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November Renewals
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Georgia Mountain Ophthalmology
Southern SunPower
Appalachian Country Magazine
Southern Directory Publishing
First Mountain Medical, LLC
Optimist Club of Jasper
Nivek Services, Inc.
W & P Enterprises, Inc.
d/b/a Quiznos
Piedmont OBGYN
Roland Tire
Affordable Home Inspections
Pickens County Progress
Southern Paint
& Body Works
Processing Solutions
Garner Ace Hardware
Pickens High School
Hampton Inn - Canton
Polycor Georgia Marble
Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Inc.
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Chamber Staff |
Executive President
Denise M. Duncan
Administrative Assistant
Madena Stallard
Information Specialist
Karla Haege
Drugs Don't Work
Vicky Miller
Community Economic Development Director
Gerry Nechvatal
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Board of Directors |
Gary Reece
Past Chairman
Jack Short
Chairmain
Trouts Beverage Mike King
Chair Elect
Bent Tree Community
Dave Garner
Chair Elect Elect
ETC3
Regina Camp
Secretary
Individual Member
Ron Barnes
Prudential Georgia Realty David Jacobs
Don Martin
Torrey Mountain Properties
Ernie McArthur
Pickens County
Sheriff's Office
Ken Pint Allstate Insurance Company
Phyllis Pool
Chattahoochee Tech, Appalachian Campus
Jimmy Swain
The UPS Store
Susan Wright
Community Bank of Pickens County |
Save the Dates
December 3
Night of Lights
January 21
Winter Ball
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Chattahoochee Technical College Education Center
Noon
2nd & 4th Thursday
Dunns Restaurant 7pm
1st & 3rd Thursday
Optimist Club
Last Catch 7am
1st Monday
Jasper City Council - 6 PM
1st Thursday Town of Talking Rock
4th Thursday
Commissioner - 4pm
1st Thursday Georgia Mountain Hospice Grief Support Group
1st Tuesday of Odd Months Georgia Mountain Hospice Volunteer Orientation - 9am 2nd Tuesday Jasper Merchants Association Meeting - 6:30pm 2nd Thursday
Board of Education - 7pm
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County Maps available at the Chamber of Commerce
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Chamber News December 2011
A monthly publication of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce
SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Did You Know?
That 98% of our members feel their investment
in the Chamber is reasonable.
That you can post Job Openings and Hot Deals
on our website.
That 91% of our members feel the Chamber
demonstrates a personal interest in their business.
That the average chamber membership across
the state is $240.00 annually.
The average chamber membership for our chamber is $170 annually that is just $14.60 per month.
That 97% of our members feel that we provide adequate networking opportunities for business contacts.
There was 24 Ribbon Cuttings this year.
That 97% of our members feel the Chamber helps
plan the county's present and future growth.
We had 81 new members in 2011.
That 95% of our members feel we attract
more tourist and events to the area.
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2011-2012
Youth Leadership Pickens Program
The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce has kicked off the 2011-2012 Youth Leadership Pickens Program. Participants Lexxaus Stanley and Carly Culverhouse spoke at the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce Membership Breakfast on Tuesday, November 8th. The mission is to expose the youth of Pickens County to leadership experiences by creating an environment where they can make a positive impact on issues that affect teens. The youth will be participating in eight (8) sessions where they will hear topics such as Teambuilding/Understanding Leadership, Etiquette, Area History and numerous others.
This year's program has 20 participants and need the community's financial support to make this years program a success. Last year's contributions ranged from $10.00 - $3000.00, so any level of support is appreciated. If each Chamber Member contributed at least $10 this would fund our program. A special thank you to: Pickens County Progress, Sheri Crowe and Janice Sly for the donation to the YLP following the membership breakfast!!
Donations can be mailed to the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, 500 Stegall Drive, Jasper GA 30143. For more information contact Denise M. Duncan, Executive President 706/692-5600, denise@pickenschamber.com or visit www.pickenschamber.com.
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CALLING ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS!
The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce will have a float in the Christmas parade THIS SATURDAY, December 3rd. We would love for all of our members to walk with us and wear their business shirt. Our float is all about YOU so we need your help! If you are not already booked for Saturday night, we will be meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Please email denise@pickenschamber.com to let me know you will be participating so that I can provide you with further detail.
Changes in 2012 With Business After Hours And After Hours Mixers
More details are to come but please be aware that in 2012 we will be having Business After Hours on the 2nd Thursday of each month which means there will be only ONE Business After Hours per month so reserve a spot now for YOUR business to host a BAH in 2012!!! We hope to make BAH's bigger and better this years!!! Business After Hours are held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the host business (Chamber Community Room is also available).
