I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Now what

Pop Quiz: If membership has its benefits, then what are your benefits? Last year, as membership and publicity chair, I was surprised to learn how many people did not fully understand the actual function of the Chamber, nor understand their benefits as a member. Hopefully this newsletter will clarify any confusion and help make your chamber membership more valuable to you.
For starters, let's take a look at the officers and board of directors. The board of directors meets on a monthly basis unless there is an upcoming event. Weeks and sometimes months prior to the Christmas Celebration and Irish Celebration we meet more frequently. The board coordinates other events including the 4th of July celebration, Business and Industry Luncheon, HCHS Academic Banquet, Annual Membership Banquet, and many others. The Chamber tries to expand and improve Houston County's tourism efforts, as well as provide educational and growth opportunities for county businesses

New Membership Rates
Many chamber members have expressed questions regarding the new membership rates. Individual memberships have remained unchanged at $25.00. However, business memberships have been divided into 3 categories: Silver ($25 plus $5 per employee fora maximum of $50), Gold ($75.00), and Emerald ($100.00). The Chamber has experienced a great deal of growth with regards to new responsibilities within the community, including the new office. The former rates did not support this growth, therefore we created these new rates. To reward those who choose the higher tiers, we will publicly acknowledge these businesses at all Chamber functions, indicating their level of participation.

and residents. Leadership Houston County and Youth Leadership Houston County fall under the umbrella of the Chamber, and the Chamber will be responsible supervising all 3 Star development activities. The board definitely has their hands full!
There are 2 common misconceptions regarding membership. #1--0nly Board of Directors members can attend Chamber Board meetings. #2-Only Board of Directors members are allowed to work on Chamber projects. Wrong, and wrong! Anyone is invited to attend a Chamber Board of Directors meeting. In fact, I encourage every member to try to attend at least one just to see what is discussed and what we do. Only board members can vote on Chamber business. However, every chamber member can express their opinions and suggestions to members of the board individually or they can come to a meeting and have their views heard there. We are always open to suggestion. Regarding Chamber projects, ANYONE can help. In

fact, we are seriously looking for a committee of volunteers who will be willing to assist with our activities. The Irish Celebration is quickly approaching, and we are going to need as much help as possible to ensure another successful week. Although the Irish Celebration is a lot of work, it is one of the most fun and rewarding things we do. In fact, the board is very excited about our 42nd Irish Celebration and this is a personal invitation to help. If you are interested in v.olunteering with the Irish Celebration or would like to learn more about it, feel free to contact the Chamber Office at 289-5100. You can also contact Dana Miller at (931) 289-5500 or danamiller@peoplestel.net.
The Houston County Chamber has an amazing membership. Numerous businesses and individuals volunteer their time and resources to make Houston County a special place through Chamber of Commerce projects and events. We are very appreciative of these people and businesses, and we will do more to recognize our shining stars throughout this year.

New Office, New Officers, New Board

Thursday, October 23rd, the Chamber elected new officers and new board members. Officers for the 2003-2004 year are Dana Miller, President; Becky Averitt, VicePresident; Judy Stephan, Secretary; and Anne Baggett,
Treasurer. Members of the 2003-2004 Board of Directors are: Paul Bailey, Meredith Baggett, Kristi Basey, Gina Bell, Linda Bratschi, Mary Chappell, Robin Freeman, Kay French, Ray Fussell, Russ James, John Law, Diane Lynch, Dr. Dan

Martin, Bettye McKinnon, Teresa
. Mitchell, Emily Mitchum Lajuana Parchman, Dewain Pryor, Stephanie Roper, Natalie Short, Drew Taylor, Donna Underwood, and Freda Whitaker.
In case you have not noticed, the bright yellow building at 16 Court Square is the new Chamber Office. The one question that most people have been asking is, "Why did we paint the building Big Bird Yellow?"
We wanted the Chamber Office to stand out and be very eye catching not

only to the residents of Houston County, but visitors as well. .
Various business have been gracious enough to donate furniture and equipment, and several local artists have loaned their masterpieces for decor.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The office is staffed with volunteers, and we are always looking for additional help. If you are interested in volunteering your time at the office, call 289-5100, or contact Bettye McKinnon or Becky Averitt.

If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding this newsletter or your membership status, feel free to contact Dana Miller at (931) 289-5500 or email her at danamiller@peoplestel.net.

Business Lighting Contest

Business Lighting contest, Business Outdoor Decorating Contest and Business Indoor Decorating Contest. Due to lack of participation, the Chamber has suspended the residential contest for this year. In each category, winners will receive the following:
1st Place--$100, 2nd Place--$75, and 3rd Place--$50. Judging will take place on Friday, December 12th for the Indoor Business Decorating, and Saturday, December 13th for everything else. All applications will be available at the Chamber office and City Hall.

