Leadership Bismarck-Mandan students participated in the Media Issue Day on Feb. 1 at Ducks Unlimited. During this issue day, the class learned about the art of persuasion; how to prepare a press release and how to conduct an interview with the media.
Becky Jones Mahlum from Ducks Unlimited stressed the importance of being prepared, building a core message and always coming back to that message. After receiving these tips, the class heard directly from a panel of expert media representatives from radio, television and newspaper. They learned that reporters like to …

The Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network is requesting nominations for the annual Top 10 Young Professional Workplaces Award. The award recognizes local businesses committed to recruiting and retaining talented young professionals. Eligible businesses, those employing young professionals under the age of 40, are measured on criteria related to the active development and execution of strategies advancing employment of young professionals in the workplace and quality and type of benefits offered.
Nominations can be submitted until noon on March 30, 2012. To submit a business in the Bismarck-Mandan area, fill out the nomination …

The 2011 flood impacted almost every facet of the Bismarck-Mandan community and its surrounding areas. Today, it continues to have an impact on the decisions made by city and county planners as they consider the future of the community in terms of infrastructure, construction, development and flood protection. “There was a need to quickly develop plans in the city and county on how best to protect the community from future flood events,” says Carl Hokenstad, AICP, director of the City of Bismarck Community Development Department and the contracted planning services for Burleigh County.

Looking at Future Community Growth
As energy development expands in Western North Dakota, Bismarck- Mandan and Burleigh and Morton counties are anticipating continued growth. While many local leaders don’t expect drilling to reach the community or surrounding counties, with an ideal proximity to the oil fields, many ancillary services and individuals are making the area home.
With a steady influx of businesses and employees expected, local leaders believe now is the time to prepare for the future. “It is important we plan to get our cities positioned for the right response to …

The 16th annual charity fun day bowling tournament at Midway Lanes in Mandan resulted in great donations for two local charities. Sponsored by Terry Barnes Auto Glass, Midway Lanes and URL Radio, the charity event, produced $4,870 for Pam’s House, the shelter operated by the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC), and the Jesse Hillard Scholarship Fund. The charity tournament was held Nov. 26, 2011.

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Board of Directors welcomes three new board members, is excited about the renewed commitment from five board members and announces the new executive team.
New to the board in 2012 are Rick Matteson from MDU Resources, Dan Pearson from Northwest Tire and Wayne Munson from Indigo Signsworks. Recommitted members include Jeff Neuberger from Mid Dakota Clinic, Greg Vetter of American Bank Center, Kleber Hadsell from Tesoro Mandan Refinery, Perrie Schafer of Schafer Financial Services and Mike O’Keeff e from Farm Credit Services.
“We’re excited to infuse new ideas and …

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber’s Military Aff airs Committee (MAC) partnered with the University of Mary and Central Market on a cookie drive for military members and families.
The MAC is coordinated the event for the second year. Last year nearly 200 dozen cookies were collected through business and community donations. This year the committee wanted to really show their support for the military and pulled in support from local grocer Central Market and the University of Mary.
“Collaborating with local businesses aligned with our committee mission of supporting the military along with giving …

Measure 2, an initiative to eliminate property tax in North Dakota, will be up for a vote in June. Petitioned onto the summer ballot through eff orts spearheaded by the group “Empower the Taxpayers of North Dakota,” the measure, if passed, will constitutionally alter the state’s tax structure by eliminating property tax as a revenue source for local government entities.
While the prospect of eliminating property taxes is appealing on the surface, many in both the public and private sectors believe the proposal could be detrimental to state, county and local …

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee (MAC) will sponsor its first Military Education Fair, to be held at the North Dakota National Guard Raymond J. Bohn Armory on Saturday, Dec 3, 2011. The free event is open to all active duty and reserve personnel, family members, and veterans.
Representatives will be available from 20 colleges, universities and trade schools across the nation to answer questions about returning to school, enrolling, eligibility and transferring previously earned college credits. Each participating school will donate a door prize, valued around $200, which …

