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Working together, the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and the city of Shawnee have taken a major step to improve the appearance of Shawnee. They have created a partnership to move that goal foward. It all started with the chamber’s past chairmen committee when they invited the city planner from Norman to share their successes in making Norman the “Sixth Best Place to live in the U.S.” by Money Magazine.
When the chamber retreat was planned last October, the focus was on pro-active code enforcement for beautification and code enforcement for a business friendly atmosphere. Coming out of the retreat, the focus of the new chamber year was to implement a plan to make that goal happen. The Small Business Committee of the Chamber, chaired by Mike McCormick, was given the task to develop a plan of action. With the help of City Planner Justin Erickson, City Manager Brian McDougal, Mayor Linda Peterson and thecity commission that plan is ready to be implemented.
The action consists of two parts. Part one, is a brochure that has been developed to set guidelines for citizens of Shawnee. Part two, is for the chamber to be a clearing house for volunteer organizations in Shawnee in conjuction with the city of Shawnee planning department. These actions are well on their way and you will see results soon.
It has been a very busy and productive first six months for our chamber. We have set an all-time membership record of more than 500 members and a mailing list of 725. The Agri-Business/Youth Development Task Force sponsored three $1,500 scholarships to student participants of the Junior Livestock Show. Even in this economy, they were able to raise a record $136,900. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the chamber was able to help 10 new businesses celebrate the opening of their businesses.
The ambassadors hosted a national conference in Shawnee with delegations coming from six states, including Oklahoma. The Business/Education Partnership is completing information on our public school systems and universities to be used in recruitment efforts. In addition to the 18,000 free trees distributed in 2008, Tom Terry and the Beautification Committee distributed another 800 this Spring.
Leadership Shawnee is starting a new year, Shop Shawnee is in the process of being started for this year and we just finished our legislative action program for the state level with a “wrap-up” legislative luncheon. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has been busy recruiting and assisting events, covering the region with marketing materials and working on a proposed Visitor Center. A busy first six months of positive results, but we have more to accomplish in the next six months.
Editor’s Note: This guest editorial is offered by Ron Henderson, a member of the News-Star’s Guest Editorial Board. He owns and operates Demco Printing and is the 2009 chairman of the Shawnee Chamber Board of Directors. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
Working together, the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and the city of Shawnee have taken a major step to improve the appearance of Shawnee. They have created a partnership to move that goal foward. It all started with the chamber’s past chairmen committee when they invited the city planner from Norman to share their successes in making Norman the “Sixth Best Place to live in the U.S.” by Money Magazine.
When the chamber retreat was planned last October, the focus was on pro-active code enforcement for beautification and code enforcement for a business friendly atmosphere. Coming out of the retreat, the focus of the new chamber year was to implement a plan to make that goal happen. The Small Business Committee of the Chamber, chaired by Mike McCormick, was given the task to develop a plan of action. With the help of City Planner Justin Erickson, City Manager Brian McDougal, Mayor Linda Peterson and thecity commission that plan is ready to be implemented.
The action consists of two parts. Part one, is a brochure that has been developed to set guidelines for citizens of Shawnee. Part two, is for the chamber to be a clearing house for volunteer organizations in Shawnee in conjuction with the city of Shawnee planning department. These actions are well on their way and you will see results soon.
It has been a very busy and productive first six months for our chamber. We have set an all-time membership record of more than 500 members and a mailing list of 725. The Agri-Business/Youth Development Task Force sponsored three $1,500 scholarships to student participants of the Junior Livestock Show. Even in this economy, they were able to raise a record $136,900. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the chamber was able to help 10 new businesses celebrate the opening of their businesses.
The ambassadors hosted a national conference in Shawnee with delegations coming from six states, including Oklahoma. The Business/Education Partnership is completing information on our public school systems and universities to be used in recruitment efforts. In addition to the 18,000 free trees distributed in 2008, Tom Terry and the Beautification Committee distributed another 800 this Spring.
Leadership Shawnee is starting a new year, Shop Shawnee is in the process of being started for this year and we just finished our legislative action program for the state level with a “wrap-up” legislative luncheon. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has been busy recruiting and assisting events, covering the region with marketing materials and working on a proposed Visitor Center. A busy first six months of positive results, but we have more to accomplish in the next six months.
Editor’s Note: This guest editorial is offered by Ron Henderson, a member of the News-Star’s Guest Editorial Board. He owns and operates Demco Printing and is the 2009 chairman of the Shawnee Chamber Board of Directors. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
