Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce METRO E-NewsBacktotheTop
METRO E-News, April 2012
Table of Contents
Heartland Saloon Spring Social
RSVP for 2012 World Trade Day
Enhance Your Online Directory Listing
Disney's Approach to Business Excellence
NLRB Posting Ruling
Apply Now for Leadership Bakersfield
Introducing 2012 Beautiful Bakersfield Nominees
Disability Access Tips for Business
RSVP for FREE Quarterly Labor Law Update Forum
Legislative Advocacy Update
Member News
METRO E-News Sponsor

 

Providing Networking Opportunities

Hope to See You Thursday Night at the Heartland Saloon Spring Social!

 

The Chamber's one and only annual fundraiser, The Heartland Saloon Spring Social, will kickoff at 6:00 p.m. on April 19 at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The Heartland Saloon Spring Social will feature music, dancing, gaming (everyone has an equal chance to win), food, prizes and silent auction.

 

Additional tickets for members and non-members can be purchased by phone, (661) 327-4421, online or by visiting the Chamber at 1725 Eye Street.

 

Building a Strong Economy

2012 World Trade Day - May 3
The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce will host the 2012 World Trade Day event on May 3 as part of the program of work for the International Business & Trade Committee. This committee serves as a resource for expanding access to global markets and enhancing international trade opportunities.

The Chamber encourages not only members that currently engage in international trade to attend, but also those who may not have considered the benefits to selling their products or purchasing from suppliers overseas. 

More Information and Registration
2012 World Trade Day Sponsors

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Building a Strong Economy

Enhance Your Listing in the Chamber's Online Directory

Last June, The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce upgraded it's Online Business Directory and began offering an extended range of listing enhancements. Since that time, our Online Business Directory has referred over 5,000 unique visitors directly to the websites of our Member's businesses over 40,000 times, an average of nearly 6,000 referrals per month.

 

If you have any further questions or would like information on how to upgrade your listing, please contact Spencer Schluter at (661) 327-4421 or email sschluter@bakersfieldchamber.org.

 

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Providing Business Education Opportunities

Disney Institute Disney's Approach to Business ExcellenceAre You Ready to D'Think with Disney Institute?

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Disney Institute to Bakersfield - May 22

 

Are you ready to bring clarity to your business challenges? Are you ready to inspire new ways of thinking about organizational effectiveness? Then, you're ready to D'Think.... 

 

This immersive benchmarking experience will engage you in the time-tested best practices, sound methodologies, and real life business lessons that sustained the global success of Disney for over 85 years. The result? Relevant tools and actionable strategies that can be adapted to achieve your transformation goals.

 

Register Now! 

May 22, 2012 

The Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center 

 

More Information and Registration

 

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce

is proud to be a selected sponsor of "Disney's Approach to Business Excellence"

and wishes to thank its marketing sponsors:

 

 

 

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Representing the Interests of Business with Government

Federal District Court: New NLRB Poster Requirement Unlawful

 

A federal district court in South Carolina ruled that the new National Labor Relations Board posting requirement is unlawful. Subsequently the District of Columbia Court of Appeals granted a request for an injunction pending appeal in the US Chamber's challenge to the poster. This means that the April 30 posting requirement is no longer valid. It may come into effect after further hearing and a decision from that Court of Appeals.

 

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce will be updating its members as soon as possible on the effect of this ruling.

 

Last year, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) promulgated a rule requiring most private sector employers to post a notice informing employees of their rights under the NLRB. The rule was set to take effect on April 30, 2012.

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenged the rule as an unlawful exercise of the NLRB's authority.

 

On April 13, a federal district court in South Carolina agreed, ruling that the NLRB exceeded its authority in violation of the federal Administrative Procedure Act (APA): "The court finds that the Board lacks the authority to promulgate the notice-posting rule. As such, the rule is unlawful under the APA ... ."

 

Courtesy of the CalChamber

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Providing Business Education Opportunities

Join the Ranks of Bakersfield's Top Community Leaders


The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Leadership Bakersfield Class of 2013.

 

Goals

  • Identify and motivate existing and potential community leaders.
  • Acquaint these individuals with community needs and problems while offering alternatives for dealing with these.
  • Provide a forum to meet with, and be challenged by, current community leaders to expand community involvement.

The Program

Once a month, from September through June, participants attend an all-day seminar in which important community issues are reviewed and discussed. The format of each seminar includes a combination of lectures, panel discussions and hands-on visits to locales relevant to the day's theme.

 

The Curriculum
Leadership Bakersfield focuses on developing and enhancing leadership skills plus providing exposure to a wide range of community issues, including: Agriculture; Arts and Culture; Criminal Justice; Education; Health and Human Services; Leadership; Media; Energy; and Government.