By Dot Frank
Garrison Dam’s flood gates may have closed, but new flood gates have opened for local building supply centers and area contractors. ProBuild of Mandan is feeling the pressure of anxious construction companies and homeowners as they work hard to supply building needs at an aff ordable price and in a timely manner.
ProBuild General Manager Keith Doerr said that business has been brisk. Bismarck-Mandan flooding slowed construction down for a while, but now that the flood waters have receded, it is business as usual and then some. “At first …

Are you a former or current Junior Achievement (JA) volunteer in the Bismarck, Mandan or surrounding communities who was involved when it was first organized in the early 1990’s? Are you an adult who had the chance to receive JA in one of your classrooms when you were growing up? As a teacher, did you have the opportunity to have JA in your classroom?
Junior Achievement of Bismarck- Mandan is seeking former JA volunteers, educators and students, to discover the impact JA made on their life.
“Do you remember your JA classes …

Organization urges adults to go back to school alongside students
As kids head back to school in eager pursuit of new friends, good grades, and extra-curriculars, now it the time for parents to reflect upon their own contributions to family and community. It seems like we all have less time, but this fall may be a good time to assess opportunities to volunteer.
What better way to help shape our nation’s future than by personally investing in our children’s education? Although the Bismarck-Mandan educational system is worth heavy accolades, there are a …

By Kylie Blanchard, Clearwater Communication
Flooding is just one example of the events that force local business leaders to think fast and make decisions prior to gaining a comfortable amount of consensus. Although having everyone on board with a decision can build confidence and promote a team approach, consensus can also slow processes when timely choices are needed.
It is during these times business owners and community leaders need to consider when consensus gathering hinders rather than helps progress. Below, local business leaders discuss consensus building and its impact on local organizations.
“All …

Speakers from around the region to convene in Bismarck-Mandan
The Chamber will host a flood recovery conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at the Bismarck Civic Center. The conference will feature speakers from cities around the region including: Fargo, Grand Forks, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa. The goal of the day is to learn lessons in recovery from other communities.
“In recent years, other communities have experienced significant flooding,” said Kelvin Hullet, president of the Chamber. “With this event, we hope to learn how these communities dealt with the aftermath, ensured the …

At the Chamber, we are working to stay on top of the issues related to the flood in our community. Our survey in late June showed that business is starting to return to normal, but we have a long way to go. Here are a few things we think you should know.
Business Recovery Center Opens
The Small Business Administration and FEMA have opened a Business Recovery Center at the Bank of North Dakota, which is located at 1200 Memorial Highway. This center off ers information specific to businesses that have been …

The Chamber hosted summer’s first Fridays at the Chamber last month. More than 45 members came to the Chamber to enjoy a free lunch and fellowship.

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and Dale Carnegie Business Group present the FREE workshop: Employee Engagement Through Motivational Leadership.

By Sally Paulson
The Bismarck-Mandan Student Chamber of Commerce is searching for several students to serve on its board for the 2011-12 academic year. The board consists of local high school juniors and seniors who are interested in learning more about their community.
Students involved in this board focus on the same issues that the Chamber’s board of directors focus on, such as transportation, government affairs, local issues, education and economic development. Students are privy to meetings with local and state officials and company CEO’s and owners. The students get to ask …

Leadership Bismarck-Mandan (LBM) is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 program. LBM graduates gain from the program’s mission to engage emerging leaders in business and community issues.
The program consists of ten, half-day issue days and a full-day orientation beginning in September and ending with a graduation luncheon in May. Topics covered include: diversity, communication, natural resources, local issues, community characteristics, human services, military affairs, law, education, economic development, agriculture, faith, ethics, values, servant leadership, legislative aff airs and political involvement. Sessions feature presentations by community leaders and are infused with …

The August Membership Mixer will be hosted at the new Bremer Bank on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Bremer is excited to have their Grand Opening in conjunction with a Chamber Mixer. With their vision of building healthy communities through partnerships, Bremer Bank is looking forward to being involved in the Bismarck- Mandan community. Join members from 5 to 7 p.m. at their new location at 710 S. Washington St. for this great networking opportunity.
Bremer Bank joined the Chamber when their construction began in late 2010. The new location off ers 6,800 …