News from The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update

For the week of August 11, 2008

In This Issue

School Time!

Value of a Membership

Bits 'n Pieces

Over and Above

Subscribe to Our Email!

Greetings!

School time is nearly here! Don't forget to sign up to be a drawing sponsor for the New Education Personnel Reception. Also, Servant's Heart Church is asking your help in getting the word out about free school backpacks for deserving families.

Tickets are on sale now for the University Picnic, set for August 18. Get your's from the Chamber office or any Chamber Ambassador!

Contact Us

P O Box 857
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
580-772-7744

director@weatherfordchamber.com

What's Happening!

All events are subject to change! For complete details go to www.weatherfordchamber.com

Monday, August 11, 2008
·    Executive Committee Meeting - 12:00 PM - Chamber Office

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
·    Kiwanis Club - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant
·    Board of Directors Meeting - 4:00 PM - Chamber Office

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
·    Weatherford Economic Development Foundation - 7:00 AM - First National Bank
·    Weatherford Rotary Club Meeting - 12:00 PM - Mark Restaurant
·    Education Committee - 12:15 PM - Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, August 14, 2008
·    Community Coffee @ Southwest National Bank - 9:30 AM
·    Tourism Committee - 2:30 PM - Chamber of Commerce
·    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.

School Personnel Welcome

Time is running out to be a drawing sponsor during the "Welcome Reception for New Education Personnel." Already responding to the request to be part of the drawings is Tautfest, State Farm Insurance - Debbie Shepherd, The Kloset, Wright Wradio and Kelley Jewelers. As a drawing participant, the business has agreed to provide a $100 donation to the recipient. Eligible to be entered into the drawing are individuals new to Weatherford education community who are in attendance at the welcome reception.

The Welcome Reception is August 19, 12:30 p.m. and is presented and hosted by First National Bank. The Welcome Reception is for anyone new to the Weatherford ISD, Western Technology Center, Western Oklahoma Christian School or Southwestern Oklahoma system as well as any Chamber member. If your business would like to be included as drawing participant, click here to download the sponsorship form. Then fax the completed form to the Chamber office.

As a drawing sponsor, your business will be recognized during the reception and you will be allowed a few seconds to comment about your business. 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.

University Picnic

2008 Calendar Southwestern Oklahoma State University's
47th Annual University Picnic
Monday, August 18, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
south lawn of the Student Center
Oklahoma-style fried chicken
and all the "fixin's" will be served
Proceeds go to fund a SWOSU intern for the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce.

Why:   A - "TRADITION"
           B -   Good Food for you and the family
           C -   Mingle, laugh, and catch up with SWOSU workers and civic leaders
           D -   @ 7:00 p.m. there will be games for kids of all ages - egg toss (great parent to child or sibling or friend to friend competition!) - 3 legged races AND more!
            @ 7:30 p.m. there will be "Two-Tons-of-Fun." In it 2000 lbs. Of WPD police and power will be in a tug of war with 2000 lbs for WFD fireman power over a giant mud pit @ the volleyball courts.
            Under the clock tower, we will be joined by the new students on campus for our evening dessert - BROWNIES - and an ice cream social sponsored by BancFirst.

Tickets: $10 per person

May be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office or from any Chamber Ambassador!

Save the date and plan to come and enjoy. August 18 - 6:30 p.m.
Questions? Call Cindy Dougherty, 774-3767 or 302-3655

Community Coffee

your hometown bank, serving you. Reservations are not necessary!

August 14, 2008
720 East Main Street
Weatherford, OK 73096
Phone: (580) 774-0900
Fax: (580) 774-0289
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Wellness Expo

Response is great for the Wellness Expo set for September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the SWOSU Wellness Center. Listed are the participants who have signed on as of Friday afternoon. If you do not see your business listed, please let us know. Deadline to register was August 1.

The event is open to any Chamber member. Corporate Sponsorship/Registration 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 Participation/Registration is $40. As a participant the business receives an 8' x 10' booth and a sign to display in their business. Higher fees are applied to non-chamber members.

Contact the Chamber at 772-7744 with any questions. Click here to download information and an application.

Corporate Sponsors

Please don't forget to send us your logo in an electronic format.

Advanced Home Care Services, Inc.

