101 New Chamber Members Help #UniteRoane

From L-R: Chamber Ambassador and Board Member, Marilyn Calfee, team captain for the winning team 'Marilyns Maniacs and Chamber Board Chair, Gail Lyke from "Gails Go Getters"

The Membership Expansion event that was a culmination of a six-week contest to help #UniteRoane and a two-day Membership Drive was a huge success. Just during the two-day drive, a total of 101 new members were added to the membership, representing a 27% increase in the membership and a record for the consulting company that directed the event.

"Last Thursday we started the day with 365 members, and to end the week with 466 members is difficult to fathom," said Chamber President Wade Creswell, The Roane Alliance.  "We had more than 50 board members, ambassadors and volunteers help drive this campaign - and they knocked it out of the park!  I want to say a special thank you to the two team leaders, Marilyn Calfee - Marilyn''s Maniacs, and Gail Lyke - Gail's Go Getters."

Ambassador Christy Brown, Griffin Insurance

Chamber Board Chair, Gail Lyke, First Bank of Tennessee, Rockwood

100 new members in two days was the goal for the campaign, led by Annette Medlin, a Membership Development consultant enlisted to provide guidance and her experience in not only expanding membership but more importantly amplifying the Chamber message to Roane County.

The winner of the #uniteroane photo contest and a $50 gift card was Coldwell Banker, Jim Henry & Associates, based on the most likes on the Chamber's social media pages

In addition, there were many donors that helped make this such a successful event.  Thank you: Alice's Restaurant, Annie's Catering, Bojangles, Caramella's Catering, Gloria Jeans Southern Provisions, Hardee's Restaurant, Leadership Roane County, Norwex, Ruth King, Oak Ridge Utility District, Roane Street Grill, Rosemary's Florist, Simply Sweet Bakery, Subway in Kingston, and The Tee Spot. 

"Increasing the membership allows the Chamber to not only provide more services to its members," said Chamber Director Paulette Ray.   "But probably even more importantly creates

a 'community'  where members can stay on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within their community and local marketplace," added Ray.  "The main focus of this membership expansion event has always been to bring Roane County individuals, businesses, and industry together to create a united front

Decorate your store front with the #uniteroane logo and you may win $250!

so Roane County can thrive.  Now it's the Chamber's job to continue the momentum and keep Roane united."

And to help keep the momentum, the Chamber is continuing the #uniteroane campaign through the summer - this time focusing on Roane County businesses.  Businesses are encouraged to decorate their store front with the #uniteroane logo - be creative and your business could win $250!  The Chamber is encouraging businesses to wear #UniteRoane t-shirts every Friday to help spread the word that we can do more together if we #UniteRoane.  Tshirts are available for FREE at The Roane Alliance Monday through Friday 8

am to 5 pm.  The campaign will end August 31 so start decorating! For contest rules click here.

"Eighty percent of the job seekers who came to the job fair were from Roane County," said Allen Lutz, the Education and Workforce Development Specialist for the Roane Alliance. "Most all of the businesses that participated said that they met some good candidates for positions they were seeking to fill."

Housed in the new Physicians Plaza of Roane County, this attractive, modern facility offers complete eye examinations and prescription services, as well as diagnosis and treatment for medical eye conditions. This office also features a full-service optical shop.

The Eye Center at Midway is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.  For more information click here.

Christy Brown, from Griffin Insurance, is July's Chamber Ambassador of the month.  She has been with Griffin Insurance for 9 years and in the Insurance business for 13 years.  She is currently the Retention Manager and she handles the marketing and most of the accounting for the agency.  In 2007 she obtained the Certified Insurance Service designation (CISR). "My favorite part of being a Chamber Ambassador is feeling like an integral part of the business community. I also enjoy continually discovering new businesses that I may have never known about without the Ambassador opportunity. Being an Ambassador is an excellent way to get involved with the community and has given me the opportunity to connect with many great people.' says Christy.  Christy loves traveling and watching her 

son play baseball and her daughter play basketball and she currently resides in Kingston and recently got engaged.