Kalama Chamber of Commerce

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Statement: The purpose of the Kalama Chamber of Commerce is to develop, encourage, and promote business endeavors, and to support civic interests within the Kalama area.

 

What The Kalama Chamber Does For It's Members

 

¨     Provides you the opportunity to share in the Status that comes with membership

¨     Provides an opportunity for your voice to be heard in the business community

¨     Provides Welcome Letters to all new residents allowing businesses to include coupons and sale notices.

¨     Presents New Business Welcome Baskets and the free use of our Grand Opening Sign for all new businesses who elect to have a "Red Ribbon" Grand Opening event. Local businesses are invited to donate coupons or discounts or any other item to advertise and say "Welcome to Kalama"

¨     School Personnel Luncheon: The Chamber begins the autumn season each year by sponsoring a luncheon for all school personnel-as a way of thanking them for their efforts in teaching the young citizens of our community and also for their community support (Allows attendees to recognize Chamber members).

¨     Halloween - Our goal is to provide a safe and fun atmosphere for the trick-or-treaters. Local businesses provide treats for all the children. First Street is closed to traffic beginning at 3:00 p.m. on October 31st or the Saturday before, if it falls on a Sunday.  A Scarecrow contest for local businesses is also supported. (Brings shoppers into Kalama).

¨     Christmas Decorations - Our Christmas street decorations have been replaced with new banners.  Three seasonal type banners depicting spring, summer, fall and winter, plus Christmas banners lighted at each end of town. The Holiday Greeting signs at each end of the city will be replaced in the near future.

¨     Christmas in Kalama - Includes Christmas tree lighting and caroling at Toteff park, the arrival of Santa to visit the children and our community Christmas dinner where we also provide gifts for the children as well as entertainment for all in attendance.  Takes place the first weekend of December.  Christmas Parade for any and all to participate in.  Many businesses enter floats and win prizes. (Brings shoppers into town)

 

¨     Citizen of the Year Award -  The Chamber honors a Kalama area citizen each year as the Citizen of the Year. Nominations are encouraged and should be forwarded to the Kalama Chamber via the Kalama Hardware store or Cowlitz Bank. Nominations must be submitted by March 1st.

 

¨     Totem Award - The Chamber presents an award each year to an outstanding organization or business. Nominations are to be encouraged and should be forwarded to the Kalama Chamber via the Hardware store or Cowlitz Bank.  Nominations must be submitted by March 1st.

 

¨     Business Beautification Grants - Each year the Chamber awards a $500.00 grant to local businesses that have upgraded the exterior of their store-fronts.  Businesses must submit a request to be considered. Work must be completed before Grant is paid.

 

¨     Kalama Community Fair Parade - Each year the Chamber sponsors the Kalama Community Fair Parade. The parade is held in conjunction with the Kalama Community Fair in June.

 

¨     Kalama Art Walk - The Chamber sponsors the annual Kalama Art Walk, where businesses participate by allowing an artist to "show" his/her work inside of or in front of their business. 

 

¨     Kalama Saturday Market - The Chamber sponsors the annual Saturday Market which is held on the first Saturday of each month from May through October.

 

¨     Annual Days of Discovery- The Chamber supports Kalama's celebration of it's heritage by sponsoring this event which is held at the Port of Kalama in August.

 

¨     Annual Untouchables Classic Car Show - The Chamber sponsors this event and asks businesses to join into the City-wide Sidewalk Sale during this event in August. This event hosts food vendors, and a City-wide, Garage sale at the same time.

 

¨     The Chamber Provides Updated Community Calendar of Events

 

¨     Chamber Sponsored Memorial Benches - Our Bench project provides a place to stop and sit while enjoying the atmosphere of our Historical town, for your relaxation and enjoyment.

¨     Merchandising - The Chamber of Commerce provides for Marketing items, that local businesses can carry in their shops. The Chamber paid for the initial set-up and purchased T-shirts, Sweat-shirts, Baseball caps and Post cards featuring Kalama.  The Chamber offers these to businesses at a nominal fee for resale as a way to market Kalama. 

 

¨     Voice Mail - The Chamber of Commerce provides current local information, including local events in a full time Voice Mail number:  673-6299.

 

¨     General Information via the U.S. Mail - The Chamber of Commerce will send out various local information to any who request it through our Internet Website/Email or via our telephone number or through written requests.

 

¨     Website/Email - The Chamber monitors and responds to requests in email and to our Internet Website. In addition, current events are kept updated on the Website and changed as the year progresses.

 

¨     Youth Projects - The Chamber provides a total of $400.00 each year with a limit of $100.00 per request for local special projects for Youth Groups.

 

¨     City Street Maps - Are provided which show local Chamber businesses in our shopping area and are updated twice a year.

 

¨     Membership Directory - The Chamber provides a Membership Directory to all members free of charge and makes updates three times a year.

 

¨     Newsletter - The Chamber provides a monthly newsletter to all members as well as all businesses on First Street with current local events as well as updates on Chamber meeting agendas and guest speakers.

 

¨     Chamber Meetings -  The Chamber hosts guest speakers once a month, focusing on local and County and State topics of interest to our community.  All meetings are open to the general public.

 

The Kalama Chamber of Commerce meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are held at the Kalama Community Building located at the corner of Elm Street and 2nd Street. The first meeting of each month is an afternoon meeting commencing at 12:00 noon. The second meeting of each month is held at 6:00 p.m.  Meetings generally last for one hour. The general public is always invited to attend. Since food is not provided, attendees are invited to bring a sack lunch if they desire. Coffee and Tea is provided.  Meetings are governed by Robert's Rules of Order.

 

This is a great way to find out what is happening in our community and be heard so please join us and become involved.

 

Phone: 673-6299

Website: www.cityofkalama.com (scroll to Chamber of Commerce)

E-mail: kalamachamber@kalama.com

U.S. Mail: P O Box 824

Kalama WA 98625

                                                       2006

President:                              Shanara Schmidt

Vice President:     Janet Oyer

Treasurer:                             Liz Norgaard

Secretary:                              Cleone Kockritz

Correspondent:     Shirley Lowman

 

Directors:                              Liz Norgaard

                                                Irene Flowers

                                                Don Purvis

                                                Sherry Mickelson

                                                Dave DeRosier

                                                Terri Van Matre

                                                Janet Oyer

                                                Alice LaRoy

                                                Georgia Knight

Robert Savery

John Macielewicz: Past President