Also, we will be hosting one After Hours Mixer this year, allowing 12 businesses to reserve a table. Make your reservations early! This years After Hours Mixer will be held on Tuesday, May 1st 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Chamber Community Room.
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Board Retreat
The newly elected board members of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, along with the returning members for 2012, attended a two day retreat November 11th and 12th.
The two day event at Brasstown Valley Resort included goal setting for 2012. Among the goals for the coming year for the chamber are promoting the value of chamber membership to the public as well as the members, meeting membership challenges in difficult economic times, reinstituting the Leadership Pickens program, and paying down the mortgage of the Chamber building.
The event was facilitated by Dr. Sanford Chandler and attended by Commissioner Robert Jones and Economic Development Director Gerry Nechvatal. Chamber Executive President Denise Duncan, Chair Jack Short, and Chair Elect Mike King offer a special thanks to those who attended and our special guests mentioned above.
Another important part of the Retreat was to review and set Committees for 2012. Below is a list of the Committees. Please review the committees and be prepared to get involved!
Executive Committee
Mike King - Chair
Dave Garner - Chair Elect
Jack Short - Past Chair
Richard Rollins - Treasurer
Lorrie Shaw - Secretary
Ernie McArthur - Chair Elect-Elect (Ex-Officio Member)
Membership Annual Membership Drive
Annual Retention Plan
Leadership Development Leadership Pickens Program
Youth Leadership Program
Ambassadors
Business Development Economic Development Council
Small Business Seminars
Small Business of the Month/Year
E-Friendly
Shop Pickens First
Marketing Development
Chamber Breakfast/Speakers
Programs/Events Picnic in the Park
Golf Tournament(s)
Truck Raffle
Winter Ball
Marble Festival
Government Relations . | |
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Certified Chamber of Commerce
GACCE Announces First Class of
Georgia Certified Chambers
It's an exciting time to be in the chamber industry and to be a chamber in Georgia. The quality of leadership, programs and services that define the over 150 chambers statewide continues to increase. Many chambers have risen to the challenge during these tough economic times to provide unparralled leadership and direction, helping their members and communities thrive. This type of performance is a reflection of the solid organizational infrastructure built through much hard work and diligence.
Earlier this year, the GACCE Board of Directors sought a way to recognize chambers in the state that have focused internally on their operations to assess their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to create efficient, effective organizations positioned to deliver great value. Thus the Georgia Certified Chamber program was created.
The program is modeled after the U.S. Chamber's accreditation program. The purpose of the program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across the State of Georgia. Chambers must meet standards in organization, service intent and capacity, professional administration, financial management, communications, and advocacy in order to achieve the Georgia Certified Chamber designation.
With over 150 chambers in the State of Georgia, the 25 chambers that were recognized during the 2011 GACCE Leadership Conference as Georgia Certified Chambers received a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by accredited chambers.
The following chambers make up the first class of Georgia Certified Chambers:
1. Albany Area Chamber
2. Berrien County Chamber
3. Blairsville-Union County Chamber
4. Blakely-Early County Chamber
5. Camden County Chamber
6. Carroll County Chamber
7. Catoosa County Chamber
8. Cherokee County Chamber
9. Columbia County Chamber
10. Conyers-Rockdale Chamber
11. Darien-McIntosh County Chamber
12. Douglas County Chamber
13. Dublin-Laurens County Chamber
14. Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber
15. Gilmer County Chamber
16. Lee County Chamber
17. Newnan-Coweta Chamber
18. Paulding Chamber
19. Pickens County Chamber
20. Robins Regional Chamber
21. Tifton-Tift County Chamber
22. Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber
23. Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber
24. Walton County Chamber
25. Wilkinson County Chamber
GACCE congratulates these chambers for their accomplishment!
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November Breakfast
Sponsor - L-R:
Mitchell Pack, Dave Garner, Alan Davenport,
Nathan Collier, Lisa Waddell, Chad Reece
Speaker - L-R: Speaker of the House David Ralston,
Executive President Denise Duncan,
State Representative Rick Jasperse
Pickens County Chamber of Commerce held its' monthly Membership Breakfast on Tuesday, November 8th at Chattahoochee Technical College. Catering was provided by the Carriage House Coffee Shop. Special thanks to the sponsor, ETC Communications, LLC. The November Business of the Month was awarded to the Non-Profit Organization Pickens Animal Rescue. This month's speaker was Speaker of the House David Ralston. The next Membership Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, December 13th. Reservations are required for breakfast. For more information or to make a reservation please contact the Chamber at 706/692-5600.
