It's just a week away! The annual Chamber Golf Outing arrives next Wednesday, August 19, at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. This outing that supports Chamber leadership programming is a near sell-out, although a handful of tee times are still available.

The Chamber Golf Outing is made possible by:

The Chamber Board welcomed Marty Colburn, the new city manager for Traverse City, to its monthly meeting this week and heard some encouraging words from the city's top official. Colburn called the business community "a critical component of the city" and urged local business people to get more involved. Learn more about what the new city manager shared with chamber directors.

The U.S. Department of Labor is considering significant changes to overtime and other payroll rules affecting exempt or "white-collar" workers.

The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is monitoring these changes and advises its members to learn about the proposals and respond appropriately. Click here for a brief overview of the proposed rule changes and recommendations on how to be prepared on the issue. You can access the actual federal register entry that includes the public comment link by clicking here. Public comment on the proposals is being accepted through September 4.

The Alliance is also gathering input from its members and expects to offer recommendations on the proposed rule changes. Questions or comments can be directed to Alliance Government Relations Director Kent Wood at kentw@tcchamber.org

Pints & Politics is presented by:

Thanks for your great response in the past week to our call for Chamber Ambassadors. They work as liaisons between the organization and our current and potential members to help them understand the benefits of Chamber membership. Ambassadors also assist the Chamber in developing programs and services to better meet our members' needs.

Are you interested in growing your local connections and expanding the Chamber family by serving as a Chamber Ambassador? Membership Sales Representative Sheila Peek can provide more information at sheilap@tcchamber.org
 

Or click here to learn more about the Chamber Ambassadors.

The return of the Chamber's Weekly Entrepreneur Focus each Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. on NewsTalk 580 shines a spotlight on some of the region's best businesses and the people that make them work. Local entrepreneurs share their stories of hard work, perseverance - sometimes good fortune - but always lessons that everyone can learn from.

Join Chamber Executive Director Laura Oblinger and WTCM's Ron Jolly for this dynamic half-hour program each week. If you miss an episode, visit the Chamber website for a full archive of programs.

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Time is running short to apply for the Fall 2015 semester of Leadership Grand Traverse. Applications are needed by August 21.

Everyone has a favorite movie - or several - that changed the way you look at the world. Leadership at the Movies is a new Chamber program that highlights leadership lessons and themes told through memorable scenes from classic films.

 Register here

Chamber Leadership Programming is supported by:

Planning the next steps in the redevelopment of Railroad Square in downtown Kalkaska is part of the fourth annual Kalkaska Street Festival @ Railroad Square that kicks off this Thursday, August 13, and continues through Saturday.

Sarah Lucas of Networks Northwest will present the results of the Railroad Square Survey as part of the Community Forum and Family Picnic on Thursday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. Input from the community is a needed as the village and its Downtown Development Authority work on the redevelopment of Railroad Square in the heart of downtown.