Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Committees Formed For Future

Long and short term committees are being formed to help the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce operate more efficiently and effectively.

Chad Cornelius, chamber president, said a volunteer program is already underway with Flo Brackman, Pearl Payne and Virginia Easterling coming in and helping Chamber Director Mary Godwin by putting items in scrapbooks and making copies among other things.

Another program, which operates through the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, has a high school student coming in as an intern and helping out. This program is only open to seniors and is through a community service class.

This semester's intern is Leslie Grimes, who is allowed to work a maximum of 75 hours. Her work is evaluated and graded.

But, Cornelius said, there is still plenty to be done. Anyone interested in volunteering to help out at the Chamber should call 887-2101.

The idea, he said, is to get these committees up and running, keep up with the hours volunteers put in and recognize them in some way at the annual Chamber banquet. This year's banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6.

Spring, Cornelius said, is the busiest time for the Chamber. This is because plans are being made for the banquet and the annual Easter egg hunt, along with working on the Chicken and Egg Festival.

The overall idea, though, he said, is to have these committees in place and operational, continuously working on long and short term goals so when new presidents are elected to the Chamber board, all will continue operating smoothly.

Currently, the Chamber is working hard to increase its membership. Cornelius said the Chamber exists to promote all activities in the area, and not just business.

He reminds everyone anyone can be a member. Memberships to the Chamber can be for businesses, industries, families or individuals. Memberships for individual are $25, while the family rate is $35 a year.

Members to the Chamber, he said, are important to help the community grow.

Many of the events held are for families, Cornelius pointed out. This includes the Chicken and Egg Festival and Easter Egg Hunt among others.

With the support of the public in becoming members, he added, these events can grow and get better.

Cornelius, and members of the membership committee, have been visiting other Chambers to see how they go about recruiting.

Still, he said, there is no deadline for anyone to join the Chamber. This can be done at any time during the year, with the memberships expiring on the anniversary date of joining.

He praised Godwin's efforts as director, saying there were 62 members when she took over and now there are 107. His own personal goal as president is to see this number increase by 50 percent.

In an effort to help promote the local and area businesses, he said, a business card holder will be made and placed on display at the Chamber. Personal visits will be made to each business in the area.

He said businesses can also mail business card to the Chamber office if they so choose.

Cornelius asks anyone with ideas on how Prescott and Nevada County and the Chamber can be improved to call the Chamber and discuss it.