American Insurance Group - Mike Brown

BancFirst

Great Plains Family YMCA

Hanson Anesthesia Services

The Healing Center

Lockstone Funeral Home

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services

Oklahoma Health and Wellness Center

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - School of Nursing

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - Department of Biological Sciences

Studio Inferno

Trinity Hospice

Walgreens

Weatherford Chiropractic

Weatherford Living Center

Weatherford Regional Hospital

Booth Participants

Agape Health Clinic

American Pharmacist Association - SWOSU

Custer County Health Clinic

Custer County Emergency Management Service

Hoffman Pools & Spas

Integris Clinton Regional Hospital - Jim Thorpe

Maple Lawn Manor

The Medicine Shoppe

Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland

Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Pregnancy Care Center of Western Oklahoma

Sinor Emergency Medical Services

South Western Oklahoma Development Authority

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - Music Therapy

Sterling House of Weatherford

Western Oklahoma Tobacco Control Program

Western Technology Center

Businesses are on Board! Are You?

Time is running out to become a part of one of Weatherford's best retail promotions "Home for the Holiday with Family and Friends." Set to begin in mid November, the promotion is designed to increase retail shopping in Weatherford during the holidays and reward lucking shoppers for choosing Weatherford for their holiday purchases.

Each week throughout the promotion - one lucky winner will be drawn to receive $1,000 in Chamber Bucks. When the winner is called, the individual will be asked to name two friends or family members, each will receive $500 in Chamber Bucks.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to the 2008 Holiday Promotion letters. Response has been great. Listed below are the businesses who have signed on as of Friday afternoon. If you do not see your business listed, please give us a call. To download information and a sign up form, click here.

Santa Sponsors
Recieve logo in print and electronic media, logo on a pole banner, logo on banners.

BancFirst

Farmers Coop

Kelley Jewelers

MidFirst Bank

More Than Medicine

Premier Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc.

Wal-Mart

Weatherford Daily News

Wright Wradio

Reindeer Sponsors

All Star Video

Butcher's Clothing Company

Caulkins Conoco

Floor Trader

It's all About Moi! At Miss Trudy's

The Kloset

Midwest Music

Myers Laundry & Cleaners

Nabors Shoe Center

Southwest Beauty Supply

Southwest National Bank

Uptown MarketPlace

The Woodshed Frame Shop

Elf Sponsors

Downtown Diner
Bill Grimes and Associates

Magill Insurance and Real Estate Agency

Wetherford Living Center

Western Equipment

Chamber Membership on the Web

Check out the the latest upgrade to your Chamber's Website - the expanded and searchable Membership Directory! With this recent upgrade, Chamber members now have the opportunity to be listed in five (5) business categories, instead of just one! A click on this link takes you to the membership directory where you can type in your business' name to check your listing. Then search the categorical listings to see the other business categories where your business can be classified. Don't see your business category, just email us director@weatherfordchamber.com with the business category you would like to have included in your membership record.

Since July 23, the date the directory went live on the website, Members' Online Referrals total 331. Also, the Members' Online Hits Summary shows 1,236 hits in the following Membership Directory areas: Main Search Page, "Alphabetical" Listing, "Categorical" Listing, "Search for" Listing, "New Member" Listing, Referred Members Website Visits, and Map Views.

Back Packs

Servant's Heart Community Church, 109 West Franklin, needs you help in getting the word out to family's who made need some help getting ready for school! The church has prepared backpacks filled with school supplies. They ask that you pass along this information to friends, customers, etc/

The backpacks will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. Sunday August 17th at 3pm. All a family needs to do is come in, fill out a short registration and pick up the backpack. There is a limit of 2 per family and it is for Burcham through 5th grade students. A parent must be there to pick up the backpack. Also available will be drinks for people waiting and a clown with ballons.

Johnny Walker, Associated Pastor states, "We love this community and I know that it is a joy to give back. Just this process of getting these ready for people has been a joy."

Bits 'n Pieces

Free Workshop - REI's Women's Business Center presents "How to Do Business With the Government" This FREE interactive workshop will allow participants to individual Internet access to be able to explore websites integral to doing business with the Government. Register online at www.ruralenterprises.com or call at 405/319-8190. For a flyer, click here.

Leadership Weatherford - Applications are now being accepted for Leadership Weatherford a nine month, one day a month program designed to energize our community and cultivate the next generation of leadership The cost for the program is $300. Applications are being accepted until September 1

Design Alliance Facade Grant - Looking to do some improvement to your building. Don't forget to apply for a "Design Alliance Grant." Click here to download and application. Recent recipients are All Star Gymnastics, Cheer, & Dance and Carman Italian Bistro.

Chambers Count - Learn "The Real Value of Joining a Chamber of Commerce" by reading the study commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.