NYSJC member chosen to speak on Student Loan Breaks for YPs

Good morning, New York State.

One of the government initiatives that we have been working on is giving student loan break incentives to young talent that would encourage them to stay in New York State after graduation. This is a topic that effects all of us in New York as we have great educational institutions, but struggle with income after graduation when trying to repay heavy student loan debts.

Now, Unshackle Upstate is moving forward with this initiative and making it the primary focus on the March 4th rally at the SUNY Albany campus. THIS IS FOR ALL OF NEW YORK -- NOT JUST UPSTATE.

AND our Very Own Gina Pellettieri has been chosen to speak as a young professional who could benefit from student loan relief.

Remember that the New York State Junior Chamber invites you to come in early to support this initiative by attending GALS, where you will not only get to show your support, participate in an actual rally, but you will learn how to be more involved in government leadership in your local community. Sign up today at www.NYSJC.org

"We want our economy moving. Not our people" is the message that Unshackle Upstate organizers are bringing to Albany on March 4th. The bi-partisan coalition will hold a morning event on the SUNY Albany campus at 9:30 a.m. that will focus on tax relief for graduates with student loans. The average New York State graduate carries a debt of approximately $19,000. One of Unshackle Upstate's goals is to change the standard tax deduction for young people ages 18-25 statewide. The coalition is proposing an increase in the deduction from $7500 to $10,000 and for student loan interest to be deducted from taxable income.

Speakers include representatives from the coalition including a SUNY student, a young professional, and an Upstate business leader.

There will be access to computers at the event so students can send an email to legislators and the Governor, using a template provided on www.unshackleupstate.com, that states what the coalition is asking for in terms of creating tax relief for educated, motivated young adults.

Since 1990, over half a million people between the ages of 25-34 have left Upstate because of the lack of opportunity. The coalition holds elected officials accountable and seeks to create meaningful change so that upstate communities can once again prosper and flourish. Since March 2007, over 160,000 emails have been sent to state representatives in support of the Unshackle Upstate agenda.

New from NYSJC - GALS, PR for You, and ONTO

New York State Junior Chamber Heads to Albany
Government Affairs Leadership Seminar March 1-4

Registration for the New York State Version of the Government Affairs Leadership Seminar has been available on the front page of the state web site at http://www.NYSJC.org You have the option to download the PDF and mail it in or register online through the online form.

Events begin Saturday afternoon, giving plenty of time to travel without missing work. Saturday evening we will honor the Outstanding New Yorkers/Humanitarians in our great state. On Sunday, we have Officer Training School as well as government specific training available to attendees. Monday will be a tour of the State Capitol, information about how the State Government Works, and Training on how to lobby government Officials. To wrap things up on Tuesday, we will be attending a morning press conference on how young people are an important asset to New York State followed by a rally starting at SUNY Albany for Unshackle Upstate to promote New York State econonic investment. This is one event that you don't just attend -- you engage in active citizenship! Sign up Today!

PR Opportunity for local chapter and local member
3-4 minute speech opportunity for member at SUNY Albany Press Conference Tuesday Morning

Travers & Collins company, a PR firm out of Buffalo, is looking for a young speaker to represent the struggles of young, educated people in New York State. The media event will take place in the morning - probably from approx 9:30 - 10-15. Inside the Campus Center - and weather permitting, we'll want people outside w/signs prior to event for the cameras. The key message for this event is tax breaks for grads w/student loans and general tax breaks for young adults. There may be a possibility of having one of your younger members as a featured speaker. No more than two minutes - speaking from first hand experience on the challenges you face with either no job or an entry level position, and thousands of dollars in debt from your education. How necessary the tax breaks are for enticing young grads to stay in NY.

ONTO Memphis is coming fast
Early registration costs extended to February 27th

March National Convention in Memphis, TN, is coming March 18-21 (Competitions 18th and Opening Ceremony on the 19th). Please contact Kim Lambert at coolburlap@hotmail.com if you have already made arrangements or would still like to attend.

