CBACC heads into `08 following successful year
By Chad Wilson Editor

As the new year begins, the term of current CBACC Chairman Jeff Smiley comes to an end marking the end of a very successful year for the Chamber.

In an interview last Friday Smiley stated that the Chandler-Brownsboro Area Chamber of Commerce is in great shape after many improvements made during his tenure as Chairman.

Improvements to the CBACC include the hiring of an Administrative Assistant for the Chamber office, bringing a circus to the annual Pow Wow and beginning monthly membership luncheons in both Chandler and Brownsboro.

The CBACC office is located in Chandler next to the City Hall and is open 9am-1pm Monday through Fri- day. The foyer at the office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with business cards from area businesses and other area information.

Bertha Pritchard is the CBACC Administrative Assistant and was hired with the help of the City of Chandler and a Government program called `Experience Works'.

As of Monday the CBACC has 81 members with at least 70 of those members businesses in the Chandler, Edom, Brownsboro and Murchison area.

More improvements made to the Chamber over the last year were an upgrade in computer technology, an increase in finances and an increase in the annual scholarship fund for Brownsboro High School students.

In years past the CBACC awarded one student with a $500 scholarship. Last year the CBACC increased that to (2) - $500 scholarships, now the CBACC hopes to be able to award two students with scholarships in the range of $750.

The increase in scholarship money was in large part due to the increase of businesses in the Chamber as well as a successful annual CBACC golf tournament held every June.

Smiley said that there were at least 10 new businesses that joined the Chamber during 2007 that were not established the year before, a sign that the area is growing.

A meeting will be held tonight at the Chandler Community Center at 5:30pm for all members who are interested in filling six available spots on the Chamber board.

The CBACC board consists of 15 seats, all three year terms and is open by nomination to members of the CBACC.

Once all 15 seats on the board are decided upon tonight, the board will then open the floor for nominations for the four executive positions. Executive positions are Chairman, Co- Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

Smiley stated that the board has until January 24 to confirm the Executive board placement as well as the six new seats on the board. If there is not a Chairman named Smiley said he would gladly retain the position until one is found.

On February 7 the new board members and executive board members will be announced at the annual CBACC banquet.

More details on the annual banquet, including guest speaker Ray Stone, will be announced soon, as final details have yet to be determined.

The Chamber is a positive asset to both the community and the local businesses. The Chamber provides people who are new to the community with information on the area including maps and contact numbers for area businesses.

Members of the CBACC have the opportunity to network with other area businesses at monthly luncheons, and gain valuable exposure in the community during annual event such as the Pow Wow.

Most of CBACC's purchases for events or other needs come from the businesses that are members.

"Chambers thrive on volunteers work and the CBACC is always looking for people who are willing to volunteer their time to help improve the City" Smiley said.

The Chamber also has part-time volunteer roles open for different events for those looking to help out when it is most convenient for them.

An awards ballot is located on page nine for the annual CBACC banquet to be held on February 7.