10A • COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • NOVEMBER 7, 2018
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.
Director’s Note
Last weekend, our Board of Directors convened for
a strategic planning retreat. Th is annual meeting
gives us the opportunity to review and re-establish
a plan for how Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber
of Commerce will promote our member businesses
and advance commerce in the community. We
looked at our core competencies, which are:
a) Advancing a vibrant and prosperous local
economy,
b) Representing business interests to govern-
ment,
c) Promoting the community,
d) Connecting businesses and people.
We spent a great deal of time discussing the current
status of the Chamber as well as any possible course
corrections that should be made about how we
attempt to achieve our goals. We looked at the
goals set during last year’s retreat and analyzed our
successes and failures. Th ere are four objectives that
the board identifi ed as areas to focus attention and
eff ort:
1. Value proposition to our members
2.
Organizational health and sustainability
3.
Member recruitment and retention
4.
Tourism
As the Executive Director of the Chamber of
Commerce, my job is to use available resources to
further the mission and goals of the organization
to the best of my abilities. I report to, and take
direction from the Chamber’s Board of Directors,
which is comprised of up to 15 people who
represent the local business community.
At the Chamber of Commerce, we need your
feedback, as well as your support. We strongly
encourage all of our member businesses to provide
insight and suggestions about how the Chamber
of Commerce should try to establish a stronger
and more diverse business community. If you
like what we are doing, tell other business owners
and encourage them to join the Chamber of
Commerce and support our eff orts. Th e ongoing
economic development of Cottage Grove depends
on support and engagement from the entire
business community. If you have ideas about how
to improve our organization, please contact the
chamber offi ce or one of our board members and
let us know what we can do to better serve your
business. If you are not a member of the Chamber
of Commerce and you want to talk about how to
shape the future of Cottage Grove’s economy, please
contact the Chamber offi ce or one of our board
members about how to become a member and get
involved. If your business is struggling, it’s time to
take a hard look at your business plan and make
some important decisions about how you want your
business to evolve and how you can help the entire
community to move forward at the same time.
Th is month’s Director’s Note is a call to action. For
our members, we are calling upon you to engage in
the conversation and make sure our board members
know how to best represent your interests in the
community. For those who are not yet members
of the chamber, we challenge you to step up and
make a commitment to support the organization
that is working every day to help you succeed.
Th ose who show up, and those who speak up are
the ones whose voice and ideas will be heard. I
want to thank all of the businesses and individuals
who improve the local economy through their
membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Please
visit www.cgchamber.com to see a complete list of
our members and help us thank them for making
Cottage Grove a better place to live, work, and
conduct business.
Chamber Board Election Results
Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
is a nonprofi t membership organization 501 (c)
(6). Th e role of the Board of Directors is to advise,
govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist
with the leadership and general promotion of the
Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce so as to
support the organization’s mission and needs. All
nonprofi t boards are responsible for setting policy.
However, members of “working boards” such as
ours are responsible for implementing the policy as
well.
Reaching out to our members seeking those who
will serve on the board for a two year term begins in
July each year. A slate of candidates is presented to
the board by the nomination committee. Because
we are a membership organization, our members
have the right to petition additional names of
candidates to serve on the Chamber Board. As
there were no petitions fi led, board nominations are
closed. Th ose who will serve in 2019 are:
Cameron Reiten - KNND
Cassandra Washburn- Oregon Aviation
Historical Society
Chloe Beckes - Jack Sprats
Danny Solesbee - 5 Flying Monkeys
Gary Manly - Cottage Grove Sentinel
Judd Van Gorder - Carousel House B&B
& Catering
Kate Brown - Brunneis, Pacifi c NW
Productions
Ruth Linoz - South Lane Wheels
Ryan Giff ord - Giff ord & Giff ord
Attorneys At Law
Stan Simonsen - Cascade Home Center
A special thanks to you for your commitment to
our community and assisting in our goal to make
Cottage Grove a better place to live and do business!
