Chamber to focus on membership in 2015

The Kimball Banner County Chamber of Commerce will focus more on its membership in 2015.

“One of my main things that I want to focus on is the membership, and how the board and how the director can provide you with more value to your membership,” current chamber president Josh Enevoldsen told members Monday night at the annual chamber banquet. “We want it to be if someone new to town comes up to you and asks, ‘Why do you belong to the chamber?,’ we want to just be able to rattle off they do this and this and this for us and we wouldn’t think of not belonging to the chamber. We want to make it so the membership is really pleased with what they are paying for.”

The annual chamber event had a more casual feel this year. Instead of a full-fledged banquet, the chamber provided free hors d’oeuvres buffet prior to the annual meeting. No awards were handed out, although the chamber did briefly honor outgoing chamber board members and former longtime administrative assistant Betty Elliott, who recently retired.

Enevoldsen told attendees that the chamber ended up with a profit in 2014. The 2015 budget projects a $284.36 net income, with $37,950 in income and $37,665.64 in expenses.

“My goal as your president this year is to leave the chamber in a better place than when I started, to leave something good for the next president,” Enevoldsen said.

Larissa Binod, the new chamber director, said she wants to push additional use of the website in the coming year.

She also cited a partnership with Western Nebraska Community College in education, both in workforce development and hobbies/creatives.

Committees for various activities in the area include the Farmer’s Day Committee, chaired by Assunta Calisse. She said this year’s theme will be “Party like it’s 1989,” in honor of the 89th annual event. Farmer’s Day is set for Sept. 26, and the annual fundraiser is April 24. If anyone wants to volunteer, the Farmer’s Day Committee meets at noon on the fourth Monday of each month at the Diner.

Kim Baliman reminded everyone that the all-class reunion is July 3-5. She said they are hoping for at least 500 people to come to the event, but will have a more certain number later in the spring. She also encouraged anyone who wants to get involve to come to the every-other Monday meeting. The next meeting is 5:30 p.m. on March 9 at Baliman’s home.

The business boosters also meet monthly. Additional chamber committees include membership development and community relations.

The chamber will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Monday through Friday.

“I think it’s a great time to dive in and start making this chamber stronger and stronger every year,” Enevoldsen said.