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About the Chamber - Chamber Chatter
February 2000
I know you have all heard this before, but 2000 IS going to be a good year! The board has adopted some very basic goals for this year. At the top of that list, as always, is serving you, the membership, the best possible way we can. Please remember that your board is a group of volunteers with businesses to run or jobs to perform. Their time is as valuable as yours. The idea is to have every member involved with their chamber in some way or another. Please say "yes" when asked to help, or better yet, let us know what project you would like to lend your expertise to.
The board is working on getting organized. I feel we have a strong board of doers who will work well together. Your board is open to suggestions, ideas and even positive criticism, when accompanied by suggestions. We live in a wonderful, caring, "work-together" community. The Chamber of Commerce is, and will continue to be, a vital part of that community. I thank you, the chamber members, for the opportunity to serve you and to serve our community.
One of the first obvious changes will be the publishing of this column at least once a month in the local papers. The new board voted last week to forego the regular monthly newsletter in favor of sharing chamber information with the entire community through this medium. A quarterly newsletter will be published for members only giving more detailed information on activities and financial status.
Chamber week proclaimed
Gov. Gary Locke has proclaimed February 9-16 as "Chamber of Commerce" Week in Washington State. Following suit, the Town of Friday
Harbor has also been asked to proclaim a local "Chamber of Commerce Week". This observance, begun in 1996, recognizes the accomplishments of 200 local Chambers across the state whose efforts enhance the state's economy, create jobs and improve our overall quality of life. In the Governor's proclamation, he recognized local chambers o of representing nearly 50,0000 small businesses in Washington, who in turn, employ 2.5 million citizens. In 1999, state Chambers raised over 26 million dollars for local community enhancement projects, involving over 14,000 volunteer business leaders. During the same period, local chambers helped recruit over 1,700 new businesses for their communities creating approximately 14,000 plus jobs.
The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce will take part in the
celebration which has as its theme "Leadership for Quality Communities."
The chamber regular monthly mixer will be held at 5:30 p.m. February 8th in the chamber offices at 1 Front Street, above the Ale House. The campaign's purpose is to heighten community awareness about the score and importance of chamber activities. We are much more than just a plaque on the wall or the people that do maps. We work on solutions to improve transportation, enhance education, advocate for sound growth management and seek quality new business to round out and support this community's economy. We hope that between the local and statewide Chamber Week campaign, we can make our community more aware of how vital our work is to the future of the Islands. Please come to our next general meeting, Tuesday February 8th, at our downtown office on Spring Street, upstairs from the Front Street Ale House, at 5:30.
Kathy Johnson
Chamber President
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