Eugene Oregon Events

The A Champion in Education (ACE) Awards program is a collaborative effort between the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce and the Eugene, Bethel, and Springfield School Districts with support from local businesses. The purpose of the ACE Awards is to recognize excellence in education among local teachers, administrators, classified staff and volunteers while reinforcing the important connection between education, business and a healthy local economy.

Twelve awards are presented each year with winners receiving a $1,000 monetary award for a project or program in their school. Winners are also honored at an elegant event at the Hult Center in Eugene on Thursday, May 6th. Over the past four years local schools have received over $45,000 through this program.

How can you support this program?

·         Nominate a deserving local educator

·         Participate as a Supporting Sponsor

·         Attend the event

Call Kim Clark, Events Manager at (541) 242-2354 or e-mail kimc@eugenechamber.com for more information.

The ACE Awards wouldn’t be possible without the support of local businesses including our 5th annual presenting sponsor Oregon Community Credit Union, reception sponsor Pacific Source Health Plans, nomination software sponsor All Academic, and supporting sponsors SELCO Community Credit Union, brass/Media Inc., Horace Mann Insurance, and Hamilton Construction.
 

Join FireMed, Mac’s Catering and Parties to Go for a memorable networking experience at one of Eugene’s best kept secrets – the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Attend the Business After Hours on March 18th and learn about FireMed, check out the event facilities at the Vet’s Club, enjoy a smorgasbord of mouth-watering cuisine by Mac’s Catering and ambiance created by Parties to Go.

Register online at the Chamber’s website.

Nine months after it was enacted, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 went into effect on Feb. 22, 2010, granting credit card holders new consumer protection rights.

This information, supplied by the Better Business Bureau, recommends that all consumers review the new provisions set forth by the Credit CARD Act of 2009:

More Notice for New Interest Rate Changes. Card issuers must give cardholders 45-days advance notice in the event of an interest rate change. Additionally, promotional rates must apply for at least six months and, unless disclosed up front, cardholders cannot have their rate increased in the first year.

Cardholder Opt-Out.  If there are significant changes made to the terms of the account, cardholders can choose to reject those changes and will have five years to pay off the balance under the original terms.

Older Age Restrictions Added. Card issuers are no longer allowed to issue a credit card to anyone under 21 unless they can prove they have the means to repay debt or if an adult over 21 co-signs on the account. Credit card companies also face new restrictions on how they can promote cards to college students and can no longer offer free gifts as enticements on campuses.

New Rules for Monthly Statements. In response to complaints that bill due dates were being moved up—and leading to increased late fees—monthly statements must now be mailed or delivered 21 days prior to the due date. Additionally, card issuers can no longer set a payment deadline before 5 p.m. and cannot charge cardholders if they pay online, over the phone or by mail—unless the payment is made over the phone either on the due date or the previous day.

Overpayments Go Toward Highest Interest Balances. If the cardholder has varied interest rates for different services or accounts, any overpayments must be applied to the account that is incurring the highest interest rate.

Over the Limit Opt-In. Cardholders must opt-in to be able to exceed their credit limit—and subsequently be charged an over-limit fee by the issuer. If a cardholder chooses not to opt-in, then he or she will not be able to exceed their credit limit and incur any resultant fees.

Increased Disclosure on Minimum Payments. Card issuers must disclose how long it will take the cardholder to pay off their bill if they only pay the minimum monthly payment as well as how much the cardholder would need to pay every month to pay off the balance in 36 months.

Say Goodbye to Double-Billing Cycles. When calculating finance charges, card issuers can no longer employ two-cycle or double billing—a method that causes cardholders to pay interest on previously paid balances.

For a comprehensive summary of new consumer protections through the Credit CARD Act of 2009, click here.

Have you joined us for Chamber 101 yet? Chamber 101 is held once a month for members wanting to learn how to receive the best return on their membership investment. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other members and learn more about Chamber benefits. The next orientation will be held Thursday, Mar. 18 from 12-1:15 PM at the Eugene Chamber office located at 1401 Willamette Street. Space is limited so please RSVP to Stephanie Saiz at stephanies@eugenechamber.com. For a complete schedule, visit the Chamber Events calendar at www.EugeneChamber.com.
 

