WCCBI lists its victories
St. Bona program tops listBy DEAN WELLS dwells@timesobserver.com
The staff of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry (WCCBI) was on hand during Friday morning's Eggs and Issues speaker series to explain the organization's various projects and achievements over the last year.
"I really can't say enough positive things about what's going on with the WCCBI," said Jim Decker, WCCBI CEO and President.
Decker gave an overview of the WCCBI's major projects, including the organization's involvement in the St. Bonaventure dual enrollment project with the Warren County School District.
The university began offering dual enrollment courses for the school district's juniors and seniors in September. A permanent facility for the program is being constructed in the Pine Grove Ambulatory Surgery building outside of Russell.
"The project has been consuming an awful lot of our time," Decker said. "The biggest hurdle we came across was St. Bonaventure wasn't accredited in Pennsylvania, so they had to build their program, identify what they would be teaching in the state and get licensed over an eight and half month period. A lot of work happened in a compressed amount of time."
Decker estimated that the Pine Grove facility will be completed by early December.
"The real sizzle of this program is it has it's own facility and it's not done via telecommunications into the high schools," Decker said. "It's really unique."
Decker said the cost element of the program will allow school district students to earn their high school degree and enter college three credits shy of full junior status.
"You could finish college in two years, enroll in a dual major, travel and study abroad," Decker said. "And it's going to cost you $7,500 a year as opposed to $40,000."
Melissa Anderson, director of Chamber Operations, outlined her duties during her presentation.
Anderson coordinates the WCCBI's Government Affairs division, along with overseeing marketing, event planning and creation and overall membership.
According to Anderson, her role as a government affairs liaison is often misunderstood.
"Often people will think we go lobby for things," Anderson said. "What we do is encourage the democratic process by providing information to people so they are informed to make a decision."
Anderson said she also provides information on new legislative bills to members of the WCCBI.
As for her role in event planning, Anderson said she isn't charged to create events that specifically make members money, but, instead, she helps plan events to bring people to the area and increase exposure to members' businesses. As an example, she said Warren's annual Ribfest draws and average of 20,000 people.
Anderson is also involved in coordinating the WCCBI's annual Ladies Golf Tournament and Celebrity Caddy Aution, the annual chamber golf tournament, business afterhours mixers, the Shop Warren County Program and the Christmas Cache with COT (Council of Tourism).
Heidi Powley, the WCCBI's director of Workforce Development, said that her biggest task over the last year was dealing with the state's budget crisis "and how it stifled some of our workforce development issues."
Powley is employed by both the state and the WCCBI in helping develop and aid Warren County's workforce.
She coordinates the newly created Young Professionals group, Leadership Warren, provide new businesses packets for relocating to the county, helps develop training grants, works with the YMCA summer day camp, along with being involved in two Warren-Forest County Higher Education committees.
Powley's most recent project has been the creation of the Young Professionals group.
"I really believe in it," Powley said. "The Young Professionals get together, go do things and have some community presence."
The group is involved in networking, educational programs, volunteer opportunities and social events.
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Brutus
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11-17-09 5:33 PM
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yes, he was wrong. That is inaccurate information. All rules, regulations are on their website. Nothing secretive about what they are doing.
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samibigelow
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11-17-09 4:35 PM
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The last I heard was that the women can be members but not vote, that is not a member, that is placating the women, to me. I got that information from a member, was he wrong?
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Brutus
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11-17-09 3:13 PM
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samibigelow, that is a good one. Where have you been? Women most certainly can be full members at Conewango Club. You might want to check facts before you go on the attack again.
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whynotspeakthetruth
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11-17-09 9:25 AM
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Although, the same reporter did ask a lot of hard questions to the former head of the County Tourism thing, and now I see that was only to setup the introduction of the WCCBI own tourism thingy for his bosses at the WCCBI.
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Publius
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11-16-09 7:44 PM
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Sami: I believe the paper covers all the Chamber breakfasts, or most of them. At least every other Saturday I'm treated to a yawner on some self-serving lecture delivered to the Chamber. I doubt that the speakers routinely get up before the assembled bacon munchers and confess their misdeeds. Can't wait for Kathy Rapp's enlightening dissertation on the good deeds of Kathy Rapp.
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garypayton
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11-16-09 2:06 PM
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Sam: Who is pig man? Who is on who's payrole? What club with no women? If you are going to sling it, then back it up. Your post sounds like a Glenn Beck rant. All smoke and mirrors and mystery that in the end, make no sense at all.
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noelle
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11-16-09 12:03 AM
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That's wierd. I didn't realize that the WCCBI set the local hotel rates.... All sarcasm set aside, my business is a member of the Chamber, and it is a useful tool for us. Bravo on their accomplishments.
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yssim66
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11-14-09 9:04 AM
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what a joke, those people must be good at something, but it isn't attracting new or help retain present businesses. allthough decker does own a sweet looking jaguar. that has allways been the norm around here, back room politics, these people are a point of contact for new business. they tip off existing business owners and "rally the troops" and find ways to run off business or developement that would pose a threat to their businesses. for example cal the local hotels and ask what their rates are. then go on the internet and look up rates for othe areas. what a suprise warren is very expensive to stay at. thanks boys and girls you stymied us poor stupid people again.
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whynotspeakthetruth
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11-14-09 7:38 AM
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How much did the WCCBI pay for this front page ad? Its a good thing you are all patting yourselves on the back, I dont see anyone forming a line to do it for you. SPAM, and another Times Observer reporter on the WCCBI payroll. Sad.
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