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Looking for a way to get more involved? The Austin Chamber offers current members many opportunities to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the community. It is a good way to build relationships and get more out of your membership. Our current volunteer task forces and committees are listed below.

Communications
Contact: Nan Matthews, 512.322.5623 or nmatthews@austinchamber.com

    Communications Council
    Goal: To support all Chamber communications activities.
    Time Commitment: Meetings as needed.

    Branding/Membership Committee
    Goal: Creative launch team and marketing campaign team to promote Chamber brand to various industries. Time Commitment: Varies.

    Business Awards Committee
    Goal: To seek out nominees for each category, assist with marketing of the event, recruit judges and help with winner videos and packages. Time Commitment: Varies.

    Media Appreciation Event Committee
    Goal: Secure location for event, sponsors and donations. Also assist with invitations, photography and event set-up. Time Commitment: Varies.

    Education and Talent Development Committee
    Goal: Assist with marketing, promotion and securing media partnerships and sponsorships for Financial Aid Saturdays, State of Education and 20,010 by 2010 initiative. Also help with developing radio plan for PSAs and remote events. Time Commitment: Varies.

    Web Site Redevelopment Committee
    Goal: Help with usability research and ideas for redesign, and help create materials for members-only area and online press center. Time Commitment: Varies.

Education &Talent Development
Contact: Drew Scherble, 512.322.5623, dscheberle@austinchamber.com or Cyndi Contreras, 512.322.5644, ccontreras@austinchamber.com

    Education & Public Policy Intern
    Goal: Commit to work 15 hours per week for one school semester minimum. Work directly with the Education & Public Policy department staff. Intern will be responsible for learning and carrying out a variety of tasks including research, data input, preparing reports and other materials for operational task forces and key annual events, assist in special events planning and preparation. Internship description. For more info, contact Cyndi Contreras, Austin Chamber of Commerce Director of Education & Public Policy at ccontreras@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5644.

    Financial Aid Saturdays
    Goal: Increase financial aid application submissions by an additional 7.5% y/y. Financial Aid Saturday volunteers will provide integral technical support to students and families with filling out their college financial aid forms. Training provided. For more info, contact Cyndi Contreras, Austin Chamber of Commerce Director of Education & Public Policy at ccontreras@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5644.

    Financial Aid Community Outreach
    Goal: Assist college enrollment managers with community outreach by placing phone calls to students and parents/guardians to inform them of the importance of completing the FAFSA and the free, personal assistance available during the ‘Financial Aid Saturdays’, ultimately encourage them to attend at least one event. Contact Cyndi Contreras, Austin Chamber of Commerce Director of Education & Public Policy at ccontreras@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5644.

    Foundation Communities - Community Tax Centers
    Goal: Assist hard-working low income families with tax preparation and ensure they get he maximum tax return they are eligible for. Training provided. For more info, contact Jackie Blair at jackie.blair@foundcom.org or visit www.communitytaxcenters.org.

    Austin Partners in Education (APIE) College Readiness Program
    Goal: Execute on plan to increase 15% annually college-ready. College Readiness volunteers will guide small collaborative study groups of 3-4 students grouped by their specific academic needs to prepare for college entrance exams at select Austin ISD high schools. For more info, contact Jessica Story, APIE College Readiness Program Coordinator at jstory@austinpartners.org or 512. 637.0985 or visit www.austinpartners.org.

    Skillpoint Alliance
    Goal: Participate in Skillpoint Alliance’s Annual College & Career Fair which provides an opportunity for thousands of juniors and seniors from regional high schools to explore career opportunities as well as obtain information on postsecondary education. The next fair is scheduled for October 7, 2009. For more info, contact Scout Carr, Special Projects/Events Coordinator, scarr@skillpointalliance.org, 512.323.6773 Ext. 115 or visit www.skillpointalliance.org.

    Legislation
    Goal: Promote sound public policy at local and state levels by promoting Chamber policy recommendations as approved for the 2009 legislative agenda. The Education/Talent Department seeks your assistance to:

    • Ensure Texas regulators provide graduation reports no later than 150 days after May graduation.
    • Ensure Texas regulators increase “college ready” standard to reflect actual college readiness expectations.
    • Work with Legislature to align accreditation in K12 accountability system with student college readiness.
    • Work with Legislature to align college readiness with state $550 million TEXAS Grant financial aid program.

    For more info, contact Drew Scheberle, Senior Vice President for Education and Talent Development at dscheberle@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5628.

Governmental Relations
Contact Jeremy Martin, 512.322.5630 or jmartin@austinchamber.com

    Get Out the Vote Task Force
    Goal: To work with business community partners to improve voter turnout and education for upcoming elections. Time Commitment: Meetings as needed.

    The State/Federal Issues Committee
    Goal: Forms the Chamber’s legislative agenda at both the State and Federal level, share information regarding issues of interest, strategize regarding lobby efforts, and attend events with elected officials. Participants in the committee range from small business owners with an interest, but little to no experience, in politics to seasoned lobbyists. This is a great opportunity to get to know the process, volunteer your expertise or just interact with other Chamber members. Time Commitment: Meets on an ad hoc basis.

Membership
Contact 512.322.5678 or echambers@austinchamber.com

    Ambassador Committee
    Goal: To serve as the goodwill arm of the Chamber, to welcome new members and to promote member retention. Time Commitment: Meeting monthly from January to December; applicants accepted on a rolling basis.

    Membership Retention Committee
    Goal: To assist the Chamber with its member retention goals and strategies. Time Commitment: Meeting quarterly from January to December 2008.

    Business Awards Planning Committee
    Goal: To assist in planning and producing the Chamber's Annual Business Awards. Numerous committee opportunities available. Time Commitment: TBD

Regional Infrastructure & Development
Contact: Jeremy Martin, 512.322.5630 or jmartin@austinchamber.com

    Transportation Committee
    Goal: A standing Chamber committee that serves as a forum for members to become informed on transportation issues in the region through presentations at the monthly meetings. The committee also makes recommendations on policy positions to the Board as issues arise. Time Commitment: Meeting monthly from January to December 2008.

Small Business
Contact Dustin Woodhead, 512.322.5619 or dwoodhead@austinchamber.com

    Small Business Solutions Task Force
    Goal: To assist with the topic/speaker ideas for four Small Business Solutions Seminars, and also are involved the day of the event assisting with set-up and greeting attendees. This is an opportunity to build relationships among committee members and with attendees at each event. Each committee member is recognized at each seminar and workshop. Time Commitment: Minimum of 6 meetings a year.