A change in Chamber leadership, but not its mission
September 11, 2023
You have heard it before — “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!” For me the past two years, time has flown by as the Charlotte County Chamber board president, and it has been fun!
I have been busy meeting new Chamber members at various ribbon cuttings, “Networking at Noon” luncheons, “3rd Wednesday Coffees” and many networking events, designed to help our Chamber members’ businesses grow and prosper. A couple of hurricanes, hiring difficulties, and economic uncertainty for many have certainly challenged the Charlotte County business community.
There are dozens of changes that we could spotlight. Let’s look at four changes that have made a difference.
1. Chamber leadership and staff. With our transition from Julie Mathis, who led the Chamber for over 30 years and built a solid membership base, I have worked closely with Bob White, our executive director. Bob’s thorough planning, purpose and payoff of implementing new Chamber programs, such as the “New Member Showcase” has been proven very successful. Our Leadership Charlotte program, begun in 1989, continues to thrive as the cornerstone of our Chamber programs. Our “Hottest Day in Paradise” Business Expo has dozens of Chamber members showcasing their products and services. Jami Joannes, our business development director, has overcome great odds, during two hurricanes, working with Chamber members in navigating the SBA loan acceptance process and in securing a record number of new Chamber members — who are the lifeblood of our Chamber. She has organized the Chamber Ambassador program, consisting of over 20 Chamber members who assist her at ribbon cuttings and a wide variety of networking events. Ruth Uzonyi, the Chamber director of finances, keeps the financial side of the Chamber profitable. It did not surprise me that during my tenure, we passed with flying colors on our financial audit and do so every year. Janet Caffee, our Chamber information and customer service manager, is consistently working behind the scenes to keep our Chamber members informed of upcoming events and the detailed information that Chamber members appreciate.
2 — Our Chamber Board. I joined the Chamber Board six years ago and will complete my two terms at the Sept. 28 annual meeting. While the board members have changed, we continue to have an outstanding board of business owners and corporate professionals who give our Chamber vision, guidance, and leadership has been a rewarding experience. They have been very patient with a retired, small business owner, as their president and did not hesitate to share their ideas. I am grateful for their leadership. Our “Past Board President’s Council” gave me great ideas and insights.
3. Strategic Plan. It was a goal of mine to implement a strategic plan during my tenure. It has taken awhile, as most good things do, and after several in-depth discussions with a professional strategic plan leader, the Chamber is on track for bigger and better programs. When over half the board volunteered to work on various aspects of the strategic plan, I knew that we would grow bigger and better for members than we thought possible.
4. The Charlotte County Chamber members. It has been very rewarding for me to meet our new members. Many are moving to Charlotte County and arrive in paradise with a business idea, and a business plan and use their savings to start a business to fulfill a need. I am impressed by their enthusiasm and their ability to stick to it under difficult circumstances. It has been a pleasure for me to meet Chamber members, who have been members for 20-30-40 and in several cases for over 50 years. They support the Chamber and its mission. Our nonprofit members continue to serve the less fortunate in our County and do so day after day, week after week, many times with limited finances.
There is so much more I could share about the positive changes in our Chamber. I look forward to handing over the gavel to Nick Worden, vice president of Commercial Lending, Crews Bank and Trust. I am so thankful I had an opportunity to serve the Charlotte County business community. See you at the next ribbon cutting.
Chamber Activities
Networking at Noon Lunch (member event): 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Icehouse Pub, 408 N. Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. You’ll enjoy a delicious buffet. Registration required. To RSVP, visit charlottecountychamber.org.
Third Wednesday Coffee (member event): 8–9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. Coffee sponsor: Granny Nannies, Rosa Benghtt. Guest speaker/program: Denise Dull, president of the Florida International Airshow. There will be an opportunity to win free tickets to the airshow (Thunderbirds Squadron will be showcasing their dynamic maneuvers). Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charltotecountychamber.org. Immediately follow our program, we’ll have a ribbon-cutting for Deep End IV Hydration.
Business Card Exchange: There will be no Business Card Exchange in September due to our 98th Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 28.
Ribbon Cuttings
Right at Home (grand reopening): 5–6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26 (ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m.), 4315 S. Access Rd., Englewood. Light snacks, refreshments, tours and raffles provided. Dual ribbon-cutting with our friends from the Englewood Chamber. Registration is requested to make proper arrangements.
Special Announcement
98th Annual Awards Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. Invitations to be sent our soon to our membership. We will recognize our Businesses of the Year (Large, Medium, Small, and Nonprofit), honor our Pacesetter Award recipient, induct our incoming Board of Directors, hear the vision for the coming year from our new Board President, Nicholas Worden, Charlotte State Bank Trust. RSVP is required. To reserve your seat/table visit: charlottecountychamber.org.
Third Wednesday Coffee (member event): 8–9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. Coffee sponsor: Granny Nannies, Rosa Benghtt. Guest speaker/program: Denise Dull, president of the Florida International Airshow. There will be an opportunity to win free tickets to the airshow (Thunderbirds Squadron will be showcasing their dynamic maneuvers). Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charltotecountychamber.org. Immediately follow our program, we’ll have a ribbon-cutting for Deep End IV Hydration.
Business Card Exchange: There will be no Business Card Exchange in September due to our 98th Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 28.