On any given day, there are certain things you can count on here at the Chamber. You can count on people calling our office looking for referrals – everything from a place to vacation with their dog to finding the right tax accountant. You can count on visitors coming in looking for information on what to do in the area, and you can even bet that at some point someone will be asking for directions to the Cape Meares Lighthouse.
These are somewhat traditional roles that chambers have played for years. We have the information, access and tools you might need and are happy to share those with you.
At our Chamber, there’s always a million other little things going on as well. The things that happen a little bit below the surface and aren’t always directly associated with the Chamber. For two days last week, myself and two of our staff members attended a two-day conference for the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce. We got to hear from other Chamber leaders across the state on issues such as member retention, statewide legislation that may impact local businesses, cyber security and creative ways to help tell our story – which is also your story.
During our stay, we were also finding time in between breakout sessions to help plan several ribbon cutting ceremonies happening this week, finalizing plans for November’s Mornings on Mainstreet, redesigning the cover for the 2019 Tide Books and keeping several other projects moving forward. (Projects like redesigning the Chamber website, planning the 2019 Community Awards Banquet, following up with people about our Portugal trip next Spring, creating Facebook events to keep people engaged with what’s happening in town, and more.)
At the Chamber, this is just another day on the job. As a staff of five, we all have areas of expertise and different skill sets, as well as different things we’re passionate about. All of our work – community engagement, advocacy, and connecting members to resources and potential customers just to name a few – helps meet our mission of building a strong community where businesses can thrive. We do this work because we love it, and we want to make a difference.
When you’re traveling across Oregon, I encourage you to stop in at the local Chamber office. See the ways they’re involved in their communities, and how they’re impacting change. We all face different and unique problems, but when we come together we can learn so much from each other. I know that Sierra, Sayde and I are all excited to take the information we learned from last week’s conference and find ways to implement it in our own community to help our mission.
Speaking of which, don’t forget that this Friday at 12 p.m. is the ribbon cutting ceremony for the brand new Habitat for Humanity ReStore location across from the Creamery. Then, at 4 p.m., we will be taking our giant scissors over to Sunflower Flats to welcome new owners Paige Robertson and Maddie McRae. They’ll be giving out free sunflowers, and customers can even enjoy a free drink courtesy of Pacific Restaurant. While you’re out, also pop into Madeline’s Vintage Marketplace on the corner of Pacific and Third. They had a brief hiatus from their space, but are back and can’t wait to show off the newly-remodeled storefront to their customers. Join us just after 4 on Thursday to welcome them home.