8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL APRIL 5, 2017
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
Our Mission: Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce promotes economic vitality through
advocacy and collaboration with its members and the larger community.
Travis Palmer,
Executive Director
DIRECTOR’S NOTE:
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Want to know what to look forward to in Cottage
Grove this summer?
In addition to a summer schedule packed with
events, the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce
is working to bring our members more networking
opportunities, more training opportunities and
more information about local, state and federal
issues that aff ect small businesses. Here are just a
few of the events to look forward to this summer in
Cottage Grove:
April 8th – Season Opener at Cottage Grove
Speedway Fast paced, high-octane action on
one of the fastest ¼ mile dirt tracks in the Pacifi c
Northwest!
April 22nd – Earth Day in Coiner Park and a
group clean-up of the Historic District.
April 28th - Art Walk begins in Cottage
Chamber members and their employees can participate on any of the Chamber committees. Below are
our current chamber committees and their purpose.
Budget And Finance Committee - Meets monthly at the Chamber offi ce
Th is committee is responsible for assisting the Treasurer and the Executive Director with the creation
of the annual budget for adoption by the Board. Th e committee will make recommendations regarding
funding and support, as well as fi nancial practices for the benefi t of the Board, Treasurer, and Executive
Director.
Grove’s Historic District
On the last Friday of each month through October, local businesses stay open late and display
the works of local artisans and craft smen. 6-8pm at participating businesses. Look for the yellow fl ags!
May 21st – Th e Oregon Gran Fondo
Th is Italian-style bicycle event is great for families as well as experienced racers. Pick your
course and ride some of the most scenic areas in Cottage Grove and all of Oregon.
May 29th – Memorial Day Celebration hosted by the Cottage Grove chapters of American Legion
and VFW.
June 1st through 4th – Davis Shows Northwest Carnival in Bohemia Park.
June 24th – Cottage Grove Wings & Wheels at the Cottage Grove Airport
Aircraft and autos, modern and vintage on display from 11am to 4pm
June 28th through August 30th – Concerts in the Park at the Bohemia Park Amphitheater
FREE, family friendly outdoor concerts from 6:30-8pm (weather permitting) Bring the family,
unplug, and enjoy great music and fun every Wednesday night.
July 7th & 8th – Th e Cottage Grove Rodeo
July 13th through 16th – Bohemia Mining Days at Coiner and Bohemia Parks.
Music, entertainment, games, food, vendors, a carnival and more. Don’t miss the Grand Miner’s
Parade on Saturday!
July 22nd – Th e Chamber of Commerce Main Street Chili Cook-Off
Paired with KNND’s Rock, Roll, ‘N Rumble Car Show and Cruise, both events will take place in
Historic Downtown Cottage Grove on Main Street. Cool cars and hot chili make this a good time for
the entire family! All Day Saturday. Th e cruise starts at 6pm.
Also on July 22nd – Th e Rolf Prima Tri At Th e Grove
A top rated triathlon featuring Cottage Grove Lake and surrounding areas
July 24th – Th e Eugene Symphony returns to the Bohemia Park Amphitheater for a fantastic and
FREE performance.
August 5th & 6th – Jim Wright Memorial Stearman Fly-In at the Cottage Grove Airport
Vintage Stearman aircraft on display and Biplane rides
August 18th through 20th – Western Oregon Exposition Family Heritage Fair and Timber Show
Craft s, livestock, fruits & vegetables, vendors, games, timber sports and more.
For details on these and other events, go to www.cgchamber.com and check out our community
events calendar. Add your events to the community calendar for free!
APRIL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Cottage Grove Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram will host Business Aft er Hours on Th ursday, April 20 from 5:30
– 7:00pm, 2800 Row River Road. Please join us for a time to network with others, learn something
new, and have some fun! And don’t forget your business card to enter the door prize drawing. Your
attendance reinforces the spirit in which the Chamber provides these monthly activities. Cottage Grove
and Creswell Chamber members are encouraged to attend this classic, fun networking event!
MEMBER NEWS
Th e chamber’s number one goal is to create a strong local economy. All of the programs and benefi ts
supported by your membership investment go toward achieving that goal. Your membership is also a
commitment to the entire community and a pledge of support for the economic growth and vitality of
the Cottage Grove area. Th ank you! We look forward to a successful and profi table year!
Bylaws/Policies & Procedures Committee – Th is committee meets as needed at least once annually
and is responsible for review and recommendation to the Board of updates, as necessary annually, of the
Chamber Bylaws and Policies & Procedures. Th e Committee will also make sure that where correlation
between the two documents is necessary that one will accurately support and refl ect the other.
Chamber Greeters - Meets Monthly
Th e purpose of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Greeters Committee is to aid the
Chamber in welcoming new businesses to the area, assisting the Executive Director to gain new
members to the Chamber as well as to the Greeters, manage ribbon cuttings and Business Aft er Hours
functions, off er support at events, maintain the Greeter’s fl oat and participate in fund raising for the
Greeters Scholarship Program.
