auto dealer to testify before oversight committee

     Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), will help lead a House oversight and investigation subcommittee hearing today to look into the decisions behind thousands of GM and Chrysler dealership closings across the country.
     “If there is a sound business explanation for shuttering dealerships and leaving entire regions without service, taxpayers deserve to hear it. After all, taxpayers are now the principal investors in GM,” Walden said in a press release. “GM owners in Burns, for example, will now have to travel 136 miles to the nearest dealer in Payette, Idaho, for service. That’s the distance between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. How does that help GM’s sales and customers service in eastern Oregon?
     Bob Thomas, owner of Bob Thomas Chevrolet-Cadillac, was invited by Walden to testify in front of the committee. Thomas received notification in May that GM would end its dealer franchise agreement. Bob Thomas Chevrolet-Cadillac has been in business in Bend since 1916 and employs 65 people.
     Redmond based Dave Hamilton Chevrolet-Jeep was also notified it would be losing its agreement with GM. Bend residents who would need service for their GM vehicle would have to go to the nearest dealership, which would be Madras.
     “The secrecy surrounding this government takeover is baffling,” Walden stated. “Taxpayers are already in for a staggering $50 billion to save GM, but we can’t even get a basic explanation from the autonomous, unelected Auto Task Force about how they’re making their decisions to spend Americans’ hard-earned money.”
 
    June 22 – Summer Opener Golf Tournament – It’s time once again for the Bend Chamber Summer Opener Golf
Tournament sponsored by efusjon. This year, golfers test their skills at the exclusive Broken Top Club. Get your business known as a leader in this competitive tournament and sign up today! The cost is $160 per golfer or $640 per foursome. Sign up online at www.bendchamber.org/summeropener or contact Lindi DeWolf at lindi@bendchamber.org. There are also great sponsorship opportunities available with the Summer Opener. Do you want to showcase your company to over 100 golfers? These are not just “golfers,” they are also some of the top business leaders in our community. If you are interested in sponsorships, contact Ann Gates at ann@bendchamber.org or call 382-3221.
 

Leadership Bend Applications for Class of 2010 now available

     “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.” –Marian Anderson
     “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as attitude and in actions.” – Harold Geneen

     Are you interested in becoming more involved in the community? How much do you really know about Bend? Do you have any interest in developing your leadership abilities? Would you like to connect with other committed citizens within the community?
     If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Leadership Bend could be the right fit for you. Leadership Bend is a nine-month program that invests in leadership and community awareness. During the nine full-day sessions, participants work with local leaders to create awareness and understanding about challenges facing Bend and Central Oregon.
     Leadership Bend is also a great way to connect with other individuals who are committed to the local community and investing in the future.
     The Leadership Bend Class of 2010 is now accepting applications. If you are interested in learning more about the program or receiving an application, contact Leadership Bend Executive Director Gayle Najera at 382-3221 or gayle@bendchamber.org
 

Central Oregon Companies make 100 Best Green Companies list

     Several Central Oregon companies were recently recognized by Oregon Business Magazine in its list of 100 Best Green Companies to Work For. Companies from Central Oregon included on the list are: Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, David Evans and Associates, Ball Janik LLP, Bend Garbage & Recycling, Clear Choice Health Plans, Express Employment Professionals, and NW Community Credit Union.
     Companies were chosen based on a report submitted by each company, and confidential employee surveys. This was the inaugural list for the 100 Best Green Companies to Work For in Oregon. Oregon Business Magazine editors state this is a high honor for all companies because a commitment to sustainable practices not only helps the environment and the bottom line, but creates a great place to work.
 

iPhone Scam Alert

     There is a new Web site being used to scam consumers who try to buy an iPhone from it. According to Attorney General John Kroger, the site is CHUL8804.com. 
     In May, a Hillsboro man saw the ad for the site on Craig’s List. The ad offered a new iPhone 3G 16GB for $465. The ad requested payment with a Green Dot MoneyPak card. The money was taken, but the phone was never sent. When the Hillsboro man called the call back number, he found out the number was for the City of Atlanta’s subway system.
     “The Oregon Department of Justice is seeking to shut down the Web site,” stated a recent Department of Justice release. “In the meantime, consumers should avoid it.”
     The Attorney General’s office also warns consumers to be extremely careful when paying for products in advance with Greed Dot prepaid cards or wire transfer services, especially if they have not purchased from the vendor before.
 

Town Hall, Get your questions answered

     Get your questions answered at this month's Bend Chamber Town Hall Forum. The Chamber would like to give members the opportunity to have their questions answered by sending in questions about the upcoming Town Hall. This allows members who can’t attend the breakfast an opportunity to have their questions answered.
     This month, the Town Hall topic is “Salem Update with Senator Chris Telfer.” Senator Chris Telfer will give Chamber members an inside look at what’s happening in Salem. She will talk through some of the challenges and accomplishments she has seen thus far.
     If you have a question surrounding this topic, please send your questions to courtney@bendchamber.org by Thursday, June 18. The answers to questions we receive will be published in the Chamber Weekly on June 26.
     For those who would like to attend the event, Town Hall will take place at the Bend Golf & Country Club on June 19 at 7:30 a.m. More information about the event can be found in the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter.
 

