Funding for Food Banks

With 35 million individuals either experiencing hunger or teetering right on the verge of hunger each year, the American people expect Congress to take every reasonable action possible to address food shortages, particularly here in Michigan. Last year, Congress passed a bill designed to encourage federal agencies to regularly donate surplus food to organizations that feed the hungry and each year, the providing funding to a number of organizations that help distribute food. In addition, each year, Congress passes appropriations for food banks/pantries. The following organizations received federal appropriations in the past:

- Bay Area Food Bank. Bay Area Food Bank, which distributes food donated by grocery stores, restaurants and the like to soup kitchens and homeless shelters received $245,000 for the construction of a commercial-size kitchen (FY 2008) (Jo Bonner).

- Tucson Community Food Bank (TCFB) -- Rep. Gabrielle Giffords requested $200,000 for “solar panels” at the TCFB in the FY 2009 budget.

- Second Harvest Food Bank received $700,000 in 2007.

- In 2006, Sen. Obama requested $2,499,400 for the Food Stamp Participation Project of the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Food Stamp Participation Project is development of new technology projects, which are designed to increase the access to the food stamp program. One is designed for use by the general public and the other is a web based application designed for use in food pantries. [Obama Request Letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, 3/31/06].

- For FY 2009, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) requested $368,500 for renovations at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank

- The South Texas Food Bank will receive $136,670.48 in conjunction with the 2008 Farm Bill should it be signed into law.

Although this list is not comprehensive, you can see, federal funding is available for a wide variety of needs, including: infrastructure improvement, child nutrition programs, food stamps and childhood obesity prevention, among other things. This funding is requested directly through Congress and is unrelated to a grant.

With a lack of funding from the state, organizations such as those with food banks, should turn their attention to Washington for support.

Finding Federal Funds For Local Governments

With funding diminishing from the State of Michigan for local governments, including school districts, municipalities, townships, school districts and other authorities should focus their attention in securing federal funds for their programs, projects and services, instead of wasting their time in Lansing. For example, federal funds are available for local governments for a variety of programs ranging from new buildings to communications equipment for first responders. In FY 2009, the following communities received federal funding: Negaunee, MI for the Croix Street Reconstruction and completion of Phase I. Park City, UT for a Feasibility Study that would bring water from Reclamation facilities. Boise, ID, for design and construction of Boise's geothermal system expansion. Jackson, MS for a Transitional Job Project for job training and employment programs for the Homeless. Oakland, CA for a Green Jobs Initiative. Baltimore, MD, for construction for Healthcare for the Homeless center. Miami, FL for the Miami Green Initiative, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption in the city. Milwaukee, WI to improve access to and utilization of primary and preventive health care among low-income residents. The City of Beech Grove, IN, to enhance public safety with in-car cameras and at hot spots in the City to provide real-time feeds to the police command center. Holyoke, MA, to develop a full-service community school pilot project. The City of Shelbyville, IN, to complete the interoperable wireless public safety communications system for first responders. Medford, OR, to provide for the merging of two existing 9-1-1 dispatch centers for police officers. City of Sioux City, Sioux City, IA for meth related training. Moultrie, GA, for technology upgrades, including purchase of equipment and professional development City of Haverhill, MA for various Downtown Streetscape Improvements. Stamford, CT, Waste-to-Energy Project, to convert dried sludge into clean, renewable energy. City of Yonkers, NY Police Department, to reduce non-emergency 9-1-1 calls through the creation of a new public hotline. Albuquerque, NM for their Transit Facility Rehabilitation. City of Ashland, MO Main Street Redevelopment Project. Crystal City, VA Bus Rapid Transit. City of Tuscaloosa, AL Downtown Revitalization Project University Blvd. and Greensboro Avenue. Trenton, NJ for a Renewable Energy Feasibility Study, to examine possible renewable energy sources. Quincy, IL for Hydroelectric Power Generation, and their city's efforts to install hydroelectric plants at locks and dams. Oklahoma City, OK, to continue replacement of Oklahoma's aging communication system. Cincinnati, OH for the complete property acquisition, demolition, and remediation to create an urban industrial park. Craig, AK for the redevelopment of the abandoned cannery property. Milwaukee, WI for the development of supportive housing units for homeless.

In addition, the following school districts will receive federal funding through appropriations: The School District of Lancaster (PA) and Philadelphia School District each received $100,000 Project IMPACT, for abstinence education and related services. Troy High School (PA) received $247,000 for removal and/or replacement of non historic windows, infill, louvers, windows, and fan lights. The Logan Elm School District will receive $48,000 for water infrastructure improvements in Circleville, Ohio. The Hesperia Unified School District, Hesperia, CA, received $98,000 for an after school program for middle school students. The Independence School District, Independence, MO, received $347,000 for before- and after-school programs. The Washoe County School District, NV, received $248,000 for an online assessment and accountability instructional programs and an additional $248,000 for an English Instructional program. The Springfield School District, Springfield, IL, received $94,000 for a middle school history experience. And the City School District of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY, received $422,000 for after school and summer school programs, faculty professional development, and parent education workshops. These are just some examples of how local governments and local schools benefited from Congressional appropriations and governmental advocacy in securing additional funds for their community. With limited funding from the state and a declining tax base, the federal government has funding available. It just needs to be identified and advocated for. In fact, cities throughout the country have been receiving federal funds, through grants and earmarks, to help offset the lack of funding from their state. While a number of communities here in Michigan have retained lobbyists to fight for a limited amount of money from the state government, only a few have recognized that more money exists from Washington. To help off set costs associated with retaining a lobbyist, communities can pool their resources, work through their chambers or local economic development organizations and find other creative ways to secure the funding they are no longer receiving from Lansing.

While we sit here in Michigan, trying to convince legislators that one program is more worthy of funding at the sacrifice of another, local government leaders should retain a lobbyist to secure federal funding from Congress. Now is the time to start planning for the next fiscal year and secure the funding necessary to govern. If we do shift our focus to Washington, other communities in other states will.