Special training to include:

- Diversity in Your Chapter Ariel Jones

- Leadership for Your Chapter/Community Matt Booth

- Session 1: Hours of Power (4 Speakers)

- The 2008 Plan of Action O’Neil

- Effective Membership Plans Reinhard

- State Presidents’ Training Weber

- Vision Quest Koch

- Technology/New Website Smith

- Planning for Successful Conventions Howerton/Modie

- State Presidents’ Training Weber

- How to Do Extensions Chandler

- Take Your Chapter from Good to Great DiLeonardo

- State Presidents’ Training Weber

- Governmental Involvement: GOTV Peterson

- Citizens Corps CJ Jorif - RD/DD Training Kingsley

JCI Netherlands Middle Region Conference

A special THANK YOU to the national Communication VP Jeroen Komen of JCI Netherlands for the invite to this wonderful event in Echteld. It was wonderful to see World Congress President Graham Hanlon (Ireland) again and to listen to his passionate speech on active citizenship and the bed-tent (Operation Hope) campaign.

I have posted pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/shondaranson/JCINetherlandsMiddleRegionMeeting

Off to Scotland tomorrow evening by boat from Belgium to Rosith.

Blog posting during EU/UK Travels

I just wanted to remind everyone that I will be traveling in the EU/UK for 10 days. (Yes, Ann, I’ll send postcards)

My Schedule will be as follows
February 8th overnight flight to Amsterdam

February 9-12 (4 whole days) the Netherlands (primarily Zeeland province/Vlissingen, but flying into Schipol).

February 13th by train/boat to northern Scotland

February 14-16 (4 whole days) in northern Scotland (primarily Aberdeen)

February 17th - flying or train back to Amsterdam for Feb 18th noon flight back to Rochester, arriving evening ET.

You can reach me via email for most of the travel or via phone in the Netherlands (+31118418840) or via phone in Scotland (+447986464308)

I was thinking about picking up a disposable cell while there, so if I do, I will give that number as soon as I have it.

--
Shonda Ranson, CNT
78th State President
New York State Junior Chamber

Check out the video "MetNet & the City Teaser Promo"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neIoDinvzq4

JCI-USA: New York State
Worldwide Federation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Website: http://NYSJC.org

Leaders from all over the State pull resources to Unshackle Upstate Economics

As part of the Government Affairs Leadership Seminar, the New York State Junior Chamber has been informed that the following organizations are planning a rally in support of Unshackle Upstate on March 4th in Albany. If you or your local chapter would like to join in, this is a great way to rekindle the relationships between local Jaycees and local government and business leaders.

While the entire list is below in the press release, I have pulled out some that may pertain directly to NYSJC chapters:

Garry Douglas, President, North County Chamber of Commerce

Frank Elias, President, Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce

Catherine Glover, President and CEO, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce

Darlene Kerr, President, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce

Jim Brow, Mayor, City of Rome

Byron Brown, Mayor, City of Buffalo

John D. Bullis, Executive Director, Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

David Carucci, Mayor, City of Olean

Mary Clark, Citizens Action, Binghamton

Dr. Ray Cross, President, Morrisville College, Morrisville

Joel Delmonico, Vice President, ClearChannel Communications, Syracuse

Karen K. Delmonico, President and CEO, Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce

Randy DeLosh, Mayor, City of Massena

Colleen DiPirro, President and CEO, Amherst Chamber of Commerce

William H. Dixon, Mayor, Village of Dansville

Matt Driscoll, Mayor, City of Syracuse

Robert J. Duffy, Mayor, City of Rochester

Paul Dyster, Mayor, Niagara Falls

Darcy Fauci, Director, Economic Development, Greater Binghamton Coalition

Barbara Fiala, Broome County Executive

Richard Frey, Mayor, City of Dunkirk

Tom Gallagher, Mayor of Cortland and President-Elect, Metropolitan Development Association

Tim Grippen, Executive Director, Opportunities for Broome, Binghamton

William Guglielmo, President, Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley

Jim Hare, Elmira City Council

Shawn D. Hogan, Mayor, City of Hornell

Jerry Jennings, Mayor, City of Albany

Maria Kindberg, Majority Leader, Chautauqua County Legislature

Bill Kinne, Onondaga County Legislature

Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature

Joyce Lobene, President, Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce

Howard Lowe, Director, Technical Assistance Center, SUNY Plattsburgh

Douglas Mahany, Chairman, Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce

Terry Martino, Executive Director, Adirondack North Country Association

Michael McCormick, Minority Leader, Allegany County Legislature

Pat McKeown, Interim Executive Director, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Dennis Mullen, CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise

