Member Spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Their vision is to match a “Big” with every “Little” in Washtenaw Country that needs or wants one.

Since Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County was established in 1991, the agency has served nearly 2000 at-risk youth with one-to-one mentoring relationships through their school, site and community based programs.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County has introduced caring adults in the lives of children for over 20 years. Volunteers who serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters are extensively screened, interviewed, and trained to help the child they are matched with grow academically, socially, and emotionally through their one-to-one friendship.

For information on how you can make a difference in the life of a child, contact us at 734-975-0933 or email us atinquiry@bbbswashtenaw.org.

More information about BBBS of Washtenaw’s programs is available on www.bbbswashtenaw.org.

Member Spotlight: FlockTAG

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FlockTFlockTag_3D_600px-RGBAG puts THE BIG in Small Business by helping local businesses know and grow their customer base. FlockTAG has created a mobile marketing and loyalty platform that helps restaurants and cafés better compete with big chains by offering a more desirable solution to attract new customers and earn more from existing patrons.

FlockTAG has uniquely combined the benefits of a high-tech universal loyalty card, plus personalized deals delivered through a mobile app, to create the first truly collaborative neighborhood network that grows local businesses. FlockTAG is a universal program that consolidates multiple loyalty programs and eliminates the need to carry an individual loyalty card for each business you frequent.
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David Lin (the owner of Bubble Island) and tech entrepreneur, Adrian Fortino, created FlockTAG in 2011 to help alleviate the sizable disadvantage that small businesses have compared to large chains.

FlockTAG is a rapidly growing Ann Arbor based start-up now operating in 6 Midwest cities and was recently featured in aForbes magazine article among other Detroit area tech startups that are helping to create an innovation center in southeastern Michigan.

FlockTAG web site

A2Y Chamber takes positions on statewide ballot proposals

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Last week the Chamber announced its positions on several local ballot issues coming before voters in November. As the premiere public policy advocate for business in Washtenaw County, and a significant voice in southeast Michigan, the Chamber has also taken stances on critical ballot issues at the state level, and sent a questionnaire to specific candidates for federal, state and local office. The questionnaire looks for candidates’ views on issues that affect the business community and individual voters. Candidate responses are listed below.

Statewide Proposals

Proposal 12-1 (Prop. 1)
The A2Y Regional Chamber supports Proposal One. Passage of this proposal would reinstate the Public Act (PA) 4 of 2011, the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act. Public Act 4, commonly known as the “Emergency Manager Law,” is not without controversy. Proponents believe PA 4 provides needed tools to aide local units of government in dire fiscal situations, while at the same time ensuring the State of Michigan can protect its credit rating. Opponents refer to it as an overreach and an abandonment of the democratic process by, in some cases, eliminating local governmental control. However, the Chamber feels the law was passed through the legislative process in both the Michigan House and Senate. It deserves a chance to be implemented and remain in place long enough to sufficiently judge its effectiveness. A yes vote on Proposal One allows for that chance.

Proposals 2-6
The A2Y Regional Chamber opposes the constitutional amendments appearing on the November 2012 ballot (Proposals 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) because it believes the broad, complex, and critical issues in these proposals are best left to be addressed by the Michigan Legislature. Although arguments can be made for the substance of each proposal, the chamber believes that to enshrine them in the constitution is too permanent a solution because it removes the ability of elected legislators to create, change test, and modify laws of such great importance. The A2Y Chamber calls for these important issues to be addressed through future legislative action.

Candidate Questionnaire Responses

In early October the Chamber sent a questionnaire to candidates for:

U.S. Senate
Pete Hoekstra
Debbie Stabenow

U.S. House of Representatives (District 7 and District 12)
John Dingell
Kurt Richard Haskell
Cynthia J. Kallgren
Tim Walberg

Michigan House of Representatives (Districts 52, 53, 54 and 55)
Gretchen Driskell
Bill Emmerich
Jeff Irwin
Mark Ouimet
David Rutledge
John Spisak
Adam Zemke

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (All Districts)
Joe Baublis
Felicia Brabec
John Floyd
Alicia Ping
Rob Turner

Ann Arbor City Council (All Wards)
Stuart Berry
Sally Hart Petersen
Margie Teall
Chuck Warpehoski

Ypsilanti City Council (All Wards)
Lois E. Allen Richardson

Candidates for Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer in Ann Arbor, Pittsfield, Scio, Superior and Ypsilanti townships
William McFarlane
David Phillips

All responses

Note:
The Chamber is only publicizing responses from candidates who replied to the questionnaire. If a candidate is not listed they did not reply or did not provide sufficient information in their response.

