ONNECTION IN THIS ISSUE: MEMBERS MAXIMIZED THEIR CONNECTIONS AT MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Business Case for Common Core
Upcoming Events
Wolf Pack Football Offer for Chamber Members
Welcome NEW Members
Ribbon Cuttings
Leadership Reno Sparks THANK YOU
SEPTEMBER 2014
www.thechambernv.org
This is Your Chamber! Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship. Take control and be heard As a business person, you know that free enterprise is the foundation of a strong economy and a prosperous society. At The Chamber, we advocate for public policies that help your business thrive. We realize that economic growth and job creation don’t “just happen” and that is why The Chamber’s results oriented, pro-business advocacy efforts are so important to your business and the future of our community. Getting involved The Chamber offers a multitude of programs and committees that benefit our members as well as lead to growth within our business community. Join one of our councils and help shape policy, become an Ambassador and support new members or enroll in one of our many leadership classes and increase your knowledge and awareness of challenges facing our area. Let us help contribute to your personal and professional growth. Networking Advancing your business through member to member connection, The Chamber hosts a variety of networking opportunities to help you gain that one-on-one advantage that help promote your business or product. • Chamber Mixers • Committee Participation • Membership Luncheons
• New Member Orientation • Biz Talk Blender • Ribbon Cuttings
• DIRECTIONS • The Morning Spark (previously Biz Flash)
Marketing & Promotion Membership offers outstanding marketing opportunities to get your message out. Let other members know what makes your product or service unique through an array of opportunities. • Directory Listing & Links on Website • New Member Listings • Social Media New Member Promotion • Sponsorships
• Newsletter Advertising • Email New Member Promotion • Member Events Calendar • Directory Listing
• Business Referral • Chamber Lobby Advertising • Custom Publication Advertising
Events & Sponsorship Looking to build your brand? Sponsoring a chamber event helps you reach a key business to business demographic and community leaders. • Annual Golf Tournament • Chamber 101 • Employer Healthcare Forum
• B.E.S.T. Kids Program • DIRECTIONS
• Monthly Luncheons • Biz Talk Blender
government update The Business Case for Common Core Written by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Reprinted with permission Steering students towards success after graduation benefits everyone. Employers are able to depend on a well-educated workforce to maintain and grow their businesses, universities spend less money on remedial education, and individuals are smarter, more capable, more employable and will likely earn more. As job creators, employers and business leaders, we need to make sure that the students in today’s classrooms are prepared as tomorrow’s skilled workforce. Employers today are looking to the next generation of their workers, colleagues, suppliers and leaders. And those future workers are getting primed in the classrooms today. Ensuring that Nevada’s workforce is adequately prepared – for college, career and life beyond high school – is paramount to ensuring that Nevada has the workforce it needs to be competitive in the global economy. The steps the business community takes now towards economic diversification, industry development and startup innovation can only be sustained in the long term if the next generation of employees is prepared to enter the workforce. It all starts with academic standards in the classroom. That is why a set of standards known nationally as Common Core, and in Nevada called the Nevada Academic Content Standards, has been implemented to create a more rigorous academic experience in our public schools. Defined as a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts, Common Core Standards outline a series of clear, consistent guidelines for what a student should know and be able to execute in respective subjects at the end of each grade year. Its overall objectives are to ensure that U.S. high school students graduate with the knowledge and skill set necessary to succeed in college and career, create consistent learning goals across the U.S., and maintain and advance the nation’s place as a leader of innovation and growth in the competitive global economy. Forty-four states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Common Core Standards. “Nevada is raising its academic standards to help our students receive a world-class education and ensure all Nevadans are ready for success in the 21st Century,” says Dale Erquiaga, Superintendent of Public Instruction for Nevada. “Since 2011, our schools have been implementing new Nevada Academic Content Standards, which are the Nevada version of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics.” The science standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in February of 2014, and will soon be taught across the state. Common Core Standards change what a student is expected to know at various stages of their academic advancement and also influences the methods continued on page 4
2
CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER 2014
message from the executive director
775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org Brad Woodring NV Energy
Tina Iftiger Reno Tahoe Airport Authority
Larry Hunt Bayer Properties, LLC
Steve Anderson- EDAWN RBC Wealth Management
