Seeking Citizen of the Year Nominations
The Waynesville - St. Robert Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing
for its annual Citizen of the Year Award to be presented at
our Community Leadership Award Banquet. This memorable event
will be held on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the St. Robert
Community Center with a social beginning at 5:30 p.m. and
dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.
From now until Friday, January 9, 2009 the Waynesville-St.
Robert Area Chamber of Commerce will be accepting nominations
from Chamber members. A one page letter outlining the candidate's
qualifications and experience will comprise the formal nomination
form, as well as a cover sheet including the following information:
nominee's name, home address, office address, home phone number,
office phone number, sponsor, point of contact, and day phone
number as well as a 150 word summary of the nominee and a
photo.
The Citizen of the Year Award is meant to recognize individuals
not for a particular year of service, but rather to recognize
a person who has performed outstanding and dedicated service
to the community and/or towards helping others over time.
The individual nominated must have provided such service in
the Waynesville-St. Robert area.
To access the nomination form follow
this link.
2009 Chamber Event Calendar
Always stay on top of what is going on at the Chamber with
the 2009 Event Calendar! Click on the graphic to view the Calendar.
Notice Anything New?
Beginning this month we will be spotlighting one of the many
businesses included in our Newcomer Bags! This Newcomer business
of the month will have their flyer/material prominently displayed
during Command Orientation on Ft. Leonard Wood and they will
also have their logo featured on that month's Chamber Newsletter.
Are you taking advantage of this Chamber Membership Benefit?
It's simple to get your name out to the hundreds on people
picking up Newcomer bags. First decide on what you want to
include, we only asks that you keep the items flat so that
they can easily be stored both in and out of the bags! Most
members chose to include a flyer or tri-fold with information
about their business but why not take it one step further
and include a special 'Newcomer' coupon! This way you will
not only be more likely to get people in the door you will
also be able to track the number of customers created from
the Newcomer Bag. We are always excited to hear from
members, like Avon Express or Extreme Car Wash, about the
sales generated by the Newcomer Bags!
After you've decided what you want to put into the bag bring
them to the Chamber office and you're on your way! Once we
receive your materials we will add your name, phone
number and e-mail address to a database and when your supplies
start to run low we'll contact you! This means no more
wondering when and if you need to bring in more, you just
drop them off and wait for a call! If you'd like more information
about this benefit feel free to contact the Chamber office
by calling (573) 336-5121 or e-mailing chamber@wsrchamber.com.
Choices Presentations wrap up for 2008
The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Rotary Club of Pulaski County
has wrapped up another successful year presenting the Choices Program to the eighth grade students of
Pulaski County. The main goal of the CHOICES program is connecting with the students and showing them
there are many things to consider in planning out their futures. From the responses received from students,
teachers, and presenters that goal was met. One Crocker student had this to say, "It was an eye-opener
that high school and college are not that far away." One of the Waynesville teachers said "Eighth
graders are very naïve about their future and the impact their education makes. It [Choices] gives
the student food for thought about their future."
The Chamber would like to take a moment to thank the sponsors who helped to bring Choices to each and every
eighth grade class in Pulaski County.
Choices Sponsors
Armed Forces Bank
Citizen's Mortgage Group
Daily Guide
Embarq
Ozark Technical Community College
Rotary Club of Pulaski County
Security Bank
St. John's Clinic
Fort Leonard Wood Thrift Shop
Click here to see Choices Photos 2008
Have You Submitted Your Coupon?
 The
Chamber is always looking for ways to help our members reach
more customers and increase foot traffic into their businesses.
One project we have aimed at this goal is being implemented
immediately. The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce
web site will now feature a Coupons page where area businesses
will have the opportunity to list their coupon free of charge!
Everyone knows that economic worries have consumers on edge.
They are putting more thought into their purchases and looking
for deals and discounts everywhere they can. One way they
are saving their dollars is by taking advantage of coupons,
in particular, web coupons. By offering the opportunity to
post a printable coupon on the Chamber web site we hope area
customers will turn to our Chamber members for their needs.
These coupons are also an excellent way for Chamber members
to reach out to one another and let them know what specials
and sales they are offering.
If you are interested in having a coupon on the Chamber web
site please contact the Chamber office by calling (573) 336-5121
or e-mail info@wsrchamber.com.
Deadline Extended! Don't Miss Your Chance to Enter!
The Deadline for team submissions has been extended to January 15th and
all late fees have been waived. Don't miss out on your chance
to enter the Cook Off register now!
Sure to melt away the ice and snow, the Waynesville-St.
Robert Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the
Second Annual Polar Meltdown Chili Cook-Off to be held on
January 24th at the St. Robert Community Center from 12 p.m.
to 5 p.m. An event the whole family can enjoy, the Polar Chili
Cook-off let's you come in from the cold and let your spirits
melt into a pot delicious chili served up by one of our hometown
chefs! Admission for this event is $10 an adult, $5 children
12-5 and free to children 4 and under. Tickets may be purchased
in advance through the Chamber office. Limited tickets will
be available at the door.
Chamber members are encouraged to get together, as either
a team or individual competitor, and enter the Cook-off for
the chance to walk away with one of the many titles up for
grabs. We are looking forward to a spirited competition between
the teams with the People's Choice Award. 1st, 2nd and 3rd
place will be given to the top three (3) teams collecting
the largest number of tickets for their booth/team. In addition
the Showmanship Award will be presented to the top three business
and individual teams for over-all presentation of theme, demonstrations,
performances, etc. according to the judges. The Judges' Choice
- Grand Champion Chili Award will be presented to the Judges'
pick as best chili. A special recognition, free booth and
first choice of booth space at the next Annual Polar Meltdown
Chili Cook-off will be given to the Best of Show winner who
will be determined by a combination of the Judge's votes and
the People's Choice votes.
 Teams
will be made of no more than six members while individual
will be made of no more than three members. All competitors
will be expected to follow the rules and regulations set forth
by the Chamber of Commerce and Pulaski County Health Department.
The entry fee for this event is $110 per team, $75 per individual
and the deadline to enter is January 2nd. A late entry fee
of $150 per team and $100 per individual will apply to all
entrants after that date. For an additional $25 teams that
pre-register can take advantage of the Early Bird Selection
and pick their booth's location at the event. Booths are 8'x10',
include two 110 electric power receptacles (average 10 amps
per outlet) and will be decorated by each team.
If cooking isn't your cup of tea there are also event sponsorships
available beginning with the Spicy level that includes an
ad in the event's printed tab, your business or organization's
name listed on event flier and in all press releases, not
to mention a table at event for $500. The Hot level includes
an ad in the event's printed tab, your business or organization's
name listed on event flier and in all press releases for $250.
Finally there is the Mild level which gives your business
or organization an ad in the event's printed tab for $100.
The Polar Meltdown Chili Cook-off is sure to offer some great
food so come out and enjoy an afternoon of fun and excitement
at the second annual Polar Meltdown Chili Cook-off where the
only chill you'll feel is a spicy one!
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, registering
a team or more information contact the Chamber office at (573)
336-5121.
THE DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING
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Happy
New Year!
Happy
New Year! Things are looking up! After one of the roughest
economic years our country has seen in recent history, we
begin a new year with realistic hope. Yes, for most of the
country, it will be a slow recovery. But for us, I think it
will be a good year, maybe even a great year. Most of our
deployed troops will come back, the post is growing, and the
mid-west always rebounds faster than the coasts. My gut instinct
tells me, when late spring or summer gets here, we will be
rocking and rolling. So set your attitude, make your plans
and set your goals, and TAKE NO PRISONERS! SUCCESS TO ALL!
Karen
Hood
