On Monday, September 16, 2024, the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce hosted its first State of the City event, with our Bridge Building sponsor Roscoe Bank | Cornerstone Capitol Bank. Our keynote speaker, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino highlighted the progress, opportunities, and challenges facing the city of Bastrop. This event provided an essential platform for community leaders, local businesses, and residents to engage in a meaningful way and hear about Bastrop’s future. The State of the City event not only celebrates the achievements of the past year but also sheds light on the initiatives and partnerships that will drive the city forward during this historic time in our history.
Attendees gained valuable insights from city officials and community leaders, including updates on local infrastructure projects, new business developments, and the overall economic health of the region. In addition, the event emphasized the role that organizations like the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce play in fostering a thriving business community and supporting sustainable growth.
We want to thank all of our amazing sponsors, the attendees and volunteers who made this event happen. As we reflect on the success and outcomes, we are taking your feedback into account, discussing improvements and making plans for the State of the City next year. Mark your calendar for Monday, September 8, 2025!
This is a great opportunity to also highlight Texas Chamber Week, an annual celebration that underscores the importance of chambers of commerce across the state.
The Role of Chambers of Commerce in Building Stronger Communities
Chambers of commerce have long been instrumental in supporting and growing local economies. As advocacy organizations for business interests, chambers act as liaisons between the private and public sectors, helping to create a favorable environment for businesses to thrive. From providing networking opportunities to facilitating professional development workshops, chambers offer resources that are crucial for local businesses to succeed.
For Bastrop, the chamber’s role extends beyond simply supporting businesses. It serves as a hub for community collaboration and development. Through events like the State of the City, the chamber brings together diverse stakeholders to discuss pressing issues and opportunities. The chamber also plays a role in advocating for policies that promote business-friendly practices and drive economic growth. In doing so, it strengthens the entire community, as a thriving business sector provides jobs, supports local infrastructure, and contributes to the city’s overall quality of life.
Texas Chamber Week: A Celebration of Community and Collaboration
Texas Chamber Week is a statewide celebration that recognizes the contributions of chambers of commerce to local communities. It is an opportunity to reflect on the work chambers do, not only as advocates for business but as champions for economic development and prosperity. Texas Chamber Week also encourages residents, business owners, and government officials to engage with their local chambers and explore the benefits they offer.
During Texas Chamber Week, chambers of commerce across the state showcase their work and invite businesses and residents to join their efforts in building
stronger communities. For the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, this week is an ideal time to highlight programs that support small businesses, attract new investments, and promote workforce development. It’s also a chance to celebrate the partnerships and collaborations that have been pivotal in addressing the challenges unique to Bastrop and Central Texas.
What Chambers Do for the Business Community Chambers of commerce are indispensable allies for local businesses, offering a range of services and support tailored to meet the diverse needs of the business community. Here are a few of the key ways the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce supports businesses:
Networking and Relationship Building: We provide a forum for businesses to connect, collaborate, and share resources. Events such as luncheons, mixers, and workshops create opportunities for business leaders to network, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships. These relationships are essential for businesses looking to expand their reach and connect with potential clients or partners.
Advocacy and Representation: We advocate on behalf of our members at the local, state, and federal levels, working to shape policies that are beneficial for the business community. Whether it’s zoning regulations, tax policies, labor laws, education funding, we represent the interests of local businesses and ensure their voices are heard.
Educational Resources and Professional Development: We offer workshops, seminars, and training programs designed to help businesses grow and succeed. From leadership development to digital marketing strategies, these resources enable business owners and their employees to enhance their skills and stay competitive in an ever-changing marketplace.
Economic Development: We play an active role in promoting our region as an attractive destination for new businesses and investment. We work with local government and economic development organizations to attract and retain businesses, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
Community Engagement: We encourage businesses to give back to the community and get involved in local initiatives. By fostering a spirit of collaboration, we help build a sense of pride and unity among residents, creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for everyone.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action for Bastrop Businesses
As we look ahead, the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce remains committed to supporting the business community and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Texas Chamber Week serves as a reminder of the collective power that chambers, businesses, and community members have when they work together toward common goals.
Businesses in the Bastrop region are encouraged to join the chamber, get involved in its initiatives, and take advantage of the resources it provides. In doing so, they not only invest in their own growth and success but also contribute to the prosperity of the entire community.
The future of Bastrop is bright, and with the continued efforts of the chamber and its members, we can ensure that our city remains a thriving and vibrant place for generations to come.
Always working for you, Becki
Womble, CCE, IOM President/CEO
Since its inception in 2004, the B.E.S.T. Leadership program continues to serve as a conduit for a deeper understanding of local needs while emphasizing how individual talents can synergize to create a more prosperous and united community. This year’s program is co-facilitated by Becki Womble, President and CEO of Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, and Jackie Johnston, Founder of The TalentVantage, a talent strategy and leadership development consultant dedicated to working alongside businesses and their leaders.
