There are 2 things that I have come to dislike. Murphy’s Law and the color red. Murphy’s Law because it is true: “If something can go wrong, it will.” Red because it is the color of a flushed or embarrassed face, and right now this editor’s face is red. I made 4 mistakes in the last issue..

When we construct this newsletter, I make sure that the correct heading go with each picture. It then goes out for grammar editing, and then to the printer who puts it together for what is known as a “blue-line” edit. That is, it is checked one more time before printing. Well this time your editor was so intent on making sure the numbers were correct, somehow the headings on the collages for St. Joseph, Missouri and Orange, Texas got switched. Orange had 228 new members while St. Joseph had 139, not the other way around!

Then, even though their banner has their name on it, I omitted the Aurora, Illinois Chamber’s name when proclaiming their state record of 286 new members.

If that wasn’t enough, on the Class of 2001 congratulations we put Lancaster, Texas in California!

Well Betty Harmon of Orange, TX, Heidi Downer of St. Joseph, MO, Steve Hatcher of Aurora, IL, and Joe Johnson of Lancaster, TX, from this red faced editor, you have my sincere apology. Anything I can do to make it up to you?

CLIENT COMMENT: From Connie Ware, President of the Greater Marshall (Texas) Chamber of Commerce.

“Recovering from the horrors of September 11 is still difficult, but the immediate shock and disbelief of the horrific attacks had a shutdown effect on all of America -- all but the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, thanks to Jimmy Cusano. Our chamber membership event began on a high note on September 11 -- a note that was to have an extremely short life. As the news roared through the building and to the participants in the event, a series of divergent emotions took hold. Should we follow our immediate impulse and close the event down or should we go forward, as President Bush was to say later, and pull ourselves together? We determined that the latter was our only sound choice. After a prayer and a pledge to our proud flag, Jimmy Cusano once again commandeered our ship, and with positive energy as only he can do, led us through a series of team meetings that were a comfort to all involved and a positive for our membership event. We attracted over 100 new members in a very reduced work field, as many of our bankers and financial people were called back to their offices, unsure of what the future may bring. Jimmy held us together, making us and our membership stronger, providing a sense of stability and surety in a calamitous world. We are very grateful to him and to those who put their trust in him. Jimmy is family.”

(Ed. Note: Thank you Connie. We think of you as family too.)

BOARD MANAGEMENT (SUCCESS) DEPT: Plan For Your Success by Tom Manskey, Pres. The Angelina County (Lufkin, TX) Chamber of Commerce.

“As I attended school during my younger days, teachers always stressed not to copy work from your neighbor. They actually referred to this as cheating. I have found that “borrowing” (a more politically correct term) from my neighbor is important to a successful Chamber management career. This is why I attend conferences and seminars, involve myself with related professional associations, and always place great importance on our organization’s planning process utilizing outside facilitators.”

“It amazes me how many Chambers of Commerce refrain from holding annual planning retreats or board retreats. When many organizations come to the realization that they need to conduct such a meeting, it is then determined that there is no meeting budget planned. A good planning retreat can be one of the most important tools for your future success! I use retreats as an opportunity to bring fellow Chamber Executives in from other areas to help motivate my volunteers and to share examples of successes their organization may be involved in that I may “borrow” and utilize for my Chamber.”

“Do you want to have a great “Next Year?” Conduct a Planning Retreat. Start by convincing your Board of Directors that it is very important. Decide on what you can spend. You may even find a sponsor for your retreat. Find a location that is outside of your community but not too far to scare off participants. Locate a good facilitator that you can afford. I would recommend a Chamber professional that has conducted retreats before and has a strong background and reputation in Chamber Management. If you don’t know anyone to contact, just call me and worry about doing a better job of networking with your peers at a later date.”

“Good facilitators will make you look good! I hope you are having a great “Next Year.”

(Ed. Note: Tom Manskey can be reached at the Chamber at 936/634-6644, or emailed at tmanskey@lufkintexas.org. Tom and our own Jimmy have combined to present a one or two day retreat program that has Tom emphasizing management and Jimmy emphasizing membership. Tom works extensively with Texas and the mid-west Chambers. West Coast Chambers could contact another great facilitator, Steve Snyder, at 916/930-1241 for their retreat needs.)

TRIVIA DEPT: Think you know it all, gentlemen? Pull up this web site and try your luck.

http://www.chilliman.com/beer_

labels_frame.htm

CHECKING REFERENCES DEPT: The previous (someday I hope to get over the embarrassment) issue, we talked about getting references from companies with whom you may contract. What about new hires? Fortunately we were sent from Anne Williams, president of JobFinders Employment Service and member of the Columbia, MO Chamber, a 4 point list of to-do’s for hiring, with the emphasis on reference checking. Here it is:

“Knowing a person’s previous work habits is the most accurate way to predict a person’s future job performance. Thorough background checks that include investigation of employment references will enhance the “match” between employees and the company’s culture. According to Lois Vander Waerdt, JD, negligent hiring cases are being brought up in nearly all cities. Pre-hiring practices such as thorough reference checking should become a key part of any employer’s preventative law program.

v Inform all applicants that you check references. You can do this by posting a sign where all applicants will see it or by attaching a note to mailed applications. JobFinders applications include a signed statement giving us permission to secure references from previous employers, educational institutions, and personal contacts.

v Make getting the references the job applicant’s responsibility. During the interview, establish with the applicant who will be contacted for references. Ask the applicant to contact these references and ask them to speak freely when you or an outside firm follows up.

v Stay within the law when giving a reference. Give honest job references that stick to the facts and give enough information to avoid misleading prospective employers. Be sure the reference information is given in good faith and is factual, accurate, and job related. Do not let personal animosity ener into your reference. Everything said should be supported by personal experience or by written documentation.

v Consider contracting out these duties. Hiring an outside firm saves time and trouble. Professional reference checking can uncover much valuable information and is a task that can be comfortably outsourced.