As part of its on-going effort to support entrepreneurship and innovation in the region, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is producing the Willamette Angel Conference, an investor conference, connecting early stage and seed businesses with angel and venture investors.  Entrepreneurs and start-ups can submit their business plans for review and coaching, ultimately vying for a minimum $125,000 investment.  The event is set for May 13, 2010 at the historic McDonald Theatre in Eugene. The Chamber is currently accepting business plan submissions from emerging growth companies, headquartered in Oregon, seeking between $200,000 and $2 million in investment capital.

Click here to learn more or to submit your company’s plan before midnight, Feb 16th in order to take advantage of the Early-Bird discount.

Join the Eugene Greeters during the month of February for business and social networking and a chance to learn more about area businesses and events including:

2/12 Alyssa Barth: "Princess for a Day" with the Lane County Foster Group - designed to be a gift for nearly 200 foster children in the community.

2/19 Bev Smith: Kidsports – Children and Families Understanding the Value of Physical Fitness, Sportsmanship and Teamwork.

2/26 Jeannie Staton: How Business Success, Career Achievements and Contributions to the Community Made Her the 2009 Women Business Leader of the Year.

The Eugene Greeters meet every Friday morning at Mallard Hall from 7:30 – 9AM. Learn more.
 

Recently the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce received the City’s Community Recognition Award for two separate categories. The Community Recognition Award, a standard based on the goals of City Council, is awarded once a year to a group or organization that advocates and supports goals set out by the City Council. For their hard work and contribution to the drafting of form based code for the Walnut Station Node, the Chamber, along with the University of Oregon and the Fairmount Neighbors Association, received the Community Recognition Award for contributing to “Effective, Accountable Municipal Government.”

In a partnership with Downtown Eugene Incorporated, the Chamber received the Community Recognition Award, recognizing their commitment to making Eugene a safe place to live and work. For the downtown guides; a Chamber-sponsored program, we are honored to accept this year’s Community Recognition Award for contributing to a “Safe Community.” We are pleased to have the opportunity to help improve safety in Eugene.

We would like to give a special thanks to Tim Campbell, Bruce Mulligan, and Gary Wildish, from the Chamber’s Local Government Affairs Council, who spent hours working through the various aspects of the draft code language to ensure that developers will have the leeway they need in order to build, and existing businesses are protected in their current locations.
 

EUGENE – Geffan Pearlson, a senior at South Eugene High School, was named Eugene’s Future First Citizen for 2009 by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year the chamber honors six area high school students who have made outstanding contribution to the community and their respective schools.

As a National Honor Society member and team leader, one of Geffen Pearlson’s roles is to encourage community service among her peers. Students at South Eugene High School get plenty of real-life encouragement, as Geffen is a student who models the saying: “Lead by example!” At Centro Latino Americano, Geffen uses her Spanish-speaking skills to do translation for Latino families seeking jobs and birth and marriage certificates. She also volunteers for the Eugene Middle East Peace Group, organizing events, providing childcare, and giving speeches at programs promoting peace in the Middle East.

As involved as Geffen has been on issues of community and international importance she also has worked on peer education, which she says has taught her “the value of respecting people from all different backgrounds.” Geffen’s volunteerism and her gifts for language have meant she has, as a high school student, given mightily back to her local community. But as Geffen speaks English, Hebrew, Arabic, and Spanish, her college plans include the study of international relations and conflict resolution in the hopes that she may continue that contribution on a larger level, working as a diplomat to engage world leaders and international communities in peaceful resolutions to international strife.

The other candidates for Future First Citizen were Moira Cary, Marist; Lindsey Swensen, Willamette; Amber Lengele, Churchill; Oresta Tolmach, Sheldon; and Lisa Hiura, North Eugene. All candidates received scholarships whose funds were given by past Eugene First Citizens and KeyBank, sponsor of the chamber’s Celebration of Business 2010. The awards were presented at the chamber’s annual Celebration of Business on Wednesday, January 20.
 

Making international sales is challenging enough without having to worry about getting paid. Sometimes buyers demand credit can expose your company to commercial and political risks. Sometimes buyers simply default and leave your company with a loss.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank - www.exim.gov), the official export credit agency of the United States government, can substantially reduce the risk of nonpayment. Without this worry, your company can enter new markets and increase its international sales with confidence. In fact, Ex-Im Bank’s export credit insurance can cover your risk in over 150 countries.

