Support your local chamber

There are national recognition days every single day of the year. In October alone there is National Black Dog Day, National Taco Day, National Noodle Day, Be Bald and Be Free Day, Boss's Day, Reptile Awareness Day and National Mincemeat Day, just to name a few.

Here's a really important October day we'll be celebrating at 10th and Lake next week: Wednesday, Oct. 16, is National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day.

Celebrated annually on the third Wednesday of October, Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day reminds us that local Chambers of Commerce create a stronger community, and the special day offers an opportunity to say thanks to an organization that strives to support local business.

Do you know who runs your Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce? Well there's me, of course, and you likely know me or you wouldn't have somehow found your way to this blog. But the Chamber is actually governed by a board of directors that represent a cross-section of the community. They are:
PRESIDENT — Dr. Kim Johnson, Gothenburg Eyecare & Optical
PAST PRESIDENT — Ty Schurr, Flatwater Bank
PRESIDENT-ELECT — Ben Kamschnieder, Frito-Lay/PepsiCo
TREASURER — Travis Anderson, 1st State Bank
Heather Combs Platter, Gothenburg Discount Pharmacy
Allison Jonas, Gothenburg Public Schools
Trenton Long, Parker Hannifin 
Matt Olsen, Edward Jones Investments
Janell Rossen, Country Partners Cooperative
Lindsey Tederman, Charm Boutique
GIC REPRESENTATIVE — Helen Cool, 1st State Bank
CITY REPRESENTATIVE — Bruce Clymer, City Administrator 

Another good question: Do you know what your Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce does in your community? Here's a sample:

• The Chamber facilitates partnerships between business professionals, community volunteers and local and state governments to accomplish collectively what cannot be accomplished individually.
• The Chamber serves as an information and referral center for the community and for businesses and individuals outside the community.
• The Chamber is a nonprofit city-wide organization engaged in promoting business, publicizing the community and attracting new residents, businesses, industry and tourism to town.
• The Chamber utilizes its thousands of connections on social media to recognize, congratulate and  support our partner businesses.
• The Chamber constantly looks for new ways to meet the needs of our partners, adding benefits and changing focus as needed.
• The Chamber serves as a hub of information about community activities, keeping an ever-changing calendar of events.
• The Chamber co-sponsors regular legislative forums with the District 36 senator to keep informed on statewide issues affecting businesses.
• The Chamber sponsors a variety of community events such as citywide garage sales, farmers market, Munchkin Masquerade and the annual Harvest Festival. 

And that's not the full list!

So what can you do to show your appreciation on National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day?

If you're not a member, it's a prime time to join. If you care about promoting and supporting local businesses, joining the Chamber is the best way to do that. And if you're already a member, you could volunteer on a committee, link your business website to the Chamber's site or recruit a new member. And by all means, if you have something good to say about your Chamber organization, say it! Write a letter to the editor, call the office, email your Chamber board members or share a little something on your social media.
 
The people in this All-America City know we're stronger when we work together. Your Chamber of Commerce aims to keep it that way.

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