Councils
Barrington Retail Council
Promoting the Shop Chamber 1st Program, the retail members from the area are welcome to join their peers in coordinating promotional campaigns, working together to assist in driving traffic and sales to their business. Quarterly meeting, promotional and educational sessions, will be coordinated by this Council with the Village, South Barrington, and Lake Barrington and Deer Park retailers, working in partnership with local municipalities.
Barrington Young Networkers (BYN)
BYN is a region-wide movement and resource for economic and community development for those professionals under the age of 40. Current programs and those in development include: Quarterly networking events that showcase the Barrington Area; Events that engage BYN in conversation around the issues that matter; Barrington Area quality of life orientation and marketing programs; Recruitment programs to assist HR departments; and community involvement program connecting BYN to leadership and service opportunities.
Diplomat Council
The Diplomat Council members will serve in an honorary junior board capacity as official representatives and ambassadors to Chamber business members, and the business community at large, with the primary objective of enhancing the positive image of the business community and to assist in the welcoming of all new businesses in the region.
Government Affairs Council
The Government Affairs Council identifies and monitors proposed legislation, develops resolutions and/or position papers on issues of importance, educates lawmakers and encourages Chamber members to contact legislators and other appropriate officials promoting the Chambers pro-business position and the spirit of free enterprise. Drive-ins to Springfield and Fly-ins to Washington D.C., Bagels, Business & Politics is a series coordinated by the Council representatives.
The Division of the Government Affairs shall utilize the Chamber resources to influence governmental decisions, which affect our area’s business climate and economic growth. The Chamber shall continuously foster working relationships with legislators, administrators and their staffs through invitations to appropriate Chamber functions and regular meetings with officials. The Chamber shall continuously communicate its pro-business position to the general public, as well as to the elected officials.
Purpose:
The Government Affairs Council, a Council of the BARRINGTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE members shall to identify and monitor proposed legislation, develop resolutions and/or position papers on issues of importance, educate lawmakers and encourage Chamber members to contact legislators and other appropriate officials promoting the Chamber’s pro-business position.
Goals:
The Government Affairs Committee shall set the following goals to address the issues directly affecting theBarringtoncommunity and the BACC membership.
· Shall survey members for opinions on specific business issues prior to meeting with legislators, administrators and staff.
· Shall interact with BACOG and other Chambers associated with NIBAC on issues of common concerns.
· Shall develop effective methods of communicating information regarding key business legislation to the general public and membership. These efforts will be a credit to the BACC membership for being informed and taking the lead.
· Shall hold twelve meetings a year.
· The Committee will be formed with no less than ten BACC members with diverse business backgrounds, elected officials/staff of the local, state and national governments, and other key stakeholders including the educators and health care representatives.
· Shall cooperate with other organizations, i.e., Northern Illinois Business Advocacy Coalition (NIBAC), Illinois State Chamber, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Illinois Manufacturer’s Association, DCCA (Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) and the Illinois P.A.C. (Political Action Committee Contribution Solicitation) and develop alliances with BACOG.
· Shall participate in the annual Illinois State Chamber’s Legislative Conference and Business Day inSpringfield.
Guiding Principles:
The guiding principles of the 2011 Platform requiring a legislative remedy is represented in the following arenas: Transportation/Infrastructure, Budget & Finance, Health Care, Labor & Workforce and Business Taxation & Fees. BACC suggests an emphasized focus from our legislators be placed on increasing regional prosperity and the creation of jobs thus positioning the region for greater economic success in a competitive marketplace.
As lawmakers face difficult choices in trying to alleviate the ongoing fiscal crisis and lack of accountability, BACC has identified the following priorities and encourages:
1. Transportation/Infrastructure. Support for the enhancement of funding for transportation investment programs to address the backlog of highways, major arterials, bridges and unmarked states routes currently in dire need of rehabilitation; and strategic improvement to increase capacity to address existing congestion and support the suburb-to-suburb and reverse commute fromChicago traffic patterns. The following strategic expansions are supported: METRA Star Line;Illinois Route #53/Illinois Route 120 Bypass.
2. Budget/Finance. Strengthen the local economy by addressing deficit spending and restore its fiscal integrity on all levels; seek only the passage of county and state budgets that identify fair and equitable funding sources, with fiscal restraint and a long term, equitable revenue strategy. Encourage lawmakers to resist the temptation to add or fund programs, which will cause additional strain on overloaded budgets.
