CommunityLink

Springfield, OR

Chamber

History of the Chamber

The Springfield Chamber of Commerce was officially incorporated in March 1949. It was a watershed year for the small City of Springfield — the Weyerhaeuser Company also opened that year, quickly becoming the major employer in a town of fewer than 10,000 citizens.

The Springfield Chamber’s story, however, begins much earlier, as an informal business organization that had been meeting and promoting Springfield since 1933. This businessmen’s club accomplished much to advance the interests of what was then a vibrant, commercial downtown and to represent Springfield in the larger metro area.

With incorporation, and the growth spurt of the early 1950s, the Chamber became a professional, membership-based business organization. It began to publish maps, brochures and directories to promote its members. Many committees and events were created to give voice to the growing business community and to foster networking opportunities for that community. During that time, one individual came to symbolize Springfield: Mr. Bob Smith, who was a Chamber Executive for 33 years — still a record in the state — and was known as “Mr. Springfield” at the time of his retirement in the early 1990s.

The Chamber is located in the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot at 101 South A Street. In 1990, this historic building was moved from its original location near the Booth-Kelley Lumber Company to its present location at the west entry into the city.

Today, it also serves as the official Springfield Visitor Center and processes over 25,000 requests for information through e-mail, phone calls, personal visits and writing for personal and business relocation information.

A volunteer Board of Directors that reflects the diversity and strength of the local economy governs the Springfield Chamber and helps direct the organization and staff at the Chamber. The 600 Chamber members have a wealth of committee, event and networking opportunities that promote their businesses and Springfield. The members and their commitment to excellence remain the heart of the Chamber organization.

Chamber Benefits: What your money gets you

Being a member of the Chamber is more than just a label. Our members enjoy a competitive advantage accompanied by unique and valuable benefits. These benefits include:

• Networking opportunities through our Chamber Greeters and other various Chamber committees
and events
• Free insert, upon joining, for the Chamber’s monthly newsletter, distributed to 800 local businesses
• Free copy of the Chamber’s monthly newsletter
• Free registration, upon joining, to either the