Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
#BestChamber practices:
Crossroads Regional Chamber Legislative Business Issues Policy Booklet
This publication summarizes the public policy positions of Crossroads
Regional Chamber of Commerce for local, regional, state, and federal agencies. The
intent of this guide is to provide a series of goals and objectives for modification
of legislation and policy that will enhance and grow the Northwest Indiana business
climate. The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce is a nonpartisan organization.
It reflects the research and refinement of the Voice of Business committee (comprised
of employees of member companies) and Chamber staff. These issues have been reviewed
and approved by the Chamber’s board of directors and is distributed to its membership,
legislators, media, local chambers and other interested parties. The Chamber’s uses
these policy positions to initiate and evaluate legislation at the Statehouse and
in Congress. If you have any questions, or wish to express your views, please contact
the appropriate Chamber staff or member. Core Position The Crossroads Regional Chamber
of Commerce represents over 650 businesses across Northwest Indiana and seeks a
proportionate reinvestment of State spending through the support of legislation,
strategy, and attendant policies that enhance/bolster/build/grow the unique nature
of the Region. Northwest Indiana continues to be one of the top two most vital and
productive economic centers that contribute to the bottom-‐line of our state. However,
Northwest Indiana experiences a lack of reinvestment from the state that is commensurate
with the investment the Region makes to the state. Certainly, the economic values
to which we all ascribe in the Crossroads of America are based on the core premise
that investment must function as a two-‐way street with the logical result being
that Northwest Indiana should recoup a proportionately fair share of the economic
vitality we bring to the Hoosier state. To achieve this goal, the Chamber has identified
policy positions on key business issues. Read more: Crossroads Regional
Chamber
Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance leaders outline objectives at Covington Business Council Luncheon
The Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance was the topic of discussion at the February Covington Business Council Luncheon at the Madison Event Center.
The Regional Alliance is an organization comprised of regional leaders committed to uniting and mobilizing leadership around initiatives that produce tangible results for Northern Kentucky. Its goals are to identify and implement projects important to Northern Kentucky’s continued growth.
Regional Alliance Chairman Jim Henning and President Karen Finan provided an update to CBC members on recent initiatives and areas of focus.
The Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance was formed last summer. It is an organization of top CEO leaders, presidents of organizations from Northern Kentucky.
Henning oversees Duke Energy’s regulatory government relations, economic development and community affairs initiatives in Ohio and Kentucky.
He said it is just as important to recognize what the Regional Alliance is not, as it is to recognize its goals.
“In the early part of 2017 Skyward/Vision 2015 winded down their efforts and we kind of picked up on the back end of that,” Henning said. “We are a way different organization than what Skyward was, but there was some transition because a lot of the founding members of the Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance were part of an organization within Skyward called the CEO Roundtable Group.”
There are 16 members of the Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance focused on collaboration that will help accelerate the transformation of Northern Kentucky.
“That’s our drive, that’s our mission, that’s what we’re focused on,” Henning said. “How can we leverage and help support all of the organizations that are represented in this room, all of the businesses, all of the different efforts and activities to help transform Northern Kentucky into a better place for all of us to live and work.”
Finan said the ultimate goal is to mobilize and unite different community leaders around initiatives and around projects to help drive results for the region, with the support of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
While at Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, Finan led 45 relocations and expansions at the national level, accounting for more than $250 million in capital investment in the Northern Kentucky region. Read more: Northern Kentucky Tribune
Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to Dale Perrin and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce Hosts 2018 State Of The City Address Featuring Mayor Steve Chirico
The address serves as an inspiring recap of the year’s events. The discussion will highlight the monumental progression of the area’s growth including new and existing businesses. Additionally, the address will turn an eye towards the future, as we will learn about a number of programs and initiatives scheduled for the coming year. The NACC has hosted the State of the City Address for the past 34 years for the Naperville community starting with Mayor Peg Price.
“The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce is proud of the impact that we have not only on the businesses but the community,” said Nicki Anderson, NACC President/CEO. “Working with the City of Naperville and the Naperville Development Partnership assures that great businesses not only want to come here, but they realize the value of staying here.”
The Mayor also uses the program as a time to not only to recognize Naperville’s accomplishments, but also the people who made it possible. The State of the City Address honors city officials and their years of service to the community.
