Mission Statement & Purpose: To benefit member businesses by providing opportunities for professional development as they participate in the affairs of the association and to promote active participation in the association’s charitable activities performed for the betterment of the business community. Further, to benefit the BUSINESS community by providing a forum for civic organizations, clubs, business organizations and local government to participate and lobby for like-minded activities and goals.
I do not pull up an electronic version of the by-laws and look at them every day, and I have not memorized every word of the mission statement and purpose. But I do know this: the Chamber has formed some great relationships with other businesses and organizations in the community. It is so very fun to see these relationships being cultivated with positive results.
I realized early on in my tenure here that because our membership serves such a diverse group of businesses and organizations, there is simply no way that the chamber will serve each the exact same way.
Sometimes it is very easy to promote a member business by simply handing a tourist a brochure or two about some of our river activities. Other times it is easy because a snowbird walks in ready
Recently, the Greater Dunnellon Historic Society had a stationary power steam engine donated. The engine was donated by the daughter of a man who used to work at the Goethe Sawmill.
to relocate and simply needs a realtor to show them some homes. A new transplant often comes looking for a new doctor, dentist or insurance agent.
It is often very easy for me to make a referral to people I know, after having seen them and eaten with them at one of our monthly dinners or volunteered next to them at an event.
The best way we can all benefit from one another is to get to know each other. I feel so privileged to have gotten to know some wonderful people in this community. It has been very rewarding to watch as others get to know each other better and learn how they can work together. Even better is when I am approached by somebody who has an idea about how we can all work together to help somebody reach a certain goal.
I would like to share with you a recent idea that is now in the works due to the diligence of a few people who have been sharing ideas.
First, we have Wilbur VanWyck, who owns Coldwell Banker Riverland Realty. Wilbur has been talking about our town and how it lacks a visual theme. He suggests we find some way to incorporate our phosphate history visually on US Hwy. 41 through town. Our main thoroughfare lost much of its character when 41 was widened beginning in 1966.
The Greater Dunn
The Levy County Historical Society has donated a caboose to the Greater Dunnellon Historical Society. They need to move it, though, and that is costly.
ellon Historical Society has been working to bring railroad and phosphate artifacts in as well. Already, they’ve put together a historical walking tour of downtown Dunnellon, and if some of the right artifacts can be found, they can be placed on the tour. The society was recently given a stationary power steam engine that was used at the Goethe Sawmill. They have also been gifted a caboose by the Levy County Historical Society, and they are now in the process of trying to raise the $10,000 needed to move it here.
At our most recent dinner, on February 26 at the train depot, Kathy Weiler from Boulevard Bistro heard the plea for donations for the transport of the caboose. The very next day, she called to ask how many members were in the chamber and then
Boulevard Bistro owner Kathy Weiler suggested that every member donate $50 to the Greater Dunnellon Historical Society in order to help them raise the money for the moving of the caboose. Here, she presents a check to Amy Sharkey of the Greater Dunnellon Historical Society.
suggested that if each member gave $50, then the goal would be reached.
The possibilities are endless when we all work together, and I am so happy to see so many people finding ways to work together. In some networking circles, people form power teams to refer business to each other. I’ve also heard the term “ecosystem” when referring to the relationships among different businesses.
The truth is, we all can improve how we work together, but it sometimes takes a conscious effort to think of ways that we can do that. Take a few minutes today to think of ways you can work with other members of the community. If you have trouble coming up with anything, give us a call and let’s get together and see what we can come up with.
In the meantime, you can donate to the Greater Dunnellon Historical Society by dropping off a check here, at the depot on a Tuesday or first Saturday, or by visiting their website, http://www.dunnellondepot.com/
