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For the week of Juy 7, 2008 |
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Greetings!
Congratulations to everyone involved with the 4th of July celebration at Radar Park! The "bubbles/suds" booth had to be the biggest hit of the night! Kids of all ages could be seen in various stages of "bubble dress." What fun!!
Don't forget to return your sponsorship forms for the Wellness Expo and Retail Trades Holiday Promotion. Both events are open to all Chamber members. Letters have been sent to last year's participants.
Thanks again to everyone who supports the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce. You are what makes everything possible. |
| Contact Us |
P O Box 857 Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096 580-772-7744
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| What's Happening! |
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Monday, July 07, 2008
- Executive Committee Meeting - 12:00 PM - Chamber Office
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
- Retail Trades Committee - 8:00 AM - Chamber of Commerce
- Kiwanis Club - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
- Weatherford Economic Development Foundation - 7:00 AM - First National Bank
- Weatherford Rotary Club Meeting - 12:00 PM - Mark Restaurant
- Health Education Committee Meeting - 5:15 PM - Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, July 10, 2008
- Community Coffee @ SWOSU - 9:30 AM - Bulldog Beanery
- Education Committee Meeting - 12:15 PM - Chamber of Commerce Office
- Board of Directors Meeting - 4:00 PM - Chamber Office
**Membership Investment Chamber members have received their 2008 membership investment invoices. Thank you to all those who supported the Chamber in 2007 and we ask for your support again in 2008. Your statement offered you the opportunity to increase your investment in the Chamber. Please take the opportunity to review your invoice and consider increasing your investment. If you have a question concerning your membership investment, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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| Save the Date |
and make plans to participate and/or attend
- SWOSU's 48th Annual Picnic - August 18 - Memorial Circle, south lawn
- Welcome Reception for SWOSU, Western Technology Center, and Weatherford Public Schools - August 19 - First National Bank
- Chamber of Commerce Wellness Expo - September 20 - SWOSU Wellness Center
- Chamber Banquet - January 22, 2009
Additional information will be provided about these events. |
| Leadership Weatherford |
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Community Coffee |
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Memorial Student Center
100 Campus Drive
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
July 10, 2008
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. |
| Wellness Expo |
September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the SWOSU Wellness Center is the date, time, and location for the 2008 Wellness Expo. Chamber members who participated in the 2007 Health Expon will soon be receiving the details about how they can participate in the 2008 Health Expo.
The event is open to any Chamber member. Corporate Sponsorship is $100. A sponsor at this level receives an 8' x 10' booth, their logo in print and electronic media advertising, and a sign to display in their business. Booth Fee Participants is $40. As a participant the business receives an 8' x 10' booth and a sign to display in their business.
Contact the Chamber at 772-7744 or welcome@weatherfordchamber.com to sign up! |
| It's About Jobs |
Nearly every Oklahoma voter has a job, wants a job, or is retired from a job. Each of us has a vested interest in how the issues discussed during the 2008 elections affect Oklahoma's economy - and your company's bottom-line.
This year, more than 1,200 employers representing 450,000 employees are using the Oklahoma Prosperity Project's free, nonpartisan easy-to-use materials - breakroom posters, payroll stuffers, and other useful tools -- to encourage their employees to register to vote and go to the polls informed on economic issues before they go to the polls. The Prosperity Project, a program of the The State Chamber, is a free, nonpartisan election education program. It does not endorse candidates. It does not tell people how to vote.
To learn more about how your business can take advantage of this free program, click on the above link. |
| Watch Your Mail Box! |
By now last year's participants should have received information about the 2008 "Home for the Holidays with Friends and Families", the 2008 Retail Trades Christmas Promotion. Take a few minutes now and return that participation form!
The promotion is open to any chamber member. If you were unable to participate last year and would like to receive information, just call the Chamber and we'll get you the information.