“Each year the State of the City address is an opportunity to share our City’s achievements and upcoming progress with the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s audience,” Mayor Steve Chirico said. “It’s also a chance to recognize the role so many organizations and individuals have in making Naperville the premier location to live and do business in the western suburbs. In this year’s address, we’ll look at how moving forward as a community requires reverence for our history, determination for the future and optimism that partnerships provide the answer for economic growth and prosperity.”
Registration and networking begin at 10:30 a.m. doors open at 11:15 a.m. with the program and lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. To make a reservation, call the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce at 630.355.4141 or register online at www.naperville.net. Due to the popularity of this luncheon, early registration is highly recommended. There will not be walk-in registration available.
Your Future LIVE! will Provide Students with an Interactive Career Exploration and Hiring Event
Expanded event for area middle and high school students; job fair addition will welcome students, parents and community jobseekers
The Fox Cities Chamber is hosting its annual career expo at the new Fox Cities Exhibition Center in downtown Appleton to provide area students with an interactive program to explore careers available in the Fox Cities and beyond. The 12-year event, traditionally delivered in a one-day format, has been expanded to two full days in March allowing middle school students, high school students, parents and the community to participate in various aspects.
On the first day of the event, Wednesday, March 14, 8th grade students from 21 area middle schools will visit career zones encompassing organizations from similarly grouped career clusters based on knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a particular area. Over 70 businesses will engage in interactive conversations about their careers with local 8th graders helping to prepare the students as they transition into high school and continue their career exploration.
New this year, the second day of Your Future LIVE!, Thursday, March 15, will welcome high school sophomore through senior students from 12 area high schools to experience a conference format that focuses on students making meaningful connections with local employers. Students will learn about career opportunities at area employers such as career exploration (job shadows, informational interviews and business hosted events), career path opportunities (internships and youth apprenticeships) and employment (part-time or direct entry full-time). These opportunities will be posted on the Chamber’s Your Future Fox Cities website, allowing students to identify and apply for career opportunities during and after the event.
Throughout the second day, high schoolers will be able to attend several breakout sessions facilitated by employers, including a financial-focused presentation by Verve Credit Union on the first paycheck or a personal brand presentation by West. These dynamic presentations will provide insight for students as they continue to develop their academic and career plans helping to realize their future career paths to success beyond school.
A public job fair will complete the second day of the event where participating businesses will promote direct entry employment opportunities for all job seekers. The community, including parents and students, are welcome to attend from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on March 15 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.
“We continue to focus on building our long-term workforce while educating our students on the opportunities available in the Fox Cities to prepare them for future jobs. Being involved in K-12 curriculum planning, career exploration and connecting students to opportunities will help us prepare students and fill the jobs of the future,” shared Fox Cities Chamber President/CEO Bob Mundt. “Your Future LIVE! is a great opportunity for our students to connect with area businesses to explore career opportunities in our community. This two-day event provides a platform for our businesses to get in front of their future workforce.”
This event is made possible through the generous support of: The Boldt Company, Menasha Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Pieper Electric, Association of General Contractors of Wisconsin, Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, Bergstrom Automotive, J.P. Morgan Chase, Microsoft, NEW Manufacturing Alliance, Verve Credit Union, IBEW Local 577, Fabio Perini, Faith Technologies, Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Pierce Manufacturing, TIDI Products, School Specialty and Fox Valley Technical College.
Your Future LIVE! is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday, March 15 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The community job fair will be open to the public on Thursday, March 15 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. All scheduled events will occur at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center, 355 W. Lawrence Street, Appleton.
MEDIA ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. Employers interested in participating in the job fair on March 15 should register at foxcitieschamber.com or contact Patty Milka or Vaya Kiel. Volunteers are needed for the two-day event. Please visit foxcitieschamber.com or call (920) 734-7101 to learn more. For any questions, please contact Patty Milka pmilka@foxcitieschamber.com or Vaya Kiel vkiel@foxcitieschamber.com.
Proposed chamber merger: Princeton officials voice opposition to merging chambers of commerce
With the deadline for members of both Mercer County chambers of commerce to vote on a merger nearing, Princeton City officials say they are not supportive of the proposal.
Ballots on the merger have been sent to members of the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce and have to be returned by Feb. 23.
