Calendar

Small businesses in California are struggling to recover from the Great Recession. Jobs are scarce.

So why would anybody propose new taxes on businesses whenever they create new jobs?

That’s exactly what opponents say Proposition 24 would do if passed November 2. Learn more about this important ballot measure at the next meeting of the Legislative Alliance of Southern Orange County meeting this Friday morning.

Oscar Urteaga, Southern California Field Director for the No on 24 – Stop the Jobs Tax campaign will explain the implications of Proposition 24 and what Southern Orange County businesses can do about it.

This important meeting takes place this Friday, July 23 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Saddleback College – 28000 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, Student Services Center, Room 212. Ample and free parking available adjacent to the Student Services Center in Lot 5.

States all across the country have been updating their tax laws to attract and grow businesses and jobs during these difficult economic times. This Proposition would likely send California down the wrong track at the worst time. Join us as we learn about Proposition 24 and what we as a business community can do about it.

Walk-ins OK but RSVPs for the meeting are requested. Please call Karen at (949) 635-1634 to do so or if you have questions.

The Economic Update Breakfast, which had been scheduled for tomorrow, June 29, in Aliso Viejo, has been postponed until later in the year.  Please check back regularly for updates and news about Chamber events and activities!

There are several propositions on the June 2010 ballot that could impact your business.

Join us THIS Friday morning, March 26 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. as we learn more about these ballot measures at Saddleback College’s Student Services Center, Room 212 (please note that parking is free in Lot 5 and readily available on Friday mornings at that time!).

Representatives from a number of campaigns for and against these local and statewide measures have been invited to present their rationale for support.  These include speakers for and against:

• Proposition 14 (“Top Two Primary”)
• Proposition 16 (“Taxpayers Right to Vote on Municipal Utilities”)
• Proposition 17 (“Continuous Auto Insurance”)
• Mission Viejo’s Measure D (“Right to Vote on Planning Decisions”).

This informational meeting is being held by the South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce and the Legislative Alliance of Southern Orange County (LASOC). LASOC is coalition of business organizations – including the South Orange County Chamber – committed to advocating on behalf of businesses throughout southern Orange County. The meeting is generously hosted by Saddleback College.

Admission is free but space is limited. So please RSVP at (949) 635-1634 or e-mail khume@socchambers.com. See you Friday!

WEBINAR WEDNESDAY February 24; 11 a.m. to noon
Achieve Your Goals by Discovering your Authentic Self
 
Join fellow South County Chamber members for the next free Webinar Wednesday when guest speaker Kevin Rafferty offers insightful and practical tools to help you achiever your goals? How? By getting you to truly understand your real self. Kevin is the author of “Get Naked, Get Real, Get Happy, Becoming your Authentic Self” and former South County Chamber Board Chair, and can potentially help you manage your business as well as improve your life and relationships!
 
This Webinar is FREE FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS.  So mark your calendars today!
 
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/919557752

Are you interested in learning more about the county, state and federal issues and legislation that could impact your business? Would you like to learn what you can do about it?
 
Then please join us for the inaugural breakfast meeting of the Legislative Alliance of Southern Orange County (LASOC), a coalition of local Chambers of Commerce working closely to address issues important to business owners large and small at the county, state and federal levels. Speakers for the day will include:

• Dick Castner, Western Regional Director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be on hand to update us on issues the U.S. Chamber is currently tackling, and introduce the American Free Enterprise program they are spearheading in an effort to create 20 million jobs in the next 10 years
• Marlene Carney, Director of External Affairs at the CaliforniaChamber of Commerce, will discuss issues CalChamber is tackling and how we, as a regional Chamber coalition, can effectively advocate on behalf of our respective members
• Tony Cardenas, State League of California Cities RegionalRepresentative to the Orange County Division, will brief us on Californians to Protect Local Taxpayers and Vital Services, a coalition of local governments, transportation advocates, business, labor, public safety and others working to stop state raids of local funds. Tony will update us on what’s at stake, why it’s important to local businesses, and how we can get involved.

At this inaugural event, hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, we will update you on legislation and other issues at the state and federal levels that are of vital interest to southern Orange County businesses, provide an overview of our vision and upcoming LASOC activities, and encourage your input as to how LASOC can best serve the needs of the region’s business community.
 
Friday, February 26, 2010
7:30 to 9 a.m.
Doubletree Guest Suites Doheny Beach
34402 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point
NO CHARGE to attend!
  
Please RSVP for this event no later than Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by contacting Karen Hume at khume@socchambers.com  or 949.635.1634.

Starting tomorrow, Networkers will meet at Villa Roma Restaurant.

25254 La Pad Rd,
Laguna Hills, CA.

11:30 am- 1:00pm

Chamber Members: $18

Non-Members: $25

The next South County Chamber Webinar Wednesday takes place February 24 from 11 a.m. to noon. Guest will be author and former SOCRCC Chamber Board Chair Kevin Rafferty. Kevin will offer Webinar participants useful insights on goal setting and self-discovery that will not just help you manage your business but also potentially improve your life and relationships! This Webinar is FREE FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS. Mark your calendars today! We’ll follow up with registration information later this week. For more information about Kevin Rafferty, please visit www.kevinrafferty.com

Dick Castner, Western Regional Director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will address the Legislative Alliance of South Orange County (LASOC) on Friday, February 26 from 7:30  to 9 a.m. at the Doubletree Guest Suites Doheny Beach. Address is 34402 Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point

LASOC is a coalition of south Orange County Chamber governmental and legislative affairs committees. LASOC members are committed to voicing the needs of the region’s business owners to policy makers at the county, state and federal levels, as well as keeping Chamber members informed about important legislation and governmental policies. SOCRCC is a charter member of LASOC (SOCRCC GAC members should note this meeting is in place of the previously scheduled GAC meeting).

Mr. Castner will update Chamber members about important federal issues and legislation that the U.S. Chamber is currently monitoring and addressing that could very well impact local businesses. To RSVP for this event, please call Karen Hume at (949) 635-1634.

The Great Recession has forever changed the face of business.  But what does that mean for you?  How will we define “The New Normal” and its impact on the future of South Orange County businesses?

Join the Orange County Business Council for its 2010 Annual Dinner: Defining the New Normal and hear keynote speaker Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes Magazine as he discusses how the 2010 economy will effect you, and why businesses will never be the same. The event takes place THIS Thursday evening, February 11, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine. You don’t want to miss this important event!

To learn more or to register for the dinner, visit http://www.ocbc.org/2010_Annual_Dinner.cfm

The next South Orange County Chamber Networkers breakfast program takes place Tuesday, February 9th from 7:15 – 9:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Lake Forest.
 
Phil Nathan of H & R Block will be on hand to offer tax tips to help you manage your business. To further promote your company at this event, consider our very affordable program sponsorship opportunities ($75 for a table sponsor, includes your breakfast).  
 
If you have any questions or would like to reserve your seat, please contact Mark Bodenhamer at 949.635.1643 or markb@socchambers.com. This is a great opportunity to network with area business owners while learning some business “best practices.”