December 6th, Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday,
Parade will begin at 3:00 pm, with the Tree Lighting Ceremony following immediately after in Betsy Ligon Park. Parade line-up will be at the HC Middle School at Noon. Float judging will be at 1:30 p.m. at the middle school prior to the parade. Parade applications will be available at the HC Area Chamber of Commerce Officeor call Call 289-5l00 for details.
Once the parade is over, everyone will need to venture over to Betsy Ligon Park Christmas Carols and performances by the HCHS Fighting Irish Band. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there, and numerous hams have been donated by area businesses for door prizes.

CHAMBER OPEN HOUSE

The Houston County Area Chamber of Commerce will host an Open House, Sunday, November 2, 2003, at its new office located on the square in downtown Erin. Mark your calendar to see the new space between the hours of l:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Officers and Board of Directors will be present to welcome everyone and discuss upcoming events sponsored by the Chamber. Everyone in the county is encouraged to come see the new office and learn more about the Chamber.

LEADERSHIP HAS NO AGE BARRIER

Leadership has no age barrier and one of the criteria for the 3 star program is a leadership class for youth that mirrors the regular class. Wednesday this years Youth leadership class made up of highschool student's had their lesson in civics as they toured the Courthouse with County Mayor George Clark as their guide. Accompanying the group was the past president of the chamber Christy Basey and Darrell Wright Jobs for Tennessee graduates instructor at Houston County High School. After their tour it was off to lunch and back to school. Later in the day we ran across the first class of leadership school cleaning up the road on Hy 49 next to the new signs . Showing us as a three star community. Chad Smith was there to take photos for the chamber CD which has been two years in the making. Me I just tookMORE PHOTOS

Chamber Banquet 2003

The 2003 annual membership banquet was held Thursday, Oct. 23, at Erin City Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees were greeted by wonderful fall decorations, both on the exterior and the interior of the building. Area organizations had displays in the foyer to boast all that is good in Tennessee Ridge, Erin, and Houston County. Among the displays were Workforce Essentials, Erin Rotary Club, Highland Rim Economic Corporation, Erin Police Department, Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency, Houston County Lions Club, Houston County Health Council, Houston County Public Library and Friends of the Library, and the University of Tennessee’s local Agricultural Extension Service. There was even a display showing how Houston County High School received the 2002 School of the Year Award for excellence in architectural design.
All in all, it was a great night, and Houston County shown like a bright star anyway.

THE STORYAND THE PHOTOS

LEADER SHIP CLASS STUDIES GOVERNMENT

The class met at Erin City hall where Russ James hosted a presentation by area government officials It started with a excellent presentation from County Mayor George Clark and was followed by Linda Bratchi Erin City recorder who was standing in for Mayor Largent who unable to attend and ended with a presentation on where the Metro government committee was at and some of the pluses and minuses of the program By John Law who is chairman of that committee. There was to be a presentation by the Mayor of Tennessee Ridge who declined. The next step was a tour of the Jail facility and a first for me a trip to our water treament plant and then lunch. A busy Morning I must say. After lunch the class went to the old jail and the rock quarry to make decisions on their class project. The cost of transforming the jail into a Museum was more than the class wished to tackle. Its appears we will try to turn the rock quarry into a park and from my opinion long overdue. As usual I took a few MORE PHOTOS

LEADERSHIP NEWS

Hope everyone enjoyed the retreat as much as I did!!
We need to meet before the next class date. Please everyone check your schedules and let me know what dates are a great big NO, and also the date that is best for you.
We need to select a date when everyone can attend.
Think about a lunch date, maybe. We could bring a sack lunch and maybe meet at city hall or we could eat out at one of our great restaurants in town. Let me know what you want and I will set it up.
P.S. Word on the street---You are the best class yet!!! This is from those in the know.
Jeannie Roper

1ST Annual Rhythm and Rubbish--a countywide trash pick-up

Sponsored by Erin Rotary Club

Help the Rotary Club clean-up Houston County in preparation for the Irish
Celebration! You will be amazed how much fun picking up garbage can be!
Guaranteed dirty fun for people of all ages!

Saturday, February 22, 2003
8:30 a.m.-Noon
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Betsy Ligon Park
**In the event of rain or snow, the pick-up will be March 1st**

Traditions First Bank will provide pizza and entertainment.

Let's take pride in our Irish paradise. For more information, contact Dana
Miller at 289-5500 or email her at dana.miller@traditionsfirst.com.


Now, this is where things get crazy and fun. Everyone will meet at 8:30
a.m. at Betsy Ligon Park to gather gloves and trash bags before departing to
the various designated sites. The Meriwether Lewis Lightening will be
performing at Noon. During the pick-up, the band will be transported via
pick-up truck to the various trash sites for an acoustic performance and
quick break. Everyone will return to Betsy Ligon Park to turn in their bags
of garbage, eat pizza and listen to the Merewether Lewis Lightening perform.
Pizza will be served only to those who have participated in the Rhythm and
Rubbish Trash Pick-up!