A full listing of candidates can be accessed at the following sites:

Federal, State and County candidates

Local candidates

A2Y Chamber takes positions on local ballot measures

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The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti (A2Y) Regional Chamber seeks to be the premiere public policy organization to advocate for business in Washtenaw County and a significant voice in southeast Michigan. To this end the Chamber has taken positions on some of the critical ballot issues at the local and statewide levels. The A2Y Chamber will also publicize responses to a questionnaire it sent to candidates for federal, state and local office. The Chamber’s positions on the local ballot questions are listed below. Positions on statewide ballot issues and the responses to our candidate questionnaire will be released on Monday, October 29, 2012.

 

Local Proposals

Ann Arbor Proposal B- Ann Arbor City Charter Amendment Tax for Art in Public Places
The A2Y Chamber takes no position on Ann Arbor Proposal B. While there are arguments both in favor of and againstthe current process to publicly fund art, the question of process continues to be a difficult one. With that in mind, the A2Y Chamber appreciates the proponents of Proposal B for having the foresight to bring this question before the voters for a direct vote. This proposal’s fate at the ballot box will give policy makers a clearer picture of the citizens’ desire to specifically fund public art. The Chamber appreciates this major opportunity for direct citizen input.

Ann Arbor District Library Proposal- Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Building Proposal
The A2Y Chamber endorses the Ann Arbor District Library’s millage proposal appearing on the November 2012 ballot.  While we recognize there may be concerns regarding the timing and magnitude of the proposal, we believe that the Library has made a reasonable and valid case for its proposal. For instance, while building on the current site creates a number of issues, due to the unique legal restrictions on that property vis-à-vis the school district, relocating the main library is not feasible. Further, the building is antiquated and not conducive to providing the types of services and resources demanded of a library in the 21st Century and particularly in our community which has proven a need and desire for a main branch providing modern services.  Refitting the current building would entail considerable costs and not provide long-term solutions. In addition, and at least as significantly as the other reasons, the Library Board has proven itself to be a responsible steward of the public’s money.  They have built first class branches without incurring debt, and for many years have voluntarily chosen to levy less than the full amount of taxes which it could otherwise levy.  And finally, having a modern downtown main library reinforces our community’s image and commitment to this resource, and the plans for the new facility will be a destination for many and an asset to the overall business and community climate.


Willow Run Community Schools (WRCS) and Ypsilanti Public Schools (YPS)
(Note: There are two identical ballot proposals coming before voters in the WRCS and YPS jurisdictions.)

Proposal-School District Consolidation Proposal
Earlier this year, the A2Y Chamber came out in support of the consolidation of WRCS and YPS. We reiterate our support and endorse this proposal citing our previous statement’s case for the merger.

Operating Millage Proposal
The A2Y Chamber supports this companion proposal to the School District Consolidation Proposal.  The chamber believes the failure of this proposal would be severely detrimental to the newly created entity (resulting from the WRCS-YPS merger). The operating millage is not a tax increase, but simply keeps in place the existing operating millage that is already levied in each district. If this proposal fails, the consolidation (if passed by voters) would still move forward and this proposal would need to be placed on the February 2013 ballot since the State of Michigan expects each district to levy the 18 mills on non-homestead parcels. Failure to approve the millage will result in an $8.9 million (estimated) shortfall in revenue which will further exacerbate the financial challenges of the new district and make it highly unlikely that the new school district could survive given that it will already be facing a roughly $11.6 million deficit. Failure to approve this millage proposal has the potential for the imposition of an emergency manager being appointed to run the district. For these reasons, the Chamber believes that the passage of this operating millage is essential for the success of the newly created entity and for the educational prospects of the children it will serve.

A2Y Regional Chamber supports economic development with new Ypsilanti office, collaboration with SPARK

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You might have heard by now that The A2Y Regional Chamber is open in both Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor with a new office space in downtown Ypsilanti at SPARK East and the previously established main office in downtown Ann Arbor. The current collaboration with SPARK East Business Incubator allows the Chamber to support SPARK’s efforts to strengthen economic development in the Ypsilanti area. Downtown businesses such as Red Rock Downtown Barbecue and B-24s Coffee Shop are some of the newest members joining recently as the Chamber continues its commitment to Ypsilanti. The Ypsilanti office is open Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm and is staffed with Chamber employees including membership and sales staff. Appointments can also be made to meet Chamber employees at either location. The Ann Arbor office is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

SPARK East’s building includes 12 cubicles with short- or long- term leases, two conference rooms, nearby free parking and several other common office supplies for those renting the space. It is located in the Eastside Innovation Campus downtown, which is what SPARK calls an array of incubator services from educational programs, business and development centers, networking opportunities and expert assistance with research, marketing and strategy.

