http://www.iceaonline.comNews related to Indiana Chamber Executives Association(c) 2010, Indiana Chamber Executives Association All Rights Reserved.5When you meet a chamber --- you meet someone special. Around the globe I find executives have similar qualities: a determination to improve communities; leadership and communication skills; and a passion for their organization and its mission. This summer I visited the Republic of Belarus in Eastern Europe. Geographically the country is rich with history, natural resources and awesome citizens who formerly lived under the Soviet government. Having declared independence from Russia in 1991, the country is politically young. It has a democratic government, though sometimes characterized as dictatorial or repressive. This story is about the similarities of non-profit, non-government executives. The Belarusian execs I met work hard to advance their organizations and improve their communities. Though they do it in a culture and under a government that is different. The purpose of my visit was to teach “Strengthening Organizational Capacity of Business Associations in Belarus.” The Minsk Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers and the Belarusian Confederation of Entrepreneurship hosted the visit to compare and contrast Russian, US and Belarusian best practices. The opportunity was at the invitation of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. My co-presenters were from the Saratov Chamber of Commerce in Russia. US Government Facilitates Nonprofits In the USA the government encourages non-profit organizations. In July 2010, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said of nonprofits, "These groups do great work in communities across the United States and are vital to the vibrancy of our nation, the last thing we at the IRS want to do is to have these groups lose their tax-exempt status because they haven't filed a short, simple form." Chambers and associations have existed since before declaring independence from Britain in 1776. The rights of individuals to collectively express their interests and express themselves through freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are protected by the Constitution. In 1835 Alexis de Tocqueville reported on the voluntary gathering and work of people. In Democracy in America he wrote that people overcame selfish desires and governmental dependence by forming associations. Congress recognized their public benefit and included them in the 1913 national tax code, providing an exemption from paying federal income tax. The IRS has streamlined the monitoring of non-profit organizations through on-line, E-Z and annual information reports. At the state level, the requirement is a periodic corporate report. The US government is not overly concerned with membership rosters or the specifics of programs and events. Today the US has more than 1.8 million non-profit, non-governmental organizations. Belarus Experience The Belarusian government regulation of non-profit organizations is more demanding. For example, when referencing the board chief elected officer I learned not to use the term “president.” The title is limited to the exclusive use of the country’s elected president and is banned for use by the heads of organizations. In a discussion with an executive I learned that the government had seized all of his papers and computers for no known reason. References to an “opposition party” are common. Conventions had been shut down at the last minute by governmental concerns. Requirements to report activities to government ministries are more cumbersome. The executives explained that the government could audit their organization activities on demand --- and that membership lists were monitored. Further, nonprofits are banned from conducting “commercial activities.” While US chambers build their resources with programs, services and education, Belarusian organizations must rely primarily on membership dues. The Republic has a growing economy in which business associations play a role. Regional and state nonprofits are forming to support business growth. Through the work of the MUEE/BCE to unite the business community into a single voice for reform, a National Business Platform has been developed that recognizes the importance of non-profit, non-governmental organizations. Courageous Chamber Executives It takes executives who are trailblazers in the creation of organizations, and courageous in advancing the concepts of advocacy and enterprise. Their efforts insure organizations gain a foothold in society. In the US, chambers of commerce are integrated into the landscape for 100s of years. In Belarus, the executives I met were working hard to integrate business associations into the growth and quality of life in their country. # # # Note: Bob Harris, CAE, can be contacted at bob@rchcae.com and his website provides free tips and templates; www.nonprofitcenter.com. [Editor: Photos available.] HTTP://ICEAINASSOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=22Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMTI can attribute part of my career success to mentors. They were trusted colleagues who gave of their talent and time to guide my career. For instance, I acquired the certified association executive (CAE) designation with the urging of another CAE. Bob Foss, head of the Florida Association of Broadcasters, bought me lunch and said he would monitor my progress. He loaned me study guides and called me often. I considered postponing the exam but his caring encouraged me. A Washington DC executive mentored me long distance. I met Hugh McCahey, ASAE Fellow, when he was an instructor at the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management. He greatly inspired me with practical approaches to nonprofit management. Both mentors have passed away, but I will always be grateful for their guidance. Approaches to Mentoring A mentor is a guide or coach willing to help an interested student. The recipient is the mentee or protege’. Influenced by my mentors, I wanted to pay forward my career success by helping others. Inside my association management company I encouraged employees to be their best and to advance to positions inside and outside the company. I expanded my mentoring by creating a community college course. I could mentor 30 organization executives in one class. Locally, the Tallahassee Society of Association Executives formalized a mentoring program with a year-long commitment between executives and young professionals. I have extended my contact with chamber and association executives through teaching – interfacing with thousands of organizations