2015

LookingAhead:NovemberandDecember

MarkyourCalendars

“Thankfulnessisachoice.”Iamthankfulforeachandeveryoneofyou,foryourparticipationandyoursupportofthechamberandmyselfoverthepastmonths.

SeasonalSentiment

November6-7,2015 ChristmasFarmersMarketCleburneCountyFarmer’sMarket

November12,2015 RibbonCutting:SouthernMadeBoutuqe5:00pm

November14,2015 AmericanDiabetesAssiciationWalkCleburneCountyHighSchool

November21.2015 BigFootBioBashCheahaStatePark

November23,2015 HolidaysonRossDecember3,2015 WelcomeCenter30thAnniversary

ChristmasOpenHouseDecember5,2015 RanburneChristmasBazarandParadeDecember11-12,2015 HeflinChristmasMarketplaceDecember12,2015 HeflinandHollisCrossroadsChristmasParade

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KeepChristmasinCleburneConsciousChristmasShopping

AstheChristmasseasonisapproaching,Iamsittingdowntomakealist;Iamalistmaker.Imakelistsofwhotobuyfor,whattogetthem,wheretogetit,anycouponsIhaveetc…Thislistmakinghelpsmesimplify,stayorganizedandminimizemyshoppingstress.AsIwasmakingtheselists,Ihadathought.HowmuchofmyChristmasshoppingcanIgetdonerighthereathome?Believeitornot,IrealizedthatourcommunityoffersnumerousopportunitiestoshopforChristmas.Ialwaysgetmymomsomekindofuniquejewelry.IcandrivefiveminutestoanydowntownretailerandgetabeautifulnecklaceoranyjewelryIcanimagine.IthoughtaboutgettingmysisteraYeticupwithherinitials.TherearetwoplacesinCleburneCountythatcarryYetiproducts,andnumerousbusinessesthatofferpersonalization.

Mypointisthis…thepointofanyshoplocalcampaignistopromoteshoppinglocallyforproductsandservicesthatyouhaveavailabletoyou.ObviouslyIcan’tgeteverythinglocallyformyChristmasshopping,butyoucanbelievethatIwillgetallIcanhereinourcommunity!

BeconsciousinyourChristmasshoppingthisseasonandKeepChristmasinCleburne!

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Whatmakesourcommunitysospecial?Ifyouaskmeitsourpeople.Thepeoplearetheheartandsoulofourcommunity.

WhenIthinkofCleburneCounty,Ithinkofmygrandmother,mymom,thepeopleIseeeverydaywhenIgointotownthatmakemesoproudtoliveandworkhere:thepeoplewhomakemyjobatthechambersoamazingbecauseIgettoworkforandwiththepeoplewhomakemyhometown.IamproudtobefromCleburneCounty,andyoushouldbetoo.

DiscoverCleburneDiscover:

• Tounearth• Tofind,locate,orstumbleupon• Togainsightorknowledgeof

somethingpreviouslyunknown• Tonoticeorrealize

Whenyouusethe#discovercleburneyoushowuswhatyoulove

aboutourhome

Weareallconstantlypostingstatusupdatesandpictures.Sowhynotshowsomeprideinourcounty?Afterall,itisabsolutelybeautiful!Thenexttimeyouandyourfamilyvisitoneofourevents,takeawalkdownyourstreet,seeaphotoop,orevenjusthaveapicnicinyourbackyard,usethe#discovercleburneinyourposttoshowpeoplewhatCleburneCountyisallabout,andwhatawonderfulplaceitis!

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Membership

TotalActiveMembers:200

NewMembersthisQuarter:MoorePrintingCo,TheColonialCottage,ShayeWingo,BeverlyErvin,JonathanEmbry,MarkLeeInsuranceAgency,EmptyStockingGala,MeredithHowle,Asimpa,WrightDrugCo.,RomietteandJulio,SarahMatildas

Waystogetinvolved:

Doyouwanttobemoreinvolved?

Doyouhaveanopiniononsomethingwe’redoing?

Whatareyoupassionateabout?

**Markyourcalendarsforchamberandcommunityeventsorjoinacommittee!

Haveyoupaidyourchamberdues?

Hasitslippedyourmind?Areyoubehind?

OurDelinquentduespolicyinourbylawsstatesthattheboardcanremoveanymemberwhoisover90daysdelinquentinmemberduespayments.

Notsureifyourcurrent?Don’thesitatetoemailabby@cleburnecountychamber.comandask!

Whatcanwedo?

Communication-Arewedoingenoughcommunicating?Whatisyourpreferredmethodofcommunication?Hasyouraddresschanged?

Events-Doyouenjoyourevents?Shouldwedomore?Dothetimesworkwithyourschedule?Whatwouldyouliketoseeusdoing?

LastmonthIsatdownwiththeboardofthechamberandgavethemsomehomework.IhadalistofquestionsIwantedthemtoanswer,andIwantyoutoanswerthemtoo.

o Why did you join the chamber? o Why do you believe in the chamber? o What do you as a chamber member think we can do to better serve you? o What do you think is a reasonable benefit package members should get from the

chamber? o Where do you want the chamber to be next year? In 5 years? o What are the steps that we should take to get there?

Emailmeyouranswersorsendtheminthemail.Ireallywantourmemberstogetthemostoutoftheirmembership.Iwantyoutobeproudtobeachambermember.Iamsoexcitedtoseewherewecanallgetthisorganization,butitwilltakeusall!

Ithinkthereisalwaysroomforgrowthandimprovement,andIamworkingtomakethischamberthebestitcanbe!

Thankyoufortheopportunitytoserveyou!IamtrulygratefulfortheoutpouringofencouragementandsupportIhavereceivedfromeveryonesinceIwashiredinJune.Itrulylovemyjob,mycommunity,mycounty,andmyhome.Thereisnogreaterfeelingthangettingtohelpandpromoteaplaceandpeoplesoclosetomyheart.Ihopeyouallhaveawonderfulandblessedholidayseasonthisyear!

Sincerely,

AbbyMinter

ExecutiveDirector

CleburneCountyChamberofCommerce

Finishingup….