Chamber 2012

No, Chamber 2012 is not preparing for the Mayan predicted “end of the world”. 

Chamber 2012 is preparing for the future (and the  landmark 50th anniversary of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.)

In 2008, a committee was formed to undertake a five-year strategic planning initiative called Chamber 2012. The primary goal of 2012 is to provide the greatest value for Chamber memberships and most effectively serve the community.

The Chamber 2012 plan is maps out a plan to make Clear Lake one of the best of places to live, work and enjoy  life in spite of any economic, national, or environmental challenges that may present themselves.  This plan focuses on moving  Clear Lake forward and increasing  prosperity.

Chamber 2012 contains five  core strategies in sync with the vision and mission, which guide the program of work and long-term goals. These core five are:

1. Leadership & Service:  The Chamber will provide leadership development training and opportunities for its staff and members while utilizing those skills and qualities on behalf of the community we serve.
2. Business Growth:  The Chamber will assist the business community in its full recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike and deal effectively with the economic challenges facing the nation and the Clear Lake area.
3. Educational Excellence:  The Chamber will support the efforts of the Clear Creek Independent School District, the University of Houston – Clear Lake, and our other higher education and professional-vocational training institutions to grow educational and workforce development opportunities and enhance standards of performance for teachers and students.
4. Community Connections:  The Chamber will work more collaboratively with other community organizations, municipal governments and our members to achieve our Vision and Mission.
5. Quality of Life:  The Chamber will promote economic prosperity consistent with fostering a quality of life making this area a prize location to work, live and enjoy the amenities of an abundant life.

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and its members are energized and engaged and  the future of  the community is bright.  Bold, innovative solutions  are being sought to meet any challenges and increase opportunities. 

 Chamber 2012 is both a roadmap to the future and a journey of discovery that will evolve over time.

Bring the Shuttle Home (Part 2)

The movement is spreading. There is still  hope that Clear Lake may be graced with one of the retired shuttles next year.

  A new petition is on the Web with a letter addressed to the president that has already collected 11,214 letters and e-mails.

One thing to be inspired by is the fact that a number of people who have signed the petition are not from Clear Lake or even Texas. Theses out-of-area individuals have commented that they  believe  Houston is one of the space capitals of the United States and so a shuttle should be on display here.

For example,  Kerri B. from Loveland, Connecticut said “Being that Houston, TX is NASA’s Mission Control, the shuttles or at least one of them should be retired here. Thank you!”

It is true that Texas has kept a leadership role in  America’s space program since the creation of NASA about 50 years ago.  It is also predicted that the shuttle attraction at Space Center Houston has the potential to annually increase the regional economy by $45 million, plus generate another $29 million in business value and create more than 750 jobs in the area.

Texans are not the only ones who realize the value of bringing a shuttle back to the Clear Lake area. Do your part and help us bring a shuttle home to Space Center Houston.

Tell your family, friends and everyone else. Sign the petition and check out http://www.spacecenter.org/shuttle/index.php.
 

Houston: The Shuttle’s true home

As most of us know by now, NASA’s Space Shuttle Program is set to end this year. While that is sad news for all of us here in Clear Lake, aka the Space City, where we are surrounded by the influence of the Shuttle Program and NASA everyday, an even sadder idea is that we be left with literally only the memories. 

All three U.S. Space Shuttle will be retired when the program ends and will be put in museums, science centers or other learning institutions. While there are plenty of places all over the world that would do a great job of  permanently displaying one of these precious shuttles, don’t you think we should have one here in Clear Lake? Don’t you think one of the shuttles should be able to stay at home?  

Let the memory of the Shuttle Program live on here in Clear Lake. Take action and write a letter to government officials telling them you want to bring a shuttle home.

For more information, join the fight at http://www.bringtheshuttlehome.com/ or check out the http://goboldlynasa.org/ to see how else you can help  Clear Lake keep the title of Space City!

Web site make-over

Guess what? The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce official Web site got a face life (everybody’s doing it nowadays)!

Check out all the new features and information at clearlakearea.com and please let us know what you think! We love to hear from you!

While your online, follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with all the latest Chamber news and events!

Toastmasters

 Do you get sweaty palms and cotton mouth just thinking about public speaking? Are you hesitant to speak in front of large groups of people? Do you wish you had more confidence in your public speaking abilities? Would you like a supportive group to help you practice and/or improve your public speaking? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are probably not alone. Studies have shown the most common fear people admit to having  is the fear of  public speaking, which is known as glossophobia in science language. The good news is…

 Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters can help.

