CARBONDALE: A PLACE TO BE INVOLVED
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hat does a typical day, or a week, or month in Carbondale look like? Well, sometimes it is best to look at a year to see what keeps us hopping. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce runs on a paid staff of two people. During the school year, we employ two Southern Illinois University (SIU) Interns at ten hours per week. They primarily work in the areas of graphic design, public relations, special events, and member outreach. Our Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and Participants, and countless Volunteers help support and assist us through many efforts and activities. Despite the small numbers, together we are a mighty team. Member Businesses are our heartbeat. Members are included in print directories and other materials and listed and promoted online. We also send them referrals, provide training, and host member events. Member events include ten monthly Membership Luncheons, two Regional Chamber Luncheons, 12 Networking at Noon Lunches, six Round Pies / Straight Talk Lunches, six Business Builder Breakfasts, numerous Business After Hours, and many Ribbon Cuttings. We do our best to connect the business representatives and provide a place for them to promote themselves. In addition to these essential services, we are active in the community in a myriad of ways. The Chamber team works on a number of outside committees including Saluki Start-Up / Weeks of Welcome, Homecoming, Celebrate 618, Carbondale Halloween, City of Carbondale Job Fair, National Small Business Week Committee, Crime Stoppers, Southern Illinois University (SIU) 150th Birthday, Carbondale Proud, Fashion Week, Southern Illinois (SI) Made Expo, The American Heart Association Go Red for Women, Leadership Carbondale, The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Fly-In Event. We frequently work with Carbondale Main Street, Carbondale Tourism, Keep Carbondale Beautiful, Carbondale Park District, Green Earth, the City of Carbondale, and many other organizations to put on events or programs. We have had the opportunity for brainstorming on Trails, Outdoor Recreation, and Local Economy from Illinois Main Street. The Chamber is visible as a Representative of the Business Community. Some of the events attended include the Banterra Center Announcement, Meet the Mayor, Saluki Women’s Excellence Event, Progressive Patio Tour, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) Gala, EmpowHER Luncheon, Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, Grape Growers & Vintners Alliance Dinner, Saluki
The Saluki Pride Committee paints paws around Carbondale leading to Southern Illinois University. Proceeds from the giant paws help to fund Saluki Stay Scholarships awarded to five SIU juniors or seniors.
Athletics Logo Reveal, SIH Logo Reveal, Mayor’s Cup, Carbondale Community High School Awards Night, Southern Business Journal Leadership Breakfast, Veterans Honor Flight Check Presentation, Governor’s Press Conference at Walker’s Bluff, and the Economic Impact of Human Services Sector Report Release. The Chamber Co-Hosts a variety of off-site events with Carbondale Young Professionals including Hidden Gems at Route 51 Brewing, Music Bingo at Hanger 9, Speed Networking at Bandanna’s Bar-B-Que, and a Leadership Panel at Pagliai’s Pizza. The Chamber staff, along with the committee Chair, and its many volunteers
serve as facilitators for Leadership Carbondale. In addition to assisting with the curriculum, we also help coordinate tours of area entities for the class. Maintaining the network of graduates of the Leadership Carbondale program is also a priority. We also provide speakers for a variety of groups such as Rotary Club, Professional Women’s Networking Group, Southern Illinois University Constituency Relations Committee, Study Circles Neighborhood Groups, Lions Club, College of Business Advisory Board, and Banterra Bank’s Life Scripts class.
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Southern Illinois Owned. Local People. Local Decisions. Stop by our Carbondale locations at 301 E. Main St.,Carbondale, IL 62901 • 618-549-3621 2500 W. Murphysboro Rd., Carbondale, IL 62901 • 618-997-4341
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Visit us on our website at: firstsouthernbank.net carbondalechamber.com 7