Congress to debate energy reform this week

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today released the text of the Chairman's Mark of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), this past Friday. New and revised language in the Chairman's Mark released include:

• Specifies distribution of emissions allowances; • Ensures that the majority of investments in the bill are for consumer protection; • Includes new provisions to address clean coal technology; • Increases investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy; • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increases investments in the transportation sector; • Enhances agriculture and forestry provisions; • Directs assistance to rural communities; • Includes greater assistance for small and medium refineries; • Enhances the role of tribes; • Increases the size of the market stability reserve; and • Promotes advanced renewable fuels.

To see a copy of the bill, find it here. To find the differences between the earlier version? For more information on the bill and hearings scheduled for this week, beginning, contact dcherrin@cherrinlawgroup.com.

Communications gap between lawyers and the media

Earlier this week, Montieth & Co., a special situations management advisory and communications consultancy released the results from their 2009 "Media and the Law Survey." The results show, that reporters are trying to cover more litigation than ever (60% of reporters polled), and the need help understanding the core issues of the cases, especially in securities actions."

In today's litigious environment, journalists need to be able to explain complex legal matters to audiences outside the courtroom. Lawyers have a real opportunity, not to affect a legal outcome, but to help protect their clients reputation in the court of public opinion.

However, the survey also found that only 31% of the respondents said that lawyers were effective in helping them understand the cases and the legal issues involved -- and most found plaintiff's attorney were more helpful.

Reporters surveyed also said they "wish lawyers were more open to talking to reporters about their cases." And others would like more background on cases.

Lawyers have an important role in protecting their clients. At the same time, that should not come as a sacrifice to protecting their client's reputation in the public eye. In some cases, one's reputation is more important than any legal outcome.

As a result, lawyers should either become more media savvy or retain a public relations firm that is, because the chances are, if you are not talking to the media ... your opponent is.

*For the record, only half of those surveyed found PR firms to be helpful. So we all have to step-up our game.

Group homes reduce obstacles | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Group homes reduce obstacles | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Detroit will benefit when Chicago lands the 2016 Olympics

On October 2, the City of Chicago will appear before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and plead its case to host the 2016 Olympic games. They are competing against Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo. In the past, Detroit also appeared before the IOC, and bid for the 1944, 1952, 1956, 1960 and 1968 Olympics. While we lost each bid, we moved on to enhance a number of buildings throughout the city, including many of those at Wayne State University.

While Detroit competes to restore its public image, we should work with Chicago to support their bid to win the right to host the 2016 Olympics. If they win, we win. While hotels along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and along their Lakeshore Drive will sell out, there is a good chance that Detroit and the State of Michigan will reap some benefit. For example, while Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports may be crowded, some travelers, including those on Delta/Northwest, may just choose to fly-in to Detroit Metro, rent-a-car and perhaps check out our region’s cultural, culinary and athletic treasures. We could also host a number of Olympic delegations, as they need a place to train and get acclimated to the time changes and American culture. Facilities at any of our state’s universities not to mention our diverse topography make Michigan a great place to train and prepare for the Olympics in 2016.

Chicago has a lot to gain economically from hosting the Olympics. Studies show the Games could generate $13.7 billion in economic activity from 2011-2021. But Detroit and the State of Michigan also have a lot to gain. It is our chance to be a co-host, along America’s North Coast, and welcome the world to the region and to the Great Lakes. So let’s support our neighbor to the west. We often compare ourselves to the Windy City as a place we would like to be. So for now, let’s offer our support and resources to win the games, not just for Chicago and the Great Lakes but also for the United States of America.

Restoring stability, gaining trust and rebuilding Detroit’s future.

One year ago, then Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel became Detroit’s 61st Mayor, after Kwame Kilpatrick resigned. Then Mayor Cockrel, assumed the leadership of a city very much in trouble. At the time, the magnitude of Detroit’s budget problems were unknown, people sat in city hall pushing paper, our auto industry’s infrastructure was crumbling, the Nation was about to elect its first African American President, America’s economic climate worsened, and the world would soon be coming to Detroit for the NCAA Final Four Men’s Tournament. Ken Cockrel inherited a city in shambles, not as the “elected mayor,” but as a public servant, called to duty and asked to serve. At the time, his 11-year political-career as a Wayne County Commissioner, City Council Member and City Council President prepared him to assume his new role as Mayor. As Mayor, Cockrel, looked forward to creating an open and transparent culture, stabilizing a city, restoring trust in city government and the office of mayor.

In the brief eight months he served as Detroit’s Mayor, Cockrel was often criticized for moving to slow. But moving slow was the most appropriate strategy for coming into the middle of an established administration at a time when he had to campaign for office twice, while still trying to run the city. Slow, calculated and strategic moves, based on facts and sound public policy, rather than politics or pressure, was how Cockrel stabilized the city. It took time to get a handle of the city’s finances and come up with a plan to not just reduce the deficit, but to eliminate it, balance the budget and turn in all of the city’s financial reports in on time, to help restore Detroit’s credit rating lost due to so much uncertainty in the city.

He began to create a process to repair and rebuild a fractured and aging city government and change the corporate culture, to restore stability in our city and restore our tainted image.

As we have all seen, as city council president, as mayor, and again as city council president, Cockrel is a person with tremendous integrity. As Mayor, he put substance before showmanship and worked to secure meaningful reform for Detroit.

Cockrel served as our Mayor at the perfect time. As mayor, he shifted our region’s focus from the scandals of the past to rebuilding for our future. At the time he became mayor, he did not seek the position, and yet he rose to the challenge.

As Cockrel’s Communications Director and Press Secretary, I was given the opportunity to participate in a number of discussions and decisions affecting our city. I was always impressed, when Cockrel made decisions not because of politics, but because it was good public policy … Not because it would get him elected, but because it made sense … Not because it was what someone wanted, but because it was what the city needed.

This past May, the voters (or lack thereof) did not give Cockrel the opportunity to act on his plans to restore financial stability to the city, to restore the trust back in the Office of Mayor and to find new hope and opportunity to secure Detroit’s future for the next generation.

Although Cockrel’s work continues as President of the Detroit City Council, there is no doubt in my mind of Ken Cockrel’s place in Detroit’s history. He became Mayor not out of desire, but out of need. He served as Mayor with honor, integrity and class. His agenda is Detroit’s agenda. Cockrel remains at the base of Detroit’s foundation and best represents the City’s future. Ken Cockrel was the right person at the right time to lead this city and created the process by which fiscal stability could be restored, trust, and set the tone for Detroit’s new beginning.

