Strength of Business is our Priority
In this Issue
Welcome New Members
Upcoming Chamber Events
April 1, 2016
April 15, 2016
Thank you to our  Annual Sponsors







 

Thank you to all our members for your continued support!
Entrepreneur is someone who has a vision to create something and a want to do it. 
 - David Karp, Founder of CEO of Tumblir
Chamber Video
We are excited to share with you our new  Chamber video ! This video, courtesy of Nancy Bowers, Passing Thoughts Productions, features the Chamber's strengths and many of our activities in 2015.  Make sure you take a look! 
In the News

Keep it Local Columbia County 
Campaign

In Touch with Natasha
which_road_business.jpg  
On the path to success, education and learning are the only tools that are certain.  One must continue reading, listening and growing - as an individual and as a business person.  Learning about state laws,  time management, customer service, human resources, marketing and your own industry is essential.

And there are more opportunities for learning.  Connecting with your peers and your community can be a great resource for your learning.  

For questions like,  where do you go to share information or get updates,  sometimes your business owner peers can offer great insights.  
How do you attract more customers? Do you have a great way to share specials?  Have you had success with a particular advertising method?  Maybe you can be a resource for your peers.

What are you doing to engage with your peers?  Step out and make a new connection.  

We as a business community will only be stronger as we build connections, share resources, identify common issues and concerns, and as we grow.  
 
As business people, we are all busy and it's easy to get a bit of tunnel vision going. So this is your reminder -  Look up.  Look out.  And learn.  Always.  

And don't forget - your Chamber is here as a resource for you!  Connect with us so we can connect you.  It's a win/win!      

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
Chamber Elections 
Chamber Board of Director elections were held recently with two returning Board Members running unopposed.  Kelly Marks, with Portland Community College and Don Patterson with The Chronicle were both re-elected to serve as Directors of the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board.  We would like to thank Michael Ismert and Jasmine Anderson for their service on the Chamber Board. 

Annual Meeting
We were glad to see you at the Celebration of Excellence and Annual Meeting!  In case you were unable to join us, you missed the a great event.  

The 2016 Chamber Award nominations highlighted the outstanding efforts of our members.   The award recipients are truly making a difference.  Please take a moment to congratulate them when you see them.
Community Impact Award
ELKS BPOE #1999
Veterans Bunker Project, led by Alta Lynch
Citizen of the Year Award
Senator Betsy Johnson
Commerce Advocate Award
Scott Burge, Mayor of Scappoose 
Business Person of the Year
Brenda Stoddard, Houlton Bakery
Business of the Year
Grocery Outlet, Bob Barnard  
Rising Star Award
John Chabala, Senior, St Helens High School

Thank you to all our event sponsors and contributors 
Bank of West
Brown Butter Bakery
Danny Sterndahl
Dillard's Moorage
Guild Mortgage - Pat Olsen
Dockside Steak & Pasta
Grocery Outlet
Houlton Bakery Cake and Cafe
Molly Hruska, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate
St Helens Credit Union
Wild Currant

Thank you all who attended the event and thank you to our members for all that you do to make this a great place to live and work.  
Member Recognition
Members in the News
Molly Hruska was named to the Top Ten Brokers in the Berkshire Hathaway, Home Services Northwest Real Estate company .  She was recognized at the Scappoose office's Annual Breakfast on
 February 17th.  She's #9!  Congratulations, Molly!
  
Ticor Title is on the list!  They were named 
one of the 2016 Oregon Business Top 
100 Best Companies to work for.  
 
Reti remen t Congratulations
Thank you to Cynthia Dailey Hewkins who hosted a local Job Hunt Support Group for several years in Columbia County.  When she retired from her career at Portland Community College, she started volunteering her time to help those who were job hunting.  Cynthia is no longer offering this free service
 and group once a month.  She is "officially" retiring. Happy retirement Cynthia!

Special Thanks from us to you
Micheal Ismert for your dedication on the Board of Directors and for your leadership. We are  pleased that Michael will be remain our own Ambassador of Awesomeness as part of the new Ambassador Team.  From all of us, thank you!

Thank you to Jasmine Anderson, On-Line Marketing, for your service to the Board of Directors. 

Special thanks to Tina Kammerzalt, freelance website designer, for revamping our Chamber website.  She invested more than 45 hours in our new look. We continue to make "live" updates,  so thank you for your patience as we continue to improve.  

And thank you Brady Preheim and Prehiem Computers for the assistance with updates and backups on our older system.  We appreciate your help keeping us up and running. 
 
Join us in  congratulating and thanking our stellar Chamber members!
 
Has your organization or colleague been recognized for outstanding service? Let Natasha know! 
Member News
Our Cities 
Both the City of St. Helens  and the City of Scappoose are hosting If I were Mayor Contests. This contest is a great way to engage children in the strength of our community. 

Jobs! 

Spring Classes
It's almost spring term and there is still time to register.  Personal interest, professional development and degree  tracking ...  Portland Community College is offering  credit and community education classes in our community!   Take a look  an d take a class.  

Member Services

Sommers Financial Management, your local investment advisor, offers full-service payroll, which includes direct-deposit paychecks or laser-style printed checks ready to sign. They handle all federal and state reporting, including the Quarterly Federal 941, Oregon Quarterly, and Annual Federal 940, W-2s, and W3. This also includes providing your worker's compensation insurance provider the annual audit report data. 

In addition, they provide bookkeeping services for individuals and businesses.  The service includes reporting, bill paying, budget tracking, bank reconciliations and more.  Please check out our website www.sommersfinancial.com to find out more!

Tea Time Open Now on Fridays !  If you haven't visited yet, it's a must-do experience in Columbia County.

Do you have something to share? 
Email 
How you climb the mountain is more important than reaching the top. 
- Yvon Chouinard, founder Patagonia
South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
mgr@sccchamber.org| http://sccchamber.org/
2194 Columbia Blvd
St Helens, OR 97051
503-397-0685