Chamber of Commerce offers half-price memberships
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Recognizing the current financial difficulties that many seem to be experiencing with inflation and more, the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce is offering a membership discount for the upcoming year.
Following discussion at this month’s Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting, an email was sent out to board members to vote electronically on the matter of a membership discount. All board members voted unanimously in favor of the proposed discount.
As such, in an effort to increase chamber membership and also give renewing members “a small break,” the chamber is offering half-price renewals, as well as new memberships at half price, for the chamber’s 2023 operating year. That runs from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023.
Letters and renewal forms have already been prepared and will be mailed on August 18. Therefore the chamber’s existing 51 members can expect to receive their letters and forms in late August, with the forms reflecting the discounted membership rates.
Those who wish to join or renew their membership online may do so at www.coosachamber.com/join. Others can complete the form mailed to them and send it, along with renewal dues, to the chamber by September 30 using the self-addressed stamped envelope included for their convenience.
For more information about chamber membership, email coosachamber@gmail.com or call Chamber of Commerce President Travis Milhan at 256-537-3004.
Membership rates vary from $37.50 to $100 for businesses, depending on the number of employees. The discounted rates also include $100 for municipalities; $25 for non-profits, civic and community organizations, and individuals; and $17.50 for individuals who are classified as senior citizens aged 60 and above.
Also during this month’s board meeting it was mentioned that Spencer Hardy would be attending the grand opening of the Reach Women’s Business Center in Chilton County as a representative for the Coosa Chamber and that Board members Kathy Fulmer, Joe Chastain and Milhan will be working on the end of year budget.
During the meeting members also discussed and brainstormed suggestions for upcoming events and how to help promote the chamber and increase membership.
Some suggestions and ideas brought up during the meeting included highlighting businesses and individuals each quarter, running an advertisement in the local newspaper for new members, getting on the agenda for Neighborhood Watch meetings, starting back the “Keep it in Coosa” campaign, holding a Chamber Mardi Gras, a fishing expo, a small business showcase/expo, having business seminars during an expo, and offering no fee for setting up a booth for businesses/non-business individuals to showcase their items if they are chamber members.
Other items discussed included the chamber venturing out and holding miniature meet and greet sessions in various locations throughout the county, such as Stewartville, Goodwater and Weogufka.
Board members also briefly discussed the idea of business advertisings and apprenticeship offerings, including how the chamber can be a resource. It was proposed that every three months the chamber could hold a meeting for county and business updates.
No action was taken on those discussed items; however, the board will be creating an action plan during its August meeting.
For more information on the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce, visit its Facebook page or website at www.coosachamber.com.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be held at 5:30 p.m. August 8.