Daniel Cherrin is the former Communications Director/Press Secretary for the City of Detroit and to Detroit Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr. He is now President of North Coast Strategies, which provides cutting edge practical advice where government action or inaction, litigation vulnerability or complex regulatory requirements will impact your reputation and bottom-line. You can reach Cherrin at dcherrin@NorthCoastStrategies.com or (313) 300-0932.

Delays in Transit Expected

There is no doubt that Congress has a full agenda. Health care reform has been dominating their time, followed by climate change legislation and issues in the Middle East. The end of its fiscal year is just a few days away and they, like the Michigan Legislature, have yet to pass their funding bills. For example, the current surface transportation law, the Safe, Affordable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU, P.L. 109-53), was adopted in 2005 and expires on September 30, 2009. To give you some idea of how political this bill was -- When Congress finally passed the last transportation bill in 2005, it took two years and 12 extensions to complete. Although Congress has a bill now drafted, the President wants to put off this measure until after the midterm elections in 2010. A delay in the re-authorization will hinder the planning of transportation projects and perhaps put them in jeopardy of ever getting completed.

At stake is the dwindling Highway Trust Fund, financed by a federal gas tax that pays for repairs to the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. At issue is an effort by Congress and the President to set the nation’s transportation policy for the rest of the decade and perhaps for decades to come. The outcome will be critical to state and local governments that depend on federal assistance to maintain and improve their transportation systems.

The end game will be the creation of a funding mechanism that will ensure the national transportation system will meet the demands of an expanding population while also accommodating the environmental priorities of those who want to see less road congestion, less accidents and more transit options.

For transportation planning organizations it could mean a modern, sustainable and seamless surface transportation network, that fully integrates and connects the nation’s small urban and rural regions with global, metropolitan and neighboring markets. It could also mean increased federal investments in existing and new rural public transportation system, with an emphasis on establishing stronger incentives and program flexibility across the spectrum.

While we will wait for almost a year before Congress will most likely pass a transportation bill, Congress continues to debate issues of transit and transportation. For example, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “American Clean Energy and Security Act” (H.R. 2454) in June, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is currently developing their version. Both bill contain provisions affecting transit. Although Congress will not pass a transportation bill until next year, there are still opportunities for transit agencies and organizations to secure resources for a variety of projects through existing bills, and help shape funding for future projects by taking a proactive role in advising Congress on what is important to your agency and community.

Therefore, if you have certain projects that need to be funded or policy related issues that can benefit your program, it is important that you meet with your planning organizations, MDOT, the Governor and your Congressional Delegation to ensure their priorities are your priorities. Then it is important to work with your chambers and other community organizations to build a solid base of support for your projects. Despite a full agenda, Congress needs to hear from you and what you need to provide valuable resources to your community. With limited funds from the state and dwindling budgets all around, it seems that Congress is our only option.

Daniel Cherrin is the former Communications Director/Press Secretary for the City of Detroit and to Detroit Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr. He is now President of North Coast Strategies, which provides cutting edge practical advice where government action or inaction, litigation vulnerability or complex regulatory requirements will impact your reputation and bottom-line. You can reach Cherrin at dcherrin@NorthCoastStrategies.com or (313) 300-0932.

Seizing the debate on health care reform to promote your interests

Most of us have seen the town hall meetings that Members of Congress are having on health care insurance reform and the heated discussions (or chants) now taking place. While individuals take issue with the legislation, organizations should seize the opportunity to share their story, to highlight their organization's mission as it relates to the debate and to feature or highlight their members to show by example, what works and what doesn't, or what should be done as a result of the debate. While debating the contents of the legislation is important, it also is a great opportunity to use the debate to promote your organization, your members or your individual company.

While print media is becoming more and more limited, it helps to have a story that is timely, that is relevant and that is interesting. Now is the time to invest in public relations, issues management and relationship building activities to promote your cause and help position your organization for further resources down the road.

FEDERAL FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUT FIRST YOU NEED TO ASK!

Last year the President said to the nation’s mayors at their annual conference, "we need to promote strong cities as the backbone of regional growth….we also need to stop seeing our cities as the problem and start seeing them as the solution…strong cities are the building blocks of strong regions, and strong regions are essential for a strong America…" And earlier today in a speech in Indiana the President said, "The battle for America's future will be fought and won in places like Elkhart and Detroit, Goshen and Pittsburgh, South Bend, Youngstown –- in cities and towns across Indiana and across the Midwest and across the country that have been the backbone of America. It will be won by making places like Elkhart what they once were and can be again –- and that's centers of innovation and entrepreneurship and ingenuity and opportunity; the bustling, whirring, humming engines of American prosperity." In fact, President Obama, commonly referred to the Nation's first Mayor President (because he hails from Chicago) created the Office of Urban Affairs and this week, began a national conversation to engage cities and metropolitan areas with an eye towards what works, and a call for an interagency review of how federal policies are impacting local communities. The President has said, "Our job is to advance a new federal vision that recognizes cities and metropolitan areas as dynamic engines for our economy, and develop federal policy built on these strengths."

Yet, municipalities throughout the country have been plagued by cuts in revenue sharing, triggering layoffs, unfunded programs and projects, uncut parks, and reduced or eliminated services. Revenue sharing pays for police officers, fire fighters, road maintenance, water systems, parks and other essential local services. In the past eight years, the State of Michigan has reduced revenue sharing by $3 billion, causing the layoffs of thousands of police officers and fire fighters and cuts to other critical services. Last month, President Obama announced the next phase in developing a new urban agenda including a national conversation to engage cities and metropolitan areas with an eye towards what works, and a call for an interagency review of how federal policies are impacting local communities. Cities throughout the country have been receiving federal funds, through grants and earmarks, to help offset the lack of funding from their state. While a number of communities here in Michigan have retained lobbyists to fight for a limited amount of money from the state government, only a few have recognized that more money exists from Washington. For communities such as Charlevoix, Negaunee, Birmingham, Battle Creek, Detroit, Oakland County and Wayne County have each retained a lobbyist to help them secure funding in Washington. A number of chambers, including the Detroit Regional Chamber, Kalamazoo Chamber, Battle Creek Chamber and Ludington Chamber, have also retained federal lobbyists, as well as a number of DDAs and economic development agencies throughout the country.

