Chamber Board Begins Planning Community Events

By Jay Crawford
Editor, Greene County Record

STANARDSVILLE (September 2005) - The Board of Directors of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce during a meeting Wednesday afternoon at The Lafayette Inn began planning the Chamber's first community-wide event since reorganizing two months ago.

At the first full meeting of the Board of Directors, Marianne Shepard, chairperson of the social activities committee, discussed hosting a "Crash Mixer" at the Insurance Institute off of U.S. 29 north of Ruckersville during the last week of October or the first week of November.  Tim Hulbert, president of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Chamber, suggested that the group attempt to find an underwriter to sponsor the event.

"But you must consider the value of hosting the event as well as the cost of the event," he said.

The social activities committee, which includes Shepard, fellow Board member Bill Welch of Albemarle First Bank, and another Chamber member who volunteered but had not yet been contacted by the Board, agreed to set the date and make arrangements to host the get-together.  Tom Zakielarz, past president and chairman of the underwriting committee, will be looking into finding a sponsor.

The Board also discussed holding a Christmas holiday mixer at The Lafayette Inn.  Plans for that event were tabled until the October and November meetings.

The Chamber Board also agreed to co-sponsor the Green/Greene Candidates Forum, which has been tentatively scheduled for Oct. 3 at William Monroe Middle School.  Chamber vice-president Jay Crawford agreed to help plan the questions to be presented to the candidates, treasurer Gray King agreed to act as the Chamber's welcoming representative, and Zakielarz and Robbie Morris agreed to do duty at a Chamber registration/information table.

In other action, the Board:

- Received a presentation from Crawford and Zakielarz regarding recommended changes to the Chamber's bylaws, as suggested by Hulbert to "make it easier to operate."  Comments from other Board members are to be back by the end of September, and a final proposal is expected to be presented to the Board during its October meeting.

- Heard in the treasurer's report that the Chamber has 25 dues-paying members, and that a checking account was to be established with Albemarle First Bank within the next two weeks.

- Discussed additional ways to add to the current membership list.  Ruth Parsons, head of the membership committee, which also includes Zakielarz and Lynn Keel, said interested businesses or organizations could contact her by telephone at 245-1536 or by e-mail at rparsons@investdavenport.com.

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