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Early Success Sparks Additional Plans for Greene Chamber By Jay Crawford STANARDSVILLE (November 2005) - With one successful event under its belt, the recently-reorganized Greene County Chamber of Commerce is expanding its calendar for the coming months. After recognizing Social Committee chairperson Marianne Shepard for her organization of the recent "Crash Mixer" at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Vehicle Research Center (VRC) in Quinque, which attracted 35 members, five guests and generated one new membership, the Chamber's Board of Directors discussed the upcoming "Holiday Mixer," a "Valentine's Mixer," a visit with Delegate Rob Bell in Richmond and a series of monthly or bi-monthly breakfast mixers. Chamber president Alan Pyles of The Lafayette said the mixer at the VRC "blew me away," and added that he was looking forward to the Chamber's upcoming events. Shepard, of Edward Jones, said the mixer also proved to be a money-maker, with the contributions from co-underwriters Rappahannock Electric and Roto-Rooter, the attendance fees for five guests and the generation of one $100 membership fee. Next on the Chamber slate is the "Holiday Mixer," which will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at The Lafayette. The event is free to one representative from each Chamber member and one guest, and costs $25 for non-members. RSVP is requested to Bill Welch of Albemarle First Bank at 985-6406 or Shepard at 990-8377 by Dec. 6, or by sending e-mail to greenecoc@gmail.com. The Board also discussed the Charlottesville Area Chamber of Commerce's "Valentine's Mixer," which will be held at the Virginia Company in February. The date and times will be announced at a later date. Pyles also suggested a trip to Richmond to visit with Delegate Bell during the February meeting of the General Assembly. The Board discussed the possibility of visiting Bell at his headquarters, sitting in on a session of the General Assembly, and dinner with Bell at the end of the day. Pyles and members of the social committee were to look into possible dates, and discuss Bell's schedule with him before making official plans. Also under "new business" discussed by the social committee were a series of monthly or bi-monthly breakfast mixers or networking opportunities. These events, which would require only a breakfast fee to be paid at the door, would offer members the opportunity to move through a series of table seatings with other members and spend several minutes discussing their businesses. Details are to be worked out by the social committee and a presentation is expected at the December meeting of the Board. In other news: - Treasurer Gray King, of the Virginia Company, reported that the Chamber now has 37 members. In an effort to continue to grow the Chamber, Pyles asked each Board member to approach five Greene businesses to discuss membership prior to the December meeting. - The Board discussed the updates proposed to the Chamber bylaws by vice president Jay Crawford, of the Greene County Record , and Tom Zakielarz, of Real Estate III, and passed the recommended updates, with two additions, by a unanimous vote. The additions included reducing the number of members required for a quorum until the Chamber grows, and redefining "exercise of privileges" to one representative from each Chamber member to simplify invitations and participation in Chamber events. - The Board unanimously approved allowing underwriters two additional passes per $250 contribution to the Chamber events they sponsor. This would allow underwriting businesses to bring up to four representatives to the events they sponsor. With no further action to discuss, the Board of Directors of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce adjourned until its Dec. 15 meeting. |
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