Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Getting Involved In Your Chamber

The Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit volunteer membership organization. As is true with most organizations, the more you put in, the more you get back. Please check the following list of possible ways to get involved in your Chamber and fill in the handy form provided. Take Action - Start Now! We would like your help in making this an even better organization for yourself and the community

COMMITTEES

Promotions/Activities Committee
Plans Membership Meetings, Business Education Day, Educational seminars, etc… Promotes upcoming events. Members should have a background in marketing, event planning or promotion.
Meets 2nd Tues. of month at 11:30 a.m., meets at Chamber Restaurants.

Membership Committee
Assists with the Chamber’s membership retention. Plans Membership Drives, oversees The Ambassadors Club, assists in the development of programs and materials for recruitment members.  Mentors new members, contacts members to invite them to events and see how business is going for them. Members should have a background in sales.
Meets 1st Thurs. of month at 8:00 a.m., Chamber office.

Mark Hedquist
Flyaways Gold Gymnastics
255 7th Avenue
Forest Lake
651-464-8648

Paul Hutchison
Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service
343 North Shore Drive
Forest Lake
651-464-3556

Dawn Stebbing
Arbonne International
Wyoming
651-462-0196

Ambassadors
For more information on the Ambassadors program contact any of the following:

Jonathan Ramirez
Marco Connect
953 Westgate Drive, Suite 101
St. Paul, MN
651-634-6120

Dawn Stebbing
Arbonne International
Wyoming
651-462-0196

Cheryl Hedrick
Mainstreet Bank
1650 S. Lake Street
Forest Lake
651-464-2880

Brian Nosie
Emerging Business Systems
667 SW 6th Street
Forest Lake
651-204-0455

Public Policy Committee
Serves as a link between local government and the business community. Researches issues and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for possible official support. Issues could be local, state or federal. Members should have a background in governmental affairs.
Meetings are as announced, 8:00 a.m., Chamber office.

Finance Committee
Review of financials quarterly and assist staff in making other financial decisions. Members should have a background in accounting or finance.
Meets the 3rd Wed. after end of quarter at 8 a.m., Chamber office.

TASK FORCES

Golf Tournament
Task Force begins meeting in March for August event.

Casino Night
Task Force begins meeting in October for February event.

Home & Business Show Task Force
Task Force begins meeting in October for March event.

Tourism Task Force
Task force studying the possible formation of a Tourism Bureau in Forest Lake Area

ADVERTISING

Chamber Newsletter

• Newsletter Ads - Annual contract $340 - for 12 ads
• Newsletter Inserts - $50 - supply Chamber with 400 copies
• Business of the Month feature story - FREE
• Member-to-Member Discounts - advertised in Newsletter - FREE
• Chamber of Commerce Directory (Included in ECM’s Community Guide)
• Business Card and Brochure racks (In Chamber office)

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

• A.M. Connection - informal gathering of Chamber Members - meets the last Thursday of each month 8:00 am-9:00 am at various business locations
• Business After Hours - informal gathering of Chamber Members - meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month 5:30 pm-6:30 pm at a Chamber Member Restaurant
• Membership Meeting - six times a year - February, March, May, October, November and December
• Membership Orientation - Held bi-monthly on the last Friday of the month. For new or current members to find out all the benefits of membership.
• Annual Meeting - late September or early October. Opportinity for members to receive an overview of the past year and hear the Board’s vision for the upcoming year.
• Golf Tournament - Second Monday in August
• Business Education Day - late August. Welcomes new teachers and introduces them to area businesses.
• Home & Business Show - early March. Showcases a variety of businesses and attracts 1500 visitors.
• Legislative Breakfast - March. Provides an opportunity for members to meet local legislatures.
• Ambassadors Club - Represents the Chamber in the community.
• Committees and Task Forces - an opportunity to work side by side with other Chamber members to accomplish Chamber goals and plan Chamber events.
• Power Progressive Lunch - held January, April and September - power networking at it’s best!

SPONSORSHIPS

• Golf Tournament

– Hole
– Hole and Contest
– Corporate (includes golf
package)
– Hors d’oeuvres
– Raffle donations

• Home & Business Show
• Corporate Casino Night
• Corporate Silent Auction donations
• Annual Meeting
• Legislative Breakfast - Corporate $100 Scheduled for February
• New Member Orientations - Corporate $100 covers whole year. Meet 6 times a year.
• Holiday Luncheon
• Auction donations
• Refreshment Host - Supplies Chamber with refreshments for meetings for a month. $35 or equivalent