CAUTION: Do not allow untrained employees to check references. Generally, they will not learn anything useful.”

(Ed. Note: to contact Anne Williams fo more great info, you can call her at 573/446-4250, or write her at JobFinders Empoyment Services, 1729 W. Broadway, Suite #4, Columbia, MO 65203.)

CLIENT QUOTE OF THE MONTH DEPT: “WOW!!!! We just 2002 Membership Event (the party was filmed, and parts were shown live on TV by our local station!)

Absolutely amazing stuff - we signed up 333 new members in 2 days. CAN

YOU BELIEVE IT? It was just awesome. I am in shock and exhausted, and I loved every minute of it. This town is so pumped up. All volunteers that walked out said how much fun they had and thanked us for asking them to participate. (How often does THAT happen???) If you have never used YOUR CHAMBER CONNECTION - I can tell you it is a SUPER program!”

Phyllis Hunt, President/CEO

Victoria (TX) Chamber of Commerce

GIVING IT ALL DEPT: We have all been to those meetings in which someone wants you to produce over 100 percent. How about achieving 103 percent? Here's a little math that might prove helpful in the future.

What makes life 100 percent?

If A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z can be represented

as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then,

H A R D W O R K

8 1 18 4 23 15 18 11 = 98% only

K N O W L E D G E

11 14 15 23 12 5 4 7 5 = 96% only

But,

A T T I T U D E

1 20 20 9 20 21 4 5 = 100%

However, B U L L S __ __ T

2 21 12 12 19 8 9 20 = 103%

Therefore, it stands to reason that hardwork and knowledge will get you close, BUT attitude and bulls_ _t will put you over the top.

NEW TAX LAWS DEPT: I asked our accounting firm to let us know how the tax laws might affect the individual members of Chambers, and here is what he sent us: . “Just a note to let you know that the $1.35 trillion Tax Relief Act of 2001, which has just been signed into law, creates many planning opportunities --and potential pitfalls-- for the average taxpayer. However, if you are above the average-with respect to assets, income, education expenses, retirement savings, or estate goals-you may face an even more complex array of tax planning options. The bottom line for most of our clients: Have a tax plan that remains flexible in order to take advantage of phased-in benefits when they happen, while not being locked into a strategy that forecloses an adequate response to future tax law changes. Here are some initial considerations in dealing with each of the major areas of tax relief provided by the Tax Relief Act:” “Most tax benefits under the new law don't come into effect immediately but are phased in gradually over a five to ten year period.” . “Tax cuts. By this time, you no doubt have received the "advance refund" check as the first part of the massive tax rate cuts. The payoff this year is miniscule compared to your potential tax savings over the next ten years. Immediate consideration should be given to accelerating deductions to offset income taxed at the higher rates and deferring income until it can be taxed at the lower rates.” . “Estate tax relief. The new tax law makes estate planning considerably more complicated over the next decade. Your present estate plans therefore should not be discarded, but they should be fine-tuned to take full advantage of the rising exemptions while protecting your heirs against steep estate and income tax consequences potentially on the horizon.” . “Child-related tax relief. The new tax law will eventually double the child tax credit from $500 to $1000. For 2001, however, there is only a $100 increase, and no taxpayer will get the full $1,000 per child credit until 2010. Other child-related relief, in the form of an increased adoption credit and a tax credit for employer-provided child care facilities, is also available.” . . “Marriage penalty relief. Marriage penalty relief -which doesn't start until 2005 -will eventually raise the standard deduction for married taxpayers to double that of single filers and expand the 15 percent bracket for joint filers. However, since most of our clients itemize their deductions rather than take the standard deduction, they will only share in half of the marriage penalty relief.” . “Education relief. A new $3,000 per year "above-the-line" college tuition deduction will be available starting in 2002, and will expand thereafter as will other education and IRA deductions.” . “Retirement savings/pension relief. Finally, you may want to revise your retirement savings plans since the new tax law allows considerably more tax-sheltered retirement savings. Other "reforms" will make it easier for small businesses to set up retirement plans for their employees.” . (Ed. Note: If you wish to discuss what tax strategies would be specifically appropriate to maximize your tax savings in light of the Tax Relief Act of 2001, or if you have any further questions regarding the impact that the new tax law will have upon your tax situation, check with your own CPA or give Marty Hawbaker of Lasky Hawbaker & Company of Dallas a call at 214/378-8111 or email Marty at mlh@laskyhawbaker.com. FYI , Lasky-Hawbacker has added a web site for anyone to prepare and efile his tax returns. It is www.2efileonline.com. The charge is minimal, and one click and it is on the way to the IRS.)

ALTERNATE WORDS DEPT: Here are some more great newly defined words.

Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon.

Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent

Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie.

Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

Gargoyle (n.), an olive-flavored mouthwash.

Flatulence (n.), the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

Circumvent (n.), the opening in the front of boxer shorts.

Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.

Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified demeanor assumed by a proctologist immediately before he examines you.

Pokemon (n), a Jamaican proctologist.

Have you visited our new and improved web site yet? Try it! We hope you like it. The Updates page has listed all our signed Events (so far!) through December as well as the results of past events. We’re at ………..

www.chamberconnect.com.