Chamber Corner 9/10/2009

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Business After Hours events are important because they provide Chamber Members and Guests an opportunity to network, socialize, and relax while learning all about the host sponsor for the event.
We are pleased to announce that a very special and unique Business After Hours event will be held at Lily Pad Ranch and Hunt Club in Alford on Thursday afternoon September 24. Owner’s Steve and Connie Smith invite all chamber members, friends, and business/civic leaders to visit the ranch, enjoy an afternoon of refreshments and fun, take a tour of the hunting preserve, and learn more about what Lily Pad Ranch and Hunt Club has to offer. In addition to World Class Hunting for everything from big game to waterfowl, the Ranch offers facilities and services for Corporate Retreats, Weddings and Receptions, or a place to just relax and vacation.
Join us on September 24 from 5:30-7:30pm at Lily Pad Ranch and Hunt Club, 2224 Kent Cemetery Road, Alford, FL 32420. Everyone who attends this business after hours event at Lily Pad Ranch and Hunt Club will be entered into a drawing for free accommodations for three days and two nights at one of 20 different resort properties located across the United States and Mexico.
Don’t miss this unique and interesting Business After Hours on Thursday afternoon Sept. 24th. For more information and directions, call Lily Pad Ranch and Hunt Club at 850-638-4868, or visit their website at www.lilypadranch.us .

RIBBON CUTTING
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies are important because they signal the birth, relocation, or expansion of a business in Jackson County, and we are pleased to announce that the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at 9:00am on Friday September 11th for Jaded Hair Salon located in Grand Ridge.
Owned by Jade Burdeshaw, Jaded Hair Salon is located at 2145 Airport Drive, just off highway 90 in Grand Ridge. An open house follows the ribbon cutting and will continue until 5:00pm. For more information call Jaded Hair Salon at 850-592-8200, or contact the chamber at 850-482-8060.

CHARITIBLE EVENTS
Charitable activities are important to our community because they bring us together for the common good. Three significant charitable events are on tap during September.
First, the United Way kicked off its annual fall campaign with 2009 Campaign Chairman Al Green at the helm. Al’s “lead by example” style has generated lots of enthusiasm and many fresh new ideas for increasing participation in the United Way program of giving. If you are interested in being involved, contact Al Green at the County Road and Bridge department at 482-9629.
Second, planning for the annual March of Dimes “March for Babies” event on Saturday Sept 19th is well under way. Teams are already at work securing commitments and rounding up additional volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or participating in some way, contact either Campaign co-chairman Chuck Hudson at First Capital Bank, 526-7144 or Team Captain Sylvia Henry at 209-3777.
Finally, on Friday September 18th, the Jackson County Fire Rescue Department is holding a BBQ Fundraiser Benefit for retired Fire Chief Robby Brown to assist with the enormous medical expenses associated with his illness. BBQ sandwich plates are being sold for just $5 each. Contact Chuck Sawyer at 573-1327 for tickets or delivery. The BBQ Fund Raiser will take place on Saturday Sept 18 from 10:00am – 1:00pm at the Marianna Fire Rescue Station #1 located at 4425 Clinton St. in downtown Marianna.

August First Friday Features Jackson County School Principals

It’s time once again for our annual focus on education at next week’s First Friday Power Breakfast on Friday, August 7th.

Public Education in Jackson County is the theme of our second annual “Meet the Principals” forum held in conjunction with our First Friday Speakers Series.

Launched for the first time last year, our “Meet the Principals” forum has already become one of the most anticipated programs in our annual series.

This year’s program is titled “Together We Can Meet the Challenge”. A team of three principals including Diane Long, Principal at Cottondale Elementary; Chris Franklin, Principal at Graceville High School; and Linda Hall, Principal at Malone School, will present their perspectives about the important issues faced by our school system this year.

Following their presentations, we will conduct an extended panel discussion and candid Q&A session with the principals from all of Jackson County’s schools: elementary, middle, and high school.

