Gilroy Chamber of CommerceOFFICERSCHAIR OF THE BOARD TERRY FEINBERG • Moxxy Marketing

PAST CHAIR LISA FARIA • Coldwell Banker

CHAIR OF THE BOARD-ELECT PAM GARCIA • Simmitri

VC PUBLIC AFFAIRSJAY MENCHACA • Menchaca Law

SECRETARY/TREASURER VC OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT TERRY NEWMAN • Retired

VC BUSINESS PROGRAMS & SERVICES CHERYL ELLEMBERG • ABD Promotions

VC MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS JASON RABY • Articulate Solutions

BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn GINA LOPEZ • State Farm Insurance CARLOS PINEDA • Rebekah’s Children’s Services LEONARD HARRINGTON • Gilroy Nissan-Hyundai

CHAMBER STAFF Mark Turner • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Administrative Assistant Eric Howard • Business Relationship Manager

WELCOME CENTER STAFF Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Manager

EDC STAFF Tammy Brownlow • President/CEO Candace Van Sambeek • Administrative Assistant

FOCUS PRODUCTION STAFF EDITOR • Mark Turner, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications

PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communication

PHOTOGRAPHY • David Ferry David Ferry Photography

7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: gilroy.org e-mail: chamber@gilroy.org phone: (408) 842-6437

TERRY FEINBERG2016 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber of Commerce

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD

LAST MONTH I SHARED OUR NEW mission statement: We support our members’ success and promote a thriving business environment. The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce does a lot to support member businesses.There are opportunities to learn and promote our businesses. We can network and do business with each other in fun environments such as mixers and the break-fast club. We can promote our businesses through the Gilroy Business Focus and Chamber website. The Chamber Chatter e-newsletter and Gilroy Business Focus are packed with useful information.

But as much as I value and appreciate the supportive role the Chamber plays in my business, I don’t need the Chamber for that. The Chamber might make it easier, but I can market and learn how to effectively manage my business without the Chamber.

I don’t need the Chamber; we all need the ChamberWhat I can’t do on my own is promote

a thriving business environment, and that’s why we all need, and fortunately have, a strong Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. I don’t have time to monitor every city council, board of supervisors and Santa Clara Valley Water District meeting agenda and identify proposed regulations and fees that might have an impact on my business.

The Gilroy Chamber is the only advocacy group that represents all of the Gilroy business community. I rely on them to keep a watch on government agencies, advocate on our behalf, alert us when something needs our attention, and inform us when laws change.

I also don’t have time on my own to work with the Gilroy Welcome Center, Economic Development Corporation or Downtown Business Association to further economic development and ensure we

have a rising tide to lift all our boats. But the Chamber is at all these tables to ensure a thriving business environment is every-body’s priority.

I’m glad we have a vibrant Chamber of Commerce to make my life easier. And since none of us can individually pro-mote a thriving business environment on our own, supporting a strong Chamber is reason enough for me to believe my Gilroy Chamber of Commerce membership provides tremendous value.

MARK TURNERPresident/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO

Three Lessons Learned From Frogs About Making Procrastination CroakHAVING RECENTLY WATCHED THE TEN Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, I was reminded of the Biblical account of the plagues that came upon Egypt, most notably the plague of frogs and how we can sometimes feel overrun by all the things we need to get done. There was no escaping frogs as they were everywhere. Frogs were in their houses, bedrooms, beds, ovens, even in their jars of flour. Sometimes it can feel that same way when our to-do list grows as we go from one meeting to another taking on more action items to complete. Everywhere we turn there is something that needs to be done. No matter where we are, whether at home, in bed trying to sleep, making dinner, or with our friends, we think about all the tasks that need our attention.

When Pharaoh had seen enough frogs he summoned Moses to finally put an end to the problem. When Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted Moses to take action, Pharaoh replied, “Do it tomorrow.” With millions of frogs in the land of Egypt and the opportunity to rid the land of the problem, Pharaoh did what so many of us do when overwhelmed by a growing list of demands, he delegated it to tomorrow. Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, in one act, became Pharaoh, the King of Procrastination.

