Membership Services

Oregon Businesses to Receive Workers' Compensation Dividend

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Membership Team

SAIF Corp., which runs Oregon’s state-chartered workers' compensation system, will soon mail $100 million in dividend checks to 44,000 current and former customers. Employers whose policies ended or renewed during 2008 will receive the dividend, which will total between 20 and 25 percent of that year’s premiums. Checks will be mailed the week of April 12th.

Did you know that Eugene Chamber members are eligible to receive a discount (currently 7%) off their workers' compensation policy with SAIF? Contact your insurance provider to see if you qualify.

New Credit Card Regulations Go Into Effect

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Membership Team

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.

Get the most out of membership

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Membership Team

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.

Greeters Programming in February

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 by Membership Team

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.

IMAGES EUGENE

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 by Membership Team

Images Eugene offers opportunities for local businesses to gain exposure through print and online advertising avenues. Distributed throughout the year and available online at all times, Images Eugene provides relevant community information, highlights Eugene’s progressive business climate and showcases the region’s quality of place while also reinforcing advertiser credibility.

View the current online edition of Images Eugene at imageseugene.com.

For more information on becoming a part of Images Eugene contact Brian Sutton at (541) 484-1314, Toll-free at (800) 333-8842 or by e-mail at bsutton@jnlcom.com.

Happy New Year From the Staff of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce!

Friday, January 1, 2010 by Membership Team

The staff of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to:

Providing promotion and networking opportunities for our members,
Advancing responsible economic development projects, and
Advocating for business-friendly public policy

for the Eugene/Springfield business community in the coming new year.

Happy New Year!

Help Create Nuturing Environments with Cirque de Famille

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by Membership Team

If you saw the Profile about Birth To Three and David and Tracie Gonyea in November’s “Open For Business,” you also saw the Chamber in action.

Birth To Three is a recipient of “Chamber Cares,” the Chamber’s initiative to help area non-profits. Birth To Three was one of several selected. Each recipient is receiving support via a spotlight in Open For Business, inclusion in the monthly all-member mailing, and placement of a poster in the Chamber lobby.

Birth To Three’s executive director, Minalee Saks, says, “Any increase in donations in times of economic stress means Birth To Three will be better able to maintain parenting programs, thus continuing to help local families create the nurturing environment all children should have.”

Opportunities include the annual campaign and business sponsorships of Cirque de Famille. Learn more about Birth To Three at http://www.birthto3.org or on Facebook.

Marilyn Milne

Communications Director

Birth To Three

birthto3.org

541-434-4356

More for your Membership

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 by Membership Team

We are excited to announce that your investment in the Eugene Chamber may now provide you with even more of an immediate return. Through our partnership with SAIF Corporation, your organization may now be eligible to receive a 7% discount on your workers’ compensation premiums. This is an increase of 3% over the previous year. To find out if your organization is eligible, contact your SAIF representative or independent insurance agent.

Top Ten Reasons to Nominate Your Company (or a company you know) for the Eugene Emerald Awards

Monday, July 27, 2009 by Membership Team

Your business could be featured in our Open for Business magazine.
The awards ceremony is a night of celebration you won’t want to miss!
The Emerald Award will look great in your lobby (and promote stimulating conversation about your business).
See your company’s name along other reputable award nominees.
It’s a chance to get positive public relations (at no charge) and earn bragging rights!
You don’t want your competitor to win, do you?
Boost morale among your staff and help to entice new employees to join your business.
Customers/suppliers want to do business with businesses that have a good reputation.
Enhance the image of all businesses in the community.
Your business deserves to be honored for its accomplishments and contributions to our community!

"‘Even though this is a local event, we received calls from people out of the area. We live in more of an international community than most people think. A distributor from the Middle East made contact with us because of the award we received. Having the award is great, we display it at trade shows that we go to and people actually ask us about it. Our investors were really excited when we won the award." Mark Champion, HydraCool, Inc.