The previous A2Y Regional Chamber Ypsilanti-based office was located in the KeyBank building across from Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business on Michigan Avenue, just yards to the east of SPARK East.

After the merger of the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Area Chambers, more than two years ago, the large space at the KeyBank building in Ypsilanti was not being used to its full potential. Before the merger the Ypsilanti Area Chamber occupied that building for nearly two decades.

Now with office hours at SPARK East on Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti, as well as main office operations on West Huron Street in downtown Ann Arbor, the Chamber is excited to strengthen its advocacy for businesses throughout the region.

Having resources in both Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor creates a bond between the two cities, allowing for a bigger pool of resources and a wider range of nearby members to network with. This includes the Chamber’s efforts to host a variety of events in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, as well as its involvement with activities in both areas, including the upcoming Ypsilanti Heritage Festival.

The Chamber is excited to encourage local business in Ypsilanti with this new satellite location and collaboration with SPARK, as well as to get more involved in activities in the Ypsilanti area.

Attend our Ypsilanti office grand opening!
Coffee Connect: A2Y Regional Chamber Ypsilanti Office Grand Opening

To know more about the Chamber and to explore the new Ypsilanti office, we invite you to come to the Grand Opening of the Ypsilanti office to enjoy our August Coffee Connect. You can meet other Chamber Members, the Chamber Staff, and A2Y Regional Chamber Board Members and let us know what local issues are affecting your business in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.

August 22, 2012, 10 am – 11 am


A2Y Regional Chamber Ypsilanti Office
Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm (closed for lunch between noon and 1 p.m.) and by appointment
215 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

A2Y Regional Chamber Ann Arbor Office
Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm
115 West Huron Street, 3rd Floor, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Contact 734-665-4433 

Young professionals give feedback on transit plan at A2Y Converge forum

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Young professionals give feedback on transit plan at A2Y Converge forum

Public transportation can transform our community, our environment, and our economy, according to TheRide CEO Michael Ford.

“It’s more than just getting you from one point to another; It’s an important part of the community,” Ford said.

Because it is important to discuss proposed changes in public transportation, A2Y Converge hosted a Local Transit Forum with TheRide on July 12th to discuss possible improvements to local transit, including a change from serving only the Ann Arbor area to serving all of Washtenaw County.

At the forum, representatives for The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) received community feedback from the Chamber’s young professionals. This is in addition to input from thousands of community members and more than 70 public meetings that have helped TheRide’s board create a new 30-year vision.

The forum revolved around TheRide’s Five-Year Transit Program, which includes the following as a way to begin the changes involved with the new 30-year vision:

  • Increase service frequency to every 15 minutes on major corridors
  • Extend hours of operation on weekdays and weekends
  • Make routes more direct
  • Make travel times faster (more real time information and signals to get buses through traffic faster)
  • Connect to local nearby cities, townships, and villages to reduce Ann Arbor’s congestion and need for extra parking.

Ford explained in more detail at the forum that the 30-year vision, or the Smart Growth Transit Master Plan, would expand services to connect Washtenaw communities rather than just covering the Ann Arbor area. Eight transit districts have been created throughout the county as a new structure for this plan, which can be viewed along with their governance system at MovingYouForward.org.

               Five-year plan map
After questions from attendees, funding for the expansion was not discussed in detail at the fourm, as Ford said the framework of the plan has not been fully approved yet. After possible approval at the August 1 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting, funding options could be sought based on recommendations from TheRide’s Financial Task Force. The county commissioner is the last of four parties who have been involved in the decision. The Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti city councils as well as the AATA have given their approval.

 

Justin Fenwick, Business Transportation Coordinator at TheRide, spoke at the forum about the more immediate changes in service happening as a part of this plan.

Converge members who attended were excited to learn about the new programs TheRide has that go beyond basic city transportation. This includes NightRide for after hours transportation, ExpressRide for a faster commute between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, AirRide for shuttles to the Detroit Metro Airport, and VanRide for a car pooling system.Attendees were especially interested in NightRide and VanRide for local work-related benefits.

