On June 26, 2008, IACCE Chairman Michael Malone of the McLean County Chamber, stepped down from chairman of the IACCE board as he gets ready to move to another chamber in TN.  We wish him the best and welcome the new 2008 - 2009 IACCE chair, Lynne Schneider.  Lynne is currently the chair-elect of the board and will fullfill Mike's unfinished 2008 term and complete her full 2009 term.  Lynne is with the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Malone's Fairwell Chairman's Message:

Hello Illinois:

In case you have not heard, I am leaving the McLean County Chamber of Commerce to become the new President and CEO of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce is Murfreesboro , Tennessee.  I have enjoyed my experience and the opportunity to know you and participate with you at conferences, training programs, and many events affecting our communities.  The staff, Liz and Mary, have been outstanding resources to our association.  Chamber work is not for everyone.  It is for the select few who are committed to making a difference in the lives and communities they serve.  It is more than a job…it is a passion.  My association with chambers covers over 20 years and three states.  I have seen mayors come and mayors go, governors elected and retired, board chairmen chosen and step aside, and members coming and going.  It has always been a learning experience where my interactions have brought about a change in myself and the community to which I belong.  I am sure you have and will experience such things as you progress along this chamber journey.

IACCE is a great organization which offers the opportunity to be more tomorrow than what you are today.  As chamber professionals we do not live in a vacuum but in the milieu of a changing world.  IACCE offers the lifelines to success and the support for when the lights go out on a bright day.  All you need to do is ask or call or seek out a counterpart to share a story or listen to advice.  It is up to you. ….it lies within your grasp.  Your greatness or your failure is in your hands each day.  You and only you can make the difference.  You have to decide.

As I embark on this new adventure, I know I am leaving an organization is great hands with the bubbling of ideas to create more value for you.  As an old ‘sage’ let me offer this advice.  Be strong in your determination to succeed.  Be humble in your quest for knowledge.  Be true to your self.  Maintain the integrity of your word.  Watch where you walk and listen to the many voices which surround you.  Sometimes in the dim of the day when confusion is rampid and the silence is deafening, a voice can be heard.  Listen, it is your guide, your street sign for success, it is your conscious.  As W. Shakespeare said…”To thine ownself be true”.  It may be old but event more appropriate today. 

Let me offer this short story.  A man went into an office of a large company seeking employment.  He received an interview and was ushered into the CEO’s office.  He was told the CEO would be with him shortly and he should wait.  As he sat there, he noticed a large painting of cowboys racing across the desert.  Horses were perspiring with the heat of the run, hats where being tossed from the riders heads, clouds of dust was snuffing out the landscape as they quickly moved across the landscape.  He was so enthralled with the picture, he rose from his chair and went behind the CEO’s desk.  As he stared in wonderment at the picture, oblivious to his surroundings, the CEO quietly came in and approached him from behind.  He said, “Great picture!”.  Obviously the applicant was shocked and embarrassed that he was caught behind the chairman’s desk.  He apologized and quickly went back to his seat with a very red face and quite flustered.  As the chairman sat down he looked at the applicant and asked him, “what do you think of the picture?”  The applicant said it was quite wonderful especially how the artist captured the cowboys running away.”  The chairman said, “What makes you think they are running away..maybe they are running to something?”  The applicant had no answer.  The chairman moved on quickly and explained “Leadership is about many things.  But in today’s world, you either make dust or you eat it!”

As you proceed in your career, it is better to make dust than to eat it.  Go out and make some dust!!!  Thank you and may God bless you and watch over you.

Lynne Schneider's Welcome Chairman's Message:

Change…it’s a constant in our lives.  Seasons change.  The weather changes.  Relationships change.  People change jobs.  This is the newest change for Mike Malone, current Chairman of the IACCE.  Mike has accepted a job in Tennessee and will be missed.  Thank you, Mike, for your leadership and expertise.  We wish you much success in your new endeavor.

All of our chambers must handle change at some point this year.  For some, it is dealing with the floods and tornados that have devastated areas around the state.  These chambers must work with their businesses to get them back up and running, like the phoenix rising from the ashes.  For others, it is helping their business community deal with the slow economy and rising cost of doing business.  It is a time when businesses think they can’t afford their membership dues but it is actually the time that they need the chamber the most.  Some will deal with staff issues, some with dwindling membership numbers and others will struggle with depleted funds and deficit budgets.

But the one constant chamber professionals have to assist them is IACCE.  The Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives was created and exists to assist you in becoming the best professional you can be.  IACCE offers educational opportunities through the Learn From the Master Program and Fall Conference with scholarship opportunities to help cover program fees.  IACCE has publications to assist you including by-laws, policy manuals, job descriptions and more.  Most importantly, IACCE offers you a network of chamber professionals from around the state the can help you solve a problem.  Post your questions on the IACCE website web forum (www.iacce.org) or contact members individually.

I am honored to now serve my fellow chamber professionals as Chairman.  As a fledgling exec, I needed lots of help as our small chamber had never had real staff and IACCE was there for me.  Be assured that the Board and I are here for YOU!   Our board members come from across the state and are eager to give their assistance and expertise.  Don’t be shy.  Come to IACCE when you need something or assist IACCE by joining one of our committees.  Most committee meetings are done via conference call.  You don’t even have to leave your office!

I look forward to working with you.