Connections is the newsletter of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. The CCC reserves the right to edit submitted materials and is solely responsible for editorial content. Please address press releases and letters to Lisa S. Cohen.

Publisher:
Kelly Thompson Clark

Managing Editor & Ad Contact:
Lisa S. Cohen

Published by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
859 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 876-4100
www.cambridgechamber.org


Chamber Staff
Kelly Thompson Clark
President & CEO

Lisa S. Cohen
Director of Communications

Caryn Saitz
Director of Community Relations

Terrence F. Smith
Director of Government Affairs

Daisy Bowler Office Manager
Officers of the Board of Directors

Officers of the Board of Directors
Chair
William Sage
Sage Hotel Corporation

Treasurer
Arthur Spears
East Cambridge Savings Bank


Members of the Board of Directors

Alex Attia, Charles Hotel
Joseph Barrell, Acorn Realty
Carl F. Barron, CARU Associates
Robyn Culbertson, Cambridge Office for Tourism
Brian Burke, Microsoft
Dennis Carlone, Carlone & Associates
Sheldon Cohen, Community Mapping
John DiGiovanni, Trinity Property Management
Andrea Gabrielle, Neptune Web, Inc.
Sarah Gallop, MIT
Penny Garver, Sovereign Bank
Kathy Gram, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company
Kathleen Granchelli, Draper Laboratory
Skip Hartwell, Akamai Technologies
Jeffrey Lockwood, Novartis
Thomas Lucey, Harvard University
Norman McIver, Cambridge Trust Co.
Ellen McLaughlin, Tutoring Plus of Cambridge
Neal Mizner, Metropolitan Moving & Storage Corp.
Michael O’Connell, Mount Auburn Hospital
Amy Reilly, Biogen Idec
Rachael Solem, Harding House at Harvard
Ann Stanesa, Genzyme Corporation
William Zamparelli, NSTAR
James C. Hawkins, Director Emeritus


President's Viewpoint
Over the last several years, the political ads have been nonstop and mud slinging has played a prominent role. Yes that’s part of the “game” and as we head into November it will surely continue.

One key player that many think has burst onto the ad scene is the United States Chamber of Commerce. The US Chamber has been prominently displayed on TVs, in print and heard on radio in regard to several campaigns. As with any campaign ad sponsor, they’ve presented their view on various candidates. For many they may seem new but for those of us “in the industry,” it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
Since last year, I have gotten more than a few calls from individuals asking about our affiliation with the US Chamber. Many of those calls came from non-members or residents so my response was a bit less-involved, but for those of you that are members, I’d like to address your concerns.

Allow me to start by saying the US Chamber of Commerce is not the governing agency over chambers of commerce. They are a membership organization like all chambers. However, they happen to be in Washington, DC and do have a Political Action Committee (PAC) that provides them with the ability to support candidates and gain access to past and present Administrations, as well as the backing and clout to lobby and connect with lawmakers.

Most chambers do not have PACs, including the CCC. PACs are necessary if chambers are going to endorse candidates and support campaigns and elections from a monetary standpoint. On the other hand, not having a PAC doesn’t mean that we cannot testify about an issue, support good policy decisions or raise a brow if a decision is not the best action for business. Over the years, the CCC Board has discussed and considered “to PAC or not to PAC.” As of now, the choice is no PAC. However, one never knows and that could change as we navigate the political landscape.

Are we members of the US Chamber? Yes, we are. You will find that most active, connected and influential chambers choose to be members. We may not agree with every initiative they take on—just as not everyone agrees with all of the CCC’s decisions—but it’s important to be in the loop. I can tell you that your chamber is well-thought of and one of the go-to organizations for their northeast operations office and their national facility. CCC staff have been the recipients of US Chamber scholarships for their extensive and accredited professional development programming and we continue to be a benchmark on what chambers and communities are doing to affect change and be progressive.
Do we let the USC know when we do not agree with a stance they’ve taken? You bet we do. We also let them know when we agree with their programs and opportunities.

Some organizations look at their options on advocacy issues as “Damned if I do and damned if I don’t.” That’s not the lens I look through. The CCC chooses to have a robust government relations program. There are many levels of engagement across the political and legislative spectra that can be made to fit just about any chamber’s situation. Like few other activities, advocacy on the members’ behalf remains one of the most important and unique services that a chamber can offer to enhance the value proposition of membership. In order to do this and do it right we must remain engaged, represented and involved in all opportunities that provide our members with the best outcome for their businesses.

Best in business,
Kelly Thompson Clark


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