While I realize that a majority of local governments do not have the resources to retain a lobbyist, nor is it the most politically correct thing to do, there are still creative ways to secure federal funding for local communities through partnerships with other organizations in the region.

For example, in FY 2009, the following communities will receive federal funding (as an example):

Negaunee, MI for the Croix Street Reconstruction and completion of Phase I. Park City, UT for a Feasibility Study that would bring water from Reclamation facilities to the Park City, Utah area -- Funding would provide additional non-construction support. Boise, ID, for design and construction of Boise's geothermal system expansion. Jackson, MS for a Transitional Job Project for job training and employment programs for the Homeless. Oakland, CA for a Green Jobs Initiative. Baltimore, MD, for construction for Healthcare for the Homeless center. Miami, FL for the Miami Green Initiative, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption in the city. Milwaukee, WI to improve access to and utilization of primary and preventive health care among low-income residents. The City of Beech Grove, IN, to enhance public safety with in-car cameras and at hot spots in the City to provide real-time feeds to the police command center. Holyoke, MA, to develop a full-service community school pilot project. The City of Shelbyville, IN, to complete the interoperable wireless public safety communications system for first responders. Medford, OR, to provide for the merging of two existing 9-1-1 dispatch centers for police officers. City of Sioux City, Sioux City, IA for meth related training. Moultrie, GA, for technology upgrades, including purchase of equipment and professional development 100k City of Haverhill, MA for various Downtown Streetscape Improvements. Stamford, CT, Waste-to-Energy Project, to convert dried sludge into clean, renewable energy. City of Yonkers, NY Police Department, to reduce non-emergency 9-1-1 calls through the creation of a new public hotline. Albuquerque, NM for their Transit Facility Rehabilitation. City of Ashland, MO Main Street Redevelopment Project. Crystal City, VA Bus Rapid Transit. City of Tuscaloosa, AL Downtown Revitalization Project University Blvd. and Greensboro Avenue. Trenton, NJ for a Renewable Energy Feasibility Study, to examine possible renewable energy sources. Quincy, IL for Hydroelectric Power Generation, and their city's efforts to install hydroelectric plants at locks and dams. Oklahoma City, OK, to continue replacement of Oklahoma's aging communication system. Cincinnati, OH for the complete property acquisition, demolition, and remediation of the Queen City Barrel area to create an urban industrial park. Craig, AK for the redevelopment of the abandoned cannery property. Milwaukee, WI for the development of supportive housing units for homeless. (Source Office of Management and Budget)

Federal funding is available for a wide-variety of projects, from putting more police officers on the street, fighting gang violence, reducing drug use, updating aging 911 systems, building intermodal facilities, rehabilitating properties or after school programs, the federal government has resources through grants and earmarks available for cities such as yours. As one Congressman once said, "I do not know why various organizations do not ask Congress for help and support of a number of programs." Where an entity has a program that meets a community need, the availability of federal funding is a strong possibility. But first you need to ask.

Law Firms Must Adjust To Meet Client Demands

From the boardroom to the bedroom, government affects everything we do. So its time to embrace it and learn how we make government work for us. And perhaps more important, in addition to providing our clients with a legal remedy, we must also provide them the opportunity to seek legislative remedies or use the court of public opinion to reach their business objectives. Many clients are turning to law firms to assist in the public policy process, yet many firms are ill equipped to handle government relations and are not well versed in public relations as a legal tactic. Yet it is the lawyer who knows the law and knows what laws would best benefit their clients as well as how to best position their clients in either a court of law or court of public opinion. It is the lobbyist that knows how to effect legislative change and to assist in drafting the right laws. And it is the brand manager, who knows how to position the issue and the client so that everyone emerges a winner.

In addition, with government getting bigger and more complex, and government funding becoming sparse, regional mid-sized law firms are well equipped to create a practice that blends law, media and public relations with the legal expertise many mid-sized firms have.

Also, with budgets getting tighter, the government is seeking greater partnerships with the private sector. With a solid client base, law firms are well-positioned to assist clients in finding creative opportunities within the government and sound private sector solutions for public problems.

More and more issues in Congress and the state legislatures are having a direct impact on business. Businesses are learning that they can no longer sit on the sidelines when government decisions directly impact their future. Likewise, with tough economic times, businesses are looking for new areas to expand. And despite tough economic times, securing a government contract remains one of the most sought after business development opportunities.

Businesses today cannot afford to ignore the legislative process and adjust to new laws once they are passed. To be successful, business must stay current on legislative issues that could have repercussions on their business or industry. They must also seek to effectuate change where appropriate making lobbying, government relations and public affairs a natural extension of the legal services law firms are already providing.

By integrating strategic communications and public affairs into the practice, combining law, policy, politics and strategic communications, attorneys will provide new and existing clients and integrated approach to their legal problems. This practice group will provide firms with new channels to cross-sell firm services and maintain core clients by expanding into new areas to complement your firm’s legal practice. A successful public affairs and strategic communications group will not only help stand out from other law firms, but it will enhance their core practice groups, advance client relations and increase firm profits, while developing new business.

Raising cash through social media

In 2008, The Columbus Foundation pioneered a new online giving resource, called PowerPhilanthropy, connecting central Ohio nonprofit organizations with potential donors. Nonprofits interested in being included provide information on their organization and activities through the online Nonprofit Toolkit located on the Foundation’s website. Potential donors search the PowerPhilanthropy database and read profiles of nonprofits in their community, which include information on their programs, finances, management, and services. Access to this information improves donors' understanding of the organization and helps them decide where to give. Soon, there will be a similar effort underway among Detroit nonprofits. It comes at a time when fundraising is down and the need for additional resources is up. To improve the efforts of various nonprofits to profit from social media fundraising, NonProfit 2.0 (Change.org) offers the following tips (which I am posting verbatim here):

Newsweek said it best: "Suddenly, all the world is a-Twitter." Simple and powerful, Twitter is a must for nonprofit organizations. I created and manage a portal to nonprofits on Twitter @nonprofitorgs and based on my experience using site, I have crafted ten of my favorite Twitter Tips for beginners:

Authenticity before marketing. Have personality. Build community. -- Those nonprofits who are most successful at utilizing social networking Web sites like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace know from trial, error, and experience that a “marketing and development approach” on social networking sites does not work. Simply put, it comes across as lame. Traditional marketing and development content is perfectly fine for your Web site and e-mail newsletters, but Web 2.0 is much more about having personality, inspiring conversation, and building online community. Nowhere is this more true than on Twitter. Relax, experiment, let go a bit… find your voice. Be authentic.

