Trade groups feel impact of latest lobbying restrictions
John Easton, vice president of international programs at Edison Electric Institute, said he doesnt know if he will continue serving as chair of his energy advisory board to the secretary of commerce. Thats because Easton, who is not a lobbyist, is concerned that the Obama administrations recent move to purge registered lobbyists from federal advisory boards will strip from his 15-member group five knowledgeable advisors.
Read MoreOn video: Real Chamber official disrupts fake news conference
YouTube video New details have emerged on Mondays phony press conference held at the National Press Club in which activists, purporting to be employees of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, announced a reversal in the Chambers stance on climate change legislation.
Read MoreSenior Staff Appointments: October 2, 2009
Government Affairs The American Wind Energy Association, as part of a complete reorganization and expansion of its public policy team, has appointed Chris Chwastyk, former chief of staff to Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas), as vice president of federal legislative affairs. AWEA also recently hired Jim Martin as the director of strategic policy initiatives. He previously worked with Republican campaigns
Read MoreAssociations and nonprofits hold on to employee time off
Time on the clock costs money. But time off, it seems, is cheap. CEO Updates Top Places to Work survey found that in an effort to maintain the spirit of a workforce all too familiar with employment uncertainty, many associations are not paring employee time-off benefits and flexible work schedules, despite economic pressures.
Read MoreBenefit at Realtors hits close to home
If it wasnt for the National Association of Realtors, Sophia Stuart said she never would have been able to buy her first home. But it wasnt an NAR-certified Realtor for which Stuart is thankful. Rather, its NARs forgivable loan program, a benefit offered by the group to its employees.
Read MoreChamber departures raise issue of membership division
The recent defections from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in response to the organizations policy on climate change have spotlighted a larger concern relevant to many association leaders: How can a CEO deal with a diversity of opinion within the ranks of its members? Red Cavaney, former CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said rule number one is that, even when members disagree on an issue, an association cannot shy away from taking public policy positions, because to take no position is to marginalize your impact.
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