Kris Wells AT&T
Linda Meissen Realtors Association Prudential Sierra Nevada Properties
CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS: Jim McClenahan Chairman of the Board UNR College of Business Tim Ruffin - Past Chair Colliers International
Gina Brooks The Glenn Group
Sarah Sommers - Chair Elect Solutions At Work
Ziad Rashdan ASUN UNR
Doug Knuth UNR Athletics
Danny DeLaRosa - Treasurer United Federal Credit Union
Abbi Whitaker The Abbi Agency
Dennis McGovernBusiness Advocacy Legends at Sparks Marina
Tammy Cantrelle-Smith Mountain America Credit Union
Todd Wilson - Leadership Benefit Resource Group
Kimberly Kuntz Noble Studios
Stephen Ascuaga
Tim Crowley Nevada Mining Association
Len Stevens Executive Director The Chamber
Darrell Plummer - WIN Sierra Nevada Properties
John Maher Reno-Gazette Journal Audrey Damonte Altus Insurance
BOARD MEMBERS: Mike Hix First Independent Bank Alan Olive Northern Nevada Medical Center
Pedro Martinez Washoe County School District
Josh Bartella Microsoft
Estella Gutierrez Truckee Meadows Community College Helen Lidholm Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Bill Hughes Peppermill Lisa Speth-Jones Wells Fargo Chris Bosse Renown Cheri Hill Sage International Inc. Pete Copeland Great Reno Balloon Race
CHAMBER STAFF: Len Stevens Executive Director Tray Abney Director of Government Relations Joy Heuer Community & Member Information Manager Jennifer Jones Finance Manager, Administration Susan Robinson Events Coordinator
I
hope that you all had a great summer! A couple of weeks ago we had a fantastic speaker, Cheri Hill, discuss the “Laws of Connectivity” and how to maximize your connections. This topic dealt with our ability to connect with our peers in both a professional and personal environment. One of the Chamber’s primary goals is to connect members with other members. We offer a variety of opportunities to connect with your fellow members. One of these opportunities will be available to members at the beginning of January. We are now working on our 2015 Connection publication which is a membership & relocation guide. This guide, in print version, will provide exposure for your business to approximately 6,000 businesses in Northern Nevada. If you are not yet a member of The Chamber, now is your chance to take advantage of this exposure as well as all the other benefits of being a member! By joining The Chamber, you become a member of the largest business organization in our area. We invite you to visit our website (TheChamberNV.org) to see the many benefits, events and programs The Chamber provides to members. You can also call (775) 636-9550 and a Chamber representative will assist you. Thank you to all current members of The Chamber and remember to update your membership information with us so it is accurate for the 2015 directory. I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event!
Leslie Masterpool Programs Coordinator
Len Stevens Executive Director, The Chamber
Sandy Ammerman Membership Relations
LIAISONS:
Varney Padgett Membership Sales
Joe Bozsik Young Professionals Network UNR College of Engineering
Laurie Pettyjohn Membership Sales
Mark Tulman - Ambassadors Nevada Association of Employers
CHAMBER MEMBER SPECIAL OFFER
Thank you to our 2014 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.
upcoming events 4
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 RIBBON CUTTING - Dragonfly Media 5-7pm @ 430 Stoker Ave., Suite 101 FREE
Saturday, October 4th, 7:30 PM
9
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 MORNING SPARK - Website Design (see page 4 for details) 7:30-9am @ 449 S. Virginia St., First Floor Members: $5; Nonmembers: $25 Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org
NEVADA vs. BOISE STATE
12
2014 WOLF PACK FOOTBALL
PRICES:
Field Reserved..................$41 (regular price $46) Plaza Reserved.................$24 (regular price $31)
GAME DETAILS: - Homecoming 2014 - Limited free parking available - Post-game fireworks
ACT NOW!
16
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 RIBBON CUTTING - Integrity Staffing Solutions 5:30-7pm @ 135 N. Sierra St., Suite B FREE
17
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 MEMBERSHIP LUNCH - Educate Yourself on the Implications of the Margin Tax 11:30am-1pm @ Atlantis Casino Members: $25; Nonmembers: $45 Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org
- This offer is only available to active members of The Chamber - Only 200 tickets available at the discounted rate
18
HOW TO ORDER:
Go to NevadaWolfPack.com/promo and enter in promo code:
CHAMBER14
For questions or more information please contact:
Meredith Montoya at (775) 682-6905 or mmontoya@unr.edu
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 LEADERSHIP RENO SPARKS — 30 Year Anniversary Gala 6-9pm @ Wilbur D. May Museum, 1595 N. Sierra St. $35 per ticket; Sponsorship starts @ $100 Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM - Common Core — Speaker State Superintendent Dale Erquiaga 7:30-9am @ The Chamber, 449 S. Virginia, First Floor FREE; Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org
25
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 BIZTALK BLENDER - (see page 3 for details) 5-7pm @ iMortgage, 6005 Plumas, Ste 100 Members: $15; Nonmembers: $35 Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org
30
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 RIBBON CUTTING - MarkUBiz 5-6:15pm @ 1300 Marietta Way #103, Sparks FREE
NOTE
Before any event, please check the events calendar at www.thechambernv.org for any possible additions or last minute changes.
CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER 2014
mixer
healthcare forum
October 16, 2014 Doors Open at 7:00AM Grand Sierra Resort
October 2, 2014 5:00PM to 6:30PM The Chamber Morningstar Senior Living
Announcing Northern Nevada’s Healthiest Places to Work! Sponsored by
.
In Partnership
Office Depot Thrift A Go Go
ribbon cuttings
@ the employer workplace culture change
Kaia Fit Sierra
a hea lt bite o hy f Ren o
BizTalk Blender JULY
new members
LendClear Arjun Dhingra • (866) 514-9477 5595 Kietzke Ln, Suite 116 • Reno, NV 89511
ABM Security Steve Cader • (916) 614-9571 800 Howell Ave. • Sacramento, CA 95825 AIM - Associated Insurance Managers Julie Morin • (775) 827-1400 7025 Longley Ln., Ste. 60 • Reno, NV 89511 Electra Barresi - Individual Membership (775) 200-3518 10845 Serratina Dr. • Reno, NV 89521 Emeritus Senior Living Dwight Aalgaard • (775) 828-5000 3105 Plumas St. • Reno, NV 89509 IntelliSource Scott Snyder • (303) 692-1100 5190 Neil Rd., #435 • Reno, NV 89502 iUnlimited investigative service Chris Champlin • (877) 254-7075 200 S. Virginia St., 8th Fl. • Reno, NV 89501
Piedmont Truss & Lumber, Inc. Shane Chapman • (775) 358-9900 8355 Double R Blvd., #B • Reno, NV 89511 Smart & Final Blanca Rodriguez • (775) 322-7905 365 E. Plumb Ln. • Reno, NV 89502 Twain Financial Partners Danny Sandbrink • (314) 300-4135 1324 Washington Ave., Ste 200 Saint Louis, MO 63103 Virginia Street Antique Mall, LLC Lisa Youell Jeanney • (775) 324-4141 1251 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89502 White Knight Real Estate - Angela Nagner (775) 287-6775 184 Dailey • Reno, NV 89506 YP James Smith • (775) 850-1900 515 Double Eagle Ct., Ste 200 Reno, NV 89521
The BizTalk Blender® takes business networking to a whole new level by attracting the decision making management of a diverse workforce within Nevada. It also assists The Chamber in welcoming new members, and assists in retaining existing members. Having top management present, allows the possibility of generating revenue for your organization. Price Members: $15.00 Non Members: $35.00 Table sponsor: $150.00
Information Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014 Time: 5:30PM to 7:00PM Location:
3
iMortgage 6005 Plumas St #100 Reno
4
CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER 2014
GOVERNMENT UPDATE -- continued from page 1 that are used to teach subject material. It aims to set a realistic baseline for student achievement and give teachers and parents more opportunities to recognize areas of improvement before they become major gaps that could seriously hinder a student’s progress. School districts continue to have power over determining their own curriculum. “Districts continue to develop their own curricula, and classroom teachers will tailor instruction to the new standards and the needs of their students,” Erquiaga says. State Senator Joyce Woodhouse (D), chairwoman of the Nevada Senate Committee on Education and a former program administrator for the Clark County School District with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and educational administration, believes that the content standards represent a major improvement. “I believe the Nevada Academic Content Standards are more rigorous than our previous standards and are designed to prepare students for college and careers,” Woodhouse says. “Students, through classroom instruction and experiences provided by their highly qualified teachers, will understand the content and processes involved in their English language arts and mathematics curricula.” “A lot has changed since we were kids,” says President of the State Board of Education and well-known education advocate and philanthropist Elaine Wynn. “To succeed in today’s world, our children require skills and experience to think critically, communicate effectively and accomplish real-world achievements.” She believes that the new standards will help students achieve those goals and give them increased opportunities by improving the quality of education they receive. “Our more rigorous Academic Content Standards (based on Common Core) are raising the bar for what kids will learn and know at every grade level. We have been at it for a while. The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Education, which I co-chaired with [Nevada System of Higher Education] Chancellor Dan Klaich almost five years ago, developed a blueprint for education reform that included a recommendation to adopt the Common Core State Standards,” Wynn says. The campaign to educate students, peers, and community stakeholders about the new standards and their implementation is known as Nevada Ready! Wynn believes that the Common Core standards are the best way to equip students properly and prepare them to be a part of a highly educated workforce. Erquiaga agrees with Wynn’s assessment. “New academic standards, along with high quality and well-supported educators, have the potential to transform outcomes for Nevada students and for our state,” he says. “Nevada’s new standards are expected to drastically reduce the need for remedial classes. The standards will also strengthen the state’s workforce and economy as more students graduate from high school ready to succeed in a new economy.” They are not alone in their support of the new standards. A 2010 review of state-based standards done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an educationfocused think tank, found that the Common Core Standards were “clearly superior” to standards found in Nevada, which received a “C” grade along with 32 other states for math and reading. Common Core Standards were found to be clearer and more rigorous than the pre-existing standards. Las Vegas is a community well-known for its growing population, and many of the students who are now enrolled in Clark County schools did not begin their education locally. Common Core Standards are especially important in areas of the country (like Southern Nevada) that are more prone to transiency and transplanted residents, as it regiments the type of materials students are expected to know and when they are
Morning Spark Morning Spark is a business development & training program designed for professionals and business owners on the go! Morning Spark, featuring SCORE, will bring highly acclaimed speakers to share the latest business trends, training and development with Chamber Members.