The goal, to get Weatherford area residents to shop Weatherford this holiday season and to share the experience with friends and family. Each week a winner will be drawn to receive that week's $1,000 Chamber Buck giveaway. When contacted, the winner will then be asked to name two people, either a family member or a friend, to receive $500 each in Chamber Bucks! In addition to being listed as a sponsor on the Chamber's Web site, sponsors receive: Santa (Corporate) - $750 - Logo in print and electronic media advertising. Banner and sign to display in business; an entry box at your location. Reindeer (Participating) - $250 - Name in print and electronic media advertising. Sign to display in business; an entry box at your location. Elf (General) - $200 - Name in print and electronic media. Sponsor identification at kickoff & scheduled events. |
| School Personnel Welcome |
Circle the date now and make plans to attend the Welcome Reception for education personnel new the Weatherford education community. The reception gives the Weatherford Business Community a chance to welcome the new education personnel.
The Welcome Reception is presented by First National Bank on August 19, at 12:30 p.m.
The Education Committee is looking for drawing sponsors. Sponsors are being asked to provide $100 to be drawn for during the reception. This is a great way to promote your business to more than 100 education personnel. If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber at 772-7744. |
| Chambers Count |
| With the nation in its current economic recession, the Schapiro Study underscores how it is now more important than ever for small businesses to invest in chamber of commerce memberships. "The chamber is the one organization promoting the collective well being of the business community and the community as a whole. It's like a hub," states Marie Hanza, Executive Director. "The chamber is a resource and education tool for promoting growth." Hanza comments were made following the release of a the American Chamber of Commerce (ACCE) recent survey "The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce."
"The intent of the survey was to determine what the impact of chamber memberships are for small businesses," said Cathy Lada, vice president of community advancement for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). "With the economy the way it is right now, it's important to have (a) resource for small businesses."
ACCE hired the Atlanta-based firm The Schapiro Group to conduct the national survey, which included about 2,000 adults nationwide.
The study found 59 percent of consumers think being active in a local chamber is an effective business strategy overall, and it is 29 percent more effective for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices.
The survey also shows consumers think a company's products hold up better against competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber and is involved in the community as an industry leader. When consumers know a small business is a member of the chamber, they are 44 percent more likely to think favorably of it and 63 percent more likely to patronize it, according to the survey.
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| Design Alliance Grant Awarded |
| Congratulations to Russell-Murray Hospice, the first Weatherford business to receive a "Design Alliance Grant." Russell-Murray will use the funds for a new sign at their new location.
| Program Overview |
The facade improvement program is designed to assist owners or responsible tenants with improvements to their commercial properties and businesses in the City of Weatherford. Across the city, improvements to storefronts are making businesses and districts more attractive and inviting and, in turn, attracting new customers and businesses. Business owners often see an increase in sales. Storefront improvements also help landlords rent their vacant or difficult-to-rent properties.
Eligible improvements for the Facade Improvement Program may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Restoration of exterior finishes/material
- Repair or replacement of storefront windows and/or doors
- New/Repair Signage
- Building and Sign Lighting
- Installation/Removal/Replacement/Repair of Awnings
- Landscaping
- Painting
Most capital improvements such as side walks, curbs, and parking lot resurfacing are ineligible. All improvements must conform to the City's building codes.
Following your project's approval, the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Design Alliance and the City of Weatherford will prepare documents for the Applicant's signature, including a Grant Agreement and a Facade Program Agreement.
In consideration of the above agreements, the City will contribute funds to the applicant of half the costs for improvements as approved by the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Design Alliance up to a maximum of $1000.00 per property or actual amount of grant, whichever is less. The applicant is responsible for providing to the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Design Alliance adequate documentation of the project's expenses prior to reimbursement.
The Applicant needs to provide the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Design Alliance the following in order to begin the application process, prior to the approval of the project and the Applicant commencing improvement work:
- Copy of Facade Improvement Program Application
- Check payable to the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce for $250
- Contractor's estimate of project
- Drawing or rendering of project.
Upon receipt of the above, the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Design Alliance will then submit application to the City of Weatherford, if applicable for review. A copy of schedule of meeting dates will be given upon request and unless specifically asked to do so, your attendance at the meetings is voluntary. Once the final reward determinations have been made and approved by the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce-Weatherford Design Alliance /City of Weatherford, you will be notified in writing and be given further instructions. |
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| Make It Your Business |
| Hello, my name is Megan Coit, and I'm the Community Coordinator for the Western OK Tobacco Control Program (WOTCP) based out of Elk City. The goal of the WOTCP is to decrease the prevalence of tobacco use in our four county coalition area (Beckham, Custer, Roger Mills and Washita). One of the ways we hope to accomplish this goal is through the Make It Your Business initiative. Make It Your Business provides employers with strategies for a tobacco free workforce.