Be nice. Be thankful. Reply and Retweet! -- Twitter functions much like Karma. The nicer you are to people in the Twitterverse, they nicer they are to you in return. The more you ReTweet (RT) others, the more they will RT your Tweets in return. And whether it’s Twitter, MySpace, Facebook or YouTube, if someone does something nice for you in the public commons of Web 2.0, it is always a good practice to send them a message of “Thanks… much appreciated!”. Kindness and appreciation will make you stand out from the others and makes an excellent impression.

Follow everyone who follows you. -- This is a hard one for a lot of nonprofits. They want to keep their “Home” view clutter free and controlled and only follow a select few. Honestly, they only want to follow those whose Tweets that they are really interested in reading. But I say this often… “This time it is not about you, it is about them.” Web 1.0 communications is all about us and our messaging i.e, your Web site and e-mail newsletter. Web 2.0 is all about your supporters and their messaging. It’s better to create a personal Twitter profile in order to only follow those select few you are interested in reading, but if you are going out on Twitter behind your organization’s logo a.k.a. avatar, it is a mistake to not follow all your followers in return. Why?

Twitter is about conversation -- You can’t have a conversation on Twitter if you are not following your followers. It is a one-sided relationship. They can’t message you on Twitter if you are not following them. It’s a snub. Let’s face it… people on Twitter want to be followed. That’s what the site is about! How can you build community on Twitter if you won’t even participate with your followers? Have a look around Twitter… you will see the most successful, ReTweeted nonprofits follow everyone who follows them. Use “Favorites” to organize the chaos and feature your most important Tweets! -- So, if you are going to follow everyone who follows your organization (which is hopefully thousands of people) then “favorite” Tweets by those who you are most interested in reading and favorite your most important Tweets. The favorites option on Twitter is a simple, excellent tool to help you organize the chaos.

Don’t tweet about your coffee (unless it is fair trade), the weather, or how tired you are. Provide value to your followers, not chit-chat! -- It’s one thing to chit-chat about the weather, your headache, or how you need coffee to wake up in the morning on your personal profile on Twitter, but it’s quite another if you are active on the Twitterverse via your organizational profile. The messages you send reflect upon your organization. Example of what not to Tweet: “Such-and-such Nonprofit got stuck in traffic this morning. Ugh! I need coffee and a vacation… and I think I am getting a headache!” No one likes a whiner and this just makes it sound like Such-and-Such Nonprofit is not a fun place to work. People follow you because they want good content from your organization on subjects relevant to your mission. Make sure your Tweets provide value and are Re-Tweetable.

Don’t only Tweet your own content -- Twitter is a news source. Participate in news. Tweet articles or blog posts by your favorite newspapers, bloggers, or other nonprofits (yes... other nonprofits! Find allies, build relationships). If it is a good read or a good resource, it reflects well upon your organization that you Tweeted it. There is also a good chance you might get ReTweeted if the article is deemed timely and worthy by the Twitterverse.

Send messages, but not via auto-responders --There are tools out there that will automatically message your new followers. Don’t use them. It’s Spam. It’s not authentic. It’s not human. It's lazy marketing. I think this cartoon sums up auto-responders perfectly. Don’t worry about those that “unfollow” you -- It’s easy to feel slighted when someone stops following you. What did I say? Did I do something wrong? Let it go. Who knows why they followed you in the first place. Give it no more than 3 seconds thought and then move on. Limit your Tweets to 5 per day, and no more than 6! -- I have been polling on Twitter and the Twitterverse has revealed that less is more when it comes to Tweeting.

Twitter is what you make of it. You get out of Twitter what you put into it. This is the same of all Web 2.0 social networking sites. Twitter is a fun, valuable tool that can drive significant traffic to your Web site (start watching your Web site referral logs!) and help build and strengthen your brand in the online world of Web 2.0, but just like Facebook and MySpace, Twitter requires time and energy to produce results. You get out of it what you put into it. If you do one Tweet a week, you will get the results of one Tweet. But if you Tweet 4 times daily Monday through Friday… you will get the results of 20 Tweets weekly.

Again, it’s about community building around your mission and programs. Just having profile on Twitter (or MySpace, or Facebook) does not magically produce any results. You have to work these profiles. Find the person on your staff who loves Web 2.0 and enjoys working the sites and/or find a marketing/pr intern from your local university that needs to do a senior project! If they are getting college credit, then you know they have to stay around for at least a semester.

The advice outlined below is general advice applied to for profits as it is not-for-profits. To all of us, now is the time to experiment and become comfortable with social media. In fact, it is time we embrace it. We should learn to say what we need to say, not just in 30 second or 90 second elevator pitches, but in 140 characters or less. We need to refine our key messaging into the screen of our cell phone, we need to learn to verbalize what we can tweet. And we need to become familiar with how messages are conveyed now and well into the future. Just as my 6 year old can pick up my iPhone to use one of the apps I downloaded for her, soon she will be sending tweets to her friends.

Congress poised to reauthorize transportation bill despite calls to wait

With a number of items on their plate, such as: Climate Change; Health Care; Financial Market Reform; and Immigration Reform

Congress also is debating how much to spend fixing the nation's transportation system. According to Roll Call, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), has been pushing a six-year, $500 billion bill (highway bill) to repair highways, bridges, airports and mass transit systems, among other things. But President Barack Obama and some Members of Congress instead support a smaller, $20 billion extension of current spending that would delay an overhaul for at least another 18 months.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee wants to move the transportation authorization bill forward and pass a bill the President will sign before it expires on September 30, 2009. As a result, the T&I Committee is working hard this week to approve a $3 billion infusion for the Highway Trust Fund. Passing a bill out of committee this week, would set the stage to avoid an extension and continue to keep various projects funded. They argue the reauthorization will create jobs, and allow for the construction of badly needed bridges and roads. Any extension, committee members argue, will leave states unsure as to how to move forward on any project.

