Do you broadcast fax? Be very careful as new regulations came into effect this August 25th. Associations, especially non-profit associations, are now required by law to obtain written permission to fax your members with informational materials (even if they requested it). A “signed permission form” must be on file from the individuals you are faxing. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Society of Association Executives, and other interested organizations and companies are doing their best to alter the regulations, but until then you are stuck with this part of the “Do Not Call” regulations. Check http://www.asenet.org/publicpolicy/FCC_FAX_FAQ/0,5195,,00..html for further info.

WOW! The questions were: How high is up? How high can we go?  How high can you go? It only took us another 2 weeks to raise the bar again. Round Rock, Texas brought in 442 new members in early May this year. Now Tyler, Texas brought in 464 new members and almost $115,000. We don’t know how many paid new members we can bring in for you in less than a week, but if you follow the YCC plan, who knows what record you can break!

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS DEPT: Do not cheat ... Just use your mind and see if you get it right. This really is a genuine psychological test. It is a story about a girl. While at the funeral of her own mother, she met a guy whom she did not know. She thought he was amazing, so perfectly her dream guy, that she fell in love with him then and there, but under the circumstances she hesitated to ask for his number and could not locate him afterward. A few days later the girl murdered her own sister. Question: What was her motive for killing her sister? Give this some thought for a while before you turn to the last page for the answer. Don't cheat and be as honest as possible.




RETREATS DEPT: Question: When is a Retreat not a Retreat?
Answer: When it is a “Badda Boom, Badda Bing Reality Check!” That’s what Chamber Executives are saying about Jimmy’s half-day sessions.
To quote one Chairman of the Board, “You brought just the right amount of enthusiasm to what is often a tedious task. Your presentation was insightful and enlightening. We were able to recognize our strengths and talk candidly about our weaknesses.”
That’s what Jimmy is about. He is not about to put butter on a cold piece of toast. In other words he is not going to tell you just what you want to hear.  He recognizes the areas that need work, and  will tell you why and how to improve them.
His program is direct and to the point, starting off with commitments: commitments from the board, the committee chairs, the volunteers, and finally the commitment of the community.
From there he goes on to your programs that need work, changing the community perception of the Chamber, working to increase membership, and finishing up with retention.
Sounds simple? It takes an experienced outsider to recognize your needs and express them in a way that makes you shake your head with recognition of, “He‘s right.”
Large Chamber, small Chamber; new Chamber, old Chamber; growing Chamber, declining Chamber. It makes no difference; you need to bring in Mr. Enthusiasm, the big mouth from NY, the dude with the city slicker suits, to set your board and your Chamber on the true path to future success.
Call 800/678-6241 and check for open dates.

RETENTION DEPT: “I am constantly reminded that recognition is the main source of motivation and inspiration for so very many people;” says Lorraine Deitchman, founder and president of Your    Chamber Connection.  
“Many years ago, when I was involved in sales and management training, all the research stated that more people left good jobs because of lack of recognition, not lack of money. Of course in today’s economy, money keeps a lot of people with their companies despite the frustrations they may feel from lack of recognition.
Recognition plays a huge role in volunteerism, influencing retention. We use this stratagem weekly working with Chamber volunteers. We used to ask Chambers to supply prizes to award to volunteers who made new member sales. No more! We recognize the volunteers for their hard work, in most cases, and sometimes
for their failures, with constant recognition and humor. They thrive on it.
It amazes me daily to see those with little confidence in their ability to tell and sell the Chamber story.  Those who rarely participate, given the right atmosphere, change from the caterpillars they were when they first walked into the room, into laughing and soaring butterflies, proudly telling all that they told and sold their Chamber of Commerce. I have had some come up to Jimmy or me and tell us, “You made me feel good about me.”
Let me tell you what top retention Chambers do right. They don’t just say thank you to their giving volunteers; they send them a note or an email telling them how much their Chamber appreciates their participation. If they really did more than expected, their boss gets a thank you letter for sending the Chamber volunteers that are professional in every way, well suited to represent their company.
Every Chamber that we work for appears to be understaffed, and that staff is underpaid. Recognition for them is important also. When they complete a successful (and usually stressful) project , why not invite them to a board meeting, to be recognized by and thanked by the board members. Often they have started work on the next project before the current project is completed. Why not reward them with an early quitting time on a Friday or dinner for two at a Chamber member restaurant. A story about their work in your newsletter is another way to stroke your staff.
Whether it is a volunteer or a staff member, recognition is at the heart of retention.




IT IS GETTING LATE DEPT: Just another friendly reminder. As we near the last quarter of 2003, the 1st two quarters of 2004 are being booked for Membership Events. If you are thinking of increasing your membership with us, please call soon. We don’t want to disappoint you or YCC.
 

PSYCHological TESTS DEPT: Answer: She was hoping that the guy would appear at the funeral again.. If you answered this correctly, you think like a psychopath. This was a test by a famous American psychologist used to test if one has the same mentality as a killer. Many arrested serial killers took part in this test and answered it correctly. If you didn't answer correctly - good for you. If your friends hit the jackpot, may I suggest that you keep your distance. If you got the answer correct, please let me know so I can take you off my e-mail list......unless that will tick you off. Then I'll just be extra nice to you from now on....