This is a great opportunity for Jackson County business and civic leaders to interact directly with these “field generals” of education… the school executives who day in and day out deal with front line issues, implement programs to increase performance, and manage the work of education.

Mark your calendar for this special interactive program. Remember, its 7:00am – 9:00am on Friday August 7th at the Agricultural Conference Center on Penn Avenue. Don’t miss it!

Russ House Century Plant Blooms

An absolutely amazing event is occurring here at the Russ House. The large Century Plant by the front steps facing Lafayette Street has begun it’s "once in its lifetime" blooming process. The "flower" of this plant starts as an asparagus shaped stalk from the center of the plant, grows 5-6 inches per day, and the stalk will grow up to 35’ high before blooming.
The myth, and thus the name, implies that it only blooms once a century. The truth is that it only blooms once in its lifetime, and the lifetime of the plant is 10-35 years, with an average blooming cycle of 25-28 years. The flower grows so fast, it saps the life out of the plant and will ultimately kill it.
So, make a point to drive by or visit the Russ House and watch this spectacle of nature unfold over the coming weeks. Based on the age and maturity of the mother plant, we anticipate the "flower" reaching a height of between 30 & 35 feet, and being in full bloom by late June. At its peak, it will likely be taller than the Russ House.
The story of this flowering Century plant will be a compelling visual journey that will showcase the Russ House and potentially draw the "eyes of the world" to us.I am calling on all members of the Chamber and all citizens of Jackson County to "join us on this rare journey". Tell your friends, come by and visit for yourself, take pictures, and email them to your contacts all over the world.
This is a unique opportunity to call attention to the beauty of Jackson County and the historic Russ House, and to create interest from people around the globe. What a beautiful and interesting way to celebrate "springtime in Jackson County.
Leadership Jackson County Registration
Our 2009 Leadership Jackson County class begins this week with a full class of 15 excited and eager participants. This impressive group of citizens will explore all major aspects of our community over the next eight months, and will have the opportunity to debate and discuss issues of lasting significance to the citizens of Jackson County.
The first class starts this week with a look at Jackson County History through the eyes of historian and author, Dale Cox. Following his presentation, the class will examine the vision for Jackson County and explore the implications of demographic and population growth projections over the next 30 years.
At the close of their first day of class, the members of the class of 2009 will be joined by graduates of the 2007 and 2008 classes for a relaxing networking get-acquainted reception. Congratulations to these engaged, involved citizens on their commitment to learn more about their community and seek ways to make a difference.
MAY FIRST FRIDAY –
A SPECIAL SPEAKER
Have you ever noticed how time seems to fly when spring arrives? Just where did the past month go? It’s already time to start talking about our next First Friday Power Breakfast on May 1st.
The month of May brings us National Hospital Week, and Jackson Hospital is proud to sponsor a special First Friday showcase program featuring Dr. Sally Karioth, a nationally renowned grief therapist, nurse, teacher, writer, speaker and talk show hostess.
At this First Friday Power Breakfast on May 1st at the Ag Conference Center on Penn Avenue, Dr. Sally Karioth will share her amazing gift for evoking a wide range of emotions from her audience. If one sentence were used to characterize her speeches, it is her slogan… "Enjoy life…this is not a dress rehearsal!"
Since 1970, Karioth has been a member of the faculty of Florida State University School of Nursing, where she teaches one of the university’s most popular courses on death and dying. For more than 20 years, Karioth also has been a counselor, helping people cope with the death of loved ones. Her particular concern is parents who have lost a child to death.
Dr. Karioth recently updated and expanded her 1985 book, If You Want To Know If You’re Dying, Ask the Cleaning Lady (And Other Thoughts On Life and Happiness). The book offers a common sense, sometimes humorous, approach to illness and death, and emphasizes that bereavement is a natural part of life to which we are all entitled.
She carries that message on the lecture trail, over which she travels more than 500,000 miles a year, and repeats it in motivation tapes and videos sold at her speeches. Most in demand among business, education and health care groups, Karioth takes listeners on a rollicking ride of funny anecdotes, somber insights and helpful suggestions.
Karioth is a 1967 graduate of the Wisconsin-Green Bay Bellin School of Nursing and a 1969 graduate of the University of Wisconsin (Madison), of which she was named an outstanding Alumnus in 1992. She went on to earn two master’s degrees and a Ph.D.

