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Rick Wells President and CEO |
Happy New Year! I would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere gratitude for your continued support of the San Rafael Chamber over the past year. Without question, 2010 was a year of transition for our local economy and for the Chamber as an organization. In 2010, the Chamber began the process of transitioning to operate like a business. We've worked hard to improve our products by enhancing membership value and streamlining the infrastructure of the organization to make your experience as a member more valuable.
What has the Chamber Done for You Lately?
We work every day to provide products, programs and services that will effectively assist you with business development and create opportunities for you to find new customers. For example, we recently launched a completely new online headquarters and member resource at www.SRChamber.com. You can find your business listing at www.SRChamber.com/business-directory.
In addition, in 2010 we successfully connected thousands of business and community leaders through our networking events; we provided nearly 3,000 direct and indirect referrals to our members. Our Leadership San Rafael program doubled in size. The Chamber also added a new affordable health insurance option called BEN-E-LECT, available only to Chamber members. We continued to effectively represent your concerns to our elected officials at the local, regional and state levels. Through your support, the chamber is the foundation for the enhancement of the community through business interests, involvement and experience.
One way we help to promote your business year-round is through the Official San Rafael Chamber Business Directory and City Guide. Century Publishing will once again help us manage this publication for the 2011-2012 Edition (you should be receiving your hard copy of the 2010-2011 Edition in the mail soon if you haven't already). David Carrillo from Century will be contacting members over the next several weeks to inform you about various advertising opportunities.
And, don't forget to vote for your fellow Chamber members in the Pacific Sun and NorthBay biz readers polls.
Again, thank you for your continued support and best wishes for a prosperous 2011,
Rick Wells
President and CEO
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
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| Spotlight |
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Leaders Circle: A Positive Impact for All
San Rafael Chamber members can make a positive impact in our community in various ways. For those members that want to participate at the highest level and receive positive public recognition for their involvement, the Chamber offers the Leaders Circle Program. This exclusive sponsorship program is comprised of local leading companies that are committed to enhancing our economic vitality and the mission of the San Rafael Chamber.
Leaders Circle offers six levels of participation: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper. In addition to receiving recognition throughout the year in Chamber publications, other benefits include tickets to leading business, civic and Chamber events, choice location at the Chamber's annual Business Showcase and the opportunity to participate in the San Rafael Leadership Institute.
Some of our returning Leader Circle partners include the Marin Independent Journal, PG&E, Bank of Marin, Marin Sanitary Service, Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, Dominican University and Embassy Suites. Please view the complete list of our 2010 participating partners on the Chamber's web site, www.srchamber.com/programs/leaders-circle.
The Chamber deeply appreciates and values these leading business citizens for their vision, dedication, financial commitment and spirit in partnering with us to provide member benefits for both large and small employers. For more information about investing in our Leader Circle Program, please contact Leonard Weingarten at (415) 454-4163 ext. 108 or leonard@srchamber.com.
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| Chamber News |
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Chamber Business Directory: Part of Your Marketing Plan
You're Invited to be in the 2011-2012 edition of the San Rafael Chamber Business Directory to bring in business all year long. The directory will be published by award-winning Century Publishing. Click on image for more information.
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Is Your Business in Compliance?
(415) 454-4163 x 102 or frontdesk@SRChamber.com.
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Two More Ribbon Cuttings This Month
One good sign for the economy is the number of new businesses opening in San Rafael. Ribbon cuttings this month include East San Rafael Veterinary Clinic, 820 D Street, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26; and Best Collateral, 813 Third Street, at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27. Help celebrate by being there!
Ribbon cuttings for Lotus Medical and Health Clinic and Dunne Edwards Paints took place earlier this month.
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Vote for the North Bay's Best
Once again it's time to vote in the North Bay Biz Best Readers Poll.
It's your opportunity to vote for the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce for "The Best Chamber," and vote for Chamber members in other categories. You must fill out 12 categories to be counted. The poll closes Feb 20. To vote online click here.
_______________________________________________ For additional Chamber News go to www.SRChamber.com/news.
By now you should have your 2011 Employment Poster at each business site, or your business runs the risk of fines and penalties. If you don't, you can still order from the Chamber office and get a discount as a Chamber member. Contact Taletha at
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| County Business News | |
HR Must-See: Labor Law Update for 2011
The Marin County Employee Advisory Council brings you the 2011 Annual Employment and Labor Law Update, presented Friday, January 28, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., by Jennifer Shaw, Attorney with Shaw Valenza.
For details or to register visit www.marin.ceac.org.
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| State Business News |
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CalChamber President Comments on Budget
CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg issued the following statement on Governor Brown's 2011-12 budget proposal:
"We appreciate Governor Brown's frank assessment of the situation California faces. As we delve into the details of what the Governor has proposed, we will need to carefully weigh the cumulative impact of the budget proposals against their impact on the economy. We must remain focused on California's need for continued investment in private sector job growth, since private sector job creation is the key to long-term budget solvency."
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| Member News |
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Deborah Tool HomeWell Senior Care
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Homewell Senior Care has hired Deborah Tool astheir Community Outreach Director and Care Manager. As Community Outreach Director, her goal is to meet with the public to educate the community. Read more.
Kahl Consultants Small Business Web Services has been awarded the Green America Business Seal of Approval. The seal is presented to businesses that go beyond product and service quality to set the highest standards in environmental sustainability and social
justice. Read more.
Kim Kaselionis, CEO/president of Circle Bank,has been named one of eight members of an American Bankers Association (ABA) task forcethat will make recommendations about creating a dot BANK top-level domain name for the nation's 7000 community banks. Read more
More Member News. Chamber members: Please send your business news for this section to Taletha Hufford at frontdesk@SRChamber.com. The deadline for the February issue is Tuesday, Jan. 25. Please put "Member News" in the subject line.
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