Chairman's Message

John LaRocca
Email: info@conejochamber.org

First of all, I’d like to extend to each and every member, our Board of Directors, staff, and our Foundation Board an exciting and enthusiastic New Year. 

I would like all of you, for a moment, to consider the word convergence: a convergence of ideas, vision, our members, our community and our board. I’d also like to introduce you to another concept called STEEP, as discussed in Mark Emmer’s book Intended Consequences (on sale at the Chamber). 

STEEP is a tool for considering how social, technological, economical, ecological and political factors affect businesses (and I’d also like to add communities) for and in the future. Let’s consider at a quick glance the New World Normal. For a moment, imagine the future, which I contend, is really now. 

Let’s apply convergence and STEEP. 

Social: The Wall Street Occupy movement, large bank customers transferring accounts in November, totaling over 100,000. 

Technological: Egypt and Libya overthrown by Facebook and Twitter! 

Economical: Job layoffs in our community’s largest companies (upheaval in Greece, France and Italy). 

Ecological: Recycling, Green Movement, increased public awareness. How do we leave our planet for the next generation? 

Political: Our community’s outcry to be heard on the Auto Mall sign, and bidding procedures for increased local offer opportunities. How do we fit in? 

Let’s consider convergence and how it relates to STEEP. We should all think about things differently. We will have more information to make better and more timely decisions; we will all ask better questions; and we will endeavor to search for better answers.  Your Board will close gaps with our members and be more engaged with each other and our community. 

So, in closing, we will be stepping up the benchmark for excellence for our community and Chamber, and most especially, with each other. This does remind me of John F. Kennedy’s famous statement, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." 

With your Chamber, great futures start here.