Promotions Committee - Meets monthly at various locations
Th e purpose of the promotions committee is to support and promote the Chamber through community
events, fundraisers, and such other activities that support the Chamber’s mission and role within the
community. Some of those events include but are not limited to: Th e Annual Awards & Installation
Banquet, the Main Street Chili Cook-Off and Christmas in Cottage Grove
Membership Committee – Meets monthly at various locations. Th e purpose of the Membership
committee is to maintain and promote the growth of the Chamber membership. Th e membership
committee will seek to create and foster member benefi t programs and member activities in keeping
with the Chamber mission, which includes membership enhancement events, review of the membership
dues structure, membership mentoring and the creation of a membership orientation program.
Training & Education Committee – Meets monthly. Th is committee is responsible for the development,
promotion and implementation of member education opportunities such as forums, orientation, and
other activities as requested for the benefi t of our members.
Government Advocacy/Legislative Aff airs Committee – Meets monthly. Th is committee monitors
local, state and national legislative matters that eff ect our local business community. Issues can be
brought to the committee for investigation and/or they can choose to focus on issues that they believe
our members want more information about. Th e committee can also make recommendations to the
Chamber’s Board of Directors for further discussion and possible political action.
Tourism Committee Meets monthly in the Shepherd Room at the Community Center. Th e purpose
of the Tourism Committee is to develop and market the “Cottage Grove Brand” and support visitor
readiness. Th e tourism committee will assist the director in marketing and advertising of tourism
related events.
TURN COMMUTE TIME INTO ME TIME
Are you commuting from the Cottage Grove area to Eugene? Why not join a vanpool with other
commuters like you? Vanpooling is a cost effi cient, relaxing, and comfortable way to travel to and
from work. Reclaim hundreds of hours each year for reading, napping, or chatting with your fellow
vanpoolers.
Valley VanPool is coordinating a new vanpool route from Cottage Grove to Eugene. Th e cost of the
vanpool includes the lease, maintenance and fuel, and is divided among the riders of the group. Valley
VanPool also provides a monthly subsidy to further reduce the monthly cost of commuting. Th e monthly
rate of a Cottage Grove to Eugene vanpool will be about $70 - $125, depending on the number of riders.
Commuters fi nd that vanpooling allows them to relax, read, work, or even sleep instead of fi ghting
traffi c on the way to work. “Since riding in the vanpool, I have made new acquaintances, been more
productive with my commuting time (can check mail and do work), and arrive at the offi ce rested and
ready to focus on the day’s work,” says Ollie, a Eugene to Salem vanpooler.
For more information please call 541-682-6183 or email vanpool@ltd.org
2017 Chamber Board of Directors, Advisors and Staff
Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
700 E. Gibbs • Cottage Grove, OR • P. (541) 942-2411
info@cgchamber.com • www.cgchamber.com
Chamber Members! Give us a call if you want to learn how to maximize
your presence on our website:
Enhance your home page information with pictures and text
Post hot deals, job openings, and events
Add keywords to help consumers fi nd you when they run searches
Run reports to see statistics for your home page
2017 Chamber Board of Directors:
Thank you for your hours upon hours of volunteer time, commitment, and service!
Offi cers
Candace Solesbee, President
Chloe Beckes, Vice President
Ruth Linoz, Secretary
Gary Manly, Treasurer
Joe Raade, Past President
Directors
Ryan Gifford
Dean Kruschke
Layla Beth Munk
Danny Solesbee
Don Williams
Lloyd Williams
Judd Van Gorder
Shampoo Dolls Salon
Jack Sprats
South Lane Wheels
Cottage Grove Sentinel
South Lane County Fire & Rescue
Gifford & Gifford Attorneys at Law
Cascade Home Center
CG Body Studio
Five Flying Monkeys
Retired, Past Board President
South Lane Television
Carousel House B&B and Catering
Advisors
Tim Herrmann
Diana Knous
Richard Meyers/Mike Fleck
Garrett Bridgens
PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center
Pacifi c Power
City of Cottage Grove
South Lane School District
Visitor Center Volunteers:
Heidi Abbott, Dotti Bittner, Tara Sue
Hughart, Susan Jeppesen, Suzy Kanich,
Marie Longfellow, Judd Van Gorder,
Sharon Van Gorder, Penny Westling,
Nolene Wheeler.
Staff:
Travis Palmer, Executive Director
Beth Martin, Offi ce Manager
Mavis Bradsby, Bookkeeper
Five Year Vision Statement:
Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of
Commerce promotes Cottage Grove as
a prosperous destination community.
Economic vitality is at the heart of
everything we do. As a resource for
businesses, we are the conduit that provides
advocacy, marketing, education, and
networking opportunities to over 300
members.