Dr. Neil Murphy, President, SUNY ESF, Syracuse

John S. Nader, Mayor, City of Oneonta

Eduardo Navarro, Chairman, Rochester Hispanic Business Association

Sylvie Nelson, Executive Director, Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Virginia O’Brien, Minority Leader,Rensselaer County Legislature

Andy Patros, Tompkins County Legislator

Carolyn Peterson, Mayor, City of Ithaca

Jeffrey Pond, Mayor, City of Salamanca

Matt Ryan, Mayor, City of Binghamton

Peter Same, Supervisor, Town of Seneca Falls

Susan Savage, Chair, Schenectady County Legislature

John Scarano, Executive Director, Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce

Vito Scisioli, Executive Director, Syracuse 20/20

Dr. David Smith, President, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse

Brian Stratton, Mayor, City of Schenectady

Sam Teresi, Mayor, City of Jamestown

John Tonello, Mayor, City of Elmira

L. Michael Treadwell, Executive Director, Operation Oswego County

Mark Whalen, Chair, Broome County Legislature

Linda Witte, Minority Leader, Cattaraugus County Legislature

Jessica Wood, ROC City Coalition, Rochester

150 State St., Suite 400, Rochester NY, 14614 www.RochesterBusinessAlliance .com

Tel: (585) 244-1800 – Fax: (585) 263-3679

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Feb. 6, 2008

CONTACT: Ellen Rosen, VP of Marketing, Communications and Membership

PHONE: (585) 256-4616

Media Advisory for today, Feb. 6

Business, Labor, Agricultural and Government Leaders Endorse Governor Spitzer’s Upstate Revitalization Fund

More than 100 Community Leaders Urge Sate Lawmakers to Endorse $1 Billion Upstate Revitalization Fund

More than 100 business, labor, agricultural and government leaders have joined a growing list of supporters who have endorsed Governor Eliot Spitzer’s Upstate Revitalization Fund, it was announced today in Binghamton.

Rochester Business Alliance President and CEO Sandy Parker, who unveiled the list of supporters, emphasized the importance of the Governor’s plan in bringing much-needed attention to the struggles of the region and providing crucial resources to help jumpstart the Upstate economy. Parker also called on the State Legislature to do its part to make the plan a reality.

“The time has come where we finally have a Governor willing to lay it on the line for Upstate New York. As business leaders, it is our job to do what is in the best interest for our communities and to improve the quality of life for our families,” said Parker. “The Governor’s plan holds great promise for Upstate New York. The infusion of funding in all sectors of our economy including business, labor and agriculture represent the true spark the region needs to thrive once again. We are urging the State Legislature to act on this plan so that the Upstate economy can get the attention it needs and deserves.”

Governor Spitzer has proposed a $1 billion Upstate Revitalization Fund which would inject capital into the Upstate economy. His proposal includes:

- a Regional Blueprint Fund ($350 million) to provide capital for creating development ready sites, industrial parks, establishing small business loan programs, and supporting cutting edge research and job creation;

- City-by-City investments ($115 million) that will support several critical development ready sites, industrial parks, establishing small business loan programs, and supporting cutting edge research and job creation;

- a Housing Opportunity Fund ($100 million) dedicated to the development of affordable, supportive, and workforce housing projects throughout Upstate;

- a transportation and intercity passenger rail ($130 million);

- rebuilding our parks ($80 million);

- an Agricultural Development Fund ($50 million); and

- other initiatives ($175 million) including funding for universal broadband, venture capital investments and job programs.

Last week 13 business, agricultural and labor leaders endorsed the Governor's Upstate Revitalization Fund and urged other Upstate leaders to join them, resulting in today's additional supporters.

