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Annual Banquets – New and expanded businesses in Jefferson County are recognized at our Annual banquet, the last Wednesday in June. In mid-October, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service personnel are recognized at our Public Service Recognition Banquet and in early November, the new educators in Jefferson County Public Schools, Country Day School, and Shepherd College are recognized at a banquet in their honor. All banquets are open to the public and offer good opportunities for networking - good food and good fellowship.
Brochures – Provided by our members, brochures are
exhibited in office racks for visitors to Jefferson County. Members’
brochures are mailed in answer to queries for relocation or tourism.
Calendar-of-Events – Members are invited to include
any special activities in the list of events at the end of each
monthly newsletter, mailed to approximately 500.
Donations – At the end of each calendar year, donations are made to County organizations based on the strength of our membership and the success of our Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festivals. This year’s recipients included the five volunteer fire companies, Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County, and United Way of Jefferson County.
Education – Low cost seminars are offered periodically.
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Festivals – Biannually, our Chamber sponsors the Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festivals the second full weekend in June (including a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and the last full weekend in September (including a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The festivals provide another opportunity to display members’ brochures and/or help in the Chamber information booth. The success of the festival has helped us to keep a reasonable cost for membership, while still providing many services. Free passes also!
Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings – We are always pleased to participate in events associated with the opening of new or expansion of existing businesses. We provide ribbon, scissors, and contacts when asked to participate.
High School-Business Symposium – This project on the Free Enterprise System enlightens approximately 125 students from Jefferson High School who meet with 30-40 businesspersons annually at Shepherd College. Another opportunity to network by spending a portion of a day with students and others in the business community.
Involvement – As a Chamber member, in addition to having the opportunity to work with other Chamber members on projects such as the symposium, you can volunteer to meet and network with other business and community leaders by serving on Chamber committees. Chamber members can also serve as their Chamber’s representative on other organizations’ committees.
Jefferson County Guidebook – This Chamber-sponsored guide to services, events, etc. in our County contains advertisements only from member businesses. It will be mailed to those who inquire about the area and is available in our office to current residents.
Key Leadership – The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors representing a cross section of the economic life and the geographic area of Jefferson County. Currently serving on our Board are members representing banking, insurance, small retail, non-profits, services, communications, etc.
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Lists – A list of Chamber members along with representatives, addresses, and phone numbers is available to all Chamber members. Other lists provided through our office (upon request by visitors) include members who offer overnight accommodations and restaurants.
Membership Meetings/Mixers – Eight months each year, luncheon membership meetings are held, providing excellent opportunities for networking. Exchange business cards, sit beside a different person each month, introduce yourself to the group and tell a few words about your business, etc. while enjoying a delicious lunch at a reasonable cost. Mixers are held periodically, with a business as host, usually at the business location. In the past, they have been held at financial institutions, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and tourism attractions.
Newsletter – Each month a newsletter is mailed to Chamber members keeping them up-to-date on Chamber activities. By providing “flyers” members can send information to each member in a newsletter at no extra cost to the member by calling the Chamber office for details and making prior arrangements. Most Chambers charge for this service.
Opportunity – If requested, we can provide members with the opportunity to have names and addresses of persons who have requested information through our office on relocating to the area.
Picnic – Each year the business and farming communities (Jefferson County Farm Bureau members) get together for an evening of food and fellowship. The event is sponsored by each organization in alternating years. Another excellent opportunity for meeting others, while enjoying food.
Quality of Life – As a Chamber member, you become a partner in decisions made to enhance our communities for today and the future.
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Reasonable Investment – In a recent list of area Chambers of Commerce (Quad-State Business Journal-2002 Book of Lists) our Chamber had the lowest dues for a small business in the area - $90 per year as compared to $173 for Martinsburg/Berkeley County, $125 for Winchester/Frederick County, and $305 (2 yrs.) for Hagerstown/Washington County. Our Chamber is one of the few in the area to have an increase in members over the previous year, and it has the lowest budget of the above mentioned organizations.
Scholarships – Each year $6,200 in scholarships are offered to Jefferson High School seniors who will be attending Shepherd College. Another $1,000 is offered annually to James Rumsey Technical Institute.
Tourism Promotion – When visitors think of obtaining information, either before they travel or upon arrival, they usually think of a Chamber. We mail or hand out thousands of brochures each year on services, accommodations, restaurants, etc.
United Way – Among the successful projects begun by our Chamber is the United Way of Jefferson County, founded in 1971 with General William Van Ryzin manning a phone in the local Chamber office.
Visibility and Volunteerism – Two important reasons to belong to our Chamber!
Welcome – As the “front door” to the community, our Chamber welcomes newcomers, visitors, and all others making inquiry of the community.
X – ‘xcellent opportunities for meeting other business folks through Chamber projects.
Youth – Chamber members believe the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. In addition to serving as a Partner in Education with Charles Town Junior High/Middle School, we work with the Jefferson County Public Schools, Shepherd College and Job Corps as well as youth organizations.
Zero – Number of businesses that should consider not belonging to our Chamber!
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