Everyone knows that tobacco is harmful to people's health, but few business owners realize the financial cost of employing tobacco users. For example, smokers, on average, miss 6.16 days of work annually due to sickness, compared to non-smokers, who miss 3.86 days of work per year. Smoking costs businesses an estimated $3,734 per smoker per year. That cost is comprised of $1,791 in direct medical expenditures (i.e. greater health care costs) and $1,943 in lost productivity (i.e. work time spent on smoking breaks).
A healthy workforce begins with three key tobacco-free initiatives: 1) Use your company's health plan to help employees and their families quit tobacco use. 2) Actively support and promote the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, 1-800-QUIT NOW. 3) Implement and maintain tobacco-free workplace policies and other initiatives. At the WOTCP, we can help you develop a strategy that is based on the understanding that tobacco is an addiction and that tobacco users should not be stigmatized. In addition to having healthier, tobacco free employees, as an employer, you will see reduced healthcare and maintenance costs if you make tobacco your business! For more information on Make It Your Business or to find out how to become an Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business please contact Megan Coit at 580.225.6247 or coitm@elkcity.com |
| Over and Above |
The Chamber wishes to recognize the businesses and individuals listed in the areas below. These members have agreed to increase their financial support to their Chamber this year. Take a few minutes now to review the list and make it a point to say "thanks" the next time you see one of these members. Every effort is being made to make sure this list is complete. If you have increased your membership to a level to be included in one of the areas listed and do not see your name, please contact the office. We'll make the change and get your recognized in the next "Weekly Agenda."
Minimum investments for each are
Platinum - $1,000
Gold - $750
Silver - $500
Bronze $350
Thanks and appreciation goes out to all members who have renewed their membership for the 2008 year! |
| Platinum Investors |
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Advanced Home Care Services, Inc.
AEP/Public Service Company of Oklahoma
BancFirst
Bank of Western Oklahoma
City of Weatherford
Economy Storage
Ed Berrong Real Estate & Insurance Agency
First National Bank & Trust Company of Weatherford
FPL Energy Cowboy Wind, LLC
John M. Huser, Jr, MD
MidFirst Bank
More Than Medicine
Rick Koch Oil Company
Southwest National Bank
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation
Stafford Air & Space Museum
Tautfest, Inc.
United Supermarkets
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. #392
Weatherford Daily News
Wright Wradio |
| Gold Investors |
American Insurance Group - Brown, Mike
Cummins, Pontiac- GMC, Inc
Edward Jones, Jim Horsburgh
Hart & Merchant, CPA's
IBC Bank
Nita's Ice House
York Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. |
| Silver Investors |
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AT& T
Britton, Kuykendall, & Miller, CPA's
Caulkin Conoco
CellularOne
Chesapeake Energy
Diesel Works Plus Inc.
Doc's Longhorn Trading Post
Joe E. & Glenna Johns
Imation Enterprises
Kelley Jewelers
Lockstone Funeral Home, Inc.
Mario's Grill
Magill Insurance & Real Estate Agency Oklahoma West Physicians Group
Ratcliffe's, Inc.
State Farm Insurance - Debbie Shepherd
Weatherford Press
Weatherford Regional Hospital |
| Bronze Investors |
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Albert's Truck Service
Alfredo's Mexican Café
C.J.'s Southwest Tire & Accessory, Inc.
Cells U More
CenterPoint Energy
Dr Pepper Bottling Company
Eagle Supply & Rental, Inc
Eastman Kodak Company
Farmers Cooperative Exchange
Hankins, Dr. Marvin & Connie
Hart Sell Real Estate
The Kloset
Legacy Bank
Nabors Shoe Center
PDC (Phone Directories Company)
Premier Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc.
Sides Screen Printing
Sudden Link Communications
Weatherwood Assisted Living
Western Equipment, LLC | |
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Share this email with your co-workers!
Sincerely,
Marie Hanza Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce |
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