Josh Cline, CEO and president of the Bluefield chamber, as well as Robert Farley, head of the Princeton chamber, have both pushed the merger, saying it makes economic sense and one larger chamber gives the county more clout.
After a series of meetings and votes by each chamber’s board of directors, the merger was supported and turned over to all members of both chambers to make the final decision.
An announcement on that vote tally will be made at the end of the month.
But at a meeting last week, Princeton City Council went on record as being opposed to the merger.
“Everything I have heard so far is in generalities related to the positive effects of a merger,” said Mayor David Graham on Friday, adding that the specifics, though, have not been discussed.
“My primary problem is, it is going to create a vacuum with the City of Princeton,” he said. “Will it be of any benefit to the city? We have an active chamber and it supports activities that go on in the City of Princeton and I fear we will lose that support.”
Graham said he is also concerned the city may lose its chamber office and a chamber presence. The Princeton chamber is located in the historic Dr. Robert B. McNutt House, which, Graham said, could close with a merger.
Councilman Dewey Russell said he is also concerned about including Bluefield, Va. in a countywide chamber, asking how many members are from that town and what percentage of the chamber they would make up. The Bluefield chamber also covers Bluefield, Va.
“Laws between Virginia and West Virginia are different, especially in the business arena,” he said. “If we get into a major economic development situation, what clout will we have? What clout can we offer them in Richmond?”
Russell also questioned the possible financial impact the merger would have with two chambers becoming one, reflecting the concern of Princeton Assistant Manager Mike Webb as well.
“Overall, there will be less money for the same purposes,” Webb said, referring to businesses and organizations who belong to both now but would pay for only one membership after the merger. “We have not been told how that is going to work.”
Webb said there are too many questions. “With uncertainties, you don’t know what you are going to get.”
Russell said it’s also unclear how money raised through the Bluefield Coal Show, for example, will be used, whether it will go toward the entire county or just Bluefield.
“I don’t know how deep they have gone with the numbers,” he said. “These questions have not been answered.” Read more: Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Kosciusko Chamber to Start New Task Force
On Monday, March 5th, the Chamber hosted a discussion between leaders from across Kosciusko County about how to improve the fabric of our community, specifically for minority Small Business owners and Entrepreneurs. The keynote address was delivered by Gilberto Perez from Goshen College. He encouraged those in attendance to think about common experiences and celebrate activities that unite our community and to continue doing them.
Following the keynote address, the remainder of the time was dedicated to an open discussion. Grace College shared information about a program they offer in Spanish that helps educate and train Spanish speaking individuals who want to start a business. Currently, 46% of all new business startups are owned by Latinos. Furthermore, according to projections, by 2042, minorities will be more than 50% of the US population. During the open discussion, many leaders shared their concerns about the need for population growth in our community as well as an outreach to those that may feel marginalized or disenfranchised to retain the next generation. The group as a whole believes there is much more to be done.
The Chamber will be taking the next steps to start a Task Force to help identify partners that are willing and able to help any minority group start and operate a business in Kosciusko County. Additionally, Orthoworx has a Diversity and Inclusion Committee that is actively working on taking steps to ensure our community is welcoming to everyone. Those in attendance agreed that, in order for our economy to thrive, we need everyone working together to attract and retain talent. Without a healthy and diverse workforce, we put ourselves at risk from losing industry and business, which would hurt all of us financially.
Contact: Lauren Klusman
Phone: 574-267-6311
lklusman@kchamber.com
Popular breakfast series, Good Morning Livingston, sets to discover ‘The Great Detroit Turn-Around’
Popular breakfast series, Good Morning Livingston, sets to discover ‘The Great Detroit Turn-Around’
It took years, meetings, advocacy groups, business leaders and more to create a cool Detroit. The repercussions are being felt across the state of Michigan and right here in Livingston County. Area Businesses are reaping the benefits while our housing market booms -
so how did it happen and what's next?
The Great Detroit Turn-Around
Guest Speaker, Mark Denson, Senior Director Business Development for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation will clue us all in on what is on the horizon and how this all came to be at the popular breakfast series, Good Morning Livingston, next Tuesday, March 13th.