NightRide, more specifically, is a late-night, shared-ride taxi service with Blue Cab. TheRide initiated it in response to the community’s need for safe, low-cost transportation late at night by complimenting TheRide’s bus service and providing round-the-clock, public transportation within the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area, even on holidays. Attendees at the forum said they think flexibility and extended hours are important improvements.

VanRide allows a minimum of five people to ride to and from work each day in a seven passenger van provided by TheRide. A monthly fee includes the vehicle, insurance and maintenance. The designated driver rides for free and has personal use of the van for up to 200 miles per month. VanRide is available to anyone commuting to or within Washtenaw County. More information is available at MyVanRide.org.

Attendees also expressed some of their concerns with service, such as using public transportation in relation to commuting to work. This included conflicts with timing of the buses differing from what time someone would need to arrive at work. The location of parking lots provided by TheRide for people to park and take the bus was also a concern as the locations aren’t convenient for everyone. As one attendee said, he was unsure of how safe he would feel leaving his car in some of the parking locations.

 

Fenwick said they are working on expanding services such as convenient parking and faster communication for real time information about the location of buses. Fenwick said he has not owned a car for more than five years, providing perspective on the ways people can depend on local transit, even if it is just for a ride to work.

 

He asked that employees talk to their places of business about whether the businesses have considered the benefits of public transportation for employees, especially with the new services offered in the area by TheRide.

TheRide is still seeking feedback on the plan from local young professionals. Even if you weren’t able to make the forum, you can still contact Justin Fenwick at jfenwick@theride.org with any suggestions or questions. More information on the proposed plan is available at movingyouforward.org.

A2Y Converge is always looking for opportunities for young professionals to have their say on what’s happening in the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti area. We will be hosting Downtown Development Fourm with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority Wednesday, August 29 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the Celtic Room at Conor O’Neill’s. Join us to hear more about the Connecting Williams Street project and let the DDA know what you think.

 

Member Spotlight: Fresh Start Clubhouse

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Member Spotlight: Fresh Start Clubhouse

Fresh Start Clubhouse is more than a program or a social service. Fresh Start is a community, intentionally designed as an environment for adult residents of Washtenaw County with severe and persistent mental illness to develop self-efficacy and resiliency in their struggle to recover their lives and participate in society. Fresh Start is based on the Fountain House model of psychosocial rehabilitation where members provide mutual support and encouragement to celebrate accomplishments and regain self-confidence. Members of Fresh Start move beyond their illness by focusing on strengths, talents, and abilities rather than symptoms. The organization and operation of Fresh Start is shared by members and staff on a side-by-side basis; all work of the Clubhouse is meaningful and necessary. The work-ordered-day is the core of the Clubhouse program, in which members voluntarily participate in work which is divided into two units of responsibility-the Culinary Unit, and the Cooperative Unit.

Recently, Fresh Start Clubhouse was awarded accreditation through their governing body, the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), a symbol of quality, and a clear demonstration of a Clubhouse’s commitment to excellence. Out of 44 Clubhouses in Michigan, Fresh Start is proud to be one of only five with accreditation status. Fresh Start and its auspice agency, Touchstone Services, Inc. have also been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), demonstrating a commitment to being one of the best psychosocial rehabilitation programs available.

Fresh Start Clubhouse’s motivation to join the A2Y Chamber was fueled by their mutual interest in facilitating education and advocacy for the Washtenaw County community as a whole. In an effort to continue to advocate for their member’s recovery, Fresh Start has an employment program that is one of the most successful vocational rehabilitation programs in today’s community mental health systems. Because of the unique nature of the many integrated services provided at Fresh Start, they are always able to meet members where they are in their life’s journey. Employment continues to be an often expressed priority for people living with serious mental illness, although the unemployment rate among this group is generally over 80%. Fresh Start is actively looking for community employers to partner with to reduce this rate, and it is their belief that the Chamber can help to this end. Fresh Start is also seeking community leaders to join their Advisory Board to help them continue providing top tier services to their members.

The staff and members at Fresh Start Clubhouse would love the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti community and present their overall program, as well as employment program. In the meantime, if you are a like-minded community employer or community leader interested in providing meaningful employment opportunities or expertise to their Advisory Board, please don’t hesitate to contact Rose Schulist, Director, or Aaron Cook, Vocational Coordinator at (734) 929-9992. They can also be reached at roses@freshstartclubhouse.org or acook@freshstartclubhouse.org, respectively.

