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I
S S U E A
L E R T
N
E W D O C U M E N T R E Q U
I R E M E N T S A T
B OR D E R
D
U E T O T A K E
E F F E C T J A N U A R Y
3 1, 2 0 0 8 !
U.S.
Customs and Border Protection has issued an important advisory
regarding upcoming changes in their requirement for documentation
at Champlain and other U.S.-Canadian border crossings.
Currently, U.S. and Canadian citizens are often admitted with
a "verbal declaration" of their citizenship and presentation
of a driver's license or similar ID.
T
H I S W I L L C H A N
G E
Beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens 19
years and older who enter the U.S. at land crossings will
need to present government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's
license as proof of identity,
ALONG
WITH PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, SUCH AS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR
NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE, OR A PASSPORT. NEXUS
cards will also remain valid, of course.
Children age 18 and under will be able to enter with proof
of citizenship.
Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be
sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry
into the United States.
W
H A T S H O U L D Y O
U D O ?
If
you have the required ID such as a passport or birth certificate,
plan to regularly carry it when you cross the border starting
January 31.
If you do not, you will need to be sure to obtain and have
either a birth certificate to accompany your driver's license
or a passport by January 31.
We also continue to strongly encourage U.S. and Canadian citizens
who are eligible, to enroll in NEXUS
-- not only because it can speed your crossborder travel (especially
once the new Champlain border facilities are completed
later in 2008), but because it is and will remain the best
ID at the border. Please consider applying now -- but realize
you will not now obtain a NEXUS card by January 31 so will
have to have other required
documents
in the interim.
W
H A T A B O U T D R I
V E R ' S L I C E N S E S ?
New York State has reached an agreement with the U.S. Dept.
of Homeland Security on the creation of an enhanced driver's
license that will be fully accepted at the border in place
of a passport or other documents. It will verify citizenship
on the license and use technology to verify identity. This
will be an important step forward as it will eliminate the
need to carry any special cards or documents. Obtaining these
enhanced driver's licenses will be optional, and at some added
cost not yet set. Vermont, Ontario and Michigan have reached
similar agreements, and discussions are underway with Quebec.
However, it is not expected that these enhanced New York State
licenses will become available anytime sooner than late 2008.
Therefore, these will not yet be an option as of January 31.
P
L E A S E S P R E A D
T H E W O R D !
Please spread the word of the January 31 change to family,
friends, colleagues, employees and customers so they can all
take steps to be ready.
This includes hospitality businesses in both New York and
Canada who will want to let incoming guests know ahead of
time if possible of the documentation they will need if crossing
the border as of January 31, 2008.
We will continue to keep you apprised.
[ Return to Top ]
About
NEXUS
NEXUS
is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk,
pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States
.
The
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and United States Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) are cooperating in this joint
venture to simplify border crossings for members, while enhancing
security.
To
become a member in this program, you must:
- submit
an application and go through a registration process;
- satisfy
the eligibility criteria;
- be
admissible in Canada and the United States ; and
- pass
risk assessments by both countries.
Program
benefits
If
you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive
a membership identification card to use when entering Canada
or the United States at all participating NEXUS air, land
and marine ports of entry.
Membership
will allow you to save time by:
- crossing
the border more quickly, using automated NEXUS self-serve
kiosks in designated areas at participating international
airports;
- enjoying
a quick and simplified entry process while travelling back
and forth between Canada and the U.S. , using dedicated
lanes at the land border; and
- reporting
to border officials by phone in advance of arrival in the
marine mode.
You
can also use your NEXUS card at a NEXUS kiosk at participating
airports as an alternative to a passport when entering the
United States by air.
Members
using the air mode can enter Canada using the kiosks regardless
of where they are coming from. For Eligibility
You
may qualify to participate in NEXUS if you are a citizen or
permanent resident of Canada or the U.S. and have lived in
Canada and/or the U.S. continuously for the last three years.
You
may not qualify if you:
- are
inadmissible to Canada or the United States under applicable
immigration laws;
- provide
false or incomplete information on your application;
- have
been convicted of a criminal offence, in any country, for
which you have not received a pardon (for U.S. background
checks you may be questioned about full criminal history,
including arrests and pardons, which may exclude you from
NEXUS);
- have
been found in violation of customs or immigration law; or
- fail
to meet other requirements of NEXUS.
Both
countries must approve your application for you to become
a member of NEXUS. If you do not meet any of the requirements,
we will deny your application.
