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Why do I volunteer with the Chamber?

"We realized early on if it is good for the community, it is good for our business. Volunteering gives us the opportunity to do business and give back. It is a true win-win situation."
~Skip Seda, A-1 Postage Meters & Shipping Systems

"I volunteer for the same reason I joined the Chamber. It gives me a chance to keep up with what's going on in the business community, and get to know great people. Some of these people end up being clients, and others help our business grow by referring people or being a resource for products and innovations we can use to make our business better. Of course, a lot of events end up being great fun as well!! A real fringe benefit!"
~ Ann McNeer EA, ATP, Master Tax Solutions

"I volunteer at the Chamber for two reasons: first, gaining name recognition for my company and second, giving back to the community through the Chamber. Volunteering at the Chamber has opened up so many doors for me and my company. My name and my company name are represented at just about every event. The committees I serve on recognize small business and provide name recognition, as well as see what the Chamber can do for them. One other committee, Partners in Education, raises money to give back to local educators. Overall, I don't know why you wouldn't volunteer."
~Mike Mayhew, Automated Business Machines

"Only when all parties of a business endeavor benefit can a business partnership truly succeed. Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a win-win solution for area businesses and our local economy."
~ Randy Kitchens, New Era Assessments

"I volunteer because it keeps me aware of business opportunities for the bank and allows me to support a great organization which has spearheaded much of the progress and growth in the Valley."
~Ene Pate, Newcomer Services, Columbus Bank and Trust Company

"The Columbus Chamber is one of the best means in which to promote your company. People like doing business with people they know. The Chamber is the perfect place because of the many networking events it sponsors every month and because of the programs in place to help business owners with problems they may face from owning their own business. I volunteer with the Chamber because it's a great way to get my company Spherion name out in the community and another way of getting new and repeat business."
~Beverly Robinson, Spherion

"It's a great way to network and provide meaningful service to our community. There's nothing like making friends and making money at the same time!"
~Tony E. Calloway, Primerica Financial Services

"I volunteer because through the contacts I've made and the resources available to small business, I have been able to open a successful small business…Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Center."
~Laurie Wolf, Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Center

"The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a very important piece of tying together local efforts to better the community. As a government employee and counselor for the disabled, I volunteer my time to be a resource both to business and the individuals who may need our services as well as make Columbus a better place to live and work. Specifically, most of my volunteer time is with the Business Against Drugs program."
~Ron Frazier, Georgia Department of Labor

"I enjoy people and appreciate meeting people from all walks of life. My spiritual gift is giving, and when I volunteer, I feel like I am fulfilling my spiritual gift by giving my time. As the Bible speaks of giving our time, talent, and money, I try to give my best by giving all three of these with volunteer efforts. It gives me such a joy to volunteer, because when I give I feel a joy that no one else can receive."
~ Corrine Johnson-Cox, Chamber Ambassador

"I volunteer at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce because it has opened doors for numerous networking opportunities, which have led to several great business relationships."
~Corey Hicks, Enlace (Hispanic Yellow Pages)

"It is my pleasure and an honor to volunteer for the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. How can you not give back to an organization that gives so much to us? Our chamber does a wonderful job assisting small businesses with their day-to-day operations. The expertise of the different departments and committees provides them with a wealth of information enabling them to become successful in our community. Having served on the Drugs Don’t Work Committee for the past ten years, I have been able to participate in numerous rewarding events that have enriched my life. I serve as a director on the Crime Stopper’s Board that is also supported by the chamber. The networking events are not only fun to attend but help you make great business contacts. To sum it up, I volunteer because I am enjoying a wonderful partnership with the chamber. Anyone not volunteering for the chamber is definitely missing out on a lot of great opportunities." 
~Cathy Phillips, Buffalo Rock Company.

PIE Cookbook on sale for only $15

Do you need a special gift for that "hard to buy for" person? The Partners In Education cookbook is now on sale for a special price of $15.00. Yes, only $15 dollars! The cookbook is sold as a fundraiser for the PIE program with $7.50 going to the school of your choice.

The cookbook has more than 800 great recipes, like Sonoma Turkey Risotto, Squash Souffle and Britleigh's Holiday Punch. There are recipes from all food categories, even a "Rainy-day Fun" section for children.

Call Phyllis Lott at (706) 327-1566 or email at plott@columbusgachamber.com for more information.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of our members for their support of the Chamber and, especially, to our Enhanced Investors, some of whom are included below:

Continuous Sponsors   

AFLAC Incorporated; BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia; Columbus Bank and Trust; Columbus Regional Healthcare Systems, Inc.; Georgia Power Company; Sprint; St. Francis Hospital; Synovus Financial Corp.; TSYS; W.C. Bradley Company

Bronze Level (partial list):

A-1 Postage Meters & Shipping Systems; ABC Supply Co., Inc.; A-Com Enterprises, Inc.; Albright, Fortenberry & Ninas, LLP; Alexander Contracting Company, Inc.; AT&T; Automotive Enterprises, Inc.; B & B Beverage Company; Bayer Polymer Company of Georgia, LLC; Berney Office Solutions; Bi-City Body Works; Booth Storage Trailers, Inc.; Brasfield & Gorrie; Buffalo Rock Pepsi-Cola; Butler, Wooten, Fryhofer, Daughtery & Crawford, LLP; Carmike Cinemas; Cessna Aircraft Co.; Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Colonial Bank; Columbus Airport Commission; Columbus Clinic; Columbus Fire & Safety; Columbus Hospice; Columbus Ledger-Enquirer; Columbus Technical College; Command Companies, Inc.; Communicorp; Computer Associates; Corn, Lovick P.; Diamond Cluster International; Dillards; Rob Doll Nissan; Federal Express; Flint Energies; Foley Products Company; Fred's Tire Service; Freeman & Associates, Inc.; G.F.A. Compressors, Inc.; Gold's Gym; Goldens' Foundry and Machine Company

As a not-for-profit organization, the Chamber provides the ideal venue for public-private partnerships to maintain a pro-business and enhanced quality of life in our region. While we appreciate all of our members, many business leaders recognize the value of investing more than their membership fees in the Chamber’s mission to benefit the region. The Chamber’s Enhanced Investor levels include Continuous, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsors. 