Family Business in Motion

Sunday, July 26, 2009 by Membership Team

Calling all family businesses! The Austin Family Business Program at Oregon State University is seeking entries into their 2009 photo contest "Family Business in Motion." Photograph your "family business in motion" and enter the contest by August 14th. See familybusinessonline.org for rules, registration and entry information or call 800-859-7609.

Eugene Ranks Least Expensive

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 by Membership Team

The fifteenth annual Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey (Survey) has been released by the Rose Institute of State & Local Government at Claremont McKenna College. The Survey reports that many California cities continue to be some of the most expensive locations in which to own and operate a business in the United States.

The 2009 Survey provides a complete ranking of 411 cities across the country in terms of their relative cost to business, and divides this ranking into five groups called "Cost Ratings." The Cost Ratings are categorized as Very Low Cost ($), Low Cost ($$), Average Cost ($$$), High Cost ($$$$), and Very High Cost ($$$$$).

The ten most expensive cities in 2009, in alphabetical order are Akron, OH; Chicago, IL; Jersey City, NJ; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ. The ten least expensive cities in 2009, in alphabetical order are: Austin, TX; Cheyenne, WY; Dallas, TX; Eugene, OR; Everett, WA; Fort Worth, TX; Gresham, OR; Houston, TX; Portland, OR; and Reno, NV.

Nominate a Top Local Business - Eugene Emerald Awards

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 by Membership Team

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2009 Emerald Awards. The Emerald Awards is as program honoring businesses in the Eugene/Springfield area that contribute to our community’s vitality and quality of life by implementing sustainable business practices. Those practices include significant financial, social and environmental contributions to the community.

The awards recognize winners and finalists in categories that represent the core principles of sustainability: growth, community caring, environmental values and innovation. A Business of the Year award will exemplify each of the preceding categories.

The Emerald Awards provide businesses with recognition for their accomplishments and positive exposure among customers, employees, other stakeholders and community members/leaders. The awards program will culminate in an elegant awards ceremony.

So if you know of a deserving business, do it the honor of nominating it in one or more of the categories at www.theemeraldawards.org. And if you think your business should be consider for the honor, don't wait for someone else to nominate your company, nominate it yourself!

What Makes a Memorable Teacher?

Friday, June 12, 2009 by Membership Team

Most of us have a teacher or mentor that we look back on as being an influential person in our life. We recently asked several Chamber committee/council chairs to share the reason why that person was so influential and/ or memorable.

I have three in this community: My DAD, for love of his kids, outside of the box thinking and creativity; Alan Evans for his patience and guidance and Linda Korth for her poise, and to "read what is not there" in documents.Tim Campbell, Broker, Campbell Commercial Real Estate, Local Government Affairs Council Chair

My most influential teacher was Clair Wiles at North Eugene High School. She shared stories of traveling the world and seeing new places and all of the adventures she had while in the United States Navy. She encouraged me to get out and see the world. To this day she has continued pushing me to do great things!Jonathan Driskill, Account Manager, Ambient, Inc., Membership Council Chair

Mrs. Nesith was my fourth grade math teacher. She made us do times tables over and over again. I hated it at the time, but it is a skill I use every day. Thank you! Eric Forrest, Co-President, MLF Group LLC,Chair of the Chamber Board 2009-1010

Mrs. Cope influenced me with her gracious way of maintaining control in her classroom. Often I heard, "Bonnie, is there something you like to share with the entire class?" Lesson learned: Less is More! Bonnie B. Larson, Director of Marketing, SELCO Community Credit Union,Women Business Leaders Chair

Mike Alley taught math and coached football at Serra HS in Salem. He was great at math, but we learned the best lessons from him on the practice field. He gained a respect from his players on the field that made us want to learn in the classroom. Kip Much, Public Affairs, NW Natural, Past Chair, Leadership Eugene-Springfield Steering Committee

My energetic junior year high school English teacher, Mrs. Dall. She played "Another Brick in the Wall" on the first day of class and was always encouraging us to think creatively. Sarah-Kate Sharkey, Associate Director, CASA of Lane County,Young Professionals Network Chair

Who was your most memorable teacher and why?

