Introduction to the Ambassador Committee
MISSION:
To serve as the official goodwill arm of the Lewiston Chamber, and to promote the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley through various positive public relations programs within our community and the surrounding area.
PURPOSE:
To increase visibility and promote the mission of the Lewiston Chamber.
BENEFITS:
Networking for yourself and your employer
Receiving current information about the business community
Gaining recognition
Participating in events that give back to your community.
An invitation to join us...
MONTHLY MEETINGS – 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 1:10 pm
GOOD MORNING LEWISTON -1st Friday of each month
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS - 3rd Thursday of each month—B.A.H. Too—if there is a 5th Thursday
SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS AS REQUIRED
RIBBON CUTTINGS – As needed throughout the year
RECOGNITION - Ongoing throughout the year
SUPPORT CHAMBER FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
ANNUAL
CALENDAR
January: Annual Luncheon and State of the City Address
June: TGIF Golf Tournament
October: Business Showcase and Taste of the Valley
November: Vern Eide Motorcars/Steelhead Derby
To be a successful Lewiston Chamber Ambassador
Regular attendance: You are expected to notify the committee when you will be absent. Ambassadors are expected to attend at least one meeting a month. Ambassadors with unexcused absences for three consecutive months with be removed from the member list.
Wear name tag: The Lewiston Chamber will provide your first name tag. If you change jobs or lose your name tag, you will be responsible for the cost of the replacement tag.
Wear Ambassador jackets and shirts at appropriate times: The jacket and shirts are the expense of the Ambassador or their respective business.
Recruit new chamber members as well as new Ambassadors
Join at least one sub-committee of the Ambassador Committee: It is not about one person doing all of the work but a lot of people doing a little.
Maintain a professional manor of confidentiality.
Mingle at chamber functions: Seek out new people to introduce to others and offer information and answer questions. Ambassadors are required to participate in two or more events twice a quarter.
Ambassador Committee Officers
CHAIR
The Chair will provide leadership and direction to the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
The Chair will convene two monthly meetings of the Ambassadors.
The Chair will serve a one-year term beginning in January of each calendar year.
The Chair will oversee the working of the Ambassadors and their committees.
The Chair will write a brief article for the newsletter periodically.
The Chair will participate in the annual budget process
VICE CHAIR/CHAIR ELECT
The Assistant Chair will support the Chair of the Ambassadors.
The Assistant Chair will preside over meetings when the Chair is unable to do so.
The Assistant Chair will temporarily assume the position of Chair if the current Chair is no longer able to perform such duties.
The Assistant Chair will perform other duties as assigned by the Chair.
SECRETARY/STAFF LIAISON
The Secretary will record minutes of official meetings of the Ambassadors.
The Secretary will handle all correspondence in a timely manner.
The Secretary will prepare the agenda for the monthly meeting.
The Secretary will keep all official documents of the Ambassadors
The Secretary will communicate regularly with both the Chair and Chair-Elect
The Secretary will perform other duties as assigned by the Chair
BOARD MEMBER LIAISON
This member is appointed by the President of the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce and provides communication between the Chamber Board of Directors and the Ambassadors.
*The Committee will submit recommendations for officers and events to the Board of Directors for approval.
**The Committee will follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
What is a Chamber of Commerce?
A chamber of commerce is a voluntary organization of business and professional people dedicated to the economic well-being of their community.
Why join a Chamber of Commerce?
The chamber provides the opportunity for many to act in a leadership capacity and orchestrate changes in the economic climate of our community. The chamber exists as a catalyst for business networking, a facilitator for learning business strategies or techniques, and acts as a liaison to community and legislative authorities which affect business.
What does a Chamber of Commerce do?
A chamber of commerce is member driven; it does what it’s membership wants it to do. It is an organization of participating members who give their input into making the business climate a more productive and efficient entity. Various chamber programs are to educate the members and potential members about current issues involving education, community development, transportation, health care services, local government and business development retention programs.
To be truly effective, the chamber relies on participation and feedback from members. Becoming involved is one way to deliver feedback to the chamber. Getting involved does not always mean extensive time commitment. It could mean something simple like participating in a survey, attending chamber functions, offering support for new members or paying your dues to keep the chamber viable. Volunteering for chamber committees or projects has advantages that non-members do not share. Your membership in the chamber gives valuable exposure for you and your business.
Standing Sub Committees
10 WAYS TO BENEFIT FROM NETWORKING
SOCIAL/BUSINESS EVENTS
Act like a host, not a guest! Introduce yourself and help others introduce themselves.
Have a goal for the number of people you want to meet.
Have the tools to network with you at all times like a name tag and a business card.
Exchange business cards.
Write notes on the back of business cards you receive.
Don’t try to close a deal right away because this is a social event to develop relationships.
Give leads or referrals whenever possible.
Listen and ask questions
Manage your time efficiently—Don’t spend all your time with one person.
Follow up!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the chamber office.
Active attendance and participation will strengthen the benefits and keep you informed of the direction of the
chamber and changes facing our community.
The Mission of the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce
To SERVE,
PROTECT, and PROMOTE our Members and the Lewis Clark Valley.
Ambassador Spotlight
Jenny George, USKH, Inc.
Jenny was born in Lewiston, Idaho on May 7, 1963 and graduated from Lewiston High School. She married Ed George on October 24, 1981, and they have three children, Chelsi - 28, Nick - 25 and AJ - 24. The Georges now have four grandchildren, Shay - 13, Kade - 11, Corbin - 6, and Soleil - 3 weeks. Jenny says of working on the Lewiston Chamber’s Ambassador Committee, “I have been an Ambassador of the Lewiston Chamber since 2000. I have met so many people being an Ambassador and have made life long friends.” Jenny goes on to say, “I have worked at USKH Inc. as an Administrative Assistant for 17 years. My hobbies are sewing, playing with my grandchildren, hanging out with friends.”*
USKH Inc. is a multi-discipline consulting firm and provides a full spectrum of planning, architectural, engineering, surveying, environmental, and landscape architecture services to public and private clients in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Our office locations include Lewiston, Idaho; Spokane, Walla Walla, and Ferndale, Washington; and Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, and Juneau, Alaska. The firm was founded in 1972. Our local office is located at 313 D Street, Suite 200, Lewiston, Idaho, 208-746-2661.
*Last year Jenny was voted both Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador of the Year by the Chamber membership. She chairs the NAIA World Series Banquet Committee, Business Showcase Committee as well as co-chairs the Ambassador Committee.