What is Your Chamber Doing for You?"
From the CEO’s Desk, January 2011
Debi Bray, President/Chief Executive Officer

GOOD MORNING MADERA

Starting this month we want to jump start your day with morning networking sessions.  Join us for a cup of coffee and breakfast along with the opportunity to network, generate leads, share expertise and develop relationships with other business people.  These breakfast sessions will also include brief presentations that will provide valuable information or maybe just a dose of humor and fun.  All sessions will include interactive discussions. 

These morning events will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end no later than 8:45 a.m.  Locations will vary.  Cost to attend will range from $10 - $15.00 per person. 

Information for our first Good Morning Madera will sent out to our members during the second week of February, so be watching and sign up early! 

SMISHING, PHISHING, AND SCAMMING

The best tool to avoid being a victim of fraud is to be aware of current scams. To keep you informed we often send alerts issued from a variety of trustworthy resources on recent fraud attempts. You can also check on our website, www.maderachamber.com  for the latest scam alerts submitted to us by the Better Business Bureau.  Please protect yourself by keeping up on these alerts and share them with your employees, friends, and family.

AMBASSADOR CORPS

Starting this month we will reactivate the Ambassador Corps.  The Ambassador Corps is the public relations team of the Madera Chamber of Commerce.  Monthly meeting and activities throughout the month are involved in being an active participant.  If you are interested in participating please contact me at the office.

SEEKING S.C.O.R.E. VOLUNTEERS

Our office has been working with Peter Fong of Central Valley SCORE in trying to develop a local Madera program.  Melissa Spencer of Iron Horse Development has recently signed on and is also working with us on this project.  If you are interested in becoming involved in this program for Madera, please contact me at the office for more information.

NOTE:  Debi can be contacted at the Chamber office, located at 120 North E Street, Madera by email dbray@maderachamber.com or phone (559) 673-3563.

Are You ADA Compliant?
From the CEO's Desk, December 2010
By Debi Bray, President/Chief Executive Officer
Madera District Chamber of Commerce

The last few months have brought dismay to many valley businesses, even here in Madera.  Most of you have probably heard the horror stories of the serial litigator and their plaintiffs making their way to businesses throughout our region and filing lawsuits for not being ADA compliant. In our world this just does not seem right that someone can enter your business unannounced, then turnaround, go to an attorney, and file a lawsuit against you for violations of these codes. Yet we are told it is legal and you are at a HUGE FINANCIAL RISK if you are not up-to-date on ADA codes… and the plaintiff and their attorneys will win in or out of court.

In response to this recent activity, the City and County of Madera held a workshop on December 1 to cover the subject of ADA compliance and provide information on recent legal activity. The presenter, Rebecca Hellwig, Director of Business Partnering, Lars Andersen & Associates, Inc., did an outstanding job.

Most of you may feel you are ADA compliant but one of the key points presented at this workshop were the misconceptions of businesses thinking they are compliant.  Further discussed was why many don’t think they could/would be served with a complaint, and if so, what basis they thought they had which would allow them to avoid a lawsuit and the costly impacts that go along with it.  Due to the content of the presentation I became frightfully aware of the small turnout of businesses. More frightening was how to make sure that the business community is very much aware of the recent activity and the critical need to understand whether you are in compliance or not. 

The laws were written to provide accessibility to all.  I believe we want this as well.  It is something we all can understand. But I cannot understand how there are people out there though that would take advantage of you for financial gain, but they are out there.  So I cannot express my concern enough to you of the consequences that you could face in brushing this issue off to the side to consider another day or thinking it would not happen to you. There are a number of local businesses and businesses throughout the valley that have/are experiencing some even tougher financial times because of this serial litigator and their “plaintiffs”. 

Your Chamber works hard on keeping you informed of new laws and ongoing regulations. Prevention is the best measure. Our office will continue to work with local agencies and businesses to keep you informed on this.  We also need to continue working with our legislators to oppose this as a gainful means of profit for lawyers and focus on the true purpose of the ADA laws.

As a result of this workshop I also plan to discuss with local agencies, programming for our businesses on this matter for assistance. For now, take all of this into consideration and protect yourself, and provide accessibility as outlined by the law.

Following are links for additional information, I encourage you to check them on a continuous basis. These links will also be posted to our website. 

ADA SENATE BILL 1608

LARS ANDERSEN & ASSOCIATES, INC.  ADA RESOURCES

To get further information on the workshop in particular, visit the link for Lars Andersen & Associates, Inc. as shown below.

Lars Anderson & Associates, Inc. Accessibility Blog –
http://larsandersenassociates.wordpress.com

For additional ADA resources:

For additional questions or information, please contact me at the Chamber office (559) 673-3563.

THANK YOU, CHAMBER

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated all that you did to make our ribbon cutting/open house a resounding success.  Your tireless attention to the details made the afternoon and evening a most pleasant experience for all of our staff, vendors and clients who attended.  Thanks so much for your efforts on our behalf.

Sincerely, Michael Purl

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Leisure Group Travel, the leading group travel magazine, has announced its 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards.  In the Tour Operator category, Collette Vacations scored Platinum.  “Our readers are group travel planners, and this annual preference poll shines the spotlight on businesses that go out of their way to accommodate group travelers,” said Randy Mink, managing editor of Leisure Group Travel.

Better Business Bureau Names New CEO

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central California announced on January 26, that Blair Looney has been hired as the new president and chief executive officer for the organization, effective immediately.  Looney succeeds Douglas Broten who recently retired after 25 years as the head of the BBB office.

Central Valley Community Bancorp Included in Sandler O’Neill’s List of 2011 Top Stock Investment Ideas

The Board of Directors of Central Valley Community Bancorp (Company) (NASDAQ: CVCY), the parent company of Central Valley Community Bank, is pleased to report that the investment banking firm Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. has listed the Company’s stock in their 2011 Top Investment Ideas report, released January 6, 2011. The Company was previously included in their 2010 Top Investment Ideas report.

Congratulations to Mohammad Arain, MD, General Surgeon

The Fresno-Madera Medical Society held its Installation and Awards Banquet on November 10 at Roger Rocka’s Music Hall.  Dr. Arain was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  He has shown his commitment to community service both locally and internationally, while exhibiting the highest ethical and moral standard and love for fellow human beings.

Two Local Commercial Businesses Receive Their “Outstanding Commercial Recycling Awards” From City of Madera and Allied Waste Services

Two local businesses, Thomas Products, LLC, (TPI) a specialty premix feed manufacture for animal, livestock, and aquaculture industry and John Bean Technologies Corporation, (JBT FoodTech) an industry leader in the manufacture of food processing Better Business Bureau Names New CEO

The Torch is Passed

Janis Armstrong, Heartland Chief Executive and Financial Officer, leaves Heartland Opportunity Center in the hands of Kristy Anderson, new CEO.  Armstrong retired after 32 years service on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.

EXCERPTS/RESOURCES FROM ARCHIVED NEWSLETTER MESSAGES

• NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY - Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the North For Rancheria's Proposed 305-Acre Trust Acquisition and Hotel/Casino Project, Madera County, California

• GRAFFITI PROGRAM - ENGLISH

• GRAFFITI PROGRAM - SPANISH

• BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN

• BIA PR APR08