| Dear Friends,
"Legislative Session Closes - Some Items Shelved." So ends another season for our state lawmakers. And like many years past, some are happy, others are not happy and still others just shrug their shoulders. For me, I sit, scratch my head and wonder, what can we do better next session?
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| What's Next?
My number one goal is to better understand how the Chamber can best represent our members with an active voice in Montpelier. I have spent the last several months trying to meet with businesses, legislative leaders and other groups who closely follow the politics of Vermont. Now I want to put together a strategy that puts us in a position to be in front of the curve going into the next session.
Why?
While I don't believe that the Chamber should have it's own opinion, I do believe that it should be in tune with the opinions of our Chamber members. We should know if our members are for or against an issue or if they are split right down the middle. Because, I do know that people will ask us what we think. So, the more we know about how you think, the better armed we can be to represent that position.
Timing Is Everything
I had a member call me one morning and ask if I was planning on attending the Legislative Breakfast later that week. I said yes I was - happy to at least know one was coming to town. The caller then proceeded to suggest that what we had to say at this time was a bit too late to have much impact in the decisions that were being debated in Montpelier at that time. My take away was that these conversations need to take place much earlier in the game. Timing!
So, How Can We Make This Happen?
I will begin to make a list of the topics that the next session will be debating. As this list becomes clearer, I'll begin to survey the membership to get a read on their stance on each topic. I'll compile the results and be prepared to march that voice on down to the Capital. The VT network of Chamber Executives have a couple of vehicles at our disposal to get our voice heard - Franklin County will be part of that voice.
What Can You Do?
Great question. When a survey crosses your desk, take a couple of minutes and let me know what you are thinking. I promise the surveys will be quick, easy and timely. Let us know how you feel so we can pass it on to those who ask for our thoughts.
Will It Make a Difference?
Yes, we have to believe that our voice will be heard. I can guarantee you that if we don't speak up, we will never be heard. What our legislative representatives do with our information is why we get to vote for them in the first place. I believe in the process and the more we know the better off we will be in the long run. Stay tuned...
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| Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community. And - if you have missed a pass issue of the Director's Desk we now have an archive for your convenience. Click the link below... |
Dave Southwick
Executive Director
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