Strength of Business is our Priority
In This Issue
Upcoming Chamber Events
February 5, 2016
Koffee Klatch- hosted by  Columbia County Christian School
February 16, 2016
Scappoose Business Network 
February 19, 2016
Koffee Klatch-hosted by  Cardinal Services 
March 4, 2016
Koffee Klatch - hosted by  Bank of the West
March 15, 2016
March 18, 2016
Koffee Klatch - hosted by  Warren Grange
Thank you to our  Annual Sponsors











New Members
D & L Adams, LLC
Deer Island Manor 
JR Enviro Services
4th Quarter Renewing Members
20 Years
Ticor Title

19 Years 
Ace Hardware
Eisenschmidt Pool  
St Helens School District
Scappoose Community Club

15 Years
D R Garrison, CPA PC  
Senator Betsy Johnson
Transwestern Aviation
OSU Extension Office 

13 years
Sommers Financial Management
Therapeutic & Associates, Inc.

12 Years
ME Moore Construction

10 Years
ABC for Life Training 
First United Methodist Church

7 Years 
Ernhardt Physical Therapy 
Columbia River Auto Glass
 
6 Years
Dockside Steak & Pasta  
Saint Helens Federal Credit Union 

5 Years
Mark's Custom Exteriors 
Michael Ismert Agency, Farmers Insurance Agency 
Scappoose Creek Inn
St. Frederic Catholic Church
Les Schwab Center #265

4 Years
Brown Butter Bakery

3 Years 
Burgerville
Columbia County Habitat for Humanity 
Columbia Pacific Food Bank
Digital Graphiti
Janine Norris, Legal Shield 
Napa Sunset Auto Parts
Portland General Electric
Therapeutic Associates, Inc.
Scappoose Business & Tax, Inc.
Scappoose School District
 
2 Years
America's Best Value Inn/Village Inn 
Cardinal Services
Mind Over Matter Solutions, LLC
Rich Bailey Construction
SHEDCO (St Helens Economic Development Corporation) 

1 Year
Camp Emerald Forest
Mental Happiness
Mind Over Matter Solutions, LLC
Passing Thoughts Productions, LLC 
Public Health Foundation of Columbia County
West Oregon Wood Products 
Thank you to all our members for your continued support!
A goal without a plan is just a wish. 
- Unknown
In Touch with Natasha
success_target.jpg
What's next in 2016?
 
My corporate training has taught me that to achieve goals, we must have a purpose, create a plan and implement a procedure.  Of all the things learned in my corporate experience, this lesson I use daily.  It helps me in all aspects of my work and especially helps me create  win/win relationships with our members, partners and community leaders.  

For any business, each new year means setting goals, creating plans and implementing. 
Your Chamber is no different.  We have a strong foundation, due in large part to great collaboration with our business community.  Our volunteer staff is growing, our programs are expanding and our paid staff is increasing (see New Chamber Staff  below). 

We have taken a bold step into 2016 and are  moving forward with plans for more ways to better serve you, our membership. Your  chamber is evolving to be more current, more interactive and more responsive to our members needs.

Based on feedback I've received from our membership, I will be bringing three goals to the Board  at their annual work session in February. 
  • Forming a strong Advocacy Committee for local business owners
  • Implementing an Ambassador Committee
  • Supporting the new Friends of the Chamber team's first project - raising funds for our matching grant to paint our home, the Historic Train Depot

As you can see, there is plenty of room for YOU to get involved.  And these are just a few areas - if you don't see something that speaks to you, call me.  I will be glad to discuss possibilities. 

 

Goals are set.  Plans are being set.  And then we implement. Are you with us?  

 
Together we are making a difference.
 