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a roundtable with Ex-Im Bank representative, Jim Lucchesi at 10am on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Chamber offices (1401 Willamette St.).  Mr. Lucchesi will explain how this agency's products can help your company enter new markets and increase sales in existing markets by:

• Extending credit terms to your foreign buyers and minimize nonpayment risks
• Obtaining working capital financing to fulfill sales orders
• Protecting your balance sheet from nonpayment risk

The program is free and you can register here, or by calling the Chamber at 484-1314.

If you wish to meet privately with Mr. Jim Lucchesi, please respond with your contact information ASAP to Dana Shannon at Business Oregon. You can reach Dana by e-mail dana.shannon@state.or.us or tel: 503-229-6053.
 

Over the past ten years the Eugene Chamber Economic Forecast event has become the region’s most comprehensive economic outlook conference each year featuring a panel of leading economists along with local experts presenting insights and predictions on the economic future for the region for the year ahead. This year’s event is set for Wednesday, Feb. 3rd at the Eugene Hilton and Conference Center. Set for 2:30-5pm, this year’s event will feature three components:

• Joe Cortright, President and principal economist for Impresa, a Portland consulting firm specializing in regional economic analysis, innovation and industry clusters will offer insights into community and university collaboration in economic development.
• Timothy A. Duy, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Director, Oregon Economic Forum, Department of Economics, University of Oregon and author of the University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators will offer his insights into the economic future of the region.
• The event will conclude with the well-known economist panel of experts offering predictions on what’s to come in 2010 including: Bill Conerly, economist and financial consultant; Tom Potiowsky, former state economist; Brian Rooney, local economist for Oregon Employment Department; Timothy A. Duy, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Director, Oregon Economic Forum, Department of Economics, University of Oregon Ed Whitelaw, president of ECONorthwest; and John Mitchell, M&H Economic Consultants of Portland,

Chamber member costs include $450 Table for 10 - Preferred Seating; $40 Individual seat at table (non-reserved); $30 Individual seat - theater style. Non member costs $50 Individual seat at table or $40 Individual seat - theater style.

Economic Forecast is sponsored by Oregon Community Credit Union and Providence Health Plan. Register now.

Poet Rita Dove summed it up well when she said, “There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.”

When it comes to the topic of public safety in downtown and other commercial districts, a good part of the community dialogue often focuses on what is going wrong. In this issue of Open for Business we focus on the actions of business leaders who are facing the public safety challenges in their respective commercial districts. Examples of what is going right.

There is no denying the public safety challenges in downtown and other commercial districts. As a member of the Downtown Safety Task Team, a group of downtown and community interests formed to develop recommendations to city leadership, I helped identify four main areas that contribute to the problems in the city core, many of which could, at one time or another, could have applied to either the University District or Midtown area. They are:

• A lack of consequences for criminal behavior because of an inadequate police presence downtown and a shortage of jail beds, which served as a sanction for criminal activity.
• The presence of behaviors ranging from illegal to obnoxious.
• The lack of a cohesive, coordinated downtown public safety plan, including resources such as staff, facilities and treatment.
• The debilitated state of many physical spaces in the downtown (e.g., empty storefronts, dark corners), which invite illegal activities.

These are significant challenges. At the same time, there are positive stories to tell about how business and property owners have stepped up to address public safety challenges:

• Businesses in the downtown formed a special services district more than a decade ago, voluntarily agreeing to tax themselves to create resources to fund, through Downtown Eugene, Inc., the Downtown Guides, graffiti abatement and other strategies to make downtown clean and safe.
• University District businesses also formed a special services district to fund a portion of a police officer dedicated to providing community policy services in the district, West University Guides and more. Over the last decade the collaborative efforts of the University Small Business Association (USBA), the City of Eugene, University of Oregon and PeaceHealth Oregon Region have made significant strides in turning around a significant public safety challenge in the commercial district adjoining the University.

Through commitment, collaboration and good strategic thinking, I am confident that as a community we can make a difference in our downtown. The business community, through the Chamber and Downtown Eugene, Inc., has and will continue to move beyond complaining and, instead, actively participate in finding solutions to the public safety challenges in our commercial districts.

Dave Hauser is president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. As the area’s leading business advocate, the Chamber works to create an environment in which business will thrive. The Chamber works with partners in business, government and education to improve the quality of life for local residents.