The original 13 are:

Sandy Parker, President and CEO, Rochester Business Alliance
Garry Douglas, President, North County Chamber of Commerce
Frank Elias, President, Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce
Catherine Glover, President and CEO, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
Darlene Kerr, President, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
John Lincoln, President, New York Farm Bureau
Patrick Mannion, Chairman, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Rudnick, President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Robert M. Simpson, President-elect of the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York
Bill Towsley, President, Greater Syracuse Building Trades
Ken Warner, Executive Director, UNICON Rochester
Frank Wirt, President, Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council
Randy Wolken, President of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York.

Today’s additional endorsers include:

Keith Ahlstrom, Chairman, Chautauqua County Legislature

Roy Akins, Mayor, City of Glenn Falls

Nathan Andrews, Vice President, Morse Manufacturing, Syracuse

Robert Andrews, President, Morse Manufacturing, Syracuse

Jim Bays, Chenango Board of Supervisors

Jim Bedieng, President, NYS Wine & Grape Growers Foundation

Diana Bendz, Board President, Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition

Jack Benjamin, President, Three Rivers Development Corp., Corning

Martin K. Birmingham, Regional President, Five Star Bank, Rochester

Daan Braveman, President, Nazareth College, Rochester

Deanna Alterio Brennen, President and CEO, Niagara USA Chamber

Jean-Claude Brizard, Superintendent, Rochester City School District

Jim Brow, Mayor, City of Rome

Byron Brown, Mayor, City of Buffalo

John D. Bullis, Executive Director, Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Ann Burr, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Frontier Communications, Rochester

David Carucci, Mayor, City of Olean

Allen G. Casey, ME Engineering, Rochester

Dick Cauchon, Director of Corporate Initiatives, Sensis, Syracuse

Mary Clark, Citizens Action, Binghamton

Philip Clark, Clark-Patterson, Rochester

Jim Collins, Binghamton/Oneonta Building Trades Union

Anthony Cotroneo, President, Small Business Council of Rochester

Dr. Ray Cross, President, Morrisville College, Morrisville

Paul DeCarolis, Chairman, DeCarolis Truck Rental Inc.

Joel Delmonico, Vice President, ClearChannel Communications, Syracuse

Karen K. Delmonico, President and CEO, Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce

Randy DeLosh, Mayor, City of Massena

Steven DiMeo, President, Mohawk Valley EDGE

Colleen DiPirro, President and CEO, Amherst Chamber of Commerce

William H. Dixon, Mayor, Village of Dansville

Lee Drake, President and CEO, OS-Cubed, Inc., Rochester

Matt Driscoll, Mayor, City of Syracuse

Robin Dropkin, Parks & Trails NY

Robert J. Duffy, Mayor, City of Rochester

Paul Dyster, Mayor, Niagara Falls

Darcy Fauci, Director, Economic Development, Greater Binghamton Coalition

James Fayle, Chief Executive Officer, Jefferson County Job Development Corporation

Barbara Fiala, Broome County Executive

Richard Frey, Mayor, City of Dunkirk

Michael Fuller, Chairman, Pipeline 4 Progress, Corning

Tom Gallagher, Mayor of Cortland and President-Elect, Metropolitan Development Association

Andrew Gallina, Gallina Development, Rochester

Mark Gianniny, Gianniny Associates, Rochester

Tim Grippen, Executive Director, Opportunities for Broome, Binghamton

William Guglielmo, President, Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley

Jim Hare, Elmira City Council

Jerrel Heatwole, Chairman, Northeast Council, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

Randy Henderson, President, Henderson Automotive Family, Rochester

Rick Herman, Rochester Home Builders Association

Shawn D. Hogan, Mayor, City of Hornell

Jerry Jennings, Mayor, City of Albany

Gail Jewell, Remington Arms Co., Herkimer

Jonathan Judge, CEO, Paychex, Rochester

Thomas Judson, The Pike Company, Rochester

Mason Kaufman, Syracuse Meals on Wheels

Brad Keating, Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Marketing Services, Eastern Region, Syracuse

