Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?

A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization that unites business and professional leaders. It creates a central agency designed to improve the business climate and build a better community. The Chamber’s mission is to be a business advocate, a community partner and an economic development stimulator.

The Chamber of Commerce is people. There is a place in the Chamber of Commerce efforts for ALL who share the desire to improve the community and the conditions under which business is conducted. It directs the energies of those who believe that a community worth living in is a community worth improving.

A Chamber of Commerce enables the members to accomplish collectively what not one of them could do individually. Its strength lies in attracting the greatest number of individuals and firms into membership, creating a pool of resources from which can be drawn ideas, energy, and finances.

A Chamber of Commerce gives a voice to the business person’s natural instincts to improve the local market and the community. The Chamber is not a department of the city, county, or state government, a political body; a civic club or society; a social service, welfare or charitable institution, a private advertising, publicity or public relations agency.

Originally, its function was to protect commerce in transit, in the marketplace, and to promote the sale of goods. Currently, the successful Chamber of Commerce is the one which recognizes all the factors which affect the community and adjusts its programs accordingly.

For more information on how you can join the leading association that is creating positive change for Toccoa-Stephens County please call 706-886-2132.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Leadership Toccoa Stephens County Accepting Nominations for 2011-2012

Good leadership skills are essential for a successful business or organization. They include communication skills, decision-making skills, conflict-resolution skills and the ability to cast vision. These skills are intended to empower people, provide clear direction and keep members of an organization informed.

Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County (T-SC) operates under the umbrella of the T-SC Chamber of Commerce. It is a community awareness and community education program.
It is designed to acquaint emerging and potential community leaders with the needs, issues, services and resources of T-SC. It is hoped that as a result of this improved awareness, participants will be challenged and motivated to assume an active leadership role in making T-SC an even better place in which to work and live.

A new Leadership class is selected each year by the Leadership T-SC Board of Directors. Each class is made up of approximately 20 individuals representing business and industry. It is a diverse group of participants, living and working in the City and the County, and representing a variety of social, economic and professional concerns.

Each year, the participants attend five learning sessions. They learn from each other’s different perspectives and the experience provides them with a broader view the future. With this deeper understanding, and increased knowledge, participants are better prepared to be leaders serving our community.

The Leadership Board is now accepting nominations for the 2011-2012 adult and youth classes. For more information, please call Vicky King at the Chamber, 706-886-2132.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Popping In to See You!

Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG Radio AM630
Thursday June 2, 2011

Your T-SC Chamber of Commerce serves over 400 business members with only 2 full-time paid staff! We are fortunate to have the support of a team of Ambassadors who act as relationship managers with our members.

Each Ambassador is assigned a group of new, existing and potential members. The Chamber values our members and our Ambassadors walk-the-talk.

Every year from April through June, the Ambassadors compete in a challenge. This year the challenge is to see who can make the most personal visits and conduct the most one-on-one survey interviews.

The challenge is called “Popping In to See You” and they are distributing packets of microwave popcorn to all they meet with.

The Ambassador Team is led by Chair Tammy Riddle of Stephens Federal Bank. The Ambassadors competing include: Ann Ash - Georgia Baptists Conference Center, Cheryl Harris - Reins of Life, Christy LeCroy - Next To Me Medical Supplies, Danette Smith - Georgia Department of Labor, Brenda Sorrells - Northeast Georgia Bank, Brooke Stowe - North Georgia Credit Union, Eric Swilling - Habersham Bank and Leon Womack.

There will be prize drawing and a celebration luncheon in July. The biggest and best prizes go to the top three Ambassadors with the most interviews.

So expect a call from one of our Chamber Ambassadors to interview you! We’ll summarize the responses and use them to focus our 2011 Business Plan, based on the needs heard directly from the members.

A strong Chamber reflects a strong Community! Your support enables us to continue to provide the quality support and services you expect from a 4-star chamber. Thank you for your support!