Our enhanced investors receive Chamber benefits in accordance with the different levels of investments. We would like to have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the benefits of being an enhanced investor or increasing the sponsor level of your investment. Please contact Mark Blackwell, Account Executive, at 706-327-1566, ext. 16 or mblackwell@columbusgachamber.com.

Two new employees join the staff of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Gary Jones joined the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce as the Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Military Affairs.

Jones brings previous experience from the chamber where he served as senior vice president in the Economic Development Department from 1993-2000 along with a 28-year career in the U.S. Army. In the Army, his last job was as the Garrison Commander (city manager) of Fort Benning before retiring in 1993.

"Gary brings a great deal of experience from the U.S. Army, the defense contracting industry and his prior years with the chamber," said Mike Gaymon, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "The growth of Fort Benning will have a major impact on the Columbus Region over the next decade. It is important that we are prepared for the growth and open the door to additional business growth."

Walter "Lee" Snider, III joined the chamber as Research Analyst in the Economic Development Dept. in April.

Snider brings to the Chamber technical and analytical skills from his 11 years in the U.S. Army along with experience from the area business community. "Lee will focus on the research needs of our organization to support the economic development efforts of our region creating new jobs and capital investment," said Gaymon. "We are looking forward to a positive impact both of these employees will have on our organization and the community."

Use the Chamber

Use your membership in the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce to advertise your business by including the Chamber membership decal or logo in your advertising, on your website or on your printed materials. Many Chamber members are using the logo in their advertising and the membership decal on their websites. This is a great way to use the Chamber to help you grow your business. You can download the membership decal by clicking on the decal below. 

Business After Hours May 4, 5:30-7:00 pm Sponsor: Houlihan's Location: 800 Front Avenue Media host: 101.3 The Beat Cost: $5 members with reservations $7 members without reservations $10 non-members Reservations: Crystal Limbaugh at climbaugh@columbusgachamber.com or 706-327-1566 ext. 11 by Friday, Apr. 28 May 5-Annual Chamber Membership Golf Tournament - Cinco de Mayo Event Sponsor: Hughston Orthopedic Hospital Location: Maple Ridge Golf Club Cost: $500 per team 8 a.m. tee / $550 per team 2 p.m. tee Four-member teams receive two golf carts, lunch/snacks, one Mulligan and a goody bag per player. Sponsorships: Eagle Sponsor-$1400, Driving Range or Putting Green Sponsors-$600, Tee Sponsor-$500 and Golf Cart Sponsor-$100. New event: "The Great American Ball Drop" will be held following the golf tournament. Numbered balls will be dropped-the first ball in the hole (or nearest the hole) wins $1,000! Contact: Becky Gordon at bgordon@columbusgachamber.com or 706-327-1566 ext. 20. May 8-12-Partners In Education Week. Monday, May 8 - Trading Places (principals and CEOs will trade places) Tuesday, May 9 - Community Partners honor their School Partners Wednesday, May 10 - Schools honor their Community Partners Thursday, May 11 - Back to the Future . . . A celebration of the heritage of your partnerships with a focus on the beginning of the relationship and highlights of activities and program throughout the years. Friday, May 12 - Partners at Work (business partners will offer tours of work sites, job-shadowing or presentations about their businesses to students) Tuesday, May 16, 7:00-9:00 pm - Partnership Awards Banquet, Columbus Convention & Trade Center, "Back to the Future" (rescheduled from Thursday, May 11) Contact: Phyllis Lott at plott@columbusgachamber.com or 706-327-1566 ext. 22. 1st Annual Professional Women's Luncheon May 9, 11:00 am -1:00 pm Co-sponsor: University of Georgia Small Business Development Center Location: CSU Cunningham Conference Center, 3100 Gentian Blvd. Cost: $25 Reservations: SBDC at 706-569-2651 or www.sbdc.uga.edu by May 3 Chamber Power Lunch May 11, 12:00-1:30 pm Sponsor: Moon Family Properties Location: CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center Program: "Five Ways to Profitability," by Claude Beaudry, Action International Business Coaching Media host: Kissin 99.3 Cost: $7 members with reservations $9 members without reservations $15 non-members Reservations: Crystal Limbaugh at climbaugh@columbusgachamber.com or 706-327-1566 ext. 11 by Friday, May 5. Drugs Don't Work (DDW) Workshop May 16, 9:00-11:00 am Topic: "DDW Documentation, Discipline & Discharge Issues," by Steve Evans Location: Chamber, 1200 6th Avenue Cost: $25 members $40 non-members Contact: Marie Cordero at mcordero@columbusgachamber.com or 706-327-1566 ext. 28.

For more listings of Chamber Events please check out the 2006 Chamber Events Calendar (PDF).