Join Us Tonight for Business After Hours at The Range! | The Chatham Area Chamber is hosting a Business After Hours event on Thursday, March 6th, from 5-7 p.m. at The Range Bourbon & Brew, 316 N. Main St. in Chatham. No registration is required. | March Chamber Luncheon Next Thursday ~ Register by the 10th | |
March's luncheon topic is, Protecting Kids in the Digital World.
The presenter is Christine Feller, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Program Manager, Office of the Illinois Attorney General. The presenter will discuss behaviors and perspectives of youth as they engage with technology, specifically social media and online games. Risks posed to youth will be discussed, along with recommendations and resources for protecting them. Special attention will be given to topics of sexting and sextortion.
Dr. Sam Oertel, Living Well Chiropractic, is the Business Exhibitor.
The Crowne Plaza will serve: Crowne Salad ~ Mixed Greens, Dried Cranberries, Candied Walnuts, Feta Cheese, Italian Vinaigrette; Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini with House Alfredo; Grilled Chicken Bruschetta with Tomato, Basil & Balsamic; Seasoned French Green Beans; Rolls & Butter; Assorted Desserts; and Water/Freshly Brewed Iced Tea.
Lunch is $20 per person
You have the option to pay online when you register at the link below, or pay at the door. Please register by 4 p.m., March 10th.
If you register and your plans change, please notify the Chamber office as soon as possible by emailing Director@chatham-il-chamber.com since we must pay for every confirmed reservation. Please note that you will be billed for the cost of food if you do not cancel your reservation by the indicated RSVP deadline.
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March 6
Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at The Range Bourbon & Brew, 319 N. Main St., Chatham
March 11
Ribbon Cutting for Villas of Holly Brook Chatham, 4 p.m., 825 E. Walnut St. in Chatham
March 12
Chamber Board meeting, 7:30 a.m., Chatham Area Public Library
March 13
March Luncheon, 11:30 to 1 p.m. Crowne Plaza, Springfield
March 18
Candidates Forum, 6-8 p.m. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce St., Chatham
March 26
Ribbon Cutting for DC Chatham Softwash, 4 p.m. 230 Goldenrod Dr., Chatham
March 27
Chamber Community Blood Drive, 3-6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Square in Chatham
April 7
Health & Financial Wellness Fair, 12-3 p.m. Glenwood Intermediate School, 465 Chatham Rd. in Chatham
| Want to see more events? Click here! | | |
Chatham Area Chamber to Host a Candidates Forum for Those Running for Ball-Chatham School Board | |
The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce will host an in-person Candidates Forum for the upcoming contested elections for Ball-Chatham School Board members on March 18th from 6-8 p.m. at the Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce St. in Chatham. The event will also be Facebook live-streamed and recorded. Those interested in watching the forum via Facebook Live should use this link: https://business.facebook.com/events/526465886715633.
Candidates in uncontested races for the Village of Chatham, Ball and Chatham Townships, and the Chatham Area Public Library Board of Trustees will also be invited to give brief introductions of themselves.
Got Questions for the Ball-Chatham School Board Candidates?
Submit your questions by filling out the Google form linked below. You may also email them to director@chatham-il-chamber.com.
Questions submitted by the public will be reviewed and selected by a moderator, and each candidate will be allowed two minutes to respond.
For more information, please reach out to the Chamber office.
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Chatham Chamber & Impact Life Partner to Bring a Blood Drive to the Chatham Area on March 27 | |
Donating blood is a simple yet impactful way to save lives.
Every donation can help multiple patients in need, including those undergoing surgeries, battling cancer or facing emergencies.
Your donation could make all the difference in someone's life!
Chatham Community Blood Drive
Sponsored by the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, March 27th, 3 - 6 p.m.
Donor Bus - Chatham Veterans Memorial Square
Donors receive a choice of a $20 gift card for whole blood, or a
$25 gift card for double red donations. You may also choose points to be used in the store, or a donation to a favorite charity!
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Attention Chamber Members! If you are a health care or financial planning/services provider, this event is for you!
The Ball-Chatham School District will be hosting its staff Health and
Wellness Fair on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 12-3 p.m. at Glenwood Intermediate School, 465 Chatham Rd., Chatham.
The focus of the health fair is to provide staff members the opportunity to connect with local medical, socio-emotional, and financial resources - all of which will help promote personal health.