 

Class Projects
Working with a small group of Leadership Bakersfield classmates, program participants select and complete a class project. In addition to offering a window of opportunity for ongoing community involvement, these projects also provide a setting in which class members can work closely together toward a common goal. Time is set aside at the end of the year for each group to share the results of their project with the rest of the class.

 

Selection Criteria
Demonstrated leadership potential; Personal commitment to community service; Willingness on the part of the applicant and his/her employer to devote the required time; Must reside or work in Kern County.

Finalists
Finalists will be selected and interviewed based on application materials submitted.All interviews will be conducted by a selection committee.

For more information about Leadership Bakersfield contact Tonya Sterling at (661) 327-4421 or email tsterling@bakersfieldchamber.org

 

Download Leadership Bakersfield Application

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Promoting Our Community

2012 Beautiful Bakersfield AwardsChamber Honors Community Efforts that Improve Our Local Quality of Life

 

Recognizing the many contributions that have been made by businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the community, the 2012 Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, June 2. 

 

Presented by The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, festivities for the evening begin at 5 p.m. with a reception featuring hosted hors d'oeuvre and viewing of nominee presentation boards, followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. The award ceremony will be broadcast on KGET-TV 17.
 

Special thanks to the 2012 Beautiful Bakersfield Award Sponsors

Aera Energy LLCARRC TechnologyBakersfield Association of REALTORS�ChevronDoubleTree by HiltonFresno Pacific University - Bakersfield CenterGolden Empire McDonald's OperatorsInterim HealthCareLaw Offices of Young Wooldridge LLPRaymond's Trophy & AwardsRJ's Bar & GrillRosewood Retirement CommunityValley Clean Air NowValley Republic Bank; and Wells Fargo Bank.

 

View 2012 Beautiful Bakersfield Nominations

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Representing the Interests of Business with Government

Disability Access: Getting Along to Get it Done

 

Two organizations that occasionally find themselves on opposite sides of hotbutton issues in the state Capitol have set aside differences on one recent front. Consumer Attorneys of California and the California Chamber of Commerce have partnered with disability rights advocates and small-business groups to produce a 10-minute instructional video for mom and pop businesses grappling with the state's disability access rules. 

 

The free DVD, "Disability Access: Tips for the Small Business," is being distributed to 100 local chambers of commerce throughout the state. Copies were also passed along to every state lawmaker and key legislative staffers who deal with the issue. It can be seen on the web sites of the various participant groups as well on YouTube

 

"Our hope is this will help small businesses start making the changes needed to accommodate the disabled - and avoid legal troubles," said Nancy Peverini, CAOC legislative director. For copies of the DVD or more information, contact Peverini at (916) 669-7127 .

 

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Providing Business Education Opportunities

Quarterly Labor & Employment Law Update Forum - May 15The California Supreme Court and the Legislature Speak: How Does This Affect Your Business?

 

This week the California Supreme Court released its long-awaited decision in a case involving employers' obligations relating to meal and rest breaks. 

 

The most critical part of the unanimous ruling in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court is that employers do not have to ensure that employees take their meal breaks, but must merely make them available. The court also provided flexibility to employers with regard to the timing of meal and rest breaks.

 

On Tuesday, May 15, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce will host its next Quarterly Labor & Employment Law Update Forum. Attorney Dan Klingenberger of Dowling Aaron Incorporated will discuss topics including an analysis of the Brinker case, commission agreements and paid time off. 

 

This forum is free for Chamber Members in good standing and $40 for non-members. To RSVP, register online or call (661) 327-4421.

 

Register Online

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Representing the Interests of Business with Government

Chamber Board of Directors Approves New Items for Advocacy Slate

 

The Board of Directors took action at their recent meeting to support the Keystone XL Pipeline. The full pipeline would bring up to 700,000 barrels a day from the Canadian oil sands region to Cushing Oklahoma and then to the Gulf region of the United States. This project would immediately create thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs. Studies show that 250,000 permanent jobs will be created as a result over the long term. The northern portion of the pipeline needs approval from the Obama administration because it crosses the Canadian border. The US Chamber's Energy Institute supports the full project and has a letter writing campaign to the President encouraging approval. Take action by writing a letter to the President.

 

The Board of Directors also will be opposing Proposition 29, which will impose additional tax on cigarettes for cancer research. Currently the state of California has an excise tax of 87 cents per pack, the federal government imposes an excise tax of $1.01 per pack and there are other sales and use taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products that go to the state and local governments. The average retail price of a pack of cigarettes in California currently is over $5. Proposition 29 will impose $735 million annual tax and spending mandate. This flawed and poorly drafted measure would create a new unaccountable state bureaucracy filled with political appointees. The measure will be voted on in the June 2012 election. Further more, Proposition 29 will hurt retailers and small business. More than 38,000 retailers in California sell tobacco, and cigarettes. Those sales account for nearly 37% of all sales at convenience stores. Finally, this measure doesn't require the new tax revenue to be spent in California. The money can be spent out of the state or even outside of the United States.

