'Crash Mixer' scheduled by Greene County Chamber

By Jay Crawford
Editor, Greene County Record

STANARDSVILLE (October 2005) - The Board of Directors of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce learned during a meeting Thursday, Oct. 20, at The Lafayette, that a capacity crowd is expected for its "Crash Mixer" on Nov. 3, and that two underwriters have stepped forward for the a holiday mixer planned in December.

Though she could not attend the meeting, Marianne Shepard, of Edward Jones Investments, sent a report that approximately 30 of the possible 50 vacancies for the "Crash Mixer" at the Institute for Highway Safety have been filled.  The Chamber and its guests are scheduled to meet at the facility just off of U.S. 29 in Ruckersville at 10:15 a.m. and a tour is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m.  A buffet lunch will be served following the tour, which is being underwritten by Roto Rooter and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

The event is free for chamber members, and there is a $15 fee for non-members.  Non-members interested in joining the Chamber will be able to register at the event.

However, space is limited, so advance reservations are requested.  Additional information or reservations may be obtained by calling 990-8377 or by sending e-mail to greenecoc@gmail.com .

She also reported, through President Alan Pyles, that two groups willing to underwrite the "Holiday Mixer" had been identified.  LuckStone and Century 21 already have agreed to help underwrite the social, according to Pyles, who noted that there were plans to have information on the "Holiday Mixer" available at the "Crash Mixer."

The Chamber, which was reorganized during the summer, also learned that dues-paying membership had increased to more than 35.

In other action, the Chamber Board:

- Authorized a signature of support to accompany the Stanardsville Area Revitalization group's TEA-21 grant application.  Tom Zakielarz made the motion to approve the signature, and the motion passed unanimously among the eight board members in attendance.

- Held a brief discussion of the on-again, off-again proposal of a U.S. 29 bypass.  Pyles questioned the details of the proposal, questioned whether or not the bypass would have the same effects as the U.S. 33 bypass in Stanardsville, and said he wondered if the Chamber should take a position and make a comment regarding the bypass.  On a motion from Vice President Jay Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to await additional details on the proposal and conduct additional community research before making any position statement.

- Heard from Crawford that the bylaws were nearly complete and should be presented to Board members at the "Crash Mixer."  It is hoped that the new bylaws, suggested by Tim Hulbert of the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce to make the Greene Chamber "easier to function," will be approved at the Board's next meeting.

- Agreed to consider producing a printed publication similar to the Charlottesville Chamber's "Why to Join" handout.  Copies of the Charlottesville piece are to be distributed during the "Crash Mixer," and input on changes and adaptations will be collected for a possible Greene publication at a later date.

- Received information from Secretary Ruth Parsons regarding the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting and business expo.  Parsons suggested that, perhaps, the Greene Chamber would benefit from networking at the annual meeting, and, in addition, would benefit from seeing the set up and handling of the Chamber's largest event.  She also noted that the business expo, which was to include approximately 60 businesses and enterprises and was scheduled to be held on Oct. 25, seemed like a viable idea for the Greene Chamber.

"It would be nice for the Greene County Chamber to host such an event," she said.  "I believe it would stir interest in the Chamber and let people know what we're doing."

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