The Senate also is poised to pass a bill before their August recess. But the Senate could spoil Oberstar’s plans by passing a bill that provides a short-term fix until they could pass a more comprehensive bill sometime next year.

The President supports waiting. He has a number of priorities that his Administration is working on and want resolved before tackling this important piece of legislation.

Regardless of the outcome, America’s transportation policy is set on a path that favors sustainability and “intermodal” transport. Nonetheless, creative financing must be found to ensure state's like Michigan get their fair share and that funding is secured for projects such:

The M1 Rail project;

Bus improvements in Saginaw;

New buses for the Branch Area Transit Authority; or,

New buses for the Muskegon Area Transit System;

According to Roll Call:

The National Highway System carries 40 percent of all U.S. traffic and 75 percent of truck traffic.

America relies on trucks to deliver nearly 100 percent of our consumer goods and 70 percent of our nation’s freight tonnage.

Over the past 25 years, the number of registered vehicles has increased more than 50 percent, yet new road miles have grown by less than 5 percent and lane capacity has increased by just 6 percent.

According to the Texas Transportation Institute:

Congestion annually costs the U.S. economy $87.2 billion in the form of 4.2 billion lost hours and 2.8 billion gallons of wasted fuel.

If key congestion bottlenecks were eliminated, the trucking industry alone could save 4.1 billion gallons of fuel over 10 years and 45.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The federal government, in consultation with state and local government and private-sector stakeholders, should tie federal funding to the fulfillment of broad national goals in order to ensure that federal investments are consistent with national priorities. While organizations have been consulting and lobbying Congress for more than a year, it is not to late to join the discussion and offer suggestions as to what the nation's transportation policies should be for the next six years, and how it should be funded. Those affected by transportation policies should work through their trade association and/or individual lobbyists to represent their interests.

A Second Stimulus

President Barack Obama is moving forward and pushing an aggressive agenda that includes climate change, immigration reform, financial reform and health care reform among others. This week, the President continues to push his health care agenda and Republicans continue to push back, saying, "Now is not the time." There are some in Congress that are also saying, "Now is not the time to talk about a second stimulus bill." However, there is some discussion about introducing a second stimulus bill to help bolster the economy. Such a bill would not come to pass until after Labor Day, however, if the economy does not improve, some further help will be needed and something even more significant than the first one.

Stewards of the largest supply of fresh water in the world

Yesterday, US House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman along with Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Edward J. Markey, introduced the Drinking Water System Security Act of 2009 with the support of drinking water utilities and environmental and labor groups. This bill would require EPA to establish risk-based performance standards for community water systems serving more than 3,300 people and certain other public water systems with security risks. In 2006, as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, Congress authorized the Department of Homeland Security to issue chemical facility security regulations that exempted drinking water and wastewater facilities. The Drinking Water System Security Act authorizes EPA to strengthen security at drinking water systems in the United States under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The legislation would:

Require EPA to assign covered water systems to one of four risk-based tiers, ranging from tier 1, the highest-risk systems, to tier 4, the lowest-risk of the covered water systems. Require covered water systems to identify vulnerabilities and develop site security plans to addresses those vulnerabilities and meet risk-based security standards, which vary by tier. Require all covered water systems with dangerous chemicals in amounts higher than federal thresholds to assess whether they can switch to safer chemicals or processes to reduce the consequences of an act of terrorism. Since the states implement the Safe Drinking Water Act everywhere but Wyoming and Washington, D.C., states have authority to require facilities in the two highest-risk tiers to switch to safer chemicals or processes if technologically and economically feasible, and if doing so will not result in unsafe drinking water. Require that covered water systems include employees in the development of security vulnerability assessments and site security plans and that they receive the training necessary to perform their duties under the plans. Require EPA to develop standards to protect security-related information while encouraging the proper sharing of this information among those with an official need to know. The bill would set criminal penalties for purposeful, unlawful disclosure of this protected information. The legislation has key support from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and numerous environmental and labor groups also have endorsed the bill, including Clean Water Action, Earthjustice, The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, MI, Environment America, Environmental Health Fund, Environmental Health Strategy Center of Maine, Greenpeace, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), New Jersey Work Environment Council, OMB Watch, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sierra Club, United Steelworkers, and U.S. PIRG.

Although this bill is not directly related to the Great Lakes, there are opportunities for Michigan based universities and community colleges to monitor this bill as it provides grant opportunities to conduct research, workforce training or technical assistance to "covered water systems." As Michigan continues to identify industries to help diversify our economy, we should look to our role as stewards to the largest fresh water source in the world to potentially benefit from this legislation.

Michigan...It is time to seize the opportunity

Although it is officially summer, there is a big chill across Michigan. With the auto industry firmly in control by the federal government, Congress continues to focus on the economy, the environment and on everyone’s health. Just before the July 4th recess, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act (HR 2454), a major piece of legislation affecting climate change, energy and the environment. While Detroit and the entire state of Michigan continue to struggle, we must find opportunity amidst crisis and take advantage of every and any opportunity to restore stability to Michigan’s economy. There is no doubt that our struggling automakers and suppliers will receive additional help once ACES passes Congress. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) also will provide much needed assistance for Detroit and for Michigan.

Restoring stability and setting a path to economic diversity requires leadership to make a bad situation good. The climate change legislation contains a number of provisions that can bolster our state’s position, bring our auto industry into the next generation and help diversify our state’s economy so we are no longer a one-industry town. This includes:

Retooling existing and recently abandoned plants to meet new fuel and energy standards.

Retrofit plants to accommodate electronic vehicle production.

Securing funding for Detroit’s efforts to create light rail and mass transit in the region and become a model for other communities by adapting the latest and cleanest transportation technology.

Direct engineers leaving the auto industry to create new companies to support the development and commercialization of clean energy technology.

