August 2015
INSIDE
Letter From the Chamber President • Why I Love My Chamber Why Join The Chamber • Upcoming Meetings
Business After Hours
Annual Chamber Dinner
Monthly Member Luncheon
Letter From the Chamber President Greetings to all members of the Colonial Heights Chamber and to the Community. Wow! It is hard to believe that six months has already passed since I’ve been serving as President of this fantastic organization and it is truly an honor. I trust that each of you have had a great summer and are lookRita C. Feasenmyer ing forward to an industrious fall season. The Chamber would like to thank EVB and Southern Trust Mortgage for hosting the Chamber after Hours Networking Event in July. This was an event that brought together many current and potential chamber members and was a great networking opportunity. Now that the summer is over, the Chamber will resume with our monthly board and networking member lunches. September 15th, we will be meeting at the Keystone Tractor Museum here in Colonial Heights. The Chamber members have been busy planning for upcoming events to include the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on November 3rd and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. These are opportunities for you to share your business information and provide give-a-ways in order to keep your business fore-front. These events are geared to supporting the Colonial Heights schools and the leaders in the classrooms, our teachers‌ In addition to the events listed above, another China trip is being planned and reservations are being accepted. This is a collaborative effort with the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber website will be updated shortly to include all of the particulars. Does Italy or Ireland incite your interest? We are working on trips there as well. You will be seeing more information about upcoming opportunities to network and promote your business and the services you provide. Participation in our events, educational seminars, new business openings and ribbon cuttings, and monthly membership meetings are not only fun but good for your business. Get engaged for you never know when the next positive contact will be made and it is imperative for you to be out there and active in all that we do. The efforts of the Chamber Director, President, Board and members are to strengthen our community. The opportunities for involvement and participation are there for you all. The mission of the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce is to unite business and professional individuals to enhance, promote, serve, and to strengthen the business and educational environment. The Chamber strives to advance the Colonial Heights region by educating, energizing, and connecting a diverse group of leaders to serve the community. I along with each of the Chamber members send prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery to our Executive Director Roger Green. We miss you!! I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event or monthly lunch meeting. Thank you for your continual support of the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce. Sincerely, Rita C. Feasenmyer President Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce
2
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015
A Note From The Executive Director Thank you to all our members who contributed to the effort by providing articles and sharing their expertise. You are appreciated. The contents of this edition demonstrate several things about our Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce. We are living the spirit of our tagline: Connecting Business, Education and Community. We are active in all aspects of our community, promoting business interests of our members, providing educational opportunities for our members and maintaining a strong relationship with our public school system. We are always seeking new ways to help others in our Colonial Heights and regional community. Chambers of Commerce have existed for centuries. The first Chamber of Commerce was chartered in 1599 in France. Today, Chambers exist all around the world, and they are all different and unique. Each serves unique communities. They come as large as 300,000 members for a Chamber in China to small volunteer Chambers in most small towns across America and elsewhere. Our Colonial Heights Chamber is likewise unique. We are highly connected to our local community and our City. We exist to promote the best interests of our members and our community at large. We earnestly desire to serve others and we are constantly seeking new ways to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. I would invite you to learn more about our Chamber. Visit our website, attend our events; come to a meeting or a business seminar. The Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce encourages involvement in the life of our community. We can all work together to make our community an even better place to live and grow. If you are seeking new ways to serve your community or just desire to become more involved, we would love to hear from you. Roger Green Executive Director
W
Why I Love The Colonial Heights Chamber
Business After Hours at EVB
Gilbert C. Martin Company Inc. Pam Comstock
The Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce is an important part of my business. The monthly meetings of the Chamber provide an insight into what’s going on in our city. Each month speakers, city officials, local college presidents, generals from Fort Lee, and area businesses provide us information regarding what’s going on in their world and how it may effect Chamber members and the city. The monthly meetings also provide members with the opportunity to network and make new business relationships. The relationship that the Chamber has with the Colonial Heights School system is special. Not only is the Chamber often hosted by the culinary students at the High School for their monthly meetings, but the students and faculty members partner with the Chamber for our annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Proceeds from the Turkey Trot support scholarships that the Chamber awards each Spring. A fun win-win event for all participants. The Chamber is a great vehicle for all businesses, big and small, local and national, to work together for the economic growth of our city and that’s a benefit for all.
Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter Cindy A. Hamlin
My membership with the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce has been valuable to me for the contacts I have made, the lessons I have learned from both the members and the speakers, and the networking opportunities. They have helped me to find additional contacts, businesses, organizations and others that I can market the services of the Alzheimer’s Association to. As the new Regional Director for the Tri-cities, it has helped me to hit the floor running and become acclimated to the area very quickly. I have lived in the tri-cities for years, but have learned so much more about the area from the other members. It has been great to work with the Chamber staff to learn about local area businesses and groups to connect with.
Mission Statement The mission of the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce is to unite business and professional individuals to enhance, promote, serve, and strengthen the business and educational environment. The Chamber strives to advance the Colonial Heights region by educating, energizing, and connecting a diverse group of leaders to serve the community.
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015
3
The Colonial Heights Chamber In Action
Ribbon Cutting at Dollar Tree
Ribbon Cutting at First Virginia
Farmers Market At Dunlop Farms
May Reverse Raffle
Assisted Living and Specialized Memory Care
'XQORS +RXVH RIIHUV TXDOLW\ KRXU OLFHQVHG QXUVLQJ FDUH H[FLWLQJ DFWLYLWLHV DQG GHOLFLRXV GLQLQJ 6FKHGXOH \RXU YLVLW WRGD\ ‡ ZZZ 'XQORS+RXVH FRP 'XQORS )DUPV %RXOHYDUG ‡ &RORQLDO +HLJKWV 9$
Č? <ɤÉ&#x2018; ɤČ?É&#x2022;É&#x153; Present this coupon at Dunlop House to receive a complimentary lunch for you and one guest. Dining times are limited and reservations are required. Call 804-520-0050. Excludes Sundays. Expires 12/31/15. Coordinated Services Management, Inc.- Professional Management of Retirement Communities Since 1981
4
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015
5
Why Join the
?
Chamber of Commerce Membership has it’s benefits.
• Multiple & Various Networking Opportunities • Access to Free or Reduced-Rate Advertising • Serve the Community Where You do Business • Promote Your Services Via Multiple Channels • Links to Business Directories (Published & Online) • Leadership Opportunityes
We are...Connecting Business, Education, and Community. Become a Chamber member, today. Join us online at wew.colonialheightschamber.com 2015-2016 Chamber Officials Officers President - Rita Feasenmyer 1st Vice President - Kathi Hall 2nd Vice President - Janice Logue Treasurer - Stephanie Stables Past President - Pam Comstock Executive Director - Roger M. Green
Upcoming Meetings Sept. 15th Oct. 20th
Monthly Board and Membership Meeting
Nov. 17th
Monthly Board and Membership Meeting
Upcoming Events Nov.3rd
Annual Breakfast for Teachers
Nov 26th
4th Annual Turkey Trot (supporting Education in the City)
December
Holiday Open House Date to be determined
Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities available.
6
City Council Mayor - T. Gregory Kochuba Vice Mayor - Diane H. Yates City Clerk - Pamela B. Wallace Terms Expiring December 31, 2016
Kenneth B. Frenier • W. Joe Green, Jr. T. Gregory Kochuba • Diane H. Yates Terms Expiring December 31, 2018
Department Heads City Manager - Thomas L. Mattis Director Of Finance - William E. Johnson Interim Director Of Planning - C. Scott Davis Library Director - Brucee Hansen Director Of Parks And Recreation - Craig Skalak City Attorney - Hugh P. Fisher, III City Assessor - Bruck Cashion Commissioner Of Revenue - William S. Feasenmyer City Treasurer - Joy Moore City Registrat - Susan Redford Clerk Of Court - Stacy L. Stafford Commonwealth Attorney - Willaim B. Bray
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015
Chamber Goals:
• Providing support for the school system • Helping businesses prosper and grow • Increasing job opportunities • Encouraging orderly expansion and development of the community • Preserving the overall economic stability
John E. Piorowski • John T. Wood Directors Mark Waitkus Frank Lundie Judy Tyree Janice Logue Craig Skalak Ted Williams Catherine Oakley Brenda Mitchell Katrina Mayes Sherri Crowder Pam Comstock Rita Feasenmyer Kathi Hall
Monthly Board and Membership Meeting
Our monthly membership meeting.
The 3rd Tuesday of every month
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015
7
8
Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce | August 2015