FIRST FRIDAY - LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION BREAKFAST

This month the focus of our First Friday program on March 6th is Law Enforcement. Healthy commerce only exists in healthy communities, and healthy communities only exist when citizens and business owners feel safe. A strong and effective system of law enforcement is vital to the economic health of our community.
Join us at our March First Friday Power Breakfast from 7:00am – 8:45am at the Agricultural Conference Center on Pennsylvania Ave. as we show our appreciation to the law enforcement agencies, officials, and officers who day in and day out put their lives on the line for our safety, security, and economic well being.
Key law enforcement leaders, Chief’s of Police, Sheriff’s department executives, and others in the law enforcement community will be our guests of honor at this special Law Enforcement Appreciation breakfast, held in conjunction with our First Friday Power Breakfast Speakers Series.
Our featured speaker for March is Michael Crews, Director of the Professionalism Program at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). As Director, Mike works closely with the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and is responsible for the oversight and direction of the Bureau of Standards, the Bureau of Training, the Bureau of Professional Development, Special Agent and DARE Training, and the Commission on Florida Accreditation.
In June of this year, Mike will also become President of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. In addition, he is a member of the Florida Police Chiefs Association as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Of local interest, Mike is the son of Daun and Christine Crews of Marianna. Mike’s father, Daun Crews, served for 16 years from 1980-1996 as Clerk of Courts for Jackson County.
Mike Crews began his career with FDLE in 1987 as a Standards and Training Specialist in the Professionalism Program. Over the years he progressed through the ranks serving in a variety of progressively more responsible positions. Some of those positions include: Manager of FDLE’s Criminal Justice Information Program’s Help Desk and Sexual Predator Program, Bureau Chief of Standards in the Professionalism Program overseeing Florida’s Officer Discipline and Alcohol Testing Programs, and Director of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute and FDLE Leadership Center.
Prior to joining FDLE, Mike was employed as a certified correctional officer at Apalachee Correctional Institute and a correctional probation officer in Tallahassee. Mike attended Wallace College and graduated from Florida State University. He is a certified instructor through the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and a graduate of the Chief Executive Seminar (Class 22) provided by the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to recognize the men and women who protect our community. Remember, that’s this Friday, March 6th, at the Ag Conference Center Auditorium on Penn Avenue.
Leadership Jackson County Class Registration Underway
In other Chamber news, registration is underway for our 2009 leadership Jackson County class.
This civic leadership program, started just two years ago, is for people who want to really know how our community works and to meet personally with the people who lead the organizations and enterprises that make our community work.
Class size is limited to 12 to 15 people each year who are willing to make a commitment to 8 half day sessions over an 8 month period, plus field trips and other assignments.
Our graduates proudly speak for the value of the program, and the members of our community speak proudly of the contributions that graduates of our Leadership Jackson County program make to our community.
If you want to be informed, involved, and engaged with our community, there is no better way than to register for and participate in this class. This is your opportunity to establish yourself as an influence leader in Jackson County.
If you want to know more about the Leadership Class, call Art or Mary at the Chamber, and request an information packet and application. We will get you everything you need to know to decide if this program is for you. Our First Class is the last Thursday afternoon in April.
Roll-out of ChamberMaster Web Marketing System Continues
We are making rapid progress with the implementation of our new ChamberMaster Web-site marketing tools for members. These new electronic advertising and marketing tools provide many new and better ways to promote your company via the Chamber’s enhanced website.
If you want to "show your business so you can grow your business", then plan to join us for an instructional Webinar on Thursday March 12th from 2:00pm-3:00pm. During this Webinar, you will be given a real-time tour of the capabilities of ChamberMaster marketing tools, and the benefits that will accrue to your business.
Just contact us at the Chamber for more information, or check your email for messages from us announcing the Webinar.
Ribbon Cutting Set for New Hospital Chapel
Also on Thursday, March 12th, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10:30am at Jackson Hospital to unveil the hospital’s new chapel. More details will be coming next week, so stay tuned for this great opportunity to share in the opening of this important new addition to the hospital facility.