Q & A with Tom Harrison about his trip to the White House

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Q & A with Tom Harrison about his trip to the White House

Our Board of Directors Chair and Michigan Ladder CEO Tom Harrison was honored to be invited to the Michigan Business Leader’s Briefing at the White House in June, along with representatives from the public sector, including local colleges and universities, and other Michigan business owners and CEOs. Here’s his take on the meeting.

Which officials attended?

Members of the White House Economic Council (WHEC).  Most of the names are not in the mainstream media and probably not known to most, but Mark Doms, the Chief Economist Department of Commerce and Ari Matusiak, the Executive Director of the White House Business Council are two that I knew.

 

What were some of the key points in the economic briefing?

The people from the private sector consistently voiced a concern over the uncertainty in the economy.  Our perspective was to simply figure out the rules, regulations and taxes, make them fair and equitable, and have them apply to everyone without exception.  The spending and unfunded obligations need to be brought under control because we all know that at some point it will have to be paid for. People from the public sector got excited about re-training the work force.
 What were some of the policies discussed?

From the private sector: the ever-changing rules, regulations and taxes that make it difficult to plan your business.  From the public sector: re-training programs. From the White House: they touted a re-training bill (that none of us had heard of), programs to hire veterans, and electronic health records.

 

Did you get the sense that the Department of Commerce and the White House understand the issues facing businesses in Michigan?

I think they have a general understanding of the situation in Michigan and have a similar understanding of the problems around the country.  Do I think they will really do what is needed? No. All of our economic problems are political and I don’t think there is the political will to do what is required.

 

Do you think this meeting was effective in helping to communicate the needs of Michigan businesses?

Absolutely.  Anytime you have the opportunity to visit with our policy makers, I think you should do it.  If they call me 100 times, I will go 100 times. I’m less optimistic that anything meaningful will come out of these meetings, but you do have to try.

 

What issues do you feel are unique to businesses in Michigan?

I don’t think that we really have any unique issues. If our policy makers could provide a fair, equitable and stable economic environment, everything else will take care of itself.

 

What did you see on the White House tour?
We visited the East Wing and part of the private residence.  Our tour was scheduled for June 1st  and on day prior they had unveiled the official portraits of George and Laura Bush.  We got to see them on display in the East Room of the White House.

 

How did your family enjoy the trip?

Everyone had a great time.  I particular enjoyed visiting the Gettysburg battlefield and torturing my children with a painfully detailed description of the battle, particularly Pickett’s charge.  We all went on the White House tour together and while I was in my meeting, they visited all of the sites in DC. Favorites among the kids were the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the International Spy Museum.

 

New Faces at the Chamber

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The A2Y Chamber is excited to welcome two new Membership Sales Representatives and a new Senior Accountant to the staff.

Julie Kedroske began at the Chamber as a marketing and events intern this summer and was hired on for the sales position in November. She is from Chelsea, MI and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Social Relations from Kalamazoo College in 2011.

Our newest sales representative Rosalind Vaughn is an Ypsilanti resident originally from Cassopolis, MI.  She studied business at Eastern Michigan University and worked at the Ann Arbor Credit Bureau for 14 years.  She also spent the last 9 years as a mortgage loan officer.

Senior Accountant Cindie Dulaney is a graduate of Cleary University with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Accounting and is currently studying for her MBA at the University of Michigan – Flint. She lives in Fenton with her husband Ryan and four-year-old son Alex.

Take a moment to introduce yourself at the next Chamber event!

A2Y Chamber Launches A2Y Converge for Young Professionals

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The Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber is proud to announce the launch of the young professionals organization A2Y Converge. The name was chosen to reflect the group’s mission to bring together young professionals who live or work in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area for the purpose of making meaningful connections and collaborating in building a vibrant local community for professionals near the start of their careers.

A2Y Converge was created to engage the Chamber’s younger members and will offer a variety of networking, community engagement and professional development opportunities geared toward an under-forty audience. So far, the group has hosted an informal networking event at Café Habana May 5th and participated in the Ypsilanti PRIDE community clean-up May 21st. The next event will be A2Y Converge at the Grove at Top of the Park Thursday, July 7th from 5:30pm – 9:00pm. Anyone interested in the group is invited to this free event where Converge members will mix and mingle with members of other local Young Professionals groups.

Find A2Y Converge on Facebook
Follow A2Y Converge on Twitter
Visit our Young Professionals page