What exactly is Accreditation?
The Accreditation Program defines standards of excellence in chamber planning and performance and shows chambers how they can reach and maintain these standards. It also helps chambers measure achievement while recognizing and encouraging chamber members and staff who meet high standards of operation and who contribute effectively to the good of their chambers and communities.
 

"Accreditation recognizes chambers for their high standards of practice, full accountability to members, and steadfast commitment to community," said Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce."We applaud this organization for advancing these principles of free enterprise."

 

The criteria and standards used in the guidelines become tools for management control and self-discipline-guiding the organization by helping it upgrade and improve its basic effectiveness. Chambers that have earned Accreditation value the process as a worthwhile experience. It has helped them focus attention on the many important factors that add to successful chamber performance.

The U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program is the only national program that recognizes chambers for effective organizational procedures and outstanding contributions toward positive change in their communities. The purpose of the U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America.

Of the 6,936 chambers in the United States, 306 of these are Accredited.   These top chambers represent the top 4% of all chambers in the U.S.

The national Accreditation statistics are as follows: 
* 44 are Accredited - 14%
* 112 are 3-Star - 37%
* 105 are 4-Star - 34%
* 41 are 5-Star - 14%
 
Of the 604 Chambers of Commerce in the state of Texas, only 17 are accredited through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. That's less than half of 1% in the entire state.  Your Laredo Chamber of Commerce is now part of this elite group.

Payouts of accrued leave are required under the Texas Payday Law only if such a payment is promised by the employer in a written policy or agreement. The payout would be controlled by the wording of the policy or agreement. If no such policy exists, the company would not owe such a payment. A sample policy for accrued leave payouts might look something like this:

Unused paid leave is forfeited when an employee separates from employment. However, employees who are laid off for economic reasons, or who resign with at least two weeks' advance written notice, will receive the balance of any unpaid leave remaining at the time of the work separation. Paid or unpaid leave time may not be counted toward such a notice period.

To illustrate, assume that a company has a written policy similar to the above example - on a Wednesday, the employee gives what she says is two weeks' notice ("I'm quitting and taking the final two weeks as vacation"), but admits she's starting a new job on the following Monday. Clearly, that would not be two weeks' notice, since 1) taking a vacation is not the same as working out a notice period and 2) even if she were to work until the new job started, there would not be two weeks of work possible within that time. In such a case, the company could legally deny the accrued leave payout otherwise payable under the written policy.   Under the same policy, an employee who is terminated for any reason other than an economic layoff would have no claim to accrued leave when leaving the company.  For a more detailed policy regarding accrued leave payouts, click here.

Source:  Texas Workforce Commission

Operating a small business involves a number of legal matters, from naming your business, setting up your business' legal structure, to protecting your ideas. This small business guide provides a starting point for learning about business laws that affect all types of small businesses.

• Business Incorporaton
  Learn about the many ways to legally organize your business, from being a sole proprietor to forming an LLC.
• Choosing and Registering a Business Name
  Get tips on naming your business and learn how to register a business name with your state or local government.
• Licenses and Permits
  Get resources to tools to help you obtain all necessary licenses and permits for your business.
• Patents, Trademarks and Copyright
  Learn how to protect your inventions, ideas and intellectual property rights.
• Antitrust
  Read about fair business practices and antitrust laws.
• Bankruptcy
  Learn about the different chapters under which business can file bankruptcy and tax considerations.
• Consumer Laws
  Our Advertising and Marketing Guide provides information about how to comply with laws that protect consumers from unfair business and advertising practices.
• Employment and Labor Laws
  Our Employment Guide provides information about how to comply with the nation's labor laws.
• Environmental Law
  Our Environmental Compliance Guide provides resources that will help you comply with environmental laws that apply to air and water pollution and the management of hazardous waste.
• Tax Law
  Our Tax Guide provides information on obtaining tax permits (e.g., sales/use tax), filing your business taxes, and maintaining tax records.

Source:  Business.gov

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