I am often asked what the chamber does for its members and what they will get out of their membership. My answer is usually “exactly what you put into it.” Membership in the chamber is an opportunity and so was buying Microsoft at the IPO. The question is will you seize the opportunity or will you let it slip through your fingers and regret it years down the road. They say that success occurs when preparation and opportunity meet. I have never joined an organization and waited around for something to happen. What I have found is when I step out of my comfort zone and get involved things start to happen. Seeds are planted and with water and care things start to grow. In the last three weeks I have seen those seeds growing and the work I have done for other members has started to produce fruit. I have also seen the same in my purchasing decisions. Recently I purchased the following things from members a gym membership, an insurance policy, numerous meals and a lengthy list of items from our local hardware store. All of these goods or services have alternatives but one thing that they had in common were the people behind the businesses. I know these people, I trust these people and if there is anything I can do to support these people I will do it. That is the key, those people took an opportunity to get to know me and the seeds of a relationship were planted. Ask yourself this, what did I do today to make my business successful tomorrow? I would ask each member to take this challenge, volunteer on one committee, attend at least 5 luncheons, go to the President’s Dinner, volunteer at the Fishing Derby, attend 3 after hour events and go out of your way to meet and get to know 20 new chamber members this year and you will see the seeds you plant start to grow!
President's Dinner
The 2009 President’s Dinner is rapidly approaching and the leadership team has put together an amazing event. Friday night October 2nd at the Lake Wilderness Lodge we will be rocking the night away as Dave Calhoun headlines the event with a Jimmy Buffett tribute in keeping with the "Margaritaville" theme. We will have both a live and silent auction as well as a wine toss. This is a not to miss event. Look for your invitation this week in the mail. If you would like to be a sponsor or contribute an auction item please contact Sue or Suzie at the chamber office. I hope to see you there.
48 Days to the Work You Love
In holding with my challenge a couple months ago I have been reading a book a month centered on positive messages and personal and business growth. Last month we read “Who Moved My Cheese” and this month it was “48 Days to The Work You Love” by Dan Miller. This is a fascinating journey in search of what we want to do not what we have to do. Often we find people at the same job for years and when asked if they did it for so long because of the love of the job they reveal that they were miserable but they needed a job and they had to feed the family or pay the bills. They actually hated what they did and typically found their job years ago through a friend or relative. Miller says “Look for what you love first. Then you will have the confidence and enthusiasm to find success in places others overlook.” We typically spend more time planning our two week vacation than we do our future. This book is about retaking your own future and destiny. It is about planning, setting goals, and finding inspiration in what you do and who you are. William Barclay said “We will often find compensation if we think more of what life has given us and less about what life has taken away.” Do you love what you do?
This months book “Guerilla Marketing” by Conrad Levinson
Next months book “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard, Ph.D. & Spencer Johnson M.D.
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own” – Benjamin Disraeli