3. Health Care. Urge legislators to create a health care reform package that addresses accessibility and portability, affordability of healthcare overall and quality of care. Support legislation that would allow small businesses to join together through association health plans, keeping the rising costs from the viability of businesses of all sizes and put job security and benefits at risks for millions. Oppose universal mandates to coverage and oppose any legislation that would increase costs to the business owner. Seek incentives to maintain the high quality of physicians at regional healthcare facilities. Support legislation addressing the increasing fees for the high cost of medical liability/malpractice reimbursement insurance.
4. Labor/Workforce. Work to ensure that businesses have access-today and tomorrow-to an educated and skilled workforce. With the anticipation of increasing educational skill gaps, encourage measures to support sustainable education and workforce training strategies and models with proven success promotingIllinois leadership of innovation. Strive to bringIllinois back in the competitive recruitment market by resisting the temptation to increase workers compensation and the extension of unemployment benefits. Oppose the increase of the minimum wage tax as alternative funding.
5. Taxation/Fees. Repeal all new business taxes and the rolling back of anti-business taxes and fees.
Process for BACC tracking and affecting legislation
1. The Council members will approve a general legislative agenda of issues that could affect the localBarringtoneconomy. The agenda is to be reviewed and approved each year.
2. The one or more of the members of the Council choose an agenda area and tracks legislation (or local issue) related to that area. This requires researching and educating Council to their designated area. When there is not a BACC Council member assigned to a pertinent area, the Chair and Vice-Chair will seek an alternative Council member or serve as the assigned tracker.
3. After the BACC Council members present their bills, the Coalition discusses and votes (by majority) on the plan of action for each bill. These actions can include continued tracking, developing a support or opposition statement, an education call to members, joining a coalition(s), or deciding not to continue tracking the bill.
4. The Board of Directors makes the final decision of BACC’s position and the course of action. If immediate action is required, the Council will be notified via email and will be asked to vote by proxy on their position within a 24 hour time frame, at which time those who voted must represent a quorum.
Once BACC Board votes to support or oppose a bill:
- The position statement is sent to legislators,
- The Council and the entire membership of BACC is informed,
- The position is publicized on the BACC website,
- Statements are submitted to the media
Healthcare Council- http:///livehealthybarrington.org
To assist the Chamber in advocating an affordable, accessible and quality of healthcare for the region, the Council members serve as key advisors in promoting wellness in collaboration with area legislators. They will identify and monitor the needs of the region, create an educational platform, and strive to promote the need for high quality of physician care and services in the region.
Restaurant & Hospitality Council
Members of these industries are invited to interact and identify ways of cross marketing, group savings with vendors, explore a Gift Card program and offer the Chamber idea's of how we can add value for their membership.
Barrington Area Junior Entrepreneurs Council (BAJE)
With the spirit of free enterprise, BAJE was co-created as an opportunity for high school students in our area to MIX with fellow students who are engaged in the entrepreneur spirit, or wish to CREATE a career in business, or engage in a start-up. Be EMPOWERED by hearing teen success stories or take a booth at Sidewalk Days for the first-time. Mostly, there is a unique opportunity to CONNECT with local businesses in our community. The teens meet monthly and plan their own activities.
Small Business & Entrepreneurs Council (formerly SOHO)
BACC will provide the opportunity to join other entrepreneurs in the Barrington Area (member and non member) on a monthly basis for an informal education session, networking, and offer input types of programming and resources needed to spark and cultivate innovation to assist in small business growth for the region.
Women's Biz Net Council
A Council formed by Women in Business, which provides programming and opportunities to meet the needs of area business women. The mission of Women's Biz Net is to provide support and promote the professional and personal growth of members through networking, building relationships, mentoring, and education and development opportunities for business owners and staff. Members and non members (for an additional fee) are invited to monthly luncheons with educational programming and networking. Annually, the Council coordinates a Multi-Chamber Network to Success Scramble and summer Expo and Holiday Showcase.
Barrington Manufacturing Task Force
To act as a business council committed to helping existing manufacturers in the community to grow their business by identifying the resources and the tools required to assist them in successfully attracting the quality workforce needed for future growth; and to compete in today's marketplace; develop ways to position the region as a potential location for growth in the manufacturing sector and to advocate in behalf of the manufacturing sector. The members will coordinate and sponsor meetings with local municipal officials and host a Trade Root Summit, co-sponsored with the US Chamber.
Sustainability Task Force
Going green through smart design plan means saving money for Chamber members. The Council will identify educational programs and best practices, offer smart articles on the topic, and develop a listing of those Chamber members who practice and promote sustainability in their business.
Technology Task Force
Those members practicing as technology advisors, will meet to network, exchange best practices, write smart articles, and offer insight to the Chamber on ways the Chamber can advance the speed of technology.