Maria Kindberg, Majority Leader, Chautauqua County Legislature

David Klein, CEO, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Rochester

Bill Kinne, Onondaga County Legislature

Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature

Don Kowell, Business Manger, Granger Construction, Syracuse

R. Wayne LeChase, CEO, LeChase Construction Services, Rochester

Norman Leenhauts, Co-Chairman, Home Properties, Rochester

Jennifer Leonard, Executive Director, Rochester Area Community Foundation

John Lincoln, President, New York Farm Bureau

Joyce Lobene, President, Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce

Howard Lowe, Director, Technical Assistance Center, SUNY Plattsburgh

Douglas Mahany, Chairman, Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce

John Manilla, President, Pyramid Brokerage Company, Rochester

David Marnell, President, Convention Center at Oncenter, Syracuse

Terry Martino, Executive Director, Adirondack North Country Association

Theresa Mazzullo, Excell Partners, Rochester

Brad McAreavy , President, Rochester Automobile Dealers Association

Michael McCormick, Minority Leader, Allegany County Legislature

Timothy McCormick, CEO, Unity Health Systems, Rochester

Pat McKeown, Interim Executive Director, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

David J. Meyer, Partner, Pathfinder Engineers LLP, Rochester

Daniel Meyers, President, Al Sigl Center, Rochester

Thomas Mitchell, Bergman and Associates, Rochester

Martin Mucci, President, Paychex, Inc., Rochester

Dennis Mullen, CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise

Dr. Neil Murphy, President, SUNY ESF, Syracuse

John S. Nader, Mayor, City of Oneonta

Eduardo Navarro, Chairman, Rochester Hispanic Business Association

Sylvie Nelson, Executive Director, Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Virginia O’Brien, Minority Leader, Rensselaer County Legislature

Sandra Parker, CEO, Rochester Business Alliance

Andy Patros, Tompkins County Legislator

Carolyn Peterson, Mayor, City of Ithaca

Edward Pettinella, President and CEO, Home Properties, Rochester

John R. Piper, President, Family First of NY Federal Credit Union, Rochester

Jeffrey Pond, Mayor, City of Salamanca

John Purcell, President, Fibertech Networks, Rochester

Shonda Ranson, New York State Junior Chamber of Commerce

John Richardson, Director of Monroe County and Rochester Relations, Eastman Kodak Company

Clyde E. Rutherford, President, Dairylea Cooperative, Syracuse

Matt Ryan, Mayor, City of Binghamton

Ronald E. Salluzzo, CFO, Harris Interactive, Inc.

Peter Same, Supervisor, Town of Seneca Falls

Susan Savage, Chair, Schenectady County Legislature

John Scarano, Executive Director, Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce

Vito Scisioli, Executive Director, Syracuse 20/20

John Schaefer, Labor Local 7, Ithaca

Sandra Simpson, District Superintendent, Herkimer BOCES

John Smarelli, President, LeMoyne College, Syracuse

Dr. David Smith, President, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse

Michael Stamm, President, Tompkins County Area Development/IDA

Brian Stratton, Mayor, City of Schenectady

Francis Tepper, Henrietta Chamber of Commerce, Monroe County Fair

Sam Teresi, Mayor, City of Jamestown

Steven Thorpe, President, SWNY Building and Trades Council

John Tonello, Mayor, City of Elmira

L. Michael Treadwell, Executive Director, Operation Oswego County

Jim Trezise, President, NY Wine & Grape Foundation

Mary Ann Tyszko, President, SRCTec, Inc., Syracuse

Theresa Underwood, Vice President and General Manager, WSYR-TV, Syracuse

James E. Verdi, Branch Partner, Lawley Andolina Verdi, Rochester

Patrick Waterman, Director of Business Development, FRA Engineering, Rochester

Julie West, Project Director, CBN West, Plattsburgh

Michael Wetzel, P.E., President, Air Innovations, Syracuse

Mark Whalen, Chair, Broome County Legislature

Scott Whittaker, President, Broome County Farm Bureau

Suzanne Williams, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity

Linda Witte, Minority Leader, Cattaraugus County Legislature

William Wolf, Executive Director, Griffiss Institute

Jessica Wood, ROC City Coalition, Rochester

Lynne Woodworth, President and CEO, Stone Construction Equipment, Inc.

Carla Zimmerman, Manager, Eric mower & Associates, Syracuse

Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, President, Rochester Downtown Development Corp