Chamber Board of Directors Retreat
We’d like to off er special thanks to Enhanced
Members Cottage Grove Sentinel, Lane Electric,
and Pacifi c Power for supporting our annual Board
of Directors Retreat. Th is meeting is of signifi cant
importance to the Chamber because it sets the
course and the tone for how we will off er support
to the local business community. At the retreat our
board members get an in depth look at Chamber
bylaws as well as the annual budget. Th ey look
at the previous years’ successes and failures and
determine each committee’s goals for the upcoming
year. We sincerely appreciate the time and
dedication that each of our board members brings
to the table. Without their eff orts, the Cottage
Grove business community would not be what it is
today. Th anks again to our sponsor, supporters, and
those who volunteer their time and knowledge to
make this all possible.
Support Chamber member businesses and our
local economy - “Shop Local and Shop Chamber
Members fi rst”! - With the arrival of fall, we
are reminded of the season of thanksgiving and
all that we have to be thankful for. Th e Cottage
Grove Chamber of Commerce would like to send
our members a special thank you. Th ank you for
participating in chamber membership, by doing so
you are also participating in the economic growth
and development of the Cottage Grove community.
Aft er all, when you own a local business where are
you generally doing business? Locally, right?
When asked to name our favorite restaurant, café,
or shop, it is typically a unique Cottage Grove shop
with personal appeal. Our town is loaded with
these types of businesses. Th e challenge is that
these local merchants rely on our business. Without
us as shoppers they could close their doors. Th e
Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce would
like you to consider redirecting some of your
spending this holiday season. When local shoppers
spend $100 in Cottage Grove, $45 of that revenue
actually goes back into the local economy, in the
form of wages, rents, and materials. If we spend
that same $100 in Eugene little to none will come
back to Cottage Grove. So let’s “Th ink Local” this
holiday season - Th ere is literally something for
every shopper at our local businesses. In one day
2018 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
2018 Chamber Board of Directors:
Thank you for your hours upon hours of volunteer time, commitment, and service!
Offi cers
Chloe Beckes, President
Danny Solesbee, Vice President
Ruth Linoz, Secretary
Gary Manly, Treasurer
Candace Solesbee, Past President
Directors
Cassandra Washburn, Greeters Chair
Don Williams, T.E.A.M Chair
Judd Van Gorder
Lloyd Williams
Ryan Gifford
Shauna Neigh, Promotions Chair
Cameron Reiten, Legislative Chair
Advisors
Tim Herrmann
Richard Meyers/Mike Fleck
Garrett Bridgens
Jack Sprats Restaurant
5 Flying Monkeys
South Lane Wheels
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Shampoo Dolls Salon
Oregon Aviation Historical Society
Retired, Past Board President
Carousel House B&B and Catering
South Lane Television
Gifford & Gifford Attorneys at Law
Busterʼs Main Street Café
KNND AM 1400
PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center
City of Cottage Grove
South Lane School District
Visitor Center Volunteers:
Heidi Abbott, Dotti Bittner, Suzanne Huebner-Sannes, Tara Sue Hughart, Susan Jeppesen, Nancy Kretzschmar,
Marie Longfellow, Judd Van Gorder, Sharon Van Gorder, Penny Westling, Sherry Wendt, Nolene Wheeler.
Staff:
Travis Palmer, Executive Director • Beth Martin, Offi ce Manager • Mavis Bradsby, Bookkeeper
of shopping you can support a myriad of businesses
and meet the goal of your shopping needs.
Th e day aft er Th anksgiving is the biggest shopping
day of the year. We encourage you to “Th ink Local”
and shop Cottage Grove for all your holiday needs!
Fall Tip: Protect your businesses and yourselves.
In the fall and especially in Cottage Grove, the
leaves start coming down off the trees pretty fast.
If the sidewalk in front of your business starts
collecting leaves, be sure to sweep or blow them
off as quickly and as oft en as possible. Leaves hide
bumps and cracks in the sidewalk that may cause
a person to have a serious fall. Th ey can also get
very slippery when they accumulate even a small
amount of moisture. It only takes a few minutes and
removing leaves and other debris from areas where
people walk by your business not only prevents
injury and potential lawsuits, but it also makes your
business look good and is more inviting to potential
customers.