The Chamber Corner- 2/5/09

Our First Friday Power Breakfast on February 6th, at the Ag Conference Center Auditorium, features the Official Legislative Delegation Forum with Senator Al Lawson, and Representatives Marti Coley and Brad Drake.
This will be the only official meeting of our Legislative Delegation in Jackson County before the upcoming general session. Plan now to attend so you can learn what happened in the special session, find out what they expect to happen in the upcoming general session, and tell them in your own words what you want to happen when they return to Tallahassee.
Our Legislative Delegation Forum and breakfast this month is made possible through the sponsorship of Evangel Worship Center, LaVon Pettis, Pastor.
This is a special extended length program with breakfast at 7:00am and the forum continuing until 9:00am. Following a short break at 9:00am, those who wish to continue the discussion with our legislators may stick around for more dialogue and discussion with them.
Plan now to attend this once a year opportunity to hear first hand the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing our State.
Chamber Annual Banquet a Big Success
Our Chamber banquet last Friday evening was an extraordinary success.
Keynote speaker, Susan Story, President & CEO of Gulf Power Company, delivered an inspiring and dynamic message about leadership in critical times.
Following her speech, the Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Karen Koonce Edwards for her extraordinary efforts throughout our community as an advocate for children. Join us in congratulating Karen for all she does to make our community a better place to live.
The Wayne Mixson Economic Leadership Award was presented to Mary Helen Blakeslee, our Rural Advocate in Tallahassee with the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Mary Helen is retiring in February after more than 20 years serving rural Florida.
Although Mary Helen lives in Tallahassee rather than Jackson County, her efforts as our advocate in the governor’s office have resulted in millions of dollars in economic development aid that resulted in projects such as the Family Dollar Distribution Center, Old Castle Pre-cast, Arizona Chemical, Green Circle Bio Energy, and the new Ice River Springs Water Bottling plant coming to Jackson County.
Governor Wayne Mixson sent word to us through JCDC Executive Director Bill Stanton that he believes Mary Helen is the single biggest factor in Jackson County securing these huge employers, and that he is honored to honor her with this award.
Thank you Governor Mixson for establishing this award, and thank you Mary Helen Blakeslee for all you have done for the people of Jackson County.
Following the "ceremonial changing of the gavel" from 2008 Chairman Tommy Lassmann, our 2009 Chairman, Jamie Streetman took control of the platform and ushered in the new year with a message of encouragement and a challenge for us to Unite for Success in 2009.