Information Dates & Topics: Tuesday, September 9 – Website Design (Judy Haar & Bobby Jenkins) Tuesday, October 7 – Customer Service (David Stipech, GM KUNR) Tuesday, November 4 – Panel with business speakers Time: Location:
7:30amto 9:00am The Chamber 449 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV
Price Chamber Members: $5.00 Non Chamber Members: $25.00
expected to know it across districts, counties and even states. A high school junior who moves from New Mexico will not have to repeat American History because of discordant state standards; he or she will be taught similar material at similar times throughout their education. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which formally backed the adoption of Common Core Standards, notes on its website, BusinessForCore.com, that students in the United States are lagging behind other students in developed economies. U.S. students rank 17th in reading literacy, 21st in science, and 26th in math according to the site. The shortfall extends beyond the national scope into the local, as the U.S. Chamber also predicts that by 2020, 62 percent of jobs in Nevada will require some postsecondary education credential, but only 28 percent of adults in the state currently have a postsecondary credential. This leaves a critical gap in workforce needs and poses a real threat to our economy. The higher guidelines Common Core Standards bring to public schools will help close the skills gap that will make a substantial difference in the United States’ place in the global economy. Some of the most vocal criticism of the standards come from individuals who oppose a standardization of subject matter across the states, but advocates are quick to point out that adoption of Common Core Standards is voluntary, even arguing that because the standards are focused, it allows even greater innovation at local levels to teach complex ideas and topics to students. Common Core Standards are the brainchild of individual state governors who sought to tackle declining test scores relative to other industrialized nations. In an OpEd piece published in the Cincinnati Enquirer in July 2014, Gary Standafer, a former classroom teacher who has worked in textbook publishing and test development, notes that the standards weren’t designed by bureaucrats. He points out that the standards were authored “by scholars who represent the best base of knowledge of how students learn and what they need to know in order to be prepared for college and careers.” Standafer writes that the standards “are research-based and represent what is known about learning progressions and how students’ mathematical knowledge and skills develop over time,” citing that the standards for science and English language arts are likewise rooted in educational research. Brian McAnallen, vice president of government affairs at the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, believes the academic standards are pivotal to improving the education and workforce in Southern Nevada and closing the skills gap. “The Metro Chamber fully supports the Common Core Standards,” he says. “They are a key component of the work we are doing to improve the schools in Southern Nevada and make our community a more attractive place to live and do business. We are working with state and local stakeholders to make sure they know the Metro Chamber supports the new standards.” Erquiaga believes the backing of community organizations like the Metro Chamber is an important part of the new standards implementation and success. “It is critical that educators have the support of their communities to implement these new standards successfully. Nevada Ready! aims to build public awareness and engagement regarding key issues impacting Nevada education,” he explains. “As business and civic leaders, your support is critical if our local schools are to reach even greater heights than before.” Learn more about Common Core and the Nevada Ready! Campaign by visiting nevadaready.gov on the web, @NevadaReady on Twitter and on the Nevada Ready! Facebook page. You can also find out more information at BusinessForCore.com. © 2014 Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce
THANK YOU! With your help we raised over $13,000 for the Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet 2014 Chamber Leadership Project
30 Years of Brilliance: Leadership Reno Sparks
Mobilizing to Clothe our Community!
Thank you to the following Sponsors: Lumos & Associates, Inc. • NVHS Class of 2004 California Transplant Donor Network/ Donate Life Nevada
Thank you to the following Table Sponsors: Applied Staffing/Applied Business Solutions • United Federal Credit Union Kaempfer, Crowell, Renshaw, Gronauer & Fiorentino • Nevada Insurance Agency Northern Nevada Medical Center – Kristi Eash • Smith-Jones Family
Thank you to our Event Partners:
Leadership Reno Sparks is a program of The Chamber. Visit www.leadershipreno.com for project details and sponsorship opportunities. Donations are tax deductible through The Chamber Education Fund Tax Id 88-0423054.