Children
Children
under the age of 18 will need the consent of a parent or legal
guardian to enrol in NEXUS. At the interview, children under
the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one custodial
parent or guardian, and we will need documentary evidence
of custody with no restrictions on removal from the custodial
jurisdiction. The documents you present to the officer at
the NEXUS enrolment centre have to establish that the adult
or adults are the parents or legal guardians.
example,
a NEXUS member returning from France arriving in Montreal
can use the self-serve kiosk.
How
to apply
Your
participation in NEXUS is strictly voluntary. If you choose
to complete the application form, the information you provide
will be used to determine your eligibility. Please refer
to Canada's
privacy statement and the United States Privacy Act statement
for more information.
Online
application
Before
you start :
a step-by-step description of how to register with GOES and
apply to NEXUS.
You
can apply online to NEXUS using
the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) that
is operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S.
CBP).
During
the application process some of the information requested
will be designated as optional. Your eligibility to participate
in NEXUS will not be affected by whether you provide the optional
information.
The
process to determine eligibility takes six to eight weeks.
Apply
online
Paper
application
You
can complete the NEXUS application form by downloading and
filling out the PDF form online, printing it and mailing it
together with the processing fee. You can also pick up an
application form at any Canada Post outlet.
A
separate application should be made on behalf of or by each
applicant. The
process to determine eligibility takes six to eight weeks.
Apply
using a paper application
[ Return to Top ]
Congratulations to Carol & Tim Whitford
The
new 2008 Corvette Calendar
features
this
Ticonderoga
Car on the Cover
to
purchase go to http://www.browntrout.com/calendars/product.asp?MGID=-1&IID=8008
e-Business
Tip #137 "Make it Happen In 2008"
jpCrawford
Associates is a Business Advisory and Coaching business dedicated
to assisting business owners or managers in growing their
business to the next level. We provide creative insight and
develop unique ways to grow your business. We accomplish this
by utilizing a dynamic questioning and listening process joined
with an unbiased and objective point of view, helps you to
achieve your goals more effectively and efficiently in less
time then if you do it alone.
Focus
on your goals. Here's a question: where do you want to be
next year, and exactly how will you get there? If you don't
hesitate with your answer, then I'll bet you will make it.
BUT, if you have to think
about it and even break into a cold sweat, well good luck
to you.
So
let's break down the components in setting crystal clear goals.
Big-picture objectives down to the tactical plans of what
actually needs to be done.
Here
are some questions which will help you to get into focus
1.
What are you going to do to improve your business and business
related knowledge this year?
2.
How many clients will you try to work with?
- Customers
you will attract?
- What
do you need to do to make that happen?
- Can
you develop an action plan for each?
3.
What will you do to ensure you're doing the best for your
clients and adding more value to those relationships?
- Can
you attract even more of their business?
- How
can you do that?
4.
What will you do to improve your physical, mental and spiritual
health this Year?
5.
What specifically, are your revenue and income goals for the
year?
- How
does break down into monthly and quarterly goals?
6.
What will you need to do to increase that number by additional
10%?
7.
What are you going to do every day to keep your attitude at
high levels?
8.
How much time are you going to spend daily, to improve your
own prospecting and sales skills?
9.
How many referrals will you get this year?
- How
will you get them?
- From
whom?
- What
will you do to turn them into new clients?
10.
In which areas will you improve your personal, family and
spiritual life?
11.
How are you going to maximize the use of your time?
- Where
will you cut out the time wasters in each day?
12.
What have you been putting off that you will take care of
within the next two weeks?
13.
Who can you help to feel special every day?
- How
can you celebrate your successes?
14.
What challenge, wish, or desire -- that you've never attempted
before--will finally achieve this year?
- How
will you do that?
- Why?
15.
Where are you going to write all this down so you can review
and revise your plans regularly?
16.
What will it look like when you accomplish everything you've
just been thinking about?
- How
good will it feel?
- How
will you celebrate?
17.
Why couldn't you do all of this?
You
will have a better year if you execute your plan above. Some
times, it is good to work with some to help you develop the
plan BUT also an independent person to help you keep focused
OR "help keep your feet to the fire?
[ Return to Top ]
The new Ticonderoga
Lapel Pins have arrived! These hand designed cloisonné
pins represent Ticonderoga very well with a blend of mountains,
lakes and historic elements. Designed and produced by Daniel
Ferguson Designs of Morrisonville, NY, the round pins are
bit over one inch in diameter with shades of blues, greens,
red, black with gold trim. The lapel pins sell for $6.00 and
a clear-vue presentation box is available for $1.00 more.
These unique and well made pins are perfect for yourself or
as a gift! Call or stop by the Chamber for more information.
[ Return to Top ]
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