Annual Report 2014 | Page 14

2014 Annual Report Board Meetings The AmCham Board of Directors held a total of 6 Board of Directors meetings throughout 2014. These meetings focused on the following issues: • Oversight of committee activities; • Executive office staff performance objectives and assessment; • Event planning and assessment; • Dues collection and financial management, 2013 audit; • Member issues; • Advocacy initiatives; • Review and update the 2013-15 strategy, priority issues • Review of 2014 work plan; • New member recruitment; and • Regional AmCham cooperation. Other Key Activities In addition to organizing events, supporting committee initiatives, overall communications and organizing Board meetings, the Executive Office maintains relationships with other AmChams in the region, the U.S. embassy in Macedonia and a variety of other institutions and organizations. Below are some of the many activities undertaken during 2014 to foster these relationships and increase the value AmCham Macedonia offers to its members. Customs Advisory Body Participation Given that many of our member organizations depend on an efficient, fair and consistent Customs Administration, AmCham continued in 2014 to take part in regular meetings of the Customs Advisory Body. The meetings provide a venue to follow Customs plans and activities as well as raise member concerns with regard to Customs policies and procedures. AmChams in Europe Transatlantic Summit Representatives of twenty-one American Chambers of Commerce from across Europe and beyond gathered in Washington, DC in early May 2014 for a series of high-level government and stakeholder policy meetings within the framework of their annual Transatlantic Conference. The group included Michelle Osmanli, AmCham Macedonia Executive Director and welcomed over 100 Washington figures from key government institutions and businesses to the launch of its latest publication Together for Jobs & Growth:The Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership as well as the updated Case for Investing in Europe at a cocktail reception hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The delegation also met with senior State and Commerce department officials including Ambassador David Thorne, special advisor to Secretary of State Kerry. The conference included a working dinner with the Manufacturer’s Alliance, a visit to C-SPAN’s offices, and an AmCham’s in Europe ACE board meeting at the Honeywell offices hosted by Art Simonetti,Vice President of Government Affairs in DC. 14