Chamber News and Event Details
Finalists Announced for All-America City Award
Denver, Colorado--The National Civic League announced the finalists for the 2010 All-America City Awards, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civic recognition award.
“These are some of the most innovative communities in the country,” notes National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortes. “They give us hope and inspiration and teach us important lessons about leveraging the civic energy of ordinary people to address difficult challenges during some very tough economic times.”
The 2010 All-America City finalists are addressing such issues as:
- Diversifying the labor force
- Providing affordable housing options in a tough economy
- Funding basic services to people of need in the recession
- Increasing tax base to fund schools
- Transitioning to a more diverse workforce
- Providing cold weather shelter for the increased numbers of homeless
- Overcoming financial hurdles to serve the needs of youth
Listed alphabetically by state, the 2010 All-America City finalists:
Chandler, AZ; Bentonville, AR; Dublin, CA; Lynwood, CA; Rancho Cordova, CA; Vernon Central (neighborhood) CA; Miami Lakes, FL; North Miami. FL; Acworth, GA; Belleville, IL; Canton, IL; Noblesville, IN; Des Moines, IA; Lenexa, KS; Scott County, KS; Bowling Green, KY; Salisbury, MD; Ferguson, MO; Riverside, MO; Lynbrook, NY; Gastonia, NC; West Chester, OH; Wyoming, OH; Mount Pleasant, SC; El Paso, TX; Abingdon, VA; Middleton, Wisconsin.
To become a finalist, each participant completed an application documenting three community projects that address their communities’ most pressing challenges. More than 500 communities from around the country have earned this distinguished title. Some have earned it five times over the past 61 years. Each community will send a delegation to Kansas City to tell their stories of positive community change to a jury of civic experts. The ten All-America Cities will be announced on June 18.
Stay tuned for more details and information how you can be involved!
The Rancho Cordova Chamber Introduces the Cash Card.
The Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce provides member merchants the opportunity to market your business to thousands of local shoppers through the Cordova Area Shopping Card program. The discount card is designed to encourage consumer spending within the Rancho Cordova Area, promote businesses and help community non‐profit organizations raise money.
How Does this Program Work?
Cardholders will present their card to you when they are making a purchase. On the back is a number specific to your business offer. Just scratch off the number to redeem the offer. You may decide not to scratch off the number so your customers can use it again, encouraging repeat business. Cardholders will register online and return often to view new offers. You may also offer a coupon on the website.
Why is the Program Important to our Community?
Cash Card is a program designed to connect business and community. Local merchants will provide discounts to attract customers. Non‐profits and the Chamber of Commerce sell the cards. And Cor‐ dova Area residents redeem the offers. Sales tax revenues stay local and support services such as police and fire. The program drives business while supporting community organizations.
Keep our local businesses strong
Support local non-profit organizations and programs
Maintain local sales taxes for continued City services
Leadership Program Grooms Rancho Cordova Leaders
“I discovered many opportunities to make a difference here in my own community. I wish all my neighbors could participate in this unique program,” said Conrade Mayer, an area realtor and a 42-year resident of Rancho Cordova, after he completed the first Leadership Rancho Cordova (LRC).
The 25 members of the third annual LRC class recently started their monthly sessions. Sponsored by the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rancho Cordova, LRC is a nine-month program that provides graduates with the skills to be leaders in their community, their professions, and their personal lives.
Using a combination of education and lectures, a retreat, and a group community project, LRC brings together individuals from the professional and government sectors, residents, and others who are interested in becoming community leaders.
“If you want to make an impact and have fun doing it, this program is for YOU,” said Ada Gerard, Campus President of Heald College and a 2009 LRC graduate
An important part of the Leadership program is the community project that is undertaken by each year’s class. The International Fest that was the 2008 project was so innovative and successful that it is being continued by the Cordova Community Council on an annual basis. The 2009 class project was a series of free outdoor movies at three different parks during the month of August. Again, the project was so successful that the Cordova Park District is in the midst of securing sponsorships to continue the Family Film Faire next summer.
The 2007 class coordinated a historical project that is still displayed in the lobby at City Hall. The display captures and memorializes the rich history of the City with photos and artifacts that the class solicited from the public and other sources and then preserved and catalogued.
At the request of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, LRC was started under the guidance of Rancho Cordova’s City Manager, Ted Gaebler, who now serves as the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce LRC chair. Class instructors are members of the business community; representatives from local, county, and state governments; and LRC alumni.
This year’s class will graduate next May when registration for next year’s class will begin. Class size limit is 25.
Members of the 2009/10 class:
Joe Ayer, BloodSource Project Manager
Rod Borba, Catholic Healthcare West Senior Financial Analyst
Linda Burkholder, Director of Family Support Services for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Diana Croon-White, Kaiser Permanente Public Affairs Representative
Mindy Cuppy, City of Rancho Cordova City Clerk
Stephanie De Shon, Special Projects Coordinator and Rancho Cordova Police Dept. P.A.L. Secretary
Richard Harris, Assistant Operations Manager at Sims Metal Management
Lea Colwell Hernandez, self-employed financial services consultant
Pete James, Rancho Cordova Police Dept. Detective Sergeant
Chris Jellison, City of Rancho Cordova Code Enforcement Officer
Ross Johnson, CPA and business owner
Kyle Kelt, Director of Information Technology for Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Pamela Koyasako, Office Manager for Allied Waste Services of Sacramento
Anne Lowe, Rancho Cordova Post Assistant Editor
Phil Maggard, Associate Director of Academic Affairs at Heald College Rancho Cordova
Eileen Matson, Sacramento County’s Waste Management and Recycling Administrative Service Officer
Megan McMurtry, City of Rancho Cordova Economic Development Specialist
Steven Millner, US Bank Branch Manager
Halie Oshiro, high school student
Linda Rodezno, Progressive Insurance Contact Center Manager
David Sander, Rancho Cordova City Council Member and Principal Consultant for Sander & Associates
Otis Scott, retired Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, California State University at Sacramento
Elizabeth Sparkman, City of Rancho Cordova Senior Engineer
Katie Weber, United Way California Capital Region Executive Vice President
Alan Withers, retired Rancho Cordova elementary school principal.
For additional information about LRC, fees, and registration, please call (916) 851-8700 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . General information about the program is also available at the City of Rancho Cordova website (www.cityofranchocordova.org) and at the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce site (www.ranchocordova.org).
The City of Rancho Cordova, CA was incorporated in 2003. City Hall is located at 2729 Prospect Park Drive; (916) 851-8700 (phone), (916) 851-8787 (fax), www.cityofranchocordova.org (website).
We would like to thank Lindsay Hardy Design and the RelyNet Data Center for all of their help with re-designing the updated chamber website. Aside from the fresh new look, the site will provide a much improved search, member directory, and networking opportunities for the chamber members. If you are thinking about updating your site, we can't think of a better design firm to work with. Check it out and enjoy.
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