Promoting local communication Melanie Bakala | State Farm Insurance Past President of the Chamber Board Shelton-Mason Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees had three primary goals for 2013. I’d like to share how we fared in our efforts. Improve communication
Improve our education and communication of the benefits the Chamber provides to our members with the goal of growing our membership to 368 members by the end of 2013. We recognized that our members are busy running their business, and don’t always have the time to seek out the benefits. We determined that we needed to be more strategic in our communication with our members and we convened a strategic communications committee that came up with ideas for being more effective in our communications through the BIGHT, Facebook, and our weekly eBlasts. The result was a growth in our membership to 358 members – 97% of our goal. The board is pleased with this result, and the marketing committee will continue efforts in improving communication with our members.
Focus on operating in the black
As businesses struggled with income and growth over the past few years, the Chamber also found itself dipping into reserves to keep forging ahead. As we saw improvement in the economy, we decided it was time to buckle down turn things around.
Through strong financial guidance from our finance committee, and the successful introduction of the BIGHT quarterly community magazine, we are pleased to tell you that we accomplished this goal and are moving in the direction to be able to focus on growing your Chamber.
President’s Circle Platinum level
Increase participation in events by 10%.
More engaged members mean more participation in our Chamber events. In 2013, while attendance in the monthly membership meetings decreased, the participation in our larger events – the Annual Gala, our Auction, The Business Expo and Bite of Shelton, and our Golf Tournament – all experienced a significant increase in attendance. We also saw an increase in attendance in our monthly Business After Hour events. The best part about having these goals is that when we sat down to plan for 2014, we are able to build on our successes from last year, and also make plans to make improvement in the areas that need it. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our Chamber this year – due to the efforts of our Chamber Executive Heidi McCutcheon and Office Manager Deidre Eaton, and the leadership of our Board. 2014 is looking to be a banner year for the Chamber and Mason County businesses!
Upcoming Chamber Events
March 6 Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening 4:30 PM Pacific Northwest Auctioneers Showroom 831 W Golden Pheasant Rd Shelton
March 20 Getting to Yes Workshop/ Member Forum 12:00 – 4:30 PM Mason PUD#3 Skookum Room 2621 E Johns Prairie Rd, Shelton
March 7 Coffee & Conversation with Executive Director Heidi McCutcheon 7:30 – 8:30 AM Roosters Family Restaurant 3001 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton
March 24 Facebook for Business: 101 & 301 12:00 – 1:00 PM Olympic College 937 W Alpine Way, Shelton
March 12 Business After Hours Member Networking Social Maple Glen Senior Living 5:30 – 7:00 PM 1700 N 13th Loop Rd, Shelton
SHELTONMASONCOUNTY
April 9 Business After Hours Member Networking Social Our Community Credit Union 5:30 – 7:00 PM 2948 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton To RSVP or for more information visit sheltonchamber.org or call (360) 426-2021.
April 7 Coffee & Conversation with Executive Director Heidi McCutcheon 7:30 – 8:30 AM Roosters Family Restaurant 3001 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton
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Melanie Bakala, Agent
Gold Level
Clowns Unlimited, Inc. Columbia Bank Heritage Bank Mason County Taxi Miles Sand & Gravel Shelton Dental Center Shelton Dental Excellence
Silver level
96.9 KAYO/KGY Radio Adept Law PLLC A Lighthouse on Hammersley Bed & Breakfast Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club Arcadia Salon Blondie’s Restaurant Buben School of Beauty Community Financial Center EI. Kristen & Son Construction, Inc. Ear, Nose & Throat Associates SW Fred Meyer McComb Wagner Funeral Home Maple Glen Senior Living Rockets & Rainbows Shelton Timberland/William G. Reed Public Library Skokomish Farms Inc. Sweet Shack Bakery & Tea House LLC The Patty Wagon United Way of Mason County Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs Watson Diesel Repair, LLC Windermere/Himlie Real Estate BIGHT Shelton Mason County Chamber