Follow Through On Your Promises!

>> on the way out" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2295589208_669d2784b1_m.jpg" width=236 height=240>Image by Don Hankins via Flickr

Environmental And Faith Groups Urge Midwest Governors To Follow Through On Promises In Climate Accord

In Advance of October Meeting of Midwestern Governors Association, Letter to Nine Governors Urges Them to Take Action on Clean Energy.

Nearly two years after Midwest governors signed landmark agreements to invest in clean energy and reduce pollution that causes global warming, environmental and faith groups from across the region joined together in urging the Governors to adopt a series of policies that would transform those goals into reality in a letter sent on Tuesday.

The letter is addressed to Midwestern governors who embraced a 2007 Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform developed under the auspices of the Midwest Governors Association (MGA). The signatories to the platform include Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota and Indiana, as well as the provinces of Ontario, CA, and Manitoba, CA.

“We’re thankful that so many governors throughout the Midwest recognized in 2007 that investments in cleaner energy represent an opportunity to boost economic development and combat air pollution related to fossil fuels,” said Keith Reopelle, Senior Policy Director at Clean Wisconsin.“Since then, job markets throughout Midwest have slumped, and now, more than ever, we need the economic jolt that would come with a concerted, uniform commitment to unleashing the power of clean energy, reducing electricity use and limiting carbon pollution.”

State laws requiring utilities to draw 25 percent of electricity from renewable resources, such as wind and solar power, by 2025, while reducing electricity use by 2 percent and natural gas use by 1.5 percent, are among the measures supported by the 51 environmental and faith organizations that signed the letter.

The policies the groups recommended emerged from four advisory groups that were assembled, by the governors, in the wake of the 2007 agreements. In their letter, the environmental groups asked the Governors to enact these measures through legislation or executive action, predicting they would capitalize on the Midwest’s existing industrial base and allow the region to blossom as a leader in clean energy manufacturing.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

‘MAKE A SPLASH’ STEERING COMMITTEE MAKES LEAD GIFT

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The “Make a Splash!” Campaign for the Hampton Aquatic Center has one of its lead gifts – a $38,000 cumulative pledge from the Campaign Steering Committee.

“This is a dramatic demonstration of commitment on the part of our volunteers,” said Campaign Coordinator Pat Sackville of Hampton. “The Committee members will make a more compelling case now that they have committed to their own gifts.”

Total gifts and pledges to the Campaign now exceed $40,000 with leadership gift solicitations under way.

“We are grateful to the Steering Committee volunteers who are working so hard to make life in Hampton better for families and children,” said Jan Johnson of Hampton, who with her husband Berry is Honorary Chair of the “Make a Splash!” Campaign. “This gift gives the Campaign great momentum.”

In a related move, the Campaign announced that it is launching a program for farm families that would like to support the project.

Farm families often see a worthwhile cause they would like to support, but they don't have the money to spare in their monthly budget. The “Make a Splash!” Campaign’s Gifts of Grain program allows farmers to help with the project that will benefit everyone in Franklin County.
This distinctive program allows farmers (who meet a certain criteria) to make a tax-deductible contribution to the program in the form of grain. No cash, no checks, just the simple harvest from your fields.

An added benefit of the program is that by giving grain, farmers help the community and reduce their personal taxes at the same time.

For more information on the Gifts of Grain program, contact Gail Castillo, Greater Franklin County Chair, “Make a Splash!” Campaign, at 641-425-6914. If the program interests you, meet with your tax advisor to arrange a Gift of Grain for the “Make a Splash!” Campaign.

ABOUT THE “MAKE A SPLASH!” CAMPAIGN
The “Make a Splash!” campaign’s objective is to develop the resources needed to make the Aquatic Center a reality. The City of Hampton will use a combination of private donations, public and private grant funding, and Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenue to pay for the Aquatic Center

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Social Media For Small Business

Image by Gauravonomics via Flickr

Session One: Free Introductory Class September 15 5:30 to 6:30 pm with questions after

It's virtually impossible to ignore. Everywhere you look, people are talking about Social Networking and Social Media. Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Linked In – just for starters.

Facebook has 200 million members.
You Tube visitors are viewing 13 billion videos a month.
Linked In has over 15 million business people networking
Twitter is growing at over 40% a month.

How can your business utilize these new tools to build your customer base, reach out to your community and build your bottom line? Join the discussion, see some of the tools available and begin to determine if this series is one you want to be involved in.

Sessions Two and Three are a package deal for $60. There will be handouts prior to the classes for those taking the series. We want you to hit the ground running!

Session Two: September 22 5:30 to 7:30 pm: Facebook
If you're not comfortable or familiar with Facebook, just consider it a new take on the networking event except with less pressure to make small talk and no shrimp cocktail boat. You'll learn how to maximize facebook: create a profile, a company page, join and create groups and how to use facebook to market your business. This is a hands on class. You will have received information that has allowed you to already set up your account prior to this class. You will also have telephone access to the instructor prior to this class.

Register early: class size is limited.

Session Three: September 29 5:30 to 7:30 pm: Twitter and Blogging
Blogging is more than just ranting about something. It's an actual website with content that is updated frequently (by you). It's an opportunity to share your expertise and drive customers to your physical site and your website. If you do it right, customers will find you when they Google a service they are looking for. We will set up your blog, leave you with some great ideas and make sure you are comfortable utilizing this tool when you leave.

Twitter – For you, the small business owner, Twitter is an amazing tool that can expand your reach to customers and potential customers. If can allow you to stay in touch and connect with thousands of people instantly. If can help drive your brand and communicate with customers in a way that you've never been able to do before. We'll begin to build your twitter account in this class.

WHERE: Ellsworth Community College Reg Johnson Building Room 104

CONTACT: Deb Sabin, Iowa Valley Continuing Education, 641-648-8621

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114