You will have the opportunity to interact with up to 500 staff members in a fair-style come-as-you-go event.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the BCSD Staff Health and Wellness Fair, please complete the Google Form linked below by March 24, 2025.
A member of their staff will be in contact with you soon with more information.
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Chatham Chamber Scholarship Applications are Open! | |
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Each year, the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce awards scholarships to three local graduating seniors. The students receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied to the college or university of their choice.
Applications are judged on a combination of academic achievement, volunteer work experience and future goals. To qualify, high school seniors must:
- Reside in Sangamon County
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Be either employed by a Chatham Area Chamber member, or their parent/guardian must be employed by a Chatham Area Chamber member. Not sure if the employer is a member of the Chatham Area Chamber? Just ask the business, or go online to the Chamber's website to check our member roster.
The Chamber Scholarship Program aims to promote business within the community. All applications must be submitted by Friday, March 28, 2025.
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March 2025 Member of the Month
Pole Barn Chic Events
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Pictured L to R: Jim Blizzard, Marcie Williams, Nathan Stotts, Nick Kondelis, Will Ryan, Joe Ryan, Jose Flores, Audrey Kondelis, Angie Wall, Brady Wycoff, Zach Thornton, Courtney Bouvet, Will Formea, and Dalton Minder | |
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Congratulations to Pole Barn Chic Events, LLC, for being chosen the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Month for March!
Pole Barn Chic was specifically created for people who want (or need) to throw an over the top party but don't have the time, knowledge, patience, team, or space to do so. They guarantee that any party that they throw for their clients will be remembered fondly and talked about for years to come.
Audrey and Nick Kondelis are the owners of Pole Barn Chic Events, LLC. “My husband is ‘big city,’ and I am ‘small town country,’” says Audrey. “When our worlds collided, we fell in love. The brand Pole Barn Chic was born out of our love and the way we throw fun, wild, carefree parties. My idea of celebration is throwing a big city party inside a big ole country barn. You can expect eclectic style at its finest with Pole Barn Chic!”
As an event designer and owner, Audrey says that her job is to take their clients’ themes and deliver more than they ever knew existed. “I pay extremely close attention to detail and leave absolutely nothing to the imagination,” she says. "By providing a full-service staff the day of the event, there will be no worries. We will handle all problems, all ‘mini-emergencies,' last-minute decisions, and most importantly we will make sure the guest of honor isn't bothered with anything!”
Pole Barn’s accredited staff will do everything they can to deliver the event of their clients’ dreams.
Pole Barn Chic is open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They can be reached at 217-685-7389, or polebarnchicevents@gmail.com.
The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to name Pole Barn Chic as its Member of the Month for March.
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25th Annual Murder Mystery Play | Get tickets online for 25th Annual Murder Mystery Play here. Presented by the Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library. | | | |
Upcoming Member & Community Events | |
Chatham American Legion Fish Fry | |
BCEF's 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities are now available! | |
Senior Services of Central Illinois is Looking for Volunteers | |
St. John's Lutheran Preschool Open for Registration | |
Enrollment Open for St. Joseph's Preschool Program | |
Birth to Five Region 51 News | |
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Dear Community Partners,
We are excited to invite you to be a vendor at our upcoming Community Health Initiative event on Saturday, March 22, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Saint Paul AME Church, located at 1130 S 16th Street, Springfield, IL 62703.
This event aims to bring together community resources, health screenings for health and mental health, fun activities for children, and more. As a vendor, you will have the opportunity to showcase your services to our families and children and engage with the community.
Event Highlights:
- Health Screenings
- Resources and Information
- Food
- Activities for Children
- Free Showings of “Inside Out” by Disney-Pixar
- Giveaways
As a valued vendor, you’ll have the chance to:
- Share your services with a wide audience.
- Engage with community members interested in health, education, and well-being.
- Network with other organizations and leaders in the Springfield area.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor, please fill out this registration form. If you have questions, contact Ashley Earles at
aearles@birthtofiveil.com or call (309) 393-2545 for further details.
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Is your business or organization looking to hire? | |
Send your employment notices to us, and we will include them in our Network News!
Email your notices in PDF form or a link to your website, and we will post them for up to four weeks, for FREE! This is just another great benefit of Chamber Membership.
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Share Your News & Events with Us
We're happy to include our members' news and events in our weekly Network News, at no cost! Simply email us at the link below and include any graphics you would like included.
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Quick Link to Member to Member Benefits | Check out the Member to Member discounts available to all Chamber members below! | | | | | | |
