 Our own Matt Swartzlander made his presentation virtually today due to the snow storm the past couple of days. Plus, LCS was closed. Matt began by saying that a year-long organizational merger has taken place between the 2 Chambers of Adrian and Tecumseh which was a “reaction of Vicky Riddle retiring from the Tecumseh Chamber. A discuss ensued around a Marketing staff person there since the Adrian Chamber was in need of that expertise as well. So, the decision was made to merge the two. A transition committee was formed. They felt that the best interests of those they served following an extensive SWOT Analysis, a merger would be the best decision as opposed to keeping two separate organizations. Some transitions, Matt said, were still being wrapped up. The new name will the “The Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce” with the tag line of Igniting Business in the Adrian and Tecumseh Areas! As the membership continues to grow, he said, they will be able to add the names of other communities to the tag line while eventually losing the tag line altogether at some time in the future. While the organization will remain focused, Matt said they also want to be inclusive. The Mission – “The chamber is a membership organization committed to encouraging, promoting and building local businesses with the goal of community enhancement through economic prosperity”. Community enhancement will be one of the main goals, he said. “Whether it’s creating stronger businesses, stronger leaders or employees in businesses, there are many ways the organization can impact the overall community”. The Vision – To be a first choice hub of business growth, activity, resources and relationships. This will happen, he said, by continuing to build collaborations, partnerships creating new collaborations and partnerships by providing and also sharing information to those requesting it in a timely manner. Core Values: - ADVOCACY – The Chamber advocates for the benefit of all member businesses, large and small, within its local area. The Chamber seeks to leverage its influence in a way that benefits the largest portion of its members. Examples of the Chamber’s advocacy include shop local campaigns, legislative engagement, leadership training, and talent development. The Chamber’s primary goal is to help businesses succeed.
- UNIFIED – The Chamber is a thriving group with significant and diverse characteristics such as business size, sectors served, geographic locations, and service areas. All these distinct differences provide a wealth of knowledge and experience which are melded into one unified organization with a common purpose to drive economic prosperity.
- VALUABLE – The Chamber offers a broad range of services to support and benefit members. From leadership development to networking to educational seminars, the Chamber’s services provide a rich opportunity for businesses to strengthen their workforces, to connect with likeminded professionals, and to stay curr4ent with important issues affecting business environments.
- RELATIONSHIPS – The Chamber strives to go beyond simple interactions to build strong relationships. The Chamber’s members are friends, neighbors, and colleagues, As a Chamber, through its programs, communicates with these members, relationships are formed. Strong relationships lead to trust which creates a vibrant environment for successful business.
The Chamber has an 18-member board (10 from Adrian and 8 from Tecumseh). Membership in the organization totals just over 400. Membership fees range from $150 - $300 depending on the specific type. Our club is a Chamber member. Thanks, Matt, for a great presentation. |
Guest today were:
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