Dear Chamber Board and Members,
I am honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to help lead our chamber for the next 12 months. I won't impress you with $15 words, nor will I wow you with my flashy attire. I will probably say and do the wrong things. I will be a staunch supporter of our Chamber and our members. I will listen intently to your concerns and complaints, if you have any, but will ask you to be involved in the solution process as well. I will advocate on behalf of every member, affiliate, committee and our Chamber. I will ask you to serve, but I will be very aware that your time is limited, invaluable and precious.
WE will have fun, and we will make a difference. I promise.
Our Abilene Chamber enjoys a long and rich history which has unfolded over the past 111 years. My own experience as a member includes forming countless business relationships and friendships for many years. Our Chamber grows and strengthens through these bonds of friendships and the development of business, social and community relationships.
But our Chamber does so much more than just promoting and protecting the interests of the business community. In the next few months I urge you to get involved, read the Chamber’s Weekly Connection. Listen to our story. Engage, Engage and Engage.
Over the next year we will continue with the normal day to day business operations of the Chamber. Why? Because what we do every day is incredible. The 17,000 plus volunteer hours provided by businesses and business employees last year is a testament to the folks within "our" Chamber. That’s right - last year you and your fellow chamber members logged more than 17,000 hours serving OUR Chamber at different events and functions. Y’all are getting’ it done!
Our leadership recognizes that we have not been telling our story. Get ready folks because this next year we're not only going to tell the Chamber’s story, but yours as well. Your Chamber invites you; we welcome you, and we encourage you to be a part of the energy and excitement of what is yet to come. Opportunities will be available for member engagement and education over the next few months. Please engage with us as we journey into the Chamber's new year.
I look forward to communication from each and every member. Contact me, your board members and/or the Incredible Chamber staff with any suggestions or questions you may have on how we can improve in making our Chamber stronger and better.
Folks, this is truly "OUR CHAMBER.” It belongs to each and every one of us. We should be proud of who we are and what we're doing. This next year is a year unlike any we've had in the past few years. And the best thing of all - it's going to be simple. Let's get back to the basics. Let's get back to serving our members.
"The time is always right to do the right thing" - Martin Luther King Jr.