annually. In nearly every audience there is someone who seeks additional information. They may ask a question at the moment or engage in a dialog over the year. I have always encouraged ongoing communications for those who want guidance. Internet Facilitated Mentoring The Internet enhances opportunities to connect. In 2009 I met an executive from the Republic of Belarus, a former Soviet country. Alexey Talai had posted a message about his organization on YouTube. His mission was helping orphans and children with disabilities, and building a 2-story headquarters. Through Skype and Google translation, I saw that he was doing the job of an executive director but had no training in nonprofit management. I offered to mentor him from the USA. Soon I arranged for a visa and used frequent flyer miles for his travel to Florida. He shadowed me as I visited chambers and associations. In 2010 he returned to the USA to address several organizations. The mentoring transformed his dream of visiting America into a reality. (A mentor should make sure to balance work with fun --- he learned to snow ski in Colorado and swim in the Gulf of Mexico.) Rewards for Mentors Satisfaction comes for the mentor through the growth of one’s protege. Life long friendships also develop. In the case of Alexey Talai it was greater. Not only was he a new executive director (age 26), but 10 years earlier he had stepped on a WW II landmine. He nearly lost his life and did lose his arms and legs. What you notice about Alexey is his determination and ability. From the colleagues who have met him I have heard how inspired they were by his mission to help others. In closing, consider the value of mentoring as a benefit for aspiring executives and personal satisfaction for you. The Internet makes the process easy and the impact can be local or global. 7 Mentoring Tips 1. Be Innovative – From the position of your protégé, find solutions based on his or her resources, knowledge and environment. 2. Be Available – Your protege needs access in order to learn; use technology, phone and face to face meetings to guide and share. 3. Be a Role Model – Share your excellence and passions. 4. Be Resourceful – As an experienced exec you have knowledge and access to resources that your mentee does not know exist. 5. Be Generous – You might have to pay for a meal, coffee or even travel so that the two of you can exchange knowledge. 6. Be Honest – There will be questions in which you may have limited knowledge. Reach out to find the answers. 7. Be Interesting – All work and no play makes a mentor boring. # # # Note: Bob Harris can be contacted at bob@rchcae.com. His protege, Alexey Talai, can be contacted in Belarus at aljoschatak@mail.ru; his website is www.cafeindependence.webs.com. HTTP://ICEAINASSOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=23Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMTJeff Rea has been named as the new president and CEO of The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, it was announced today at a press conference at the Chamber. Since 2004, Rea served as the mayor of the City of Mishawaka. He will begin his responsibilities as Chamber President & CEO on September 7. As mayor, Rea was responsible for the overall management of the city, providing strategic direction, budgeting, staff supervision, economic and policy development. He also worked with Mishawaka's nine-member common council. During Rea's six years as mayor, Mishawaka saw $755 million of new private capital development and $150 million of public works projects. Prior to becoming mayor, Rea worked six years for the city as its director, community and economic development and redevelopment. "Our selection committee was looking for an individual from this community who knows it well and has demonstrated the insight and skills to move people and projects to action," said Paul Cafiero, Chamber Board Chair. "Jeff possesses all of the qualities to lead our region to become more vibrant and competitive. With his background in economic development, advocacy, fiscal responsibility and staff leadership, we could not have asked for a more solid individual to take our Chamber to the next level as an economic development driver." "I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career," said Rea. "I don't look at this opportunity as simply another job; I care deeply about our community and this region, and I want to do whatever I can to move it forward. Our region is positioned for growth. I want to be an integral part of that future development. As mayor, I worked with The Chamber on many initiatives so I feel comfortable with my transition to CEO of a city to CEO of an organization like the Chamber, whose mission is to be that catalyst for growth and prosperity for its members and the community," said Rea. Rea is a 1991 graduate of Campbell University in North Carolina where he received his bachelor's degree in government with a concentration in public administration. He is married to Rae Lee and they have one daughter. HTTP://ICEAINASSOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=24Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMTConstant Contact offers a program specific for chambers of commerce to help improve your e-marketing resources. The Contant Contact program will help you keep your members loyal while building a stronger chamber. You'll get powerful, email marketing and survey tools to offer your members—and that you can use to improve your own communications, too. As a membership benefit, your members will save money on Constant Contact's service. Take a closer look today by accessing http://www.constantcontact.com/chamberprogram. Constant Contact is a gold level sponsor of ICEA.HTTP://ICEAINASSOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=14Wed, 12 May 2010 04:00:00 GMTDo you have more than one mayor in your county? Wouldn't you like to encourage them to get together just to discuss ideas and issues? This is exactly what the Henry County (KY) Chamber does each year by hosting a Mayors' Lunch in which they invite the five mayors in their county to lunch to simply sit with one another and talk about what's going on. This concept could work for regionalism as well. For more information, contact Pat Wallace at 502-845-0806 or henrychamber@insightbb.com. Idea of the Week is a joint project with the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) emailed out each Wednesday. If you would like to submit an idea for future use, please feel free to forward ideas to info@iceaonline.com. HTTP://ICEAINASSOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=15Wed, 12 May 2010 04:00:00 GMT