Before you vote in the May election, attend the next Good Morning McKinney breakfast Friday, April 17.  This will be a great opportunity to meet the candidates as they will rotate tables to discuss their position on issues as well as answer any questions.

Invited candidates include:
Mayor: George Fuller and Brian Loughmiller
City Council - At Large: Gilda Garza, Curtis Rath and David Brooks
City Council - District 1: Maurice Malvern, Randall Wilder, Don Day and Alonzo Tutson
City Council - District 3: Travis Ussery

The breakfast will be Friday, April 17 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Eldorado Country Club, 2604 Country Club Drive.  Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $25 for the general public.  To make a reservation, go to www.mckinneychamber.com.  Click on Upcoming Events then Chamber Calendar.  For additional assistance, contact Sharon Montgomery at 972.542.0163 or smontgomery@mckinneychamber.com.
 
Sponsored by Heritage Land Bank.

The Leadership Advisory Committee recently made recommendations to the Chamber Board.

1.         Name and curriculum change back to Leadership McKinney (LM) - This will entail some necessary re-branding, marketing and membership activities toward the ultimate goals of reflecting the national trends in leadership programs, gaining CEU certification for the program, and developing current and future leaders within our community. Citizenship, an essential aspect of leadership, will continue to be embedded within the program.

2.         Exploration of a complementary spin-off program - This would provide an "Experience McKinney" option for new residents, seniors, stay-at-home parents, retirees, et al. to become more informed, engaged, and in touch with the community. Participants may attend joint sessions with LM on a regular basis, perhaps for a ½ day, with a reciprocal benefit for both programs through interaction, discourse and bridging.

3.         Pursuit of "Life after LM" - programming, activities and alumni development in support of strategic planning, think tanks, alumni networking, and events.

As Chair of the Leadership Advisory Committee, I have seen it evolve and grow over the past year. The ambitious work described in these recent actions will require continued participation of existing committee members along with the insights and talents of our many other alumni colleagues. At this critical turning point in the program's history, please consider joining us the first Tuesday of the month to be an integral part of an invaluable initiative.

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, April 7 - 7:30 a.m.

Chamber Board Room

RSVP to Deb:  dfitzgerald@mckinneychamber.com

See you there!

Thom D. Chesney, Chair

Leadership Advisory Committee

You may not realize it, but when you’re making a local purchase you are not only acquiring a new product or service – you are also helping a McKinney business keep their doors open.

With the current downturn in the economy, keeping businesses open – and keeping jobs – is top of mind. While the North Texas region has weathered the economic storm better than most parts of the state, we are not completely immune to suffering the ills of a down economy. That’s why it’s important that we all do our part to be part of the cure.

When making a purchasing decision think local first. Keeping dollars circulating in McKinney will help build a vibrant community. It will help keep McKinney businesses operating and providing jobs to the local workforce.

McKinney City and Chamber Leaders went to Austin to participate in the Partners in Mobility presentation to the Texas Department of Transportation Commission. Two hundred Dallas / Fort Worth area transportation advocates – mayors, city council members, county judges and commissioners, chambers of commerce, business executives and civic leaders – went to Austin to visit with elected state leaders and members of the Texas Transportation Commission. City Councilmember Geralyn Kever, City Manager Frank Ragan, McKinney Chamber Board Member John Rattan, Chamber Interim President Terrie Keith and Chamber Public Policy Director Lisa Ferrell attended the events. Aimed at improving regional mobility through effective advocacy, the Partners In Mobility focus on education, collaboration, coordination and unity as cornerstones for building regional consensus.

Pictured from left to right is Kenneth Barr, Chairman of the North Texas Commission with Fred Underwood, Ted Houghton, Ned Holmes and Bill Meadows, Texas Transportation Commissioners.

It’s more than just a hop, skip and a jump from Ethiopia to the United States. But Chamber professional, Bereket Tekra, made that journey to McKinney, Texas to learn about our city, country, chamber, and business community. Bereket, Acting Secretary General of the Tigray Chamber of Commerce in Mekelle, Ethiopia, is one of eight chamber professionals to make their way to the United States for a two month intern program. The McKinney Chamber was also one of eight U.S. Chambers chosen to host an international intern for a two month period.