Creating Opportunities

Thursday, June 11, 2009 by Membership Team

Pearl Buck Center's Production Services was always well known for its processing, packaging and mailing services. But since its move to a new facility on 1st Avenue, Production Services has greatly expanded its programs and increased its production capacity.

The move prompted Production Services to bring in equipment that required a more technical skill set to operate and provided the space necessary to expand entire processes, such as woodworking and organic food packaging. The new configuration of space and process capability has expanded the spectrum of skill-level for Pearl Buck Center's clients with disabilities to apply themselves.

"Everybody has a particular skill-set within the full spectrum of ability. Our formula, regardless of who it is, is to create aides and technology and provide the proper training to enhance the skill-set," explains David Heggestad, Director of Adult and Production Services. "This way everyone becomes more productive, gets rewarded better, and can feel more fulfilled."

Production Services is now pleased to offer seven areas of production:

Processing: includes sorting, counting, weighing, labeling, packaging, pickup and delivery of products.

Packaging: box, shrink-wrap or clamshell products for delivery or shipping.

Processing Mail: folding, collating, tabbing, labeling and metering at competitive rates, from cards to parcels.

Woodshop: cut, shape, or construct a variety of wood products from rough to finished carpentry.

Metal shop: cut, grind, weld, shape and fabricate steel needs.

CNC Machine: the HAAS Series 2 vertical milling machine fabricates metals into almost any shape for almost any purpose.

Food Packaging: separate 'clean room' that is certified organic for packaging of herbs, spices and mixes.

"We take great pride in providing our customers with the highest quality products and services," says Heggestad. "We can save our customers time and money while providing a quality product at competitive prices."

Heggestad reminds us that when companies contract with Pearl Buck Center's Production Services, they contribute to the success of our more vulnerable citizens.

Call David Heggestad, Director of Adult & Production Services at 484-4666 or email david.heggestad@pearlbuckcenter.com

Or Robert Beam, Business Manager at 484-4666. Email at rbeam@pearlbuckcenter.com

Learning, Growing and Changing since 1968.

Fourteen Join Area's Largest Business Organization

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 by Membership Team

Welcome to these new members who joined the Eugene Chamber in May:

CC Consulting, Inc.
Business management consulting
carolineineugene@gmail.com

Futurity First Insurance Group
Insurance and financial services
www.futurityfirst.com

Green-Eyed Girl Productions
Wedding and event coordinating
www.greeneyedgirlevents.com

Hitch Pro & Tow, Inc.
Trailer hitches
www.hitchpro.org

Image King Signs
Sign manufacturing
www.imagekingsigns.com

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Lane County
Plumbing drains and sewer cleaning
www.mrrooter.com/lane

Oregon Club of Eugene-Springfield
Non-profit organization
www.oregonclub.org

Pacific Pallet, Inc.
Pallets and skids
Phone: 541-688-2887

REI
Outdoor clothing and equipment
www.rei.com/stores/43

Securitas Security Services USA
Security and guard services
www.securitasinc.com

Sipping Dreams
Drinking chocolate
www.sippingdreams.com

Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
Full service brokerage and investment firm
www.stifel.com

The ‘wich House
Great sandwiches – open breakfast & lunch
840 Willamette St. in Eugene

The BoxMaker
Package Design and development
www.boxmaker.com

Welcome to These new Members who Joined the Eugene Chamber in April

Friday, May 22, 2009 by Membership Team

Aspin Daga Casa LLC
Adult day care for people with Alzheimer’s disease
www.aspindagacasa.com

Axxiom Franchise Advisors
Franchise advisor/business consultant
www.axxiomfranchiseadvisors.com/kgoodwin

Wendy J. Baker, Attorney at Law
Employment law focusing on employers
www.employerlaw.org