 

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Promoting Our Community

Member News

Member News 

 

The Power of the Purse on April 20 is the signature fundraising event for the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. This unique event will provide a "girls night out" featuring a shopping extravaganza, a fabulous home to tour, silent auction and catching up with other women over wine and light hors d'oeuvres with 100% of the sales benefiting the Alliance. For more information, call Carolann Wooton at (661) 345-9377.

 

The Guild House Restaurant is hosting Affaire Extraordinaire, a special dining experience featuring a gourmet five-course meal on April 22. Proceeds support the services of the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic, a nonprofit mental health facility for children and families. Cost is $100 per person and includes dinner, wine, tax and gratuity. To make your reservations or for more information, call (661) 325-5478.

 

The Bakersfield College Norman Levan Center for the Humanities is pleased to welcome the 2012 Norman Levan Scholar, film and television composer Bruce Boughton, to Bakersfield College on Friday, April 27 for a special lecture. Boughton will present "Music on Demand: Music for the Movies." Boughton is a 10-time Emmy Award winner for his television compositions, and is considered one of the most versatile composers working today. For more information, please contact Dr. Jack Hernandez at (661) 395-4339.

 

Parents of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are invited to attend a free to the public training called "Working with the School to Improve Your Child's Problem Behavior" on May 1 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, 1300 17th Street in Bakersfield. Training will be held in Room 1B. For registration information, contact Maria Madrigal at (661) 636-4886.

 

State Fund and Cal/OSHA Consultation are holding free local seminars in an effort to prevent heat illness by encouraging employers and supervisors to protect workers during hot summer weather. The events are scheduled for Wednesday, May 2 in Bakersfield. Attendees will learn best practice solutions for protecting their employees from heat-related illnesses, and how to update their safety programs to include a heat illness prevention plan and comply with heat illness standards. As an added incentive, those who attend the event can receive continuing education credit from Cal/OSHA and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) toward their Farm Labor Contractor continuing education requirement. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. for the morning session in English, which ends at 11:00 a.m. An afternoon session will be held in Spanish, with registration and refreshments at 12:30 p.m. The seminar will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The seminars take place at the State Fund Bakersfield Regional Office, 9801 Camino Media. These events are free and open to the public. Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating. To register, contact Stephanie Orndoff at (559) 433-2652 or visit the Safety & Seminars page at www.statefundca.com.

 

The 5th Annual Kern County Farm Bureau (KCFB) Golf Classic will be held on May 17 at the RiverLakes Ranch Golf Course. Proceeds from the event will go to the continuing efforts of Kern County Farm Bureau to promote, protect and strengthen Kern County's agricultural interests. For more information, call (661) 397-9635 or email kcfb@kerncfb.com.

 

Join Kaiser Permanente as they unveil the new and expanded Haggin Oaks Farmers' Market, 8800 Ming Avenue. From strawberries to caviar, we have it all! The market will feature all new vendors including a wide variety of fresh fruits & vegetables, honey, pollen, eggs, free range meats, fresh fish, hummus and much more! The Farmers' Market will be held every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, call (661) 808-1656 or email kristin.n.weber@kp.org.

 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County is excited to announce a grant award from Chevron in the amount of $20,000 to support the introduction of robotics to the Stockdale Boys & Girls Club through the Robo Tech Program. The Robo Tech program will be an easy and fun way for Club members to explore science, technology, engineering and math and ultimately improve their school grades.

 

Santa Barbara Business College is seeking applicants for the position of Career Services Coordinator. The Career Services Coordinator is responsible to provide career guidance to students and graduates by developing and maintaining relationships with community employers. For more information visit www.sbbcollege.edu.

 

The American Cancer Society needs volunteers for this year's Relay For Life. If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer, they are looking for help for the set-up and the day of activities. For more information and to sign-up, visit www.bakersfieldrelay.org/volunteer.

 

Curves of Bakersfield participated in the 14th Annual Curves Food Drive in March. Together with the generosity of the community, they collected 16,612 pounds of food for the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. Curves of Bakersfield would like to thank all their members for their generosity, along with a big thanks to the Curves team for their hard work in coordinating this event.

 

In 2012, Galbraith Van & Storage Company will celebrate 100 years of customer service, and a position as a leader and member in the moving and storage industry. From their modest beginning, they have expanded into a thriving moving and storage company that takes great pride in their history, ethics, and customer service. They invite you to share with them in their pride and enjoyment of reaching their 100th year Anniversary.

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