Investing

Dear Friend,

2016 - A Year of Investing and Strengthening
As we sat down to draw up our goals and objectives for 2016, two themes came to the forefront. We must continue to Invest in our Community and work hard to Strengthen our Relationships. Goals well worth pursuing.

What Does Investment Look Like?
I went back over my calendar for the past several months. As I review the different community functions we either attend or committees we belong to, it is clear that the one of the primary functions of the Chamber staff is to represent its members. No matter where we are, we are representing the members of the Chamber, looking out for the things that matter most to them. While we are entitled to our own opinion, we very seldom lead with our personal concerns. Most often we invest our time in being the voice of others.

So Where Have I Been?
Here's a list of events and meetings we have attended lately:

• Brownfields Steering Committee
• Swanton Enhancement Committee
• Enosburg Business Association
• Franklin County Community Partnership
• St. Albans Town Legislative Hearing
• St. Albans Town Zoning Hearings
• Franklin Grand Isle Workforce Investment Board Steering Committee
• Northwest Tech Center Cooperative Education Steering Committee
• NWTC Conversation Cafe'
• Northern Vermont Economic Development District Board
• Community Committee on Healthy Lifestyles
• Hunger Council of Franklin County
• Legislative Session with Franklin County Law Enforcement
• Swanton Legislative Breakfast
• Vermont Association of Chamber Executives
• Career/Job Expo Planning Committee
• Swanton Chamber of Commerce
• Vermont-Quebec Trade Luncheon
• St. Albans Downtown Committee
• Franklin County Animal Rescue BOD
• FCIDC Manufacturers' Mixer
• Filming Franklin County Focus
• National Night Out in Taylor Park
• Champlain Valley Natural Heritage Partners International Summit
• Community Matters Breakfasts

Honey, It's Time for Dinner!
When we first accepted this job, one of the Board members approached my wife and said; "He's going to be out a bit!" The good news is, I'm home for dinner more often than not. The way I look at it, time is one of those valuable assets that we can Invest in our Community.

How Can You Help?
You can join me at a meeting or two. You can invite me to your meeting. And, you can invest in your Regional Chamber so we can continue to invest right back into our communities. Join or Renew today. We'll make it easy - Click Here

Did You Know?
Chris Mead says it this way (kinda - I paraphrase...), "Chambers came into existence primarily to safeguard and extend opportunities for businesses. In the past century, the role of the Chamber has broadened from targeting the needs of businesses to promoting community-wide initiatives. The Chamber of Commerce has morphed, to some extent, into a Chamber of Community." I think I agree. Coming dear...

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Join or Renew Today. And, thank you for investing your support in the Chamber in your community.  

Dave Southwick