Chamber places bets on continued support

It’s time for the second Total Resource Campaign. This year’s theme is “Betting on Business.”

“The campaign purpose is to streamline and organize our chamber’s method of financial support of all programs, events and publications,” said Kim Lester, operations manager for the chamber. “Our goals include raising $300,000 in financial sponsorship investment levels, a twenty-five percent increase in the number of campaign volunteers and sponsoring members and a heightened member and community awareness of the chamber’s mission and value to this community.”

They are goals Nancy Hutson, co-owner, Cycle Connection-Harley Davidson/Buel said she will embrace as TRC chairperson.

“It was a privilege to be asked to chair the TRC,” she said. “Our chamber provides such amazing opportunities and services for businesses in this area and I hope to help encourage them to join in continuing those tremendous programs for 2008.”

If 2007 TRC results are any indication, Hutson’s wish will be campaign volunteers’ command.

“Last year’s effort was tremendous,” Lester said. “Eighty new members came in and 245 companies sponsored a program or publication. And 150 of them were brand new sponsors.”

The 2007 campaign goal was $300,000. Volunteers raised $331,000.

“We conducted some wrap up sessions with volunteers afterward to fine tune this year’s efforts,” Lester said. “We can always do a better job in retrospect but we want to eliminate as many challenges as possible.”

One challenge is addressing member confusion about the ‘presented by’ and ‘sponsored by’ and host locations for chamber events.

“We’re working on simplifying the recognition of our various levels of event sponsors to clarify the sponsor and the location,” Lester said.

Approximately 100 volunteers from member businesses will work on this year’s campaign, matching company dollars with chamber program needs.

“The volunteers really took the time last year to work with the member businesses in matching that company’s mission or interest to the chamber program, event or publication,” Lester said. “They wanted it to be win-win for both the sponsoring business and the chamber.”

Sponsorship opportunities range from $50 to $20,000, and offer what Lester calls a “chance for companies to use some of their marketing dollars in a way that brings them increased visibility while they support their chamber at the same time.”

Kim Lester is convinced area businesses will benefit.

“When you talk about joining the chamber it is a ‘sure bet’ for a return on the investment — either from the member business to devote some time to get involved and attend networking events or to be on a committee and to recognize that this chamber works for a strong business climate on behalf of our members. The voices of 1,100 people is much louder that the voice of one,” she said. “Truthfully, there is no gamble either with your sponsorship investments in the chamber.”

Campaign funds raised this year will give chamber staff the financial security to focus on implementing their programs and supporting the goals of the chamber’s board of directors.

The goals include: making a concerted effort to increase member benefits through association plans such as the health insurance association, creating a strong entrepreneurial climate with a focus on innovation, technology and small business, supporting and promoting quality educational and skills training opportunities for students and the existing workforce, developing and supporting recreational, cultural and entertainment opportunities that provide a high quality of living, and positioning the chamber as the leading business service organization and community development advocate in the region.

Those goals give Nancy Hutson a TRC goal of her own.

“Personally, I would love to see an increase in awareness for businesses on the multitude of programs that the chamber offers,” she said. “And to monetarily reach the $300,000 goal to fund those amazing programs.”

The Total Resource Campaign will conclude November 16.[[In-content Ad]]