Chairman’s Corner
A few words from Gary Clark, Chairman of the TMCC Board of Directors

TMCC backs the Tucson Charter Change Coalition (TC3)
For over a year now, the Southern Arizona Leadership Council has facilitated a committee calling itself The Tucson Charter Change Coalition (TC3) whose goals have been to update and improve the City of Tucson’s local governance. The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has partnered with this group and the Board has endorsed their findings and recommendations. Click here to read more.

Immigration Reform: A solution Arizona needs NOW!
Unless you have been away from media outlets for the last week or so, you are well aware of the emotional turmoil the Arizona legislature and Governor Brewer have kicked up with the passage of SB1070. A drastic step to be sure, but one our state representatives and senators apparently felt was critical for the overall safety and well being of our citizenry. Make no mistake: protecting our national borders is a federal—not state—responsibility. But failure to act at a national level created an untenable situation at the state level that required action. Apparently our legislature and Governor believed that SB1070 was the right solution. Click here to read more.

Important May 18th election—VOTE!
Chamber supports Prop 100
Some pills are harder to swallow than others. Prop 100, a state wide temporary one cent sales tax increase for three years is one of them. The Chamber urges you to vote YES on May 18, 2010. Click here to read why.
Oro Valley Election
May 18, 2010 is probably the most important election in the Town of Oro Valley’s history. That is because pro-business candidates must be elected to ensure that Development Services is streamlined, that business is not excessively taxed, and that the sign code is improved. That is why the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Satish Hiremath for Mayor and for Town Council, Lou Waters and Joe Hornat. Unless you received an early ballot, you must go to the polls to vote so don’t forget to have your vote counted.

SCF introduces more Savings for Arizona business
SCF Arizona your Work Comp Specialist
Provided by Ed Redmond, Association Coordinator

SCF has some great news for Arizona businesses:

SCF Premier Insurance Company effective May 1 will offer new and renewal eligible business a 40 percent deviation off of Arizona manual workers’ compensation rates. This program savings is reserved for our largest and safest customers. . .

Iceland’s volcanic eruption touches Tucson
Two weeks ago, the University of Arizona played host to numerous international travelers who were here to attend UA’s “Toward Science of Consciousness” conference. Thirteen European attendees had plans to return home on the following Saturday or Sunday, but the ash clouds from Iceland's Eyjafjjoell volcano eruption stopped air travel. . .

SME ToolkitSM on-line now!
The Tucson Chamber has partnered with IBM to offer on-line small business assistance. The SME(Small and Medium Enterprises) Toolkit is designed to guide businesses through a myriad of issues that negatively impact their enterprise today. The following links take members to various webpages that can aid and direct businesses to plan for success and work through problems as they endeavor to expand, grow and thrive. Click here to read more and access the SME Toolkit . . .

Attend the SME ToolkitSM Workshop!
Join the Tucson Chamber and IBM at the launch of this important business tool! Come for a continental breakfast, learn about the SME (Small Medium Enterprise) Toolkit, and earn a chance to win great prizes! Click here to register on-line--FREE!!!

Choosing health coverage? Remember this...
People are pretty comfortable buying auto or home insurance, often comparison shopping or relying on an agent or friend for advice. But health insurance? What good health coverage means to one person could mean something completely different to another. The decision can be over-simplified by basing plan choice on price alone or over-complicated by trying to predict sometimes unpredictable health care needs.

Rewards for Referrals--Check it out & Cash in!
Click here to read the terms and conditions for this fantastic new Chamber program!!

Safety When Encountering Animals
Working outside in the spring months may mean working alongside insects and animals that could pose a threat to workers. OSHA offers the following tips for avoiding such injuries when working outdoors. . .

Events

Upcoming Events

Good Morning Tucson...Join us for an informative, productive, and enjoyable morning breakfast program at Tucson Country Club. Our emcee is David "Fitz" Fitzsimmons of the Arizona Daily Star. Our speaker will be Associate Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona, Dr. Dante Lauretta. Friday, May 7 - 7 a.m., Tucson Country Club, 2950 North Camino Principal. $20/member; $30/non-member if registered by May 4. Reserve online at www.tucsonchamber.org or contact Arlene at achiovet@tucsonchamber.org.

Health Care Reform Seminar... Plan to attend this informative and important seminar to learn more about the most recent health care reform legislation. Such wide-reachng legislation carries with it a number of complex issues. To help you address these issues, we invite you to attend this special seminar facilitated by Snell & Wilmer Law Offices on Wednesday, May 12 - 7:30 a.m., Sheraton Tucson Hotel. $20/member if registered by May 7. Register online at www.tucsonchamber.org.

Power Networking Luncheon... RSVP today for the next PNL event happening May 18th - 11 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel - 445 S. Alvernon Way. This fast paced networking event will surely give your Rolodex a boost and you and opportunity to do some business. Cost is $20/member by May 13th; $25/member thereafter. $30/non-members. Register online at www.tucsonchamber.org and bring in PLENTY of business cards!

Women In Business... Join us at the Chamber's newest networking event - Women In Business. The group will meet the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11 am to 1 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. Each month, a different speaker will address attendees on various topics. There is plenty of time to network, enjoy lunch by the pool, and learn something new from the speaker. Cost is $20/member with reservations by May 21st; $25/member thereafter. Non-members are $30 each. Register online at www.tucsonchamber.org.

Were you there?
Good Morning Tucson in April
April's Good Morning Tucson provided the attendees a look at healthcare. Paul Kappelman, CEO of Northwest Medical Center, explained how the hospital is putting the "care" back in healthcare. Through technology and innovative procedures and caring for hosptial staff, NMC has become a state of the art facility. His presentation was very positive and an eye-opener for attendees. . See pictures of the event.

Business After Hours
With over 90 attendees exchanging business cards and making contacts, Business After Hours was another big hit! Held at the Tucson Chamber on April 14th, members networked and enjoyed delicious pizza from Magpies Pizza. Villa Maria Care Center was the proud sponsor of this networking event.

Women In Business
April's meeting hosted Joan Belzer, Certified Graphologist who gave us some insight on the importance of writing and what it says about you. Everyone had a productive lunch and made some incredible contacts. Click here to view photos of April's event.

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Chamber Features

Member of the Month
Rich Quinn is a Registered Representative with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. who has 39+ years experience in the industry. He has been servicing the Tucson Chamber of Commerce as a Bottom-Line Benefits Representative and Chamber member since 2002. . .

Read more about the Chamber's newest bottom line benefit programs:
NextCare
Dental Care Advantage
The Smart Saver RX Card

Chamber Discount Club

April Ribbon Cuttings

PSA Art Awakenings
450 North 6th Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85705
792-6272
Lynne Shulman, President
Art Awakenings Southern Arizona
www.ArtAwakenings.org

PSA Art Awakenings has begun expressive arts therapies services to at-risk youth and families in Tucson, in conjunction with behavioral health services already received. Open House festivities were April 15th. PSA Art Awakenings is funded by the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA). Art Awakenings is a program of PSA Behavioral Health Agency, based in Phoenix, AZ, Sara Marriott, CEO.

Focus on business . . .

People in the news: Click here to read about: Ronald D. Tornberg, Senior Electrical Engineer for Rosemont Copper and J. Clinton Mabie, President/CEO of Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

Events

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