Concentric Sky, Inc.
Internet products & software
www.concentricsky.com

Dougherty Landscape Architects
Creating inspired spaces
www.DLAdesign.com

FedEx Ground and Home Delivery
Delivery service
www.fedex.com

Fetch! Pet Care of NW Eugene
Pet services
www.fetchpetcare.com

Field to Table Private Dining & Catering
Catering with an emphasis on locally grown foods
www.fieldtotablecatering.com

Goldworks Jewelry Art Studio
Custom jewelry designers
www.goldworksart.com

King Medical Supply
Medical equipment & supplies
www.kingmedical.qpg.com

Network Charter School
Alternative community school
www.networkcharterschool.org

Northwest Greenways, Inc.
Landscape contractor
Phone: 541-998-8700

State Farm – Coulbourne Insurance
Insurance & financial services
www.michaelcoulbourne.net

The District
Coffee house & night club
www.thedistricteugene.com

Tracy and Keim Chiropractic
Chiropractic physicians
www.eugenechiropractor.com

Marketing Your Business in Tough Economic Times

Friday, May 1, 2009 by Membership Team

The Chamber recently asked member marketing and public relations firms to send us tips for businesses to consider when marketing themselves during these economic times. We share some of those tips with you here.

Don’t be timid: Spread the word about your product/service. Now’s the time to increase your marketing. If you don’t have money to spend, make your employees and customers your ambassadors. And toot your own horn.

Keep everyone in the loop: Keep your employees well-informed about business conditions, as they are your front line marketers/brand ambassadors.

Stay focused: Stay focused on what truly differentiates your services and products. Thoughtful strategy that produces sustainable value to your client – even after the "crisis" is past – will cement client relationships and build your brand in a way that a one-time price cut can’t.

Market for the long-term: Ensure that marketing is a long-term effort. Starting stopping, doing a little here a little there, is a failed policy. You might as well host a company BBQ and burn money instead of charcoal.

Welcome New Chamber Members

Sunday, April 19, 2009 by Membership Team

Welcome to the following local businesses who joined the

Eugene Chamber, the largest business organization in the Eugene/Springfield area, during the month of March.

Adverteising Products & Promotions
Advertising specialties
www.adverteisingproducts.com

BikeLane Coalition
Regional transportation options program
www.bikelanecoalition.org

Ron Burley, LLC
Consumer Advocate/Author
ron@ronburley.com

Crawford Windor, Inc.
Garage doors & openers
Phone: 342-2823

Eugene Public Library Foundation
Raises funds to provide resources for the Library
www.eplfoundation.org

Representative Nancy Nathanson
Individual membership
http://www.leg.state.or.us/nathanson

Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity
Affordable housing
www.sehabitat.org

Have you been laid off from your job?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 by Membership Team

Lane Community College in collaboration with Lane Workforce Partnership, United Way and the Employment Department are hosting a Training and Community Resources Expo for laid off workers.

The expo is set to take place this Thursday, April 16 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Lane Community College’s Center for Meeting and Learning, 4000 E. 30th Ave., Eugene.

Representatives from Lane Community College’s various training programs along with members from Pioneer Pacific College, Northwest Christian University, Linfield College, IITR Truck Driving School and more will be onsite to help workers explore career options and training opportunities within Lane County as well as provide information on local community resources for workers and their families.

If you cannot attend this Thursday’s event and would like information on employment and training opportunities within our community, visit Lane Workforce Partnership’s web site at http://www.laneworkforce.org/ or call 541-682-7200.

Eugene Chamber, University of Oregon Lose Loyal Supporter

Thursday, April 9, 2009 by Membership Team

UPDATE: The memorial service for Jeanne Havercroft will take place on Sunday, May 3rd at 5pm in the Club Room at Autzen Stadium, 2727 Leo Harris Parkway (south entrance).

The Eugene Chamber lost a longtime Chamber Greeter, Jeanne Havercroft, to cancer this week. Jeanne was active in every part of Greeters and the Ambassadors for many years. "She is definitely one of those people you meet on the path of life that leaves a lasting impression." says Cathy Worthington.

Read The Register-Guard newspaper article here. Tributes from Chamber Greeters.