Looking for help? Get feedback from fellow entrepreneurs

     Are you looking at a new product line or a new business plan? How about a new advertising slogan? Is your marketing effective or are there things you can improve on?
     Sign up to be a presenter at the Entrepreneurial Council’s Peer Feedback Workshop. This is a great opportunity for you to express any challenges you might be facing and presenters receive honest feedback and constructive criticism about their presentation from other entrepreneurs in the audience.
     Now is a great time to make sure your message is getting through to your customers. The Peer Feedback sessions are usually on the 2nd Friday of each month. They are free to attend, and extremely helpful to all involved.
     If you are interested in signing up, contact Lindi DeWolf at lindi@bendchamber.org  or call 382-3221.
 

In the News

     Green economy continues to grow in Oregon: According to a recent study by Pew Charitable Trust, Oregon is among three states that have large and fast growing energy economies. The other states include Colorado and Tennessee. In 2007, Oregon had 19,340 “green jobs” and a 4.77 percent growth of “green jobs” from 1998 to 2007. Out of the 1,902,294 jobs in Oregon, about 1.02 percent are considered to be green. This is the highest percentage of any state.
     Commute Options Week kicks off with free BAT rides: Commute Options Week will kickoff on June 15 with Ride BAT Free Day. The Bend City Council authorized the event in support of Commute Options Week. Riders can try Bend Area Transit’s (BAT) fixed route service at no cost city-wide on that day. Commute Options Week runs June 15 - 21 and is designed to promote alternative forms of transportation. Commuters are encouraged to try bicycling, walking, carpooling or riding the bus to their next destination to save money, help reduce traffic congestion, and fight pollution. For a complete BAT rider guide, visit www.bendareatransit.com. For a list of other Commute Options Week events, check www.commuteoptions.org.
     DTV Conversion happens today: The nationwide digital television (DTV) transition is happening today. “One of the great benefits of digital technology is that stations can now provide many more free over-the-air channels than the single channel they provide today,” said Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps, in a recent release. “These new channels can provide the kind of local and niche content that is often missing from the public airwaves.” The FCC states the digital conversion will give most viewers better sound and picture, and it will also clear the airwaves for better first-responder communication and advanced mobile Internet services. According to a recent Nielsen study, 2.8 million American households are not ready for the transition. That equates to about 2.5 percent of television viewers. According to the FCC, with the pushback of the DTV conversion deadline from February, readiness levels for the transition have increased by 50 percent. If you have any questions on the conversion go to www.dtv.gov.    
 

Upcoming Events

        June 16 – Professional Development Series – “11 Ways to Avoid Social Media Hype and Increase Your Networking Productivity” Everybody’s talking about your company…behind your back. Social media is rapidly changing the way business is done. As people jump on the bandwagon and invest heavily in this technology, fortunes continue to soar and freefall with just the click of a mouse or a Tweet. As a business owner or key executive, how can you adapt to this shift, reduce the time consuming tasks of managing multiple social networks, avoid the risk of damaging your company’s reputation, AND protect important business relationships? In this informative session, Lisa Nirell from EnergizeGrowth will show you. She provides a fresh look at the benefits of deploying a social media strategy—and how today’s business leaders must protect themselves from its hidden pitfalls. “Lisa’s Tried and Tested Tools List” and case studies will save you from wasting networking effort and marketing dollars. If you would like to attend this session, please RSVP by June 15 at www.bendchamber.org.

     June 17 – Young Professionals Network – Sun Mountain Fun Center - Built in 1994, Sun Mountain Fun Center continues to provide fun and entertainment for families of all ages. The facility concentrates on providing a safe, fun environment for families to interact together. Sun Mountain Fun Center just recently went through a 9 month remodel where it upgraded to a full-service kitchen, added indoor bumper cars, resurfaced its bowling lanes, added giant-screen television monitors above the lanes, and reworked the billiards area. Join the Young Professionals Network in exploring Sun Mountain Fun Center's various attractions including bowling, arcades, billiards, go-karts, mini golf, and much more.
     This month is also community involvement month and the YPN plans to help the American Cancer Society. Make sure to bring in summer hats and scarves for cancer patients as well as $5 gas cards for treatment trips. The more items you bring, the more chances you have to enter to win some great door prizes. Please RSVP for this event by noon on Tuesday, June 16 at www.bendchamber.org.

     June 19 – Town Hall Breakfast – Salem Update with Senator Chris Telfer - The Oregon State Legislature has now been in session for 6 months. So how are things going in Salem? What are some of the challenges Central Oregon faces? Is there any good news? In this month’s Town Hall Forum, get an inside look on what’s happening in Salem from Senator Chris Telfer. Telfer will walk Chamber members through some of the challenges and accomplishments she has seen thus far. In this interactive format, members will also have the chance to interact with Senator Telfer and ask questions they have. If you would like to attend this event, please RSVP by noon on Thursday, June 18 at www.bendchamber.org. If you have trouble signing up, call 382-3221.