Overcoming procrastination is never easy but there are some steps that can be taken to help move toward a more aggressive approach to completing tasks, satisfying commitments, and fulfilling responsibilities.

SUMMARIZE THE PROBLEM (TASKS)Creating a to-do list is one of the most important components of completing and fulfilling one’s obligations. Too often people attempt to keep a running list of all their tasks, promises and commitments in their heads only to forget what was promised to whom and by when. Don’t forget, there’s an app for that. Task management software and apps by the dozen are available to assist in one’s effort to compile and track all your to-dos. “Ta-da List,” “Evernote,” and “Remember the Milk,” are just a few of the more popular apps that can be downloaded. If writing out a list of tasks is simpler, then grab a piece of paper and do so. Use a journal to track your daily list, a wire bound note book or a Franklin Planner, but whatever you do, write it or log it somewhere.

PRIORITIZE THE LISTSince thoughts of what to do come at us randomly, it’s good to list the items as they come. Take the time to list all that you need

to do and then assign a priority rating to each item. Develop a priority rating schedule that works best for you. You may want to consider 3 priority categories to choose from, 1) the tasks that must be done promptly or immediately, 2) the tasks that should be done soon, and 3) the tasks that can be delayed without any problem.

CAPITALIZE ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT NOWOnce your list is summarized and prioritized it’s time to capitalize on the opportunity to do it now. Get to work on completing the items on your list, check them off as you go and move unfinished tasks to the next day. Keeping a prioritized list will minimize your thoughts to procrastinate and help you to get more things done allowing you to sleep better at night.

Remember, when there are frogs in your flour, act now!

Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I MARCH 2016

Chamber Staff (l-r), Mark Turner, President/CEO; Candace Van Sambeek, Economic Development Corporation; Chris Bevilacqua; Sue Thurman; Michelle Garcia and Eric Howard.

Keeping with the football theme, Brian Bowe is pictured leading the crowd in a game of Heads and Tails.

Brandon Ellemberg, one of the Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award recipients, prepares to address the crowd.

Dr. Marco Sanchez, Principal of Gilroy High School, receives a round of applause after accepting the Educator of the Year award.

Bobby and Fran Beaudet, owners of Old City Hall Restaurant, tag team the microphone as they express their gratitude after receiving the Small Business of the Year award.

MARCH 2016 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 9

Terry Feinberg, the 2016 Chair of the Board, officiated the installation of the 2016 Board of Directors and Officers. The Board of Directors include, Chair of the Board, Terry Feinberg (Moxxy Marketing); Chair-Elect, Pam Garcia (Simmitri); Past Chair, Lisa Faria (Coldwell Banker); Vice Chair Marketing and Communications, Jason Raby, (Articulate Solutions); Vice Chair Operations & Finance, Terry Newman; Vice Chair Business Programs & Services, Cheryl Ellemberg (ABD Promotions); Vice Chair Public Affairs, Jay Menchaca (Menchaca Law); Vice Chair Business and Education, Gina Lopez, (State Farm) and Directors Eric Gebhardt (Hilton Garden Inn); Debbi Sanchez, (Fortino Winery); Carlos Pineda, (Rebekah Children’s Services) and Leonard Harrington, (Gilroy Nissan-Hyundai).

Spice of LifeAwardscontinued from page 1

Bill Faus, Volunteer of the Year, looks on as a video plays describing his volunteer work.

Jesse Calderon, one of the Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award recipients, is pictured with Lisa Faria, Susan Valenta and Terry Feinberg.

Vito Mercado, store manager of Nob Hill, poses with his team after accepting the Large Business of the Year award.

Rotary Club Board members pose for a photo after accepting the Non-Profit of the Year award.

http://gilroytoday.com