Cody Chamber E-Newsletter  -  October 11, 2013

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Exec Bits

 

A big thanks to The Cody for hosting a wonderful Business After Hours last night and thanks to all of you who took the time to attend.

 

I start this newsletter by saying goodbye to another Cody Chamber employee. Lisa Beres, who was hired as our Visitor Center Manager last year, has resigned.

 

In the past 12 months, Lisa has worked incredibly hard to redesign our visitor center experience, from new marketing programs and new customer service training to leading our summer team in substantially increasing ticket sales for local attractions. She also redesigned the physical space in the visitor center to be more accommodating and has put us on a good path for future success.

 

We wish Lisa and her family all of the best in their new endeavors.

 

With fall here and the recent departure of two of our team members (Jill Osiecki, our Events Coordinator

resigned last month) we are taking a hard look at the needs of our membership and visitors. Events and visitor services are two of our three main pillars - membership services is our first - so we understand the importance of having good people to lead these efforts.

 

The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will hold its annual retreat Thursday, October 30. The conversation there will direct our plans for staffing and priorities. I will let you know when the position(s) are open in case you know anyone who would make a great addition to our team.

 

Membership Election and Bylaws Change

 

Each Chamber member in good standing is being mailed a ballot today listing the candidates for the five board seats we have opening in January. These ballots need to be returned by October 25th and can be mailed, emailed, faxed or dropped off at the Chamber. Thank you to those who are running. We have a great slate of candidates!

 

In addition, a resolution changing the way our bylaws can be amended is also included in the mailing. Our bylaws have grown antiquated and need to be updated. We have had a team of board members working on proposed changes since last spring, however the mechanism to change the bylaws would require a quorum of our members (or nearly 300) to attend a meeting in person and then two-thirds of those attendees would have to approve the changes.

 

The proposed change keeps the power to make bylaws changes completely in the hands of membership, but lowers the requirement for a quorum/majority in order to make those changes. With nearly 600 members, it's just not practical to get half of them to attend a meeting in person. If you have questions after reading the language on the proposed resolution, please don't hesitate to contact me or a current board member.

 

Halloween Downtown

 

Once again, the downtown merchants (and other Cody businesses who generously participate) will be distributing candy to "trick or treaters" from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, October 31. We understand that due to the popularity of this event (each business needs to be prepared to distribute at least 1,200 pieces of candy) that the expense can be substantial.

 

The Big Horn Radio Network, Albertsons and the Chamber recognize this need and are providing candy to merchants and soliciting donations to help with this effort. You can drop bags of candy off at any of the three locations.

 

In addition, our friends at Cowtown Candy Company can help you as well. They have a variety of bulk candy available. Cost varies and they want to help everyone have something different and affordable. If you are interested in getting in on the order, please call Kenny Lee at 307-272-7660 or e-mail him at [email protected] and he can help you select something that fits your budget and is something kids will like. You'll need to move quickly - the deadline for ordering is Monday, October 14th, to insure that the product arrives in time for Halloween. 

 

Shutdown Woes

 

Finally, a short word about the closure of Yellowstone and Shoshone National Forest facilities due to the shutdown. Like you, we have been incredibly frustrated by our government's inability to get its financial house in order and serve those who elected them.

 

Over the past two weeks we have had to explain to travelers from across the country and around the world that the world's best national park is closed. Early hope of a quick solution has become angry resignation. Many of you have directly felt the pain of this idiocy in the form of substantial lost revenue, early closures and the unplanned layoffs of hardworking staff.

 

We try to stay fairly apolitical, so I will simply close with a comment: It's becoming increasingly likely in my opinion that we have as many grievances against our current government (if not more) as our founding fathers had against theirs. And that's pretty sad.

 

As always, thanks for being a Chamber member. I'm excited about the plans we're making for our membership structure, our events and our visitor services and look forward to sharing them with you.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Scott Balyo
Executive Director

2013 Cody Chamber
 Board of Directors

Luke Anderson 
President  
Wyoming Financial Insurance
*Ambassadors
*Buffalo Bill Art Show

Greg Pendley 
Vice President

Cody Trolley Tours

*Cody Marketing Council
 

Rita Conners 

Secretary
Big Horn Radio Network
*Cody Marketing Council

 

Derek Moore
Treasurer
First Bank of Wyoming 
  
Mike Darby
Buffalo Bill's Antler Inn
*Rendezvous Royale
*Cody Stampede

 

Wes Allen
Sunlight Sports
  
Sue Diehl 
Chamberlin Inn
  
Bruce Eldredge
Buffalo Bill Center of the West

 

Lee Haines
Wyoming PBS

 

Nancy Tia Brown
Mayor, City of Cody
 
Bob Brown
Big Horn Galleries
*Buffalo Bill Art Show
 
Marc Thompson
Thompson Law, LLC
*Cody Stampede
 
Justin Sanders
Big Horn Federal Bank
  
Bev Richard
Coldwell Bankers Antler Realty
*Cody Marketing Council

 

Scott Wagner
Buffalo Jump Winery
  

Tom Wilder

Eastgate Liquors

*Committee's
Upcoming Events
  
October 12
Beck Lake Challenge, 9am.
  