November Business Aft er Hours
Village Green Resort will host Business After
Hours on Thursday, November 15, 925 Row River
Road in the Cascadia room from 5:30 – 7:00pm.
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!
Next Month’s Business aft er Hours: December –
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Renewing Member in October
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 PDI,
LLC for your renewed commitment to the Cottage
Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and your
support of contributions through volunteered time
and service to the Chamber.
Cottage Grove Christmas Kick-Off !
Plans are under way for this year’s Downtown
Christmas Tree Lighting which will be held on
Saturday, December 1st. Bundle up and join us for
some family fun!
Please let us know of discounts you may be off ering,
special store hours, or activities you will be doing.
You can request a registration form by email to
beth@cgchamber.com or stop by the offi ce at 700 E.
Gibbs to pick one up. We want to be sure to include
you in the fl yer that goes to the schools before their
Th anksgiving break. Deadline to be included is
end of day November 9, 2018.
Day/Evening Activities
* Breakfast with Santa at the Fire Station
* Block Party on 5 th & Main
* Hayrides and caroling
* In Store Discounts at Participating Merchants
* Market at the Armory
* Photos with Santa at City Hall
* Tree lighting at All America City Square
THANK YOU!
During this season of Th anksgiving we want to
off er a Special Th anks to the following businesses
for their expression of confi dence over the years
through continuous support with their membership
of 25 years or more!
Army Corps of Engineers ..................................... 26
Auto Art Body & Paint, Inc. .................................28
Banner Bank........................................................... 37
Birch Avenue Dental, Inc. ....................................37
Bob Baysinger ........................................................32
Brad’s Cottage Grove Chevrolet, Inc. ..................26
Carl’s Jr. ................................................................... 27
City of Cottage Grove ........................................... 26
Cottage Grove Ranger Station .............................32
Cottage Grove Sentinel ......................................... 37
Dot’s Trophy Shop .................................................38
Emerald People’s Utility District ......................... 35
Farmers Insurance Group ....................................27
First American Title Insurance Company .........37
Giff ord & Giff ord LLP, Attorneys at Law............28
Grace Olson ...........................................................34
Hoyer Accounting .................................................29
Jim’s Point S Tire and Auto Service .....................33
KNND 1400AM ....................................................31
Lane Community College Cottage Grove Center 32
Les Schwab Tire Centers ......................................37
McDonald’s Restaurant ......................................... 34
Northwest Community Credit Union ................37
Northwest Natural .................................................37
Pacifi c Power ..........................................................31
Pacifi c Yurts, Inc. ...................................................37
PayneWest Insurance ............................................37
PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical
Center .....................................................................32
Rogers & Son.......................................................... 25
Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel &
Crematorium .........................................................52
South Lane School District ..................................37
South Lane Wheels, Inc. .......................................30
Starfi re Lumber Company ....................................35
Th e Flower Basket & Gift Boutique ....................35
Umpqua Bank ........................................................ 37
Weyerhaeuser Company ......................................37
Wildish Sand & Gravel Co. ..................................26
Th e Gift Certifi cate Program is a Member Benefi t
Highlight. As a chamber we strive to educate the
community of the value of supporting our local
merchants the Gift Certifi cate Program is one way
we encourage shopping local. Purpose: 1. Promote
shopping at CG Chamber Member businesses. 2.
