March 2002

Membership News
Executive Committee reaffirms support for education efforts
This article is reprinted from the March issue of the North Carolina Magazine

NCCBI is looking for opportunities to strengthen the involvement of members in developing positions on public policy issues as a result of some constructive criticism voiced recently by a few leading business executives. The internal review mainly seeks to ensure that the association’s strong leadership in education reform is not diluting its traditional concentration on basic business issues. Also to be examined are ways that the association can more effectively serve all of its members.

The constructive criticism was voiced by leaders of the state’s major electric utilities and some other prominent member companies, who said they were concerned about the heavy demands placed on Phil Kirk in his dual role as president of NCCBI and chairman of the State Board of Education. The group said that leading the State Board of Education is such a major responsibility that it could cause NCCBI to focus on that key public policy issue to the detriment of other vital business topics. The issue briefly spilled over into the news pages of the Raleigh News & Observer.

NCCBI Chair Gordon Myers of Asheville referred the concerns to the Executive Committee, which discussed the issue at length during a telephone conference call on Feb. 5. Myers reported on the results of the Executive Committee meeting in a memo to the Board of Directors that is reprinted below:

“I wanted to let you know that the NCCBI Executive Committee met on Feb. 5 by conference call. Twenty-three members participated, and we gave a unanimous vote to allow our president to continue in the dual roles as president of NCCBI and as chairman of the State Board of Education. We also reaffirmed our commitment to public education.

“At the same time, we listened to the concerns of some of the members of the executive committee and agreed to appoint a small group, consisting of the officers (Jim Hyler, Sue Cole, Bill Coley, Horace Johnson and myself) to study the mission of NCCBI, legislative priorities, and legislative strategy for the short session. I have added former chairs Mac Everett and Smedes York to the committee.

“If you have any concerns or comments to be shared with the committee, please forward them to me or feel free to communicate with any or all of the members. This is a short-term project so any communication should be done as promptly as possible.

“Phil has assured me that he and the staff are willing to address any specific concerns in a serious, thoughtful manner and will respond accordingly. Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance NCCBI’s reputation as the strongest voice for business, industry and the professions and education in North Carolina.”

Kirk said he takes seriously the opinions expressed by the group and pledged to take steps to ensure that NCCBI continues to address a broad range of political and business issues. He said he plans to arrange his schedule to spend more time in Raleigh when the General Assembly is in session.

Kirk also said he did not believe that raising the issue was a sign that any of the companies in the complaining group are backing off of their support for education reform. He noted that both utilities recently have announced major donations or initiated other programs to support the public schools.


Council of Associations holds first meeting
The initial meeting of the NCCBI Council of Associations was held on Feb. 11 at NCCBI with approximately 45 association executives in attendance. Leslie Bevacqua, vice president of governmental affairs, discussed the recent session of the legislature and asked for help in getting a constitutional amendment to limit the length of legislative sessions passed. A panel composed of Sondra Davis of the Governor's Office, Norma Mills of the Senate President Pro Tem's office, and Meredith Norris of the Speaker of the House's office discussed the appointment to boards and commissions process in their respective offices. A group discussion was held on good ideas/bad ideas which they had experienced in their jobs as association executives. Phil Kirk, president of NCCBI, and Rosemary Wyche, vice president of Development, explained that the council is open to executives of all statewide trade associations which are members of NCCBI. The group will meet three times per year to discuss issues of interest to association executives. Wyche will staff the group.

 
Membership Campaign Update
Through 10 months of NCCBI’s annual membership campaign, 188 new members have joined NCCBI, an achievement considered remarkable considering the weak economy. Board member David Huskins of Linville Falls continues to lead the campaign, having recruited 14 new members. Dr. Jim Causby of Smithfield, the superintendent of Johnston County Schools, is second with 11 new members.

Among other board members, Kelly King has recruited six new members while John Forlines and R.V. Owens have recruited four each. Recruiting three each are Bruce Biggs, Don Brady, Linwood Davis, Mac Everett, Jim Hyler, Bob Lowe, Louise McColl and Gene Miller. Meeting their goal of recruiting two new members are Tom Beard, Molly Broad, Sue Cole, Phyllis Crain, Charlie Greene, Steve Miller, Gordon Myers, Pope Shuford, Will Spence, Steve Stroud, Julianne Still Thrift and Jordy Whichard. NCCBI also wishes to thank the many board members who have worked to retain existing members.

NCCBI board members will be feted at a reception the evening of March 19 – the night before the Annual Meeting – at which several prizes will be awarded for membership recruitment. All board members are invited to the event at the N.C. Museum of Art from 6 to 7:30 p.m..

Please welcome these new members
New members that joined NCCBI during January include: American Management Systems, Charlotte; Ammons Inc., Raleigh; Carneal Downey Construction, Raleigh; Change by Leake, Raleigh; Children’s Education Centers, Greensboro; Fred Beck & Associates, Charlotte; Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, Fuquay-Varina; J.L. Powell & Co. Inc., Whiteville; James Insurance Agency, Greenville; Jim Brown Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, Franklin; Lenoir County Economic Development Department, Kinston; Microtel Inn & Suites of Robbinsville, Robbinsville; N.C. A&T State University, Greensboro; N.C. Retired Governmental Employees Association, Raleigh; Office of Larry Seigler, Greenville; Office of Paul Smith, Salisbury; Salem Leasing Corp., Winston-Salem; Southern Building Material Association Inc., Charlotte; TIAA-CREF, Charlotte; Tuggle, Duggins & Meschan, PA, Greensboro; West Insurance Agency, Wilson; and Whitt Motor Sales Inc., Candler.

Staff thanks volunteer leaders for making our retreat a success
The NCCBI staff is extremely grateful to a number of our executive committee and board members for making it possible to have our first-ever staff retreat outside Raleigh on Feb. 26-28. Steve Miller of the Biltmore Estate provided free lodging at the new Inn on Biltmore in Asheville. David Huskins asked Craig Madison to feed the NCCBI staff one evening at the Grove Park Inn and he responded with a spectacular five-course meal in a private room at Horizons Restaurant. Tom Bradshaw paid for our breakfasts, Mac Everett for lunch, John Forlines for the breaks, and Bob Grecyzn was responsible for a great dinner in the champagne cellar of the Biltmore Winery’s Bistro Restaurant. The staff held extensive discussions on all aspects of our operation and developed a better understanding of what each staff person does. During the retreat, incoming chairman Jim Hyler of First Citizens Bank in Raleigh dropped by for a visit, as did Miller and Huskins.

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