Tuesday, March 13th | 7:30am - 9am
Crystal Gardens - Livingston: 5768 E. Grand River, Howell
Cost: $20 for pre-registered Howell Chamber members; $25 for members at the door; $30 for non-members and guests (includes full breakfast, coffee, juices, program and chance to win a prize from monthly program sponsor)
March Monthly Program Sponsor: St. Joseph Mercy Livingston
Program emcee will be Kathryn Burkholder, Consumers Energy Community Manager
so how did it happen and what's next?
The Great Detroit Turn-Around
Guest Speaker, Mark Denson, Senior Director Business Development for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation will clue us all in on what is on the horizon and how this all came to be at the popular breakfast series, Good Morning Livingston, next Tuesday, March 13th.
Tuesday, March 13th | 7:30am - 9am
Crystal Gardens - Livingston: 5768 E. Grand River, Howell
Cost: $20 for pre-registered Howell Chamber members; $25 for members at the door; $30 for non-members and guests (includes full breakfast, coffee, juices, program and chance to win a prize from monthly program sponsor)
March Monthly Program Sponsor: St. Joseph Mercy Livingston
Program emcee will be Kathryn Burkholder, Consumers Energy Community Manager
Howell Chamber members can register at www.howell.org. To contact the chamber, call: 517.546.3920 or email: chamber@howell.org.
5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Lynn Kendall, Shiloh Francis and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
#BestChamber practices for membership managers: : Jom Mathis Be The TELEMASTER
Using Your Phone Like a Sales Pro!
Using Your Phone Like a Sales Pro!
“Timid sales people have skinny kids.”
-Zig Ziglar
Analysis Paralysis
When anyone asks me, “How do you grow your business on a daily basis?” I speak from
my own experience and simply say, “I call prospective clients on the telephone. Calling
will make you a Sales Pro!”
I met a gentleman at a meeting last summer who wanted to know how to make a lot of
money in his one-man sales business. I told him to get on the phone and start making calls.
“The more calls, the better your results,” I said. He looked disappointed. (FYI: I make an
average of 30 - 40 calls per day for business).
I told him that I was driving by a construction site in the desert Southwest that summer. I
saw contractors putting roofing tiles on homes in 110 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures! It
should make him thankful that the hardest part of his job would be making phone calls. I
hoped that would encourage him to make contacts to grow his business.
We saw each other again seven months later and I asked, “How are the calls going?”
“Well, I haven’t been calling. I’m just not ready to get on the phone and make those calls.
I’m waiting for the right time.” Another lady told me the following year would be her “year
of marketing.”
People who wait on the “right time” will never see it.
They have what I call, “Analysis Paralysis.” It’s the “Ready, Aim, Aim, Aim...” syndrome.
The woman woke up, started calling people; She is doing quite well today.
With a multitude of emails bombarding people every hour, “snail” and SPAM mail, I have
found it easier to speak with people directly on the phone. I can trace almost every client
I have to a phone call I made at some point… even the referrals.
Someone said, “You’re a “telemarketer.” No. The name carries a negative connotation. I
believe in MASTERING telephone marketing and sales. I’m a TELEMASTER.
I’m not persistent; I’m DILIGENT!
Do you know that you can do this, too? Do you know that you can move from being a telemarketer
to telemaster, too? Do you know that there are subtle differences you can apply
today and watch your sales and career sky-rocket in a matter of a few months? The
difference is in moving telemarketing to mastering the use of your telephone!
Telemaster Techniques
• Telemarketers ask, “How are you doing?” or
Have you got a minute?” TELEMASTERS ask for assistance or help. The first
thing to say when someone answers the phone is, “Would you help me, please?”
This will almost always get the “gatekeeper” (the person hired to keep
telemarketers from reaching the decision-makers) on your side. In my experience
of being on the receiving end of telephone sales calls, many sales people start out
by asking how I am doing, or if I have a minute. What a waste of time!
Most people in business are too busy to tell a total stranger how they are doing. They
don’t have time to discuss their time (or the weather), either.
Everyone wants to help someone.
I witnessed a terrible automobile accident the other day and many people stopped
during rush hour to help the victims. No matter what our priorities are, we like to set
them aside to help other people.
• Telemarketers ask, “Would you do me a favor?” TELEMASTERS work with you.
The second thing to say is, “What do we need to do to get in touch with
____________?” Notice the word, “we.” I have found that it is hard, almost
impossible, to argue with someone who is on your side.