The Joint Elected Officials, including the Lane County Commissioners, Eugene City Council, and Springfield City Council, recently voted to send the issue of a functional consolidation to the respective city councils for public input and council discussion. While both the Eugene and Springfield city councils expressed general support for the cost savings and increased efficiencies that could come of such a move, both are looking for feedback from citizens, and an opportunity to explore the best process for merging administrative functions. Unless schedules change, the Eugene City Council will consider this issue in January.
 
The Eugene Chamber has weighed in supporting proposal for cooperative services increases, or a form of merger between the Eugene Fire Department and Springfield Fire and Life Safety. Regardless what form the merger takes, the Eugene Chamber believes the increased collaboration will deliver an improved level of services and cost savings to improve overall community safety and free up funds for other essential services long term.

Independent consultants and fire department staff have estimated cost savings and cost avoidance that could add up to a total of $850,000 in savings annually through streamlined administration and staff attrition. The Eugene Chamber of Commerce in the past has congratulated Fire Chiefs Dennis Murphy and Randy Groves for thinking outside the box to try to best serve their communities and the region; while it is still early in the process, the city councils are to be commended for their willingness to take steps forward in considering these new methods of service delivery, and we encourage them to continue searching for cost savings and improved efficiencies. 

The Mayor and City Council can be contacted at mayorandcc@ci.eugene.or.us to express support for the consolidation.   

The full background and report can be found HERE.
 

John Sheppard, owner of Sheppard Motors, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2009 First Citizen Award. Sheppard will receive the award at the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Celebration of Business on January 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Hilton Eugene & Conference Center.

The First Citizen Award is given annually to an individual who made notable contributions to our community through business and community service efforts. The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce has presented the award each year since 1938. Sheppard was selected by a panel of former First Citizen honorees.

John Sheppard has been owner and partner of Sheppard Motors since 1972. Sheppard has long dedicated his time to the community, including serving as Chair of the Board of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce in 1990. He’s been a major supporter and contributor to the Rotary Duck Race for the past 15 years in an effort to help fight child abuse in Lane County. Sheppard has been a large supporter of the Arts, including the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Opera, The Shedd Institute, and the Oregon Bach Festival.

• The Celebration of Business is one of the area’s premier professional events, with over 650 business and community leaders in attendance each year.
• The event includes celebrating the Future First Citizen: local high school students at top of their class pursuing their dreams as well as the best interests of others.
• Recognition of extraordinary Chamber volunteers, our Shining Stars.

Contact the Eugene Chamber of Commerce at 541-484-1314 for reservations. Tickets are $75 each, which includes dinner and the evening program.
 

This holiday season look no further than downtown Eugene for the perfect place to enjoy the holiday spirit. Downtown Eugene Inc., the Eugene Chamber and the City of Eugene are bundling up all of the seasonal events downtown and wrapping them up in one big, festive package.
 
There will be events and seasonal goodies for all ages! Theaters, including The Actors Cabaret and The Shedd, will host live performances of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The David Minor Theater will show holiday-themed movies, including the old favorite, It’s A Wonderful Life. High school choirs will perform holiday carols before select events, and the Hult Center will feature live performances of The Nutcracker. Downtown Eugene is the season’s destination this year, with lights, music, movies, live shows and lots of shopping and dining.

To make it even more convenient, the City of Eugene is offering FREE parking downtown from now through New Year’s Day. A total of ninety-four parking spaces will be clearly marked to indicate that parking is free for ninety minutes between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The holiday free parking program expands current free parking options downtown. Free parking is always available on the weekends and for the first hour on weekdays in the City’s downtown parking garages, except during signed events. Come be a part of the fun, the hustle and bustle, and the holiday spirit this month in downtown Eugene.
 

On January 1st, 2010, a law will go into effect that requires building owners to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available on the premises. The law affects facilities over 50,000 square feet where business is conducted AND twenty-five or more people will congregate or pass through in the course of the day. Note that this requirement pertains to building owners, not tenants. Private residences and places of worship are exempt.  Training is not required, nor are exact locations within a facility specified.
 
AEDs are portable electronic devices that can automatically diagnose and treat cardiac arrest. They are designed for use by a layperson. Most models cost between $1,000 and $2,500.

For more information, or to learn how to acquire an AED, businesses can contact the Health & Safety Institute. Health and Safety Institute provides AEDs and AED training, and is providing a special discount through December 31st to those businesses who mention “Oregon AED”. Contact HSI  through their AED webpage, www.hsi.com/oregonaed or call 541-284-3898 to speak to client services about the Oregon AED special.