Support chamber members with dollars spent in
Cottage Grove. Th is program makes gift giving easy
while supporting local merchants and it promotes
“Shop Chamber Members First.” To become a
participating business, contact the Chamber at 541-
942-2411. Participating businesses to date are:
Ambrose Collectibles
518 E. Main Street
Apothecaria
700 Row River Rd
Books on Main
319 E. Main
Boyce & Sons, Inc
79149 N. River Rd
Buster’s Main Street Café 811 E. Main Suite “G”
Cascade Home Center
49 South 6 th Street
CG Habitat for Humanity
334 Washington
D & D Automotive
48 Hwy 99 South
Dirtcheapcopies.com
725 E. Whiteaker
El Tapatio
725 E. Gibbs
Elu Fusion
106. S. 6 th Street
Emerald Fitness Club
240 Gateway Blvd, CG
Lavender Field Embroidery 78481 Cedar Park Rd
Pinocchio’s Pizza
1795 E. Main Street
South Lane Wheels
1450 Birch Avenue
Stacy’s Covered Bridge
401 E. Main Street
Sweet Springs Family Farm 71393 London Road
Territorial Seed Company
20 Palmer Avenue
Th e Bookmine
702 Main Street
Th e Espresso Bar’n
1551 E. Main St
Th e Flower Basket
119 South 6 th Street
Th e UPS Store
1498 E. Main Suite 103
Wal-Mart
901 Row River Road
Chamber Calendar
If you have an event you want published on our
website calendar, please, please, please submit it to:
Go to www.cgchamber.com
Click on “Event Calendar”
Click on “submit new event”
Fill in the blanks and submit
Once your event is approved, it will appear on
the community calendar. For more details on the
events listed below, visit the Event Calendar on our
website at www.cgchamber.com.
*Bingo every Friday night at the American Legion
Hall
NOVEMBER
3,10,17,24 Saturday Farmers Market @ the Armory
6
Rotary Christmas Party
8
Greeters Committee
8
Startup Coff ee Meetup
9
2-Day Mask Making Workshop
12
Regular City Council Meeting
15
Business Aft er Hours - November
18
Fall Music Festival
19
Promotions Committee
20
Th ird Tuesday Poetry Night at Axe &
Fiddle, hosted by Kalapuya Books
21
Chamber Board Lunch
22
Greeters Committee
22
23 - 30
26
30
2018 Visitor Center Stats
Phone calls:
Walk-In Visitors:
Relocate Requests:
Visitor Requests:
Referrals to Chamber Members:
2018 Website Stats
Business Directory Searches Total Listed:
Member Page Views:
Event Searches:
Events Viewed:
Hot Deal Searches:
Job Searches:
9/27 thru
10/31
228
519
3
4
136
2140
1643
2032
2072
62
76
YTD
1,608
2,178
23
47
1,029
11,542
10,404
17,867
16,581
387
474
Save the Date. And plan to attend the 2019
Chamber Awards and Installation Banquet - “A
Red Carpet Event” the third Saturday in January
(1/19/2019). Th e promotions committee is working
to bring you an evening to remember! Awards for
Business of the Year and First Citizen are among the
recognitions presented.
Th anksgiving Brunch
Village Green Christmas Market
Regular City Council Meeting
Th e Fantasticks Opening
DECEMBER
1 - 23
Village Green Christmas Market
1,8,15,22 Saturday Farmers Market @ the Armory
1
Christmas in Cottage Grove - Events All
Day
1 & 2
Prospectors Holiday Bazaar
2
Christmas Bazaar @ the Armory
7
Lane Community College- Cottage
Grove, Open House and Vendor Fair
10
Regular City Council Meeting
13
Greeters Committee
13
Startup Coff ee Meetup
17
Promotions Committee
18
Th ird Tuesday Poetry Night at Axe &
Fiddle
19
Chamber Board Lunch
20
Business Aft er Hours – Cottage Grove
Sentinel
24
Regular City Council Meeting
25
Christmas Day
27
Greeters Committee
31
Gamesquall!
Special Thanks to our 2018 Enhanced Members
PLATINUM PLUS • Cottage Grove Sentinel
GOLD • Pacifi c Power
SILVER
Banner Bank
Blackstone, Inc. – Windermer Real Estate
City of Cottage Grove
Emerald People’s Utility District
Lane Community College Cottage Grove Center
Lane Electric Cooperative
Northwest Natural
PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center
South Lane County Fire & Rescue
South Lane School District
Weyerhaeuser