You need to get the people you are speaking with to work with you, not for you. The
gatekeeper is now working with you (who they are now helping) and they are usually
eager to connect you with the decision maker. I use the same approach when speaking
with the decision-maker. “What would you say we need to do to make sure the past
mistakes aren’t repeated?”
It is hard to hang up on someone who is on your side.
• Telemarketers talk about themselves and the features of what they are selling.
TELEMASTERS ask about YOU and what you VALUE most. Ask anyone what
most people like to talk about and they will tell you – themselves! We all love to
tell our story. Engage your prospective clients in telling about themselves.
Do this by asking great questions. Ask questions that don’t require a “Yes” or ‘No”
answer. Ask personal business questions that get the person to tell their story. Ask,
“What product have you been using?” “What are the results of your latest training
event?” “What is your competition doing to take your business away?” “What are your
customers like?”
Get the client to tell you what they value before they ask you what you are selling. Then
you can tell them whether or not you can meet their need. How can they refuse you if
you have exactly what they just told you they want or need?
• Telemarketers persuade. TELEMASTERS become your partner. We all like to feel
in control and buy things that we like. No one got up this morning and said, “I hope
someone tries to sell me something today.” But almost everyone got up with the
desire to buy something. We buy for many reasons. Hollywood and the advertising
geniuses who write all of those television commercials and magazine ads have
convinced us that we aren’t smart, attractive or successful unless we buy what they
are selling.
I have noticed that most telemarketers who call me go right into a sales pitch and
don’t let me answer. Nothing could turn me off more! It leaves me feeling powerless
and like I am getting sucked in by a slick script (which is usually being read to me
rather than spoken from the heart).
Telemasters have a script, but you don’t know that they are using it.
• Telemarketers Focus on NUMBERS and get frustrated. TELEMASTERS focus on
PEOPLE and get RESULTS. Telemarketers know that the name of the game is
getting their call numbers up. They use a formula that says that X number of calls
= Y number of potential clients = Z number of actual sales. They are right in their
numbers.
TELEMASTERs focus on people’s needs and they know that the more needs they meet
turn into more business through great referrals. Sure, a great telemaster sets numerical
goals, but he/she knows that the bottom line is making a difference in people’s lives
and that gets results. That can’t just be measured by a simple equation. It will keep you
from getting frustrated more often.
• Telemarketers get burned out and move on to something else. TELEMASTERS
build a fulfilling career. I’ve known many telemarketers in my life, but only a few
telemasters. My friend, Joe Bonura, is one of the best. He said to me years ago that
very few people are willing to put in the time and effort it takes over the long haul
to build a career in telephone sales.
In a study conducted by the National Retail Dry Goods Association, it was revealed that
unsuccessful first attempts lead almost half of all sales people to quit.
• 48% of all sales people make one call and stop
• 25% of all sales people make two calls and stop
• 15% of all sales people make three calls and stop
• 12% of all sales people keep calling and calling and calling
…They make 80% of all sales!
I have been asked by many aspiring sales people what it takes to be a Sales Pro quickly.
“It won’t happen quickly,” I tell them, “but if you put in the effort, you can see results in a
few months.” If you keep it up, you can be very successful in under two years. I know
because it happened to me.
It will happen for you, too.
Change your approach and become a Sales Pro
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided the following paragraph is included in full:
Jim Mathis, IPCS, CSP, MDiv. is The Reinvention PRO™, an International Platform Certified Speaker,
Certified Speaking Professional and best-selling author of Reinvention Made Easy: Change Your
Strategy, Change Your Results. To subscribe to his free professional development newsletter, please
send an email to: subscribe@jimmathis.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject. An electronic
copy will be sent out to you every month. For more information on how Jim and his programs can
benefit your organization or group, please call 888-688-0220, or visit his web site: www.jimmathis.com.
© 2018 Reinvention Nation, LLC.
ACCE newsletter: Merge and Conquer
Merge and conquer
When chambers of commerce merge, oftentimes the new organization takes an altered path forward, resulting in greater achievements and progress. In this recorded webinar, hear how three organizations – Michigan West Coast Chamber, Kalispell Chamber and Greater Topeka Partnership – seized the opportunity to grow and what lessons were learned along the way.
