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For the week of October 27, 2008 |
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Fall Back!
Daylight Savings Time Ends - Sunday, November 2,
2:00 a.m. | |
Greetings!
Operation Thank You took place on Thursday, October 23 as was a tremendous success! Chamber Ambassadors and Directors spent most of the day contacting Chamber members and thank them for their membership! Membership is the lifeblood of the Chamber and this was just one way of saying thank you for your support.
Because of scheduling, some members will be contacted in the coming week.
Time is running out for nominations for the "Roots and Wings" and "Hall of Fame" awards. Deadline is November 5. Nomination forms and a list of previous winners are located on at on the chamber's website.
It's been a great year so far for your Chamber of Commerce and your help is needed to keep it that way! |
| Contact Us |
P O Box 857
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
580-772-7744
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| What's Happening! |
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Monday, October 28
ˇ Candidates Forum - 7:00 PM - SWOSU's Conference Center
Tuesday, October 28
ˇ Kiwanis Club - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant
ˇ Weatherford Arts Council Meeting - 5:15 PM - SWOSU Adm. Bldg
Wednesday, October 29
ˇ Weatherford Rotary Club Meeting - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant
Thursday, October 30
ˇ Noon Lions Club - 12:00 PM - University Grill and Cafeteria
Saturday, November 1
ˇ Homecoming Parade - 3:00 PM - Downtown Main Street |
| Become Informed |
 Voters seeking to learn more about the candidates for State House District 57 and Custer County Sheriff's office can do so when the attend the October 27 Candidates Forum. Hosted by the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Weatherford Chapter, the event will feature Republican candidate Harold Wright of Weatherford and Democratic candidate Perry Adams of Custer City.
The forum is set for tonight, Monday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the SWOSU Conference Center, at the corner of N. 7th Street & W. Davis Avenue and is open to the public. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions for moderator Jeff Berrong to ask the State House candidates. KWEY 95.5 will broadcast the forum live.
Immediately preceding the State House forum, Custer County Sheriff candidates Bruce Peoples, Republican of Weatherford, and Rick McCain, Democrat of Clinton, will each have time to briefly address the audience.
Additionally, all candidates appearing on the November 4th general election ballot for local, state, and federal office are invited to bring their campaign material and mingle with voters in the lobby after the forum's conclusion. Please contact the Chamber at 772-7744 for any further information or to reserve booth space as a candidate. |
| Businesses are on Board! |
 November 7 is the first date for Weatherford shoppers to receive a chance to win $1,000 in Chamber Bucks in the "Home for the Holiday with Friends and Family" promotion. Sponsored by the Chamber's Retail Trades Committee, the promotion is designed to create an enjoyable shopping experience in Weatherford during the holiday season. 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. The Chamber Bucks is only good at businesses participating in the promotion. Each winner will receive a list of participating businesses. Thanks to everyone who has responded to the 2008 promotion. Follow this link to view the businesses who are participating in the promotion. If you do not see your business listed, please give us a call. |
| Verification Form |
During "Operation Thank You" Chamber member's received a "Verification Form" showing the information the Chamber has on file concerning their business. If you haven't sent the form back in, please take a few minutes now to review the information and return the form. The information you provide is used to answer questions about your business, so it's important the information is correct.
Also, remember every one of your employees is a chamber member as is eligible to participate in Chamber events, activities, committees, etc. They are also eligible to receive this weekly e-mail. Finally, be sure the business categories are correct. This is how consumers seeking goods and services can locate you in our business directory.
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| Nominations for Awards |
| Nominations are now being accepted for the "Roots and Wings", "Weatherford Hall of Fame" and "Outstanding Service" awards to be presented at the Chamber of Commerce Banquet January 22, 2009. Below is information about each of the awards. Nominations for the awards must be submitted by November 5 on the required form. To receive a nomination form or learn more about the award, click on the title of the award or pick up a form at the Chamber of Commerce.
The "Roots and Wings" award is presented to a Weatherford citizen who has exhibited exceptional support for the youth of Weatherford through his or her volunteer efforts. The name of the award comes from a quote from H. Carter "There are only two lasting gifts we can give to our children. One is Roots, the other is Wings." This award is made annually. The nominating committee will consist of the five (5) most recent award winners chaired by the most recent winner. To view a list of previous winners, click here.
The "Outstanding Service Award" is presented annually to an individual who has provided outstanding volunteer service to aid the Chamber during the year of the award. The award is presented to a person who is a member of the Chamber, represents a business member of the Chamber, or is a member of the board of directors of the Chamber. Nominees will be selected by the current board president and Executive Director. To view a list of previous winners, click here.
