Are You a Chamber Member?

Are You a Chamber Member?

By Denise Deal, Chairman, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce

Are you a member of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce? Please check one of the spaces below:

_____Yes! Congratulations, you are a part of a 2,750 member-driven organization working to provide the best possible pro-business climate for you and your business in this community. Just to say “THANKS!” take a quick look below at the long list of services your Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce provides every day! Oh yes, and don’t forget to renew your membership!

_____No. Please continue reading…

Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Mission Statement

The mission of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce is to improve the overall business climate for member growth, promote community development, facilitate political action and enhance the quality of life.

You may be thinking, “sounds good,” but what is in it for me and my business? Membership has its privileges and one of those privileges is being part of a large group of individuals and businesses who band together and pursue a common interest. At the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce that interest is business! Whether you are an individual in business for yourself or part of a large corporation, you benefit from the work that goes on every day at the Greater Hall Chamber in an effort to advance a positive business environment.

• Economic Development – Do you have an issue at your business and just can’t seem to find someone knowledgeable to offer some assistance? The Economic Development division of the Chamber works to ensure a prosperous and diverse economic environment and recruits new investment and business to our community. Programs are available for small businesses, human resource issues, environmental issues, and workforce development issues.

• Government Affairs – So you don’t like the sound of a new law, regulation, rule that is being proposed, and it negatively affects your business? The Government Affairs division is focused on making sure your voice is heard and a pro-business climate is maintained in Hall County and in the State of Georgia. We monitor issues and legislation at the local, state and federal levels and provide forums to discuss issues that affect your business. In addition, your one voice is combined with the other 2,750 voices of the Chamber membership and provides a communication link with legislators and other public officials to make sure your areas of concern are addressed.

• Marketing – Are you a new business or an existing business looking for new opportunities or potential? The Chamber provides many services that help maximize your organization’s advertising potential and networking opportunities to build your business.

– Lunch ‘n Learn Programs

– Advertising opportunities in Business Link, general mailings and the Welcome Center

– Job Fairs

– Business Expos

– Business After Hours & Business Before Hours

– Leads Group

– Network Before Work

-Hackers Holiday Golf Tournament

• Education & Community Development – Do you worry about finding employees for the future of your business? This division works to ensure communication links between business, schools and students in an effort to better provide the tools and skills needed for youth entering today’s global economy. Programs like the Youth Apprenticeship Program and Partners in Education provide the perfect public/private partnership to give students the opportunity to have hands on training as businesses become “partners” in the education of our future leaders. Leadership Hall County and the Youth Leadership Hall program both provide current and future leaders a comprehensive look at our community and the issues we face today and those we will face in the future.

• Resources – In the event you are still not sold on a membership… your membership entitles you to membership lists (a free membership list on CD valued at $200), monthly newsletter, health insurance savings, business referrals, Manufacturers & Processors Directory, Wage & Benefit Survey, Drug Free Workplace programs, and the list goes on and on….

So you are ready to sign up! Your timing couldn’t be better, thanks to the leadership of Lynn Carter (Carter Chiropractic), David Lee (Jackson EMC) and Michelle Wiley (Greater Hall Chamber), we are sponsoring our annual membership drive, and these folks, along with a whole host of other volunteers, are ready and willing to come and meet with you and discuss your future involvement with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. The Membership Drive will be going on through October 12 with lots of incentives to sign up now (see page 5). I challenge you to take this opportunity and become a member today!

2007 Membership Campaign

October 1 – October 12

October 1 8:00 am Campaign Begins

October 8 5:00 pm Mid-Campaign Report

October 12 5:00 pm End of Campaign Report

October 18 5:15 pm Celebration/Awards and Business After Hours at Lanier Flight Center

Corporate Challenge Volunteers

Co-Chair, Dr. Lynn Carter – Carter Chiropractic

Co-Chair, David Lee – Jackson EMC

Regions Bank – Sandy Salyer and Melanie Fuller

SunTrust Bank – Marsha Stanley

United Community Bank – Mary Meadows

Wachovia – Will Phillips

GB&T / Southern Heritage Bank- Kurt Hansen

Georgia Power Company – Darrell Snyder

United Way of Hall County – Roz Hudson

BB&T – Robert Shuetze

Ambassador Council – Dianne Baughcum, RaD Services

Chamber Board – Jimbo Floyd, Turner, Wood & Smith

South Hall Council – Dexter Williams, Brand Mortgage

Leadership Hall – Chad Bolton, NEGA Health System

Individual participant – Dana Miller, INK

Individual participant – Reagan Wolfe, The Simpson Co.