When chambers of commerce merge, oftentimes the new organization takes an altered path forward, resulting in greater achievements and progress. In this recorded webinar, hear how three organizations – Michigan West Coast Chamber, Kalispell Chamber and Greater Topeka Partnership – seized the opportunity to grow and what lessons were learned along the way.
Jeff Welch of FORUM Credit Union to Serve as OneZone 2018 Board Chair
Jeff Welch, FORUM Credit Union Chief Financial Officer, has been named Chair of OneZone’s 2018 Board of Directors.
2018 Executive Committee are:
Jeff Welch, FORUM Credit Union - Chair
Jeff Welch, FORUM Credit Union - Chair
Courtney Lloyd, Star Financial Bank - Chair-elect
Michael Drewry, Drewry Simmons Vornehm LLP - Secretary
Katie Smardo, The National Bank of Indianapolis - Treasurer
Matt Frey, Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream - At Large
Michael Drewry, Drewry Simmons Vornehm LLP - Secretary
Katie Smardo, The National Bank of Indianapolis - Treasurer
Matt Frey, Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream - At Large
Lee Wenninger, Express Employment Professionals - At Large
Incoming 2018 board members:
Gary Fammartino, St. Vincent Fishers and Carmel Hospitals
Kathy Krusie, Community Health Network
John Wick, NextGear Capital
Returning 2018 board members:
Brad Fuson, Krieg DeVault, LLP
Michael Garvey, Lauth Group, Inc.
Brandon Gorin, MP Indy, LLC – Marco’s Pizza
Michael Harlowe, IU Health Saxony Hospital
Michael Kile, AlphaGraphics Carmel
Don Kratz, Kratz Law Office, LLC
John Myrland, Old National Bank
Mike Rechin, First Merchants Bank
Lauren Taylor, Holder Mattress Company
Ronda Weybright, RealAmerica Companies
Contact: Lisa Wirthwein - 317.436.4653 - lisa@onezonecommerce.com
MSA is seeking public's donations — Local Chamber, Foundation back fundraising effort
The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and the MSA Foundation have joined forces to collect money and supplies for the Mississippi School of the Arts.
MSA is a public residential high school for gifted and talented 11th- and 12th-graders, and it hosts students from 49 Mississippi counties.
Fifteen years ago, the state Legislature appropriated funds to create MSA, but, since then, the institution has suffered a series of debilitating budget cuts.
The school operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and houses most of its students in dormitories. Yet, despite maintaining a large campus and sizeable student body, it operates on a relatively meager budget.
In order to keep its finances in order, MSA has been forced to reduce the size of its staff and rework the allocation of its household supplies.
“Right now, we have zero dollars in the budget for theatre and dance,” MSA Executive Director Suzanne Hirsch said.
The countywide fundraising project, called “The Chamber Gives Back Initiative!” strives to combat state budget cuts and boost the school’s overall financial outlook. As part of the initiative, the Chamber of Commerce is eliciting in-kind supply donations as well as financial contributions.
Some of the supplies most badly needed at MSA are:
• Copy paper — 8 ½ x 11 white
• Paper towels — regular household rolls and brown folded
• Liquid soap — gallons or individual pumps
• Trash bags — large black bags and smaller clear bags
• All purpose bleach cleaner
• Non-abrasive gel cleaner
The Chamber is working in conjunction with the MSA Foundation and the MSA Beta Club, which is currently sponsoring a “Stuff-the-Bus” drive. Physical supplies can be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce office on South Whitworth Avenue or dropped off at a school bus parked in front of the Student Life Center on the MSA campus until Friday.
Businesses are also encouraged to give, and both the Chamber and the MSA Foundation can provide donors with a tax-deduction acknowledgement for any in-kind or monetary gifts to the school.
“Our hope is that Brookhaven can continue to be home to this beautiful campus for many years to come,” Chamber Program Director Katie Nations said in a released statement.
Hirsch said every supply donation helps free up money for student opportunities and allows MSA to continue meeting its rigorous academic standards.
For more information on how to donate to MSA year round, contact Hirsch at 601-823-1300 or send her an email at shirsch@mdek12.org.
“We’re very thankful to the Chamber and the community at large,” she said.
Read more: Daily Leader
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
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