The "Weatherford Hall of Fame" award is made to a present or former resident of Weatherford (may be awarded posthumously) who has made a significant and positive impact to the Weatherford community, the state of Oklahoma, or the nation. Nominees for the award are open to all members of the community at large. This award is to be made as deemed appropriate by the Chamber board, but not more often than annually. The nominating committee will consist of the current mayor of Weatherford, current president of the C of C board, the Executive Director of the Chamber, the local presidents of the Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Clubs, and any prior winners who wish to serve. The committee will be chaired by the current president of the Chamber of Commerce. To view a list of previous winners, click here. |
| Looking for A Sample Ballot? |
 The front page of every district's November 4th ballot will be different. To get the back page of your ballot with the State Questions and Judges, click here. For explanation of the State Questions, click here.
Contact Kris Rush. |
| Rack Cards - Deadline Extended |
Visitors, tourists,travellers, etc, no matter how you identify them, people are are asking about and coming to Weatherford! They're visiting our tourism attractions, shopping, dining, or spending the night in our lodging. Daily the Chamber provides the Weatherford tourism brochure in response to request for tourism information. Weatherford's tourism brochure is also distributed nationwide through the Oklahoma Department of Travel and Recreation fulfillment program.
Here's your opportunity to market your business to these individuals! In response to the number requests for information, your Chamber provides the "Weatherford Rack Card" a tourism brochure listing Weatherford's attractions, lodging, dining, and shopping opportunities. It's now time for the second printing of this popular and successful brochure.
To list your business, please print out this email, complete the appropriate information and return it and your check for $50 to the Chamber of Commerce office by October 31. In addition to the information noted below, the brochure will also have a listing of annual events. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the Chamber office.
____, Yes - I want my business to be included in the Weatherford tourism brochure. Please list my business under the following header (select one)
_____ Lodging _____ Dining _____ Shopping
_____ Unfortunately I am unable to participate at this time but thanks for asking.
________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Name ________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address ________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number e-mail ________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of Person Completing this form (Please print.) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature |
| Now's the Time to Encourage Absentee Voting |
 Informed voters are never more important than today! But are you an informed voter? Are the people you work with informed? Or will they vote for President - then look down at the rest of the names on their ballot and wonder "Who ARE these people?"
You can help.Please use the posters and other tools at www.okprosperity.com/weatherford to become informed. You'll learn about the candidates running in our district for Congress and State Legislature.
Stuff happens - Encourage absentee voting. Work scjedi;es. vacatopms amd family commitments keep many Oklahomans from getting to the polls on Election Day. Voting from home saves time. The deadline for absentee ballot requests is Wednesday, October 29.
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| Web Advertising |
 Chamber members are now able to purchase advertising on the Chamber's web site. Ad price is $50 per month. Contact the Chamber for complete details.
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.
Listed below are the website statistics since July 23, the date the membership directory went live on the website.
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Members' Online Referrals |
1249 |
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Members' Online Hits Summary |
5001 |
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Main Search Page |
1606 |
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Alphabetical Listing |
683 |
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Categorical Listing |
1030 |
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Search for Listing |
104 |
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New Member Listing |
329 |
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Referred Members Website Visits |
853 |
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Map Views |
396 |
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| Bits 'n Pieces |
Mother Road 100 - Thanks goes out to the Weatherford Key Club for agreeing to oversee the Weatherford aid for the "Mother Road 100" a 100 mile footrace from Elk City to El Reno along historic Route 66. The date is Saturday, November 8, starting at 8:00 a.m. in Elk City. Up to 250 athletes will participate. The first of the runners are expected in Weatherford between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. with the last of the runners coming through as late as 10:00 p.m. Additional information about the race can be found at www.motherroad100.com
Minimum Wage Poster - Need a copy of the new minimum wage poster? Follow this link. Need Health Insurance? - The State Chamber's endorsed health insurance program, Oklahoma Chamber Blue, continues to grow beyond expectations. This health insurance plan features no medical underwriting; PPO and HMO options; prescription drug coverage; and qualifies for the state's InsureOklahoma! premium reimbursement program. To qualify for Oklahoma Chamber Blue, a company must have fewer than 100 employees; be a member of either The State Chamber OR their local chamber of commerce; and be headquartered in one of Oklahoma's 62 rural counties. As of June 30th, more than 1200 companies and 8,000 lives are covered! Ask your insurance agent about this fabulous program! For more information, click here. Contact Matt Robison.
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.
Prosperity Project - Help your employees be informed. Click on ww.okprosperity.com/weatherford, to find out who is running in their district, view their candidates' Voter's Guides - and then go to the polls informed.
In the News - The Chamber's Weatherford TV commercial is already paying dividends even before it has aired! The "Oklahoma Gazette," readership approximately 10,000, recently carried an article highlighting the Stafford Air & Space Museum and the Heartland Museum. The article was written by Melana Lott, owner of Inflamed Brain Creative, the company hired to produce the TV commercials and economic development video. Click here to read the article.
TV Commercial - Weatherford's tourism community will soon be featured in 30 second television commercial. The television commercial is a project of the Chamber's tourism committee and is funded by the Weatherford hotel/motel tax. A second commercial will soon be produced which will highlight specific events, activities or tourism opportunities in Weatherford. Click here to view the commercial. |
| 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
Laundry boutique
Lockstone Funeral Home, Inc.
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
Midwest Music
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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