Make it a great day!
Natasha
 
Executive Director  
South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
503-397-0685
Chamber Biz
Join us for our
Celebration of Excellence
2016
Kannikar Peterson       Business Person 
of the Year
Akaan Architect Design

The 2016 Celebration of Excellence Banquet & Annual Meeting is right around the corner - it is February 25 to be exact .   Click here  to   purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Chamber Awards
It's time to submit your nominations for the Celebration of Excellence Awards 2016!  Six honorees will  be recognized including the  Rising Star Award for Youth and the coveted Business of the Year.  
There are three easy ways to submit your nomination.  
Download the Nomination Form , complete the information, and 
  • Email it to Natasha, or
  • Print it and pop it in the 'real' mail.   2194 Columbia Blvd. St. Helens 97051
  • Drop it off at the Chamber office!  (In case we aren't here when you stop by,. we have a mail slot on the door marked 'Private Entrance.")
Just like that, you can nominate your choice of business, community and youth.
Brooke Van Vleet, SHFCU, at the Celebration of Excellence & Annual Meeting
 
Holly Haebe accepting the Community Impact Award for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
  










       
2015 Celebration of Excellence
                     
Out & About
People we have seen...
...Things we have been doing

Kari Hollander, ED, Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District

Koffee Klatch hosted by the Columbia County Commissioners 


Koffee Klatch hosted by SHEDCO






New Chamber Project
The Columbia County Cultural Coalition  (CCCC) has  generously  awarded the Chamber a $2,000 matching grant to paint the Chamber building. Our home in the Historic Train Depot is in need of a little sprucing up!  Several local businesses have already offered to donate time and products, but we still need more support. 

Our new Chamber team, the Friends of the Chamber, is tackling this as their first project.  If you are interested in joining this group or working on this project, please contact Natasha . We are seeking funds, labor and a project lead.  This project will be completed by the end of summer.   

Our building is one of the few Historic Commercial Buildings in South County.  It is serves as the gateway to the  Main Street Corridor in St. Helens and hosts the Columbia County Visitors Center.  Let's work together and make our Chamber  shine!
Gretchen Williams
Photo courtesy of The Chronicle
The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce our newest employee, Gretchen Williams.

Gretchen has been hired as the new Visitors Center representative for South County and will be housed here at the Chamber office.  She will be providing concierge service to visitors to  Columbia County focused on local attractions, transportation, dining, shopping, lodging, recreation as well as other features that make our region so amazing.

The funding for this position is a collaborative effort provided by the Cities of Scappoose and St Helens.  With Gretchen's arrival, the Chamber is pleased to offer dedicated and more comprehensive support for tourism and guests to our region. 

Please stop by and help welcome Gretchen as she settles into her new role. Gretchen will be in Thursday-Saturday 9am -5pm.
Member News
Help us welcome  recent member staff additions
Randy Phelps - Comfort Consultant, Western Heating and Cooling
Rebecca Carey-Smith - Government Affairs, Portland General Electric
Nancy Hillis - American Cancer Society
Steve Pegram - Emergency Manager,  Columbia County
Bonnie Underwood - Job Connection Employment Specialist, GoodWill Industries
Tanner Preciado -  General Manager,  Scappoose Bay Paddling Center

Jobs!     

Do you work in the wedding industry?  
Consider becoming a vendor at the upcoming  Columbia County Bridal Expo sponsored by member, Dianna's Formal Affair. Saturday February 28, 2016, 10am-4pm at Columbia River Receptions and Events.  $135.00 for a 6' x 6' booth.  This is a great way to expose your business to local brides.  Click here for more information 

Many of our members offer personalized services 
Brown Butter Bakery  is available for your custom bakery needs. Contact Darcy for more information.    
A+  Engraving offers a variety of  personalized products and services including gifts, awards and promotional items.  In addition, they also do wood engraving.

Thank you for considering using our members!   
Do you have something to share? 
Email 
Always treat your employees exactly like you want them to treat your best customers.  
~ Stephen Covey
South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
mgr@sccchamber.org| http://sccchamber.org/
2194 Columbia Blvd
St Helens, OR 97051
503-397-0685