Lobby the federal government to have Detroit house one of eight regional Clean Energy Innovation Centers.

Celebrate our collaborative efforts to incubate new companies in partnership with our universities through the University Research Corridor and Next Energy and identify federal resources to expand Next Energy and Tech Town.

This bill also contains a number of provisions vital to the growth of green vehicles and a number of opportunities to keep the engineers, designers and line workers recently laid off, from the auto industry, employed in Michigan. By no means is this a perfect piece of legislation, and it does not necessarily favor Detroit over other regions. However, it is a blueprint by which Detroit and this state must change if we are to weather this storm and restore stability to our economy and to our people. We as a state must work together to leverage our assets and seize the opportunities provided to us in this legislation. By taking advantage of the tools given to us, we can take advantage of the incentives and financial opportunities to retool our economy and emerge much stronger than we have ever been.

Community Colleges Must Turn to Washington for Financial Aid

President Barack Obama is expected to announce today an initiative to invest $12 billion in community colleges nationwide over the next 10 years. According to today's Detroit News, Components of the initiative to be announced today will include $9 billion to fuel community college challenge grants, $2.5 billion for construction and renovation of buildings and $500 million for online curriculum development. The initiative will get under way within the first six months of 2010. However, the President has said, "Our community colleges can serve as 21st century job training centers, working with local businesses to help workers learn the skills they need to fill the jobs of the future. We can reallocate funding to help them modernize their facilities, increase the quality of online courses and ultimately meet the goal of graduating 5 million more Americans from community colleges by 2020." This is welcomed news as community colleges will rely less and less on the state to provide funding. In fact, more community colleges are finding more funding available at a federal level.

In May, the president outlined measures to make it easier for the unemployed to pursue a degree or training and get help paying for it. Through the White House Automotive Task Force, funding also is being made available to communities negatively affected by the auto industry.

According to the Detroit News, the Labor Department is providing job search services to approximately 15,000 auto workers affected by permanent plant closures through emergency grants. It also has boosted Small Business Administration loans to auto, boat and recreational vehicle dealers.

Today's announcement by the President provides great impetus for community colleges to aggressively seek federal funding for a variety of programs and projects that will help the President achieve his goals of increasing community college enrollment. For example, many community colleges throughout the country have received federal funds for nursing programs, workforce and job training related programs, homeland security and other opportunities.

In fact, here is just a sampling of federal funding individual community colleges will receive in FY 2010:

$200,000 to the Riverside Community College for construction of the School of Nursing in Riverside, California; $250,000 for Metropolitan Community College of Omaha, Nebraska, for construction of a Health Careers Center; $72,750 to the Southwest Tennessee Community College for expansion of a biotechnology building in Memphis, Tennessee; $97,000 to Hudson County Community College for construction of Union City Campus in Union City, New Jersey; $397,000 to Southeast Community College (Cumberland, KY) for facilities and equipment for an allied health training facility. (This is a continuation of the FY 2004 project that will be used to renovate 69,900 gross sq. ft. of an existing building to create the Southeast Education Alliance Center); $2,000,000 to Waubonsee Community College (Sugar Grove, IL) for science building at Waubonsee Community College in Illinois; $317,000 to Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR, for equipment and technology for its Technology for Student Access Initiative; $250,000 to the Riverside Community College in Riverside, California for facilities construction and renovation improvements; $250,000 to the Montgomery County Community College for facilities construction of the Small Business Development & University Transfer Center in Pottstown, PA; $200,000 to Polk Community College, Lakeland, FL for a corporate college program; $99,000 to South Seattle Community College, WA for apprenticeship training programs; $199,000 to Central Maine Community College, for education programs, student recruitment and marketing activities; $50,000 to Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY, for the upgrade of the college computer network; $317,000 to the Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, for it's Closing the Gap college preparation and retention initiative for minority students, including student scholarships; $96,000 to Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio for construction of a conference center; $248,000 to Western Nevada Community College to create an Occupational Therapy Assistant program; $496,000 to Iowa Lakes Community College to create a Wind Energy and Turbine Technology education program; $422,000 to Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH for equipment and programming for the Centers for Nursing and Health Careers; and, $397,000 to West Shore Community College (Scottsville, MI) for workforce investment and training for unemployed individuals'.

The President also has said that, "Without community colleges, millions of people would not be able to access the education and skills they need to further education or succeed in the workplace." And last month, Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff said, "What's been forgotten is how important our community college system is to the economy. As a competitive advantage for the United States, the community college system is essential, and the administration is intent on boosting funding for growth of the system.”

There are a number of community colleges throughout the country, including here in Michigan, that have recognized a renewed focus on community colleges by Congress and the President. In fact, a number of them have retained lobbyists to advocate on their behalf for individual earmarks and to help direct federal public policies that will affect their college, their research and the programs they provide the students and community. In Michigan, specifically, the following community colleges have retained outside lobbying counsel:

Schoolcraft College Kalamazoo Valley Community College Lansing Community College Mott Community College Oakland Community College Wayne County Community College

The following Michigan (public) universities and colleges have some sort of federal advocacy effort now under way and already retained an outside lobbying firm:

Eastern Michigan University Ferris State Grand Valley State Lake Superior State Michigan Technological University (uses in house counsel) Northern Michigan University Oakland University Central Michigan University

The University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University each have a Washington office and from time to time bring in outside legislative and regulatory counsel, while Saginaw Valley State and Western Michigan University have not retained outside advocates. The following private universities have retained outside lobbying counsel:

University of Detroit Ave Marie Lawrence Tech Michigan Jewish Institute Northwood University Walsh College

In addition to federal funding which is available to community college, Congress is working on a number of other issues that will affect your work. For example, Congress is still debating the Higher Education Authorization Bill with important provisions that will help or hurt students in capturing financial aid. The Labor-HHS bill actually increases funding for the NIH and NSF.

With the state of Michigan scaling back their budget, particularly the funding for community colleges, it is important that community colleges turn to the federal government for financial support, particularly at such a crucial time in Michigan's history. Our community colleges can provide Michigan with the economic lifeline for retraining and retooling an aging workforce and help us move forward into the next economy.

