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2010-2011 Chamber Annual Meeting
Free Enterprise: Topic of Chamber Annual Meeting
Retiring Chamber Chairman Todd Durham reported on the accomplishments and activities of 2009-2010.
The Agricultural Committee served the No. 1 business in DarkeCounty with its Stay Safe - Take a Break program, and the chamber’s annual Agriculture Appreciation Luncheon.
The chamber Ambassadors conducted numerous social events, ribbon cuttings and a golf outing the previous year.
The Business Committee was pleased to report 38 new members for the year, as well as Ribbon Cuttings, and Business After Hours and Business at Breakfast events. Young Professionals Of Darke (YPOD), a program for young professionals, was launched by the committee in October 2009.
The Economic Development Committee conducted the Groundhog Day Breakfast and announced $149,000 in gift certificate sales.
The Education Committee sponsored the New Teacher Breakfast in August, welcoming 30 new teachers. It also sponsors Women in Networking.
The Chamber, through its Legislative Committee took a stand on two political issues in 2009-10, against: Card Check and for Issue 2-Formation of Livestock Care Board.
The Darke County Safety Council noted that $53,116.56 in discounts to Chamber members were earned from the Bureau of Workers Compensation.
New officers and directors were introduced and installed by Judge Jonathan Hein.
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Free Enterprise and The Challenge of Doing More for Many with Much Less were the topics for new chamber chairman Tyeis Baker-Baumann. She stated, “As
the largest, not- for- profit, business membership organization based in DarkeCounty, we are committed to listening to the needs of our diverse business membership. Our priority is to support our business members in their efforts to succeed. We do this
through the research and development of business-minded programs, through identification of resources and benefits which support member businesses, through opportunities for networking and through legislative advocacy. As a business owner there are 2 questions you ask yourself on a routine basis: What makes or breaks my business? What’s important to the success of my business? Just
like you, the Darke County Chamber of Commerce wants to spend its time, energy and resources on the answers to those questions. And to the best of our ability, we will assist our member businesses with creating or sustaining the answers which will help your businesses thrive. Free Enterprise and the free market system is the core of this process. Much of our national economic
opportunity (and the prosperity and social progress that is its natural extension) would cease to exist if it were not for free enterprise and the free market system.”
Entrepreneurs Justin Powell (left) and Matt Heffner present information on social medial. .
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Chamber members and entrepreneurs Matt Heffner, Jostle Media and Justin Powell, Firewaves Media, presented information on social media and advertising. They produced a Free Enterprise video for the chamber that was shown for the first time at the annual meeting. The video features 5 member businesses, the advantages of doing business in DarkeCounty,
and the benefits of being a chamber member. Matt and Justin will host two workshops in June that will feature information on social media and advertising.
Mike Snyder (left), 2008 Citizen of the Year presents the award to 2009 Citizen of the Year, Mike Fourman.
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The prestigious Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year Award” was presented to Mike Fourman. Mike is a graduate of GreenvilleHigh School, ManchesterCollege and
The Ohio State University Dental School. His gentleness as a dentist is legendary.
Mike was instrumental in setting up a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic. He goes to the D.R. and Costa Rica several times a year and takes groups of area dentists, doctors, nurses, and lay people to minister in these poor countries.
Mike is a die-hard Buckeye fan and a United States Army veteran. He has been married for 39 years to Linda and is the father to three young men and grandfather to four and soon to be a fifth grandchild. Thank you for your service, Mike. It was an honor well-deserved.
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