THE FORMATION OF UCC
REMEMBERED
By Debra Sakacs, Executive Director, July 2000
It was time for my annual eye exam and so I recently visited Dr. Carl Melnik (Granada
Hills Chamber) at his office. We were having a great time ”catching up” and as
it turns out, my long time friend, Dr. Melnik was one of the founders of United Chambers
of Commerce. I am sorry we are not reprinting the accompanying photo of Dr. Melnik with
moustache and afro-style hair cut, quite a contrast from his current day-professional
aura, and Past Chair Art Pfefferman, sporting a full beard which no longer adorns his
face. Here’s the abridged article. You will find some familiar names and some
interesting situations.
From the Valley News, September 26, 1976:
(UCC was actually formed
in 1977):
3 Chamber associations discuss plan for a single Valley organization
By George Shaffer
Leaders from the Valley’s three associations of chambers of commerce exchanged ideas
on the need and nature of a single Valley-wide chamber during a conference at a breakfast
meeting Thursday. After an hour and half of debate and agreement they voted to follow
through on ways to reach a common purpose, draft it, and submit it.
The meeting was formally called by the executive boards of the three co-existing
associations of chambers: Associated Chambers of San Fernando Valley, the Round Table
Council of Chambers, and the North-and-East Chambers.
Thirteen individuals representing 11 chambers attended. As they adjourned, they voted to
re-gather for next steps the following Thursday. Bruce Ackerman, (remember him?) manager
for the Van Nuys Chamber, was named temporary secretary.
Ackerman said “Two determinations must be made. These are, firstly whether there is a
preference for one unified Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber which would take the place
of the Valley’s present 28 community chambers (we now have 21 following the two
mergers) or, secondly, if we mean a superior organization that will supersede our
Associated, Round Table and North-and-East Valley groups, but leave our individual
chambers to serve their communities for local purposes.”
John Bowles, president of the Sherman Oaks Chamber (who eventually went on to become the
first president of the UCC) said he advocated “a principle that worked very well a
bicentennial ago when the 13 colonies formed the United States of America to function for
all in the larger matters of interest, but let the colonies continue as units serving more
local interests.”
The Rev. John Simmons, head of Pacoima Memorial Hospital, representing Lake View Terrace
Chamber, said 25 years in the Valley had let him observe how the influence of individual
chambers “was dissipated when by ones, two or a few at a time they went with a worthy
cause and encountered a setback by the mayor, City Council or other agency.”
He said, “Good ideas need strength behind them” and that “this seems a good
cause, but has been a long time coming. Let us work out the feasibility.”
copyright 2002 United Chambers of Commerce