Today's legal market demands broad business solutions

Today’s legal market demands a broad range of business solutions lawyers can provide their clients. A strategic communications plan can prove to be an extremely helpful tool law firms can provide their clients. For example, in today’s 24/7 media culture, companies lack access and lack control to the media who cover their industry and to the people that talk about them on-line. In addition, businesses often find themselves navigating a complex environment that requires dealing simultaneously with litigation, governmental and regulatory actions, media scrutiny, and public perception. Often times, business strategy demands a multi-disciplinary approach of legal action, public relations and government relations. Knowing where these issues converge can help protect your reputation and enhance your position in the marketplace.

For example, last week, an article in the Michigan Lawyer's Weekly unveiled new court rules directing the jury not to Twitter about the case before them or turn to the Internet for information beyond that which was presented to them in the court. Social media is not only becoming some thing for us to stay in touch with friends, it is becoming a new area to look out for our clients interests and/or a new medium to promote our practice.

Also, in just seven months a number of key bills have been enacted by Congress and President Obama, including: The economic stimulus package; Expansion of SCHIP; Pentagon acquisition reforms; & other key reforms. Congress returned this week to tackle a number of difficult issues, before their August recess, including: Energy & Climate legislation; Health Care Reform; FY 2010 Appropriations; Reauthorization of the transportation bill; Financial regulation; food safety, and Immigration reform.

Attorneys in high-profile cases should extend their services beyond the courtroom and in the court of public opinion. Therefore, lawyers will need skilled advice as to how to position their clients before the media or in front of the legislature, while protecting their legal rights.

Seeking PR counsel is an important aspect of representing clients in high-profile cases. Even if the issue is a small matter, there is no way we can tell how public opinion can or will shape the outcome of a case. Therefore, in engaging PR Counsel:

Have the lawyer retain the PR firm as opposed to your client directly, to try to preserve attorney-client privilege;

The PR counsel should consult with the client, only in the presence of an attorney and first talk things over with the attorney to seek their support and buy-in for the PR strategy.

Once a PR firm is engaged, they will (depending on the strategy): Asses the situation, review any media to date;

Create key messages;

Create talking points for key audiences including, staff, vendors, clients and the media;

Using the key messages, educate and sensitize the media to mitigate damage or control the story;

Facilitate interviews; and,

Provide media/spokesperson training.

“An attorney’s duties do not begin inside the courtroom door. He or she cannot ignore the practical implications of a legal proceeding for the client." See Gentile v State bar of Nevada (Kennedy opinion) 510 US 1030, 1043 (1991). Just as an attorney may recommend a plea bargain or civil settlement to avoid the adverse consequences of a possible loss after trial, so too an attorney may take reasonable steps to defend a client’s reputation…in the court of public opinion

In today’s fast-paced environment, where it may take years to build up one’s reputation and only seconds to destroy it, a lawyers role as advocate extends to managing their clients’ reputations inside and out of the courtroom.

Congress' Road Ahead

Congress returned to work this week after a seven-month marathon, passing the following issues: - The economic stimulus package; - Curbs on abusive credit card practices; - An omnibus bill setting government spending for the current fiscal year; - A budget resolution outlining plans for the next fiscal year; - A supplemental spending bill to fund the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; - Expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program; - An equal pay anti-discrimination bill; - Sweeping tobacco regulations; - Pentagon acquisition reforms; - A public lands package designating more than 2 million acres as protected wilderness; - Expansion of national service programs.

The come back to work with an aggressive agenda, to tackle important issues before they go on their August recess, including:

Energy and Climate Change Legislation The House passed their version in late June. The Senate is planning on debating a bill now before the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee sometime in the fall. Senate Majority Reid has indicated that he will merge the climate-change legislation with the energy legislation that has already been approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Health Care Reform Health Care remains the President's top priority, however, it is not without its challenges. The House is planning on voting on health care reform before their August recess but is running into roadblocks by conservative Democrats. The Senate will debate health care sometime after that but obstacles remain in passing truly comprehensive reform.

Appropriations Congress is about to pass their first set of appropriation bills but, as with most years these days, not all the spending bills will be passed by the start of the next fiscal year -- October 1, 2009.

Transportation The current highway bill expires September 30, 2009, leaving hundreds of transportation projects in jeopardy of completion. The President wants to extend that deadline for 18 months and provide a 'pay-as-you-go' strategy to help jump start some of those projects. With health care reform and climate change still on the table, in addition to all of the appropriation bills that have yet to be passed, the transportation reauthorization will likely get extended into 2010.

Financial Regulation Last month, the President introduced a number of regulations pertaining to the financial industry. Before August, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, will markup the legislation revamping the financial regulatory system, including a measure that would create a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. The House is expected to vote on this measure, sometime in the fall.

Food Safety Congress remains interested in tightening inspections and imposing new fees on food safety. This could have an impact on area food banks, schools and speciality food retail shops.

Education The President wants to eliminate the subsidized private student lending program and shift to a direct loan program to help save money. There is also an effort to expand Title IX (the federal law barring discrimination in education on the basis of sex) to help bolster female student's interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Immigration After energy, health care and financial industry reform, the President wants Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. However, a lack of votes and time will likely push this issue into next year.

The decisions Congress makes has a large impact on how we do business and in how we conduct our lives. Although we face many challenges during this difficult time, now is the time to engage lawmakers and regulatory agencies in a discussion about how your company is affected and what legislative steps you can take to emerge from this economy, stronger, more efficient and ready to expand in the next economy.

GM -- Blazing a path and resetting trends

With the re-emergence of a new GM today marks the beginning of the end of an era of doing business, not just for GM, but for a majority of companies around the world. GM has historically been a leader of trends. Trends in cars, technology and design. Today, GM became the corporate poster-child for what companies must do to not just survive in today's economy, but thrive as a leaner, more efficient company, that focuses on the fundamentals while laying the groundwork for industrial growth.

The auto industry, like a majority of industries has changed. Companies, no matter how large or small realize that they must not only listen to their customers, they need to be responsive and work to build and keep relationships with them. It is a new day for GM, Detroit, the auto industry and corporations around the world.

Now GM just needs to get the word out about what they are doing, how they are doing it, and bring us all out for the ride.