By Mary Owen
The Stayton-Sublimity Chamber of Commerce wants you to speak up!
“We want people to let us know how important an event is to them,” said Helen Ramsdell, SSCOC president.
SCCOC’s board of directors is looking at all services and programs the chamber currently offers in an attempt to, as Ramsdell said, “give our members the biggest bang for their buck” in today’s tight economy.
“We want to give them as many programs as possible, but we have to be very fiscally-minded in what we do,” Ramsdell added.
All programs will be scrutinized, including the annual Community Awards, Home for the Holidays, SummerFest and the yearly golf tournament.
“People need to call us and let us know what is important to them,” Ramsdell said. “One of the things that has not been looked into is how much staff time and money are put into each of these programs. We’re looking at all we do, why we do it, and if there is a more cost-effective way to do it.”
Ramsdell encourages interested individuals to join SSCOC committees to get involved.
“If a program is important to the community, then the community needs to get involved in helping us make that difference,” she said.
The chamber plans to put out a survey in January to glean insights into what community members want.
“We’re not going to do business as usual,” Ramsdell cautioned. Citing a lesson learned from a recent Oregon Chamber of Commerce convention, she added, “It’s OK to say no to good things so that you can say yes to great things.”
To help decided what’s good and what’s great, Ramsdell urges residents to attend the Jan. 12 meeting, held at noon at the chamber office, 175 E. High St.
“Individuals can belong to the chamber, too,” she said. “Contact us and get on one of the committees. I personally want to do what members want us to do. It’s important for people to call.”
For information, call SSCOC at 503-769-3464.
