promoting economic growth through exports national district export council leadership forum webinar...

Promoting Economic Growth Through Exports

National District Export Council

Leadership Forum Webinar February 8, 2011


What Ideas Should Be Implemented During the Program?


Developing National Policy Positions

An enduring question of the District Export Council program is whether it is both desirable and feasible to take national policy positions on issues.

Proposal:That local District Export Councils have a process, managed by the National Steering Committee, to take national positions on matters of government policy affecting international competitiveness of the United States of America overall or of particular businesses or industries significant for U.S. employment.



Approach:Each DEC has one voice and one vote in national decision making. Each DEC can voice not only a yes/no vote but also more substantive recommendations, and may modify its positions based on subsequent debate. National DEC decision making shall be modeled after the best practices of other national organizations that use local chapters for development of policy positions, such as the League of Women Voters.

Rationale:This process will finally give DECs national relevance and voice. It will give individual DECs a process for supporting policies that advance competitiveness, it will drive a valuable national discussion on issues of significance, it will give impetus to policy participation by individual DEC members, it will mobilize DEC educational outreach nationally, and it provides a vital reason for DECs to meet nationally.



Pros:This process is the most powerful way for DECs to carry out their policy education mission, and it affords easy communication of a national position to policymakers and news media. It is relatively easy to set up, while allowing flexibility for individual DECs (they can abstain, advance policies for national consideration, and use the same process for local or state-level issues).

Cons:This process requires DEC members and individual DECs to educate themselves and deliberate on policy issues more substantively than in the past. It adds work for local DEC leadership and the national steering committee. DECs must be careful to remain non-partisan. DECs incorporated as a 501(c)3 public benefit non-profit must keep records about resources they spend on advocacy and be careful to limit such resources to 20% annually. This approach is not in line with the opinions of DEC members who prefer traditional minimal-to-no national coordination among DECs.



Three Policy Topics Proposed for Consideration:

DEC Support for FTAs

DEC Support for Trade Promotion Authority

DEC Position on Restructuring Federal International Trade and Export Promotion Resources


DEC Leadership Conference CallFeb 08, 2011

National Conference and Site Selection Working Group


Site Selection Process


Point-based Fair & Clear Selection Process


Export UniversityApril 12 Leadership Form Plan

Best Practices

Tools & Resources Q & A

Getting Started


Export UniversityPlanning Next Steps

1. Develop presentation – incorporate new logo1. Getting Started

2. Best practices – utilize DEC’s and others

3. Tools & resources

4. Q & A

2. Gather testimonials

3. Re-design tool kit

4. Attendee packets - ?1. Licensing agreement – pending completion

2. Templates (new logo)

3. Sponsor list of contacts

4. Sample agenda’s (new logo)

5. Website registration instructions


Export UniversityNational DEC Conference Plan

Plenary Session Day 1 Day 2 Day 3


Incorporation and Bylaws

1. Advantages of Incorporation

2. Best practices from other DECs

3. Steps in the Incorporation Process

4. Formulating bylaws


Legislative OutreachA Resolution by the (name) District Export

Council To the (state) Congressional Delegation

In support of the Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia

WHEREAS, In 2006, the United States concluded a trade agreement with Colombia, and in 2007 with Panama, and South Korea. In 2010, the South Korea agreement was renegotiated;

WHEREAS, Each of the three trade agreements would open new markets to U.S. exports, and, in turn, benefit American businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers, combined, would increase U.S. exports by at least $13 billion;

WHEREAS, The benefits of trade agreements are also long lasting. Since 2000, U.S. exports to the 13 countries with which the United States has implemented trade agreements have grown almost twice as fast as our worldwide exports.

WHEREAS, Colombia, Panama, and South Korea have all concluded trade agreements with major trading partners and export competitors of the United States.

WHEREAS, Approximately 300 agreements are in place worldwide, and the U.S. has signed 11 with 17 countries – not good for expanding U.S. trade.

WHEREAS, Failure to implement our own trade agreements with these countries will severely disadvantage U.S. exporters and jeopardize U.S. job creation.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the (name) District Export Council urges the members of the (state) Congressional Delegation to endorse the legislation in support of the three trade agreements.

Adopted by the (name) District Export Council on (date) 2011.

Signed by the Chair of the (name) District Export Council on (date) 2011.


Legislative Outreach Congressional Targets

Republican leaders and key committee chairmen in the House and Senate

Members and staffers on the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees for Commerce, Justice and Science

Freshmen House and Senate members


Legislative Outreach Free Trade Agreements Toolkit

to use in Grassroots Advocacy

February 2011


Education and Outreach CommitteeDEC 100 Program

February 8, 2011 Conference Call

Presenter: Phyllis Shearer Jones


DEC 100 Next Steps

Review of Goals and Measurements• Mentor at least 2 new to export companies with

goal of 100 new exporting companies in 2011• Success measures- number of new exporting

companies, revenue, counseling sessions, DEC/USEAC programs attended

Prior to DEC Leadership Meeting• Update DEC Website with Support Materials

(Press Release, Local DEC Action Plan, Application, Export Plan Template, Measurement System)

• Each DEC should establish local DEC committee to screen applications and manage program


DEC 100 Next Steps

Press Release Distributed• DECs Review Applications and Select Program Participants

• DECs meet with Participants and Develop Individualized Action Plan

During Leadership Meeting in April• Review Progress and Discuss Issues/Best Practices

• Identify What Additional Support Needed from National DEC


Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)

• Background information about the national Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) program which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

• How the Department of Education’s CIBER program mission matches the mission of the national DEC program in supporting efforts of the U.S. Department of Commerce and our nation’s capacity to compete in the global economy.

• Examples of how CIBERs across the country have collaborated with their local DEC. (Meet some CIBER folks and their connection with the Dec in their region.)

• Explore new opportunities for collaboration in terms of opportunities for business people, trade organizations and educators working together to improve U.S. international business competitiveness and similarly, supporting the President’s National Export Initiative:• What DECs see as possible future opportunities for collaboration? • What CIBERs see as possible future opportunities for collaboration?

• Next steps on how to build collaboration.


Register Now for the National DEC Leadership Forum

in Washington D.C.

Reception: 5:30 – 7: 30 on Monday, April 11

Forum: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12

There is no cost for attending, but pre-registration is required.

Register online at www.thinkglobal.us/dec

Questions? Send e-mail to Greg Sandler, [email protected]

promoting economic growth through exports national district export council leadership forum webinar...

Documents

exports slide

economic growth

national positions

national conference

national consideration

decs national relevance

national organizations

national coordination