The Central Florida Partnership is a collaborative of business and civic leaders committed to procuring a better tomorrow for our region. We are thoughtful leaders united by a single, guiding principle - that we have both the power and the responsibility to make change happen - moving "Ideas to Results."

Orlando, Inc. is a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership focused on Regional Entrepreneurship.
A "Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - we are aligned with the Central Florida Partnership in moving "Ideas to Results."

myregion.org, focused on "Regional Research and Resolves," is helping to shape Central Florida's future.
As a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership, myregion.org moves "Ideas to Results" by identifying and examining changing demographics and powerful trends that define our region.

Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why Leadership Orlando is a line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. Focused on cultivating and recruiting emerging leaders, Leadership Orlando, America's largest "Community Leadership Program," is moving "Ideas to Results."

Affecting positive change in Central Florida requires strong "Regional Public Policy Advocacy."
BusinessForce, a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership, is moving "Ideas to Results" by encouraging and supporting candidates for public office, and training civic, political and business leaders for public service.

September 2, 2010 - 10:32am
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Chamber, BusinessForce Call on School Board to “Honor Commitment”

Monday, September 24, 2007

TAKE ACTION NOW ! PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!

On Tuesday night, the Orange County School Board will make an important decision on whether you will have the right to vote on an Orange County School Board chair elected countywide. Unfortunately, efforts are underway
to deny you the right to vote on January 29, 2008 on this question and
decide how you want our public schools governed. It’s time to let our Orange County School Board members know you want and expect them to give you the right to vote on this important question.

Click here right now to tell them NO MORE DELAY AND INDECISION

LET ME VOTEl

E-mail your Orange County School Board members NOW!

Karen Ardaman
ardamak@ocps.net

Joie Cadle
cadlej@ocps.net

Daryl Flyn
flynnd@ocps.net

Ann Geiger
geigera@ocps.net

Kathleen ”Kat” Gordon
gordonk@ocps.net

Jim Martin
martinj7@ocps.net

“Rick” Roach
roachr@ocps.net

On the evening of Tuesday, September 25th, the Orange County School Board will determine whether it will reaffirm and honor its August 22, 2006, commitment to the citizens of Orange County to permit a referendum in 2008 to determine if the district school board chair shall be elected by a district-wide vote. The commitment was approved on a 6-1 vote by the School Board with only member Kat Gordon in opposition, and five of the current school board members (Karen Ardaman, “Rick” Roach, Ann Geiger, Jim Martin and Joie Cadle) voting in favor. New board member Daryl Flynn committed to support a referendum during her successful 2006 campaign.

The Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and its political committee, BusinessForce, have both adopted unanimous resolutions and are on record supporting the right of Orange County voters to determine the future governance of their public school system.

In a communication to members of the Orange County School Board, Chamber Vice President for Public Policy Mike Ketchum stated, “Time is of the essence and there are no reasonable grounds for further delay or indecision if the citizens of Orange County are to vote on this question at the earliest opportunity during the Florida Presidential Primary on January 29, 2008.” He went on to urge the School Board to “not bend before those who appear to want to demagogue and obfuscate the issue with exaggerated and divisive rhetoric in hopes that the Orange County School Board will somehow renege on its earlier commitment.”

For more information on BusinessForce, contact Michael Ketchum at 407.835.2464 or mike.ketchum@orlando.org.

The Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce is shaping our community’s future by focusing on what matters to the millions of people who call Central Florida home. Strategic Imperatives that include Medical School & Medical Community Development, Level One Trauma Center, Public Facilities & Venues, Workforce (Affordable) Housing, Transportation, Education (PRISM), Regional Growth Vision, and Chamber Enterprise provide clear focus to our 1,000-Day Agenda.

Your business. Your community. Your future. Your chamber.

For additional information, visit: www.orlando.org

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Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

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Orlando, Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce) is one of four lines of business of the Central Florida Partnership and is specifically focused on Regional Entrepreneurship. A"Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – we are positioned to serve the growing needs of businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Central Florida Region. Working together with BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves) and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."