Across the Board

Our biweekly Across the Board newsletter keeps you informed of Board of Trade activities. Members and non-members can subscribe.

March 1, 2007

New Professional Development Programs to Help Members Sharpen Skills. As promised, the Board of Trade is proud to announce two new programs powered by Management Concepts Inc. and the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. Designed for members and their staff, these highly interactive series will serve senior-level execs, managers and front-line employees. Check out course offerings for 2007. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Upham. Questions?

First Leadership Speaker Program Motivates Members. Yesterday, the Board of Trade’s first speaker series, featuring Luis Lobo, BB&T, and Ken Harvey, professional speaker and former Washington Redskin, discussed what leaders needed for success in their personal and professional lives. Participants walked away with a copy of Lobo’s book, It IS Your Attitude. Stay tuned for details on the next Leadership Speaker session.

Transportation Funding Passes Milestone in Virginia. The Board of Trade is celebrating progress on a landmark bill that would provide approximately $400 million in new transportation funds for Northern VA, including $50 million for Metro. Although the VA legislature passed the bill Feb. 24, it must still survive review and possible amendments by Gov. Tim Kaine, and the final bill will have to be implemented by the local jurisdictions in Northern Virginia. Next step: Our advocacy efforts will remain focused on advancing this legislation through April 4, the day for final action on the bill. Read more>> Questions?

MD Transportation Department Delays Metro’s Purple Line. The proposed Purple Line for Metro, connecting Bethesda – Silver Spring – New Carrollton, is being delayed so that ridership forecasts can be further refined. MD Secretary of Transportation John Porcari will meet with the Board of Trade’s Transportation and Environment Committee on April 27 to discuss this and other transportation issues. For meeting details, email Bob Grow. More on the Purple Line

Business Community Supports Mayor’s Efforts to Improve Schools. Testifying before the DC Council last week, the Board of Trade -- alongside the DC Chamber of Commerce and the Federal City Council -- offered assistance from the business community to help improve DC’s public schools and also announced support for Mayor Fenty’s effort to assume accountability for schools. Read testimony