The B.E.S.T. Leadership Class for 2024-2025 kicked off its journey at the Smithville Recreation Center on September 17, 2024. This opening session began our eight-session series dedicated to equipping and empowering community and business leaders across Bastrop County.
Setting the Stage
“Calm, mindful, intentional” are just a few words participants shared to describe their feelings after setting the stage with a centering exercise to acknowledge the dedication of time away from their normal routine and prepare for the day ahead. This simple yet powerful practice allowed them to step aside from competing priorities, creating a new level of presence to engage in the session’s leadership and team-building lessons fully. From getting to know you and respecting both the level of excitement and anxiousness of the unknown shared by the participants, the next activity shed light on perceptions and preferences with thought-provoking takeaways, even in the scenario of how people preferred to be recognized by a job well done.
Let’s dive into the question of what leadership truly means and whether anyone can be a leader. The participants kicked off the session with a lively discussion, raising questions and exploring various aspects of leadership. Together, they crafted a vision that outlined the core principles of effective and positive leadership. Jackie, who facilitated the conversation,
gathered the participants’ insights and later compiled ten guiding principles that the class identified as practical and applicable in real-life leadership scenarios. These principles are as follows:
• Integrity: Uphold a strong moral code based on truth, fairness, and doing the right thing. Let your actions consistently reflect your values, setting the standards for your community and organization.
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• Listening: Engage fully in conversations, demonstrating that you value others’ input. Listen not just to respond but to understand.
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• Self-awareness: Regularly reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and biases. Use this knowledge to improve your leadership style and make more informed decisions.
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• Accountability: Take responsibility for your actions and decisions. Follow through on commitments and expect the same from your team.
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• Continuous Learning: Develop and communicate a clear and compelling vision for the future. Foster a culture of ongoing growth and development, actively seeking opportunities for learning at all levels.
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• Organized Approach: Effectively prioritize tasks, set clear goals, and enable decisive action, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.
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• Courage: Lead with conviction even in the face of adversity or uncertainty. Be courageous to make unpopular decisions when necessary and advocate for your team and principles.
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• Resilience: Model and cultivate your team’s ability to adapt and thrive amidst adversity and change, helping them focus and navigate challenges with
confidence and determination.
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• Empathy and Compassion: Show genuine care for your team members’ well-being. Practice kindness in your leadership, fostering a supportive work environment.
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• Foster Trust Through Delegation: Demonstrate trust in your team by effectively delegating responsibilities. Encourage autonomy and create an environment where trust flows both ways.
• Teams in Action
Next, putting leadership and team-building principles into action, the participants actively applied these guiding principles through a series of engaging exercises and reflective discussions.
These fun and sometimes challenging activities were instrumental in enhancing communication, problem-solving, resiliency, listening, cooperation, and the celebration of individual and collective achievements in overcoming obstacles. Observers and participants reflectively explored essential skills such as quick execution, stretching comfort zones, taking calculated risks, and learning to approach the same challenge differently.
Different class leaders emerged throughout the activities, with others leading from the side or the back and others following; perhaps the most innovative moment came when, for the first time since facilitating the activity over many years, a leader had accomplished their task of observing then others continuing to struggle towards task completion. This a-ha moment spoke to how one may see things differently from where they may be positioned within a project, and while an individual task is complete- the core or team is not to leave but rather --- contribute to the collective win.
Looking Ahead
Participants in the BEST Leadership program must attend one Bastrop County Commissioners’ Court meeting, school board meeting, and city council meeting. Additionally, the class will collaboratively develop a project benefiting the county, a public entity, or a non-profit organization.
This year’s class participants represent the Bastrop, Smithville, and Elgin communities and include Adam Joyce, Brooke Ferguson, Cathy Meek, Craig Strickland, Janet Roby, Jorge Gonzalez, Julie Glidewell, Kornyan Bailey, Leslie Bradshaw, Michaela Joyce, Tiffany Scallorn, Tylar Kana Robbins, Brittany Rogers, Jose Rivera Marrero, Trica Harris, Amber Pierce, Doug Haggerty, Perry Lowe, Bailey Grzyb, and Chris Rose.
The space provided at the Smithville Recreation Centervv is a wonderful set-up for the first session of activities, and we thank Pocket’s Grill for receiving us for lunch and being quick to meet and serve our large group. The class will be headed to Elgin for session two at the Austin Community College campus as part of our monthly meetings from September through May. This countywide initiative thrives thanks to the dedication and collaboration of the Chambers of Commerce across Bastrop County.
For more information about the BEST Leadership Program, contact the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce at (512) 303-0558.
