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Chamber Connection AM 

Oct. 7th - NeXt held at Copperleaf Senior Living - 1550 1st Street North

Oct. 14th - Snap Fitness of Willmar - 812 1st Street South

Member Corner Updates

~ Dropped - Sears

Ambassadors Present

1st Dollars 

African Development Center

518 Litchfield Avenue SW, Willmar

(877) 232-4775

Pictured left to right: Farida Mohamed, Stephen Wreh-Wilson, Nicole Franzwa, Abdirizak Mahboub, Nasibu Sareva, Hussein Samatar (Executive Director), Doug Kuehnast, Laura Borderging, Tom Bolin, Kelly O'Farrell, Jessie Jacobson, Mitch Neal, Nimo Farah, Nancy Miller and Ismahan Sadiq

Upcoming Events

*October 6th - Fall Kick Off Event - 4 - 5 p.m. Interactive preview of classes and fun development activities; 5 - 6 p.m. - social hour at the Roosevelt Room of the Holiday Inn.

*October 7th - Chamber Connection - 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Copperleaf Senior Living - 1550 1st Street North, Willmar. 

*October 25th - Self Motivation, Inspiration & Drive presented by Mike Kiefer, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Willmar Conference Center.  RSVP by calling 235-0300 or emailing next@willmarareachamber.com.

*November 22nd - Building a Dynamic Team presented by Pat Lang, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Willmar Conference Center.  RSVP by calling 235-0300 or emailing next@willmarareachamber.com.

*December 15th - Understanding Situational Leadership Styles presented by Mike Kiefer, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Willmar Conference Center.  RSVP by calling 235-0300 or emailing next@willmarareachamber.com.

Continue to check the website - www.nextwillmar.com and Facebook for future events and details.

Questions About ChamberMaster?  To watch the tutorial video

Click Here 

Member Benefits Program 

Chamber Referral Program

Scan this QR code with your smart phone for more information on the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Top Job Postings in August

Don't forget that all corporate tables and individual tickets need to be secured by the end of the business day on October 14th.

Get Your Louie Tickets Today for the 2011 Chamber's Annual Event Fundraiser

Comedian Louie Anderson

Saturday, November 5th

Holiday Inn & Willmar Conference Center

Social Hour ~ 6 - 7 p.m.

Sit-Down Plated Dinner ~ 7 - 8 p.m.

Entertainment ~ 8 - 8:55 p.m.

Individual tickets in the General Admission Seating Area are available now for purchase at $75 each.  If you are thinking of purchasing a corporate table, they are available on a first come first serve basis.  Sponsoring a corporate table enables you to select your table and reserve your seating for this event.

This event is for Chamber Members Only and advertised to Chamber Members Only unless tickets remain after October 14th.  In that case, all tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, October 17th.

Cost:       $75 per person ~ same price as last year! 

  (Includes dinner and entertainment)

               $800 - Corporate Table for 8

               (Includes choice of table, reserved seating, & table

                escort by Ambassadors.)

There are no other costs.

There are no silent or live auction items or programs.

Tickets:  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Chamber

              Office at 235-0300

Questions?  Call Mike at the Chamber Office at 235-0300

 Annual Event Sponsors:

Make a "Morning Connection" in 60 minutes

at Chamber Connections AM

This Friday, September 30th, is the next Chamber Connection AM.  NeXt is hosting this event from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. at Copperleaf Senior Living at 1550 1st Street North.  Join us for coffee and a light breakfast for only a buck and your business card.  Share your business news or information on an upcoming event as you start your Friday with fellow Chamber members.

For a complete listing of upcoming Chamber Connections, click here.

NeXt Fall Kick Off 

Thursday, October 6th

Roosevelt Room of the Holiday Inn

4 - 5 p.m. - Fall Kick Off

5 - 6 p.m. - Social Hour

Join us from 4 - 5 p.m. for an interactive preview of our upcoming classes and for fun development activities.  We have an exciting line up of classes starting on October 25th with Self Motivation, Inspiration and Drive presented by Mike Kiefer from Ridgewater College.

After the presentation join us for a social hour and an opportunity to network with your fellow NeXt members.

Chamber Board to Accept Nominating Committee Report

At their October meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors, the Board will approve the slate of candidates for new Board positions beginning January 1, 2012.  The nominees who will serve three year terms include:

• Tom Anderson - Johnson, Moody, Schmidt & Kleinhuizen
• Brian Bollig - Bollig, Inc.
• Brad Hanson - Willmar Ambulance Service
• Jim Rudnick - Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing
• Joanna Schrupp - MinnWest Technology Campus
• Kathy Schwantes - Ridgewater College

According to the Chamber bylaws:  "An official notice of the nominating committee report must be mailed to all members in good standing informing them of their right to petition for additional nominees."  A period of ten days after the mailing of the nominating committee report, shall be allowed for additional names to be placed on the ballot by petition.  Additional names may be placed on the ballot by a petition signed by twenty (20) members who are in good standing.  No member shall be nominated to serve on the Board of Directors until the nominating committee shall have first determined his or her willingness to serve on the Board of Directors.

This issue of the Chamber eNewsletter to members, serves as official notice of the Nominating Committee report.  If no petition is submitted by October 27, 2011, the slate will be declared elected.

Don't Miss Out on Being Recognized!

Minnesota Business Gives is designed to motivate, educate and recognize local businesses in Minnesota for charitable giving and community involvement contributions they make to their local communities.  The program is managed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in association with local chamber partners.  Willmar Lakes Area Business Gives joins more than 30 other local chambers participating in this program.

Business Gives is an excellent way for businesses to receive recognition from their peers and their community for the many contributions they make to their local community.

Businesses are recognized for giving cash and/or in-kind contributions to charitable organizations amounting to 2% or more of their pretax earnings.  Best of all, because recognition is based on the percent of income given in cash and in-kind donations, a small business that gives $1,000 each year can receive the same recognition as one that contributes $10,000.

Businesses are encouraged to participate by completing a Participation Form and submitting it to the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber.  On the form, a business certifies that during its most recently completed fiscal year it gave at least 2% of its pretax earnings in cash and/or in-kind contribution to charitable organizations.  A Calculation Worksheet is available to help with calculating the 2%.

In addition to being recognized at an annual Chamber event, each business receives a letter of thanks and congratulations from the Governor of Minnesota.

Completed participation forms should be sent to:

Ken Warner, 2104 Highway 12 East, Willmar, MN 56201