The Chamber Corner 1/15/09

The 81st Annual Chamber Banquet and Gala will be held on Friday evening January 30th beginning with an opening reception at 5:30pm in the recently renovated National Guard Armory on Hwy 90 west of Marianna.
The evening opens with an exciting networking reception from 5:30pm - 6:30pm., featuring live music plus refreshments for every taste. An outstanding fine dining experience awaits you with personalized service at your table beginnings at 6:30pm.
Seating is limited so act NOW to purchase your tickets or secure a sponsorship. Individual tickets are available at the Chamber’s office in the historic Russ House and seating preferences are on a first come, first serve basis.
Following dinner, the main program starts with a keynote address from our guest speaker, Susan Story, President & CEO of Gulf Power Company, and one of the most prominent executives in all of Florida. The program continues with presentations of the Citizen of the Year Award and the Wayne Mixson Economic Leadership Award, and concludes with the "ceremonial changing of the gavel" from 2008 Chairman Tommy Lassmann, to 2009 Chairman, Jamie Streetman. An after-banquet social and more networking will top off the evening’s activities in the Armory.
Our featured speaker, Susan Story, President & CEO, Gulf Power Company, is an extraordinary leader and dynamic communicator. Susan joined Southern Company in 1982 as a nuclear power plant engineer and has served in a number of capacities including:
♦ Executive Vice-President of Southern Company Engineering and Construction Services
♦ Vice-President of Southern Company Supply Chain Management
♦ Vice-President of Real Estate and Corporate Services at Alabama Power Company
Her civic accomplishments rival those of her corporate achievements. She currently serves as Chair of the Florida Council of 100, is the Immediate Past Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Past Vice-Chair of Enterprise Florida, and the Chair of the Enterprise Florida Strategic Council.
Make plans now to attend this exciting evening of networking, dining, learning, and socializing, as we unite together as a business community to address the challenges of the coming year and find new ways to create success for our business community. Tickets are available at the Chamber’s office in the historic Russ House for $48 each. All tickets must be purchased and paid for in advance. For more information, call the Chamber at 850-482-8060.
Citizen of the Year Nominations Due January 23
A highly anticipated part of our annual meeting and banquet is the announcement of the recipient of the Citizen of the year award. The nomination process is underway right now, and the deadline for nominations is Thursday, January 23rd at 5:00pm. If you wish to nominate someone, just write us a letter and tell us why they are a deserving candidate. Contact the chamber for award criteria, or check the article about the Citizen of the Year in the Jackson County Times.
Recent recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award include: Voncille Williams, 2007; Floye Brewton, 2006; Juanita Sanson, 2005; Clara Hudnall, 2004; John Alter, 2003; Royce Reagan, 2002; Mark Henry, 2001; Annie Bradwell and Jim Harkins, 2000; Rex Wimberly, 1999; and Isaiah Morgan, 1998.
All nominations should be submitted in writing and in a sealed envelope to the Chamber office by 5:00pm, Thursday JANUARY 23, 2009. Late entries will not be accepted or considered in the selection process. Nominations may be submitted by mail to the Chamber, or hand delivered. Contact the Chamber at 482-8060 if you have any questions.

1/1/09

January 2009 First Friday to be on Second Friday

Our First Friday Breakfast on Second Friday this January features two dynamic leaders who are actively devoting their time, energy, and resources toward the betterment of Jackson County. Our sponsor this month is REGIONS BANK.
Tommy Lassmann, outgoing 2008 Chairman of the Chamber’s Board, will be reflecting on his term as chairman and how his theme, "Believe in Jackson County", shaped his agenda for the year. In his State of the Chamber remarks, Tommy will share his experiences as Chairman and discuss the Chamber’s most important accomplishments during 2008.
Jamie Streetman, incoming 2009 Chairman of the Board, will be launching his term and announcing his theme for the year. Jamie will introduce the new members and officers of the 2009 board, outline his priorities for the year, and discuss what he believes are the most important ingredients for growth and success during these challenging times. Jamie is a 5th generation native of Jackson County and like our outgoing Chairman....he "Believes in Jackson County." Currently a Real Estate Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker The Hatcher Agency since 2005, Jamie spent 32 years prior in the Automotive Industry. From 1988 until 2004, he served as a Corporate Trainer for "Standard Motor Products", an International Automotive Parts Manufacturer. Jamie is married to Sandra Johnson Streetman from Bascom. They have four children and three wonderful grandchildren.
Start the New Year with a clear picture of the goals and opportunities that lie ahead. Commit yourself to being involved by attending this important breakfast. Celebrate the success of our outgoing Chairman, and get to know our new leadership team.
Attending our First Friday Power Breakfast is the best way to become connected and stay involved with leaders in our community. If you know someone new to Jackson County, bring them as your guest. Mark your calendar and join us for breakfast.