Director's Report - November, 2011

As the Executive Director of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, I’m proud of this organization, our members and our Board of Directors.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet with other chamber executives throughout Indiana as well as from Ohio and Kentucky and have learned much about how much I have to learn!  I’ve had the opportunity to see how other Chambers operate and what they do for their members, as well as work with other Chambers of our same approximate size and rural composition.  Starke County has its own unique qualities and as the business and social climate inevitably changes, it’s important that the businesses within give direction to the change rather than have changes caused by outside influences alone.  That’s where the Chamber comes in.  Through your Chamber you can help direct what we do and how we do it.  Your livelihood depends on it.   

I can see the accomplishments our Chamber has made in the last few years and I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.  The mission of any Chamber is to promote business and help keep the economy moving in the right direction.  No one person can do that, and I’m no exception.  Our members believe in our community. Their hard work creates the business climate and is the strength of the Chamber. 

We had a great 2011 and I’m looking forward to the year 2012.  The credit of the Chamber’s success lies with its Members and Board, and I’d like to say, “Thank You” to all of them.

Our members are the greatest.  Time and time again I see our members working hard not only in their business, but within the community also, making it a better place to live and shop.  They always lend a helping hand at one event or another, whether it’s a fundraiser for a cause or for an organization. They participate in Chamber events and work hard to keep Starke County a vibrant community.  Thank you.

Did you know how much buying within your immediate community helps our economy directly?  Statistics show that of every $100 spent locally, $43 comes directly back into the County.  When buying through warehouse box stores that aren't directly in your community, only $15 of that $100 is returned.  The returns come in various forms, all of which help keep our tax base low and increase the services that are provided within the County.  This past year we had our first “Shop Local – Shop to Win” program.  The cash prize winner was Lonnie Keehn of Winamac!  It’s clear that we attract shoppers even from outside our county.  The goal of the Shop Local program is to promote the local businesses and products which in turn help the state of our economy.  I encourage everyone to participate in our program this year.  When not using a warehouse box store, shopping locally brings in about 15 cents more of each dollar spent in Starke County than when spent outside the county – and that extra15 cents stays in Starke County.  Buy your gas here, buy your food, get your car fixed, etc… you keep your dollars here instead of giving it to another county’s economy.  Cost to members to participate in the Shop Local program is $25 to help defray costs. 

The Chamber holds its Annual Dinner in January. At the Chamber Dinner we’re proud to honor the Henry F. Schricker Award winner.  This past year Judge Marvin McLaughlin was presented with the lifetime achievement award for “Service Before Self.”  It’s no small feat to earn the award, and the past winners, who are so very aware of the efforts it takes, are those that choose the winner.  I invite everyone to write a letter or send a resume of the person you believe is the best candidate.  Volunteers that work tirelessly to improve the life of others deserve a vote of appreciation from someone in their community.  Sometimes it may be someone’s job. But, if they go above and beyond their job requirements, if perhaps they’ve been fortunate to get paid to do that which they love and do it better than very good and spend many more hours than they need to, consider nominating them. All nominees are considered each year.  However, an updated letter is always helpful.  Judge McLaughlin was influential here in Starke County as a judge, but he also did much volunteer work in Starke County that earned him the “Service Before Self” recognition.   One of my favorite pictures is the judge pushing an egg along the ground in front of the courthouse during a fundraiser.  He’s well deserving of the award indeed.

Our AM Starke County breakfasts started with a bang in February - with a bang of a blizzard, that is, which caused us to cancel until the following month.  We’ve had many breakfasts since with a super turnout.  The networking opportunity the breakfast provides is evident and I’m happy to report that it’s going strong.  We each get the opportunity to provide a 60 second introduction, helping our public speaking skills and meeting others.  The sponsors get a 3 – 5 minute presentation.  Each member is offered the opportunity to sponsor the breakfast.  Please let me know if you’d like to sponsor an event.

The fundraising events of the Chamber included the Mint Festival Sno-cone booth, the Chamber Wheel at the Starke County Fair and the Golf Outing.  The fundraising events went very well and have grown in the last few years. They’ll be reported on separately later.

The Quarterly meetings provide our members with an educational opportunity.  This year we had Mark Dobson of Warsaw/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce present ways members can help their community through the Chamber.  Ron Gifford gave a presentation on small business growth and how to access information that can help your business.

Our Business Expo is still growing and I’m working on some changes to improve it even more.  It’s held on the Saturday of the Bass Lake Festival.  Having the Business Expo during the festival helps give the businesses exposure to our summer residents and everyone else that attends.  I’m looking forward to a great Expo next summer and encourage everyone to either participate as a vendor or visiting the expo as a festival attendee.

I hope you’ve all had the opportunity to read the Chamber Chatter page in the Leader newspaper.  It’s our only monthly “newsletter” that comes in printed form.  It allows the community to see what the Chamber is doing and what events are coming up. Of course, that can also be viewed on our website and through the emails I send out.  However, not everyone is internet connected and it’s important that we reach out to all members of the community.  WKVI radio has also been helpful in getting our information out to the public.

The Sponsorship packages and Member Choice Menu are directly in response the request of members to help them plan for the next year’s expenditures.  Chamber events will continue as always, but this year members can pre-plan how they want to spend their dollars.  Advertising opportunities are included in the packages that will begin at the start of the year.  Dollars are scarce and planning how best to put them to work for you was the intent of our sponsorship packages.  As a first attempt, they’re a work in progress and your input is welcome.  Please look for your 2012 member renewals in your email.

The Chamber Board is a working board which means the board members take a considerable amount of their personal time to help with Chamber events.  I’m the only employee of the Chamber but have a team of colleagues that assist me in the many facets of our business.  They support me in so many ways and I can only acknowledge any success I have with the full knowledge that they make my job possible.  I’d like to talk this opportunity to thank them for their hard work and commitment.

I’ll end this with a phrase I found among the old paperwork and try to repeat often:  The Chamber is people … people just like you.  Through the Chamber members we realize how we can accomplish collectively what we cannot achieve individually, shaping Starke County’s business quality of life.  Members of the Chamber, more than 160 strong, work continuously to improve the economy of our community.”

Sincerely,

-Debbie

Deborah J. Mix

Executive Director

Starke County Chamber of Commerce 

Your Chamber at Work,

Working for You.