Help Families in Crisis, donations accepted at WalMart parking lot, 10am - 4pm.
Cody Newcomers, 11am.
  
October 17
Big Horn Basin Farmers Market at the Park County Complex, 4:30 - 6:00pm
  
October 18
Community Concert
Assocation Presents: An Evening with Hal Linden, Wynona Thompson Auditorium, 7:30pm.  
  
October 19
Sleeping Giant ski area clean up day, 9am to 1pm.
  
"Bewitched, Bothered & BeWildered" Yellowstone Harmony Chorus concert, Cody Auditorium, 7pm.
 
Upcoming Cody Club
Presentations
 
We will hold two lunches per month from October - December.
 
October 21
Yellowstone Quake
  
November 4
Dr. Stefani Hicswa
President, Northwest College 
  
November 18
  Cody Beers, WYDOT
  
Watch your e-mail for further Cody Club Announcements!
Thanks to our renewing members!
  
Wayfaring Traveler Llama Ranch
  
Lifetime Small Animal Hospital

Columbus Day

Office Closures


The Chamber & PCTC offices and Visitor Center will be closed on Monday, October 14th for Columbus Day.  We'll be open again on Tuesday, October 15th from 8am to 5pm.

Is it snowing?  Is it sunny?  See it all on the Webcam!

 

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Feel free to contact us
with any questions at: 
307- 587- 2777

Welcome new members!

  

AAA Mountain West

 

AAA coverage protects the stranded member - it's not tied to a vehicle.  So as a AAA member you're covered as a passenger or as a driver.  Choose from 3 membership plans that meet the demands of our unique territory.  AAA also offers its members an array of insurance products.  3220 4th Ave. N. Billings, MT, (406) 869-4206.  http://www.mountainwest.aaa.com/

  

Residence Hill Bed & Breakfast
Residence Hill Bed & Breakfast is a large Victorian home five minutes from downtown Sheridan, Wyoming.  Our home is once again one of the 'Grand Ladies' of Residence Hill, where Sheridan's business leaders and professionals built their elegant Victorian mansions. You'll find comfortable beds, quiet privacy, great food and hosts who make you feel 'at home'.  450 S. Thurmond St., Sheridan WY, (307) 363-2262.  http://www.residencehill.net/
  

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Volunteers Needed!

 

Volunteer Drivers Needed for Home-Delivered Meals Program

 

We're looking for dependable, licensed drivers to help deliver weekday lunches to our home-bound clients. If you can spare one lunch-hour per week, you would be providing a very vital service for our Home-Delivered Meals Program.

 

Your Job Description:

  • 11:30 a.m. on a weekday - Pick up Hot & Cold Cases behind Senior Center.
  • Follow a prescribed route (with clear instructions provided) to deliver meals to approximately 7-10 home-bound clients-who look forward to meeting and greeting you at the door. (Delivery of meals on each of seven possible routes takes about 30-40 minutes.)
  • Return Hot & Cold Cases to the Senior Center.
  • Enter your name into a monthly drawing to win a $10 gift certificate to the Cody Senior Center Thrift Store.
  • Enjoy a free lunch at the Senior Center.
  • Write-off your mileage for tax purposes.
  • Feel good about donating your time to a very worthy cause.

 

If you think you'd enjoy delivering Home-Delivered Meals, call the Cody Senior Center ASAP at 307-587-6221.

 

We need you NOW!!!

 

Thanks!

Jan Eldredge, Executive Director

Bonnie Emmett, Home-Delivered Meals Coordinator

  

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Ambassadors - Recent Ribbon Cuttings!

 

  

Mountain West Screenprinters (3100 Big Horn Avenue, 307-527-7591).  New owners Morgan and Echo Renner gave the group a fun behind the scenes tour and handed out some gift certificates & t-shirts! 

 

 Cowboy Palace (1251 Sheridan Avenue, 307-578-8725).  They're having a 15% off sale this weekend, check 'em out!

 

 

The Cody celebrated a grand re-opening with their new owners.  This was in conjuction with a Business After Hours.  They're located at 232 Yellowstone Avenue, 307-587-5915.

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Help Families in Crisis on Saturday.

 

Buffalo Bill's Derby Darlin's will be hosting a fundraiser where all items donated will be given to Lisa Peterman, executive director, of Crisis Intervention Services.  The Derby Darlin's are asking everyone in the community to lend a helping hand by donating!

 

When: October 12, from 10am to 4pm

Where: Walmart Supercenter parking lot in Cody

Wish list items: Walmart gift cards, laundry detergent, dishwasher cubes, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, toilet tissue, diapers, freezer bags, canned foods, coffee, office supplies (pens/markers/highlighters/office paper).

 

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