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November Non-Profit of the Month
L-R - Susan Kent - Volunteer -Collects Donation House money around town, Susan Catton - Fur Ball Event Coordinator, Anne Roberts - Board member - PAWs on Main Administrator, Beth Coberly - Volunteer & PAR Supporter, Julia Jorns
Pickens County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the November Small Business of the Month is awarded to our third Non-Profit, Pickens Animal Rescue. Magistrate Judge Allen Wigington was awarded a framed certificate at the November Membership Breakfast by Julia Jorns, CPA, LLC and sponsor of the Business of the Month program. This organization has helped our furry friends for 14 years. Their mission is to find good, loving homes for the abandoned and abused animals in our community; and to reduce the problem of pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs. They operate a multi prong effort to achieve their mission. The Rescue Ranch is where animals are housed while awaiting adoption. 3 part time employees work to care for the animals at the ranch. This operation is supported by many volunteers who also furnish foster pet homes.
The PARS Thrift Store run by volunteers, sells used goods donated by the community to help support the ranch.
Paws on Main, a full service veterinary and boarding facility opened in Fall 2009. Included in these services is the low cost spay/neuter program. This prong of the PARS mission is self-supporting. In the past 10 years, PARS has adopted 6546 animals in new homes. That averages 623 per year or almost 2 per day. That makes for a lot of happy pets and happy people who love their pets. Over 8000 Spay/Neuter surgeries have been financed in the last 10 years. Imagine how may unwanted animals the community has not had to deal with as a result.
Please join the Chamber in congratulating November Non-Profit of the Month, Pickens Animal Rescue.
Nominations for future Small Business, Large Business or Non-Profit Organization awards are now being accepted. You can find a nomination form online at www.pickenschamber.com under the Economic Development / E-Friendly page or you can pick one up at the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce.
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Ribbon Cuttings
Julee's Restaurant
December 13 ~ 4:30pm
Located at 106 Bill Wigington Parkway
across from Kroger in Jasper.
Parish Lowrie State Farm
Ribbon Cutting
The Chamber would like to
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Business Spotlight
RENASANT BANK 
Founded in 1904, Renasant Bank is one of the South's oldest financial institutions. With over 80 locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia we are well positioned to deliver all the products of a mega-bank but still have the personal touch of a community bank. With multiple services such as traditional banking, mortgage lending, financial services, trust services, SBA lending and much more, Renasant's number one goal is to understand clients needs and then do everything it can to meet those needs.
At our Jasper and Marble Hill offices you will find employees that are dedicated to meeting the financial needs of our customers through understanding. Building relationships, helping individuals, families and businesses reach their financial dreams and supporting the community is our calling. In turbulent times Renasant remains strong by holding to this calling in this community and all the communities we serve.
Stop by our Jasper or Marble Hill office, open a free checking account with only $50.00 and receive a free gift today.
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November New Members
Richard C Rollins
770-601-6676 247 Winchester Ridge N Jasper, GA. 30143 RETIREE Women to Women Safe Haven Inc.
Min. Ohemma Y Brown 678-349-4684 Alt: 678-880-8163 Mailing: P.O. Box 4144 Canton, GA. 30114 CIVIC/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
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Citizen of the Year
Nomination Deadline Approaching
The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 Citizen of the Year. The Citizen of the Year will once again announced during the Annual Winter Ball which will be held January 21, 2012 allowing for the Citizen to wear the crown throughout an entire calendar year while making multiple appearances in the community.
The selection process will be under the umbrella of an outside chamber of commerce. The Chamber feels this allows for an unbiased look into the lives of those nominated. This also means that more emphasis will be placed on the nominator's recommendations of their candidate.
Past Pickens County Citizens of the Year include Stan Barnett, Doug Brooks, Maxine Moore, Regina Camp, Don Russell, Hugh Tatum, Dr. Guerrant Perrow, MD., Rev. Charles Walker, Martha Edge Pool, and Mark Whitfield.
To nominate a citizen, please stop by the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce or download form. Nominations will be accepted until December 16. If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce at 706-692-5600.
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December Membership Breakfast
At Chattahoochee Technical College
December 13
7:00am Breakfast
7:30am Program
Cost is $5.00
Presentation:
Celebrating 2011
Sponsor:
United Community Bank, Inc.
Caterer:
Madeline's Cafe & Bakery
by December 7, 2011
We encourage you to bring a door prize to spotlight your business. Your business name will be recognized. Don't forget to bring an unwrapped Toy for Fill A Stocking!
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Chamber Committee Meetings:
Ambassadors
1st Tuesday of Each Month
Board Room - 10:00am
PWPC
1st Thursday of Each Month
Community Room ~ Noon
If you see a committee you are interested in being a part of, email denise@pickenschamber.com and she will put you in contact with the Committee Chair
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