Join us at Toastmasters.

 CLACC Toastmasters meets every Friday from 8 – 9 a.m. in the My Flooring America Boardroom in the Chamber office.

Members take turns giving and listening to speeches each week while sharing words of encouragement along the way.  CLACC Toastmasters is a President’s Distinguished Club, which is the highest honor that can be awarded to a club, so we know our stuff. In this safe environment, members gain confidence in their speaking abilities and themselves. Following the Toastmasters handbook, members also enhance their speech writing  skills and learn all kinds of cool tips that make speech writing and speaking easier and even fun.

  To learn more about  CLACC Toastmasters, come sit in on a meeting. The third Friday of every month is designated as Visitors’ Day, but you don’t have to wait until then if you want to jump right in. We’re always glad to welcome new members!

 For even more information, you may contact the 2010-2011 CLACC Toastmasters President, Gloria Greene, the Marketing Manager
for Dr. Garcia, Jr. Plastic Surgery Arts Center & NeoGenesis Wellness Center and Medical Spa at gloriagreenemarketing@gmail.com

 Or feel free to call the Chamber office or e-mail febe@clearlakearea.com and we will be glad to get you set up.

 Don’t let your fear of public speaking put a damper on your career or your life. Everyone is capable of becoming a good speaker and CLACC Toastmasters can help you reach this goal. Check out some information on the first 10 Toastmasters speeches to really see what we mean.

 See you at the podium!

4th of July 2010

Don’t let Hurricane Alex ruin this 4th of July! The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support our fellow Chamber Members and promote Independence Day celebrations taking place around the Clear Lake Area on Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4.  On behalf of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, we wish the entire Clear Lake community a safe and happy Independence Day!

 

AMERICAN SPIRIT BOAT PARADE

• Saturday, July 3 – www.wecareevents.com

 CITY OF EL LAGO

• Annual 4th of July Picnic at McNair Park at 499 Lakeshore Dr, Sunday, July 4.
• 281-326-1951

 CITY OF KEMAH

• Hats Off to Heroes Independence Day Parade at the Lighthouse District, Saturday, July 3 at 10 a.m.
• 281-334-1611

 CITY OF LEAGUE CITY

• Celebration at Johnny Arolfo Civic Center located at 500 E. Main, Saturday, July 3 at 11 a.m.
• 281-554-1000

 CITY OF NASSAU BAY

• July 4th Parade at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church located at18220 Upper Bay Road at 5 p.m.
• Fireworks Display – Nassau Bay Park,  Upper Bay Road, Sunday, July 4, at 9 p.m.
•  281-333-4211

 CITY OF SEABROOK

• Children’s Parade at Meador Park located at 2100 Meyer Rd., Saturday, July 3 at 9:45 a.m
•   281-291-5600

CITY OF WEBSTER

• Salute to Patriotism July 4th Celebration at 17100 Texas Ave., Sunday, July 4, at 5 p.m.
• Fireworks Display-  Sunday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m.
•  281-332-1826

 KEMAH BOARDWALK

• Fireworks Display Sunday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
• 281-334-1611

Young Professionals

The Young Professionals, or YPs,  is a dynamic networking program for Members of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce who are over 21 years of age.

YP Mission: To foster both new and long-term relationships through an entertaining family oriented group while creating next generation leadership in the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

In other words, the YPs are the younger (or at least young at heart) Chamber members who take advantage of all the Chamber has to offer and then some.

YP events are created as networking opportunities, but their unique locations, intresting activties or informative seminars are an added bonus. Some of the events have included (but this not nearly all of them):

• Golf Lessons at Bay Oaks Country Club
• A  NASA Tour
• “No Experience Necessary” Bowling Tournament
• Professionalism Seminar (“Professionalism and it’s Impact on YOUR Career”)
• Wellness Seminar at Neogenesis Wellness Center & Medical Spa
• Martini Madness at The Davenport Lounge
• YP meetings
• YP “Night Out” events

The YPs belong to a Chamber member company/business/organization and are regular Chamber members, they just participate in the YP program to enhance their membership benefits and have fun while doing so.

For more information, find the YPs on Facebook   or e-mail Febe Prado, the CLACC Director of Communications at febe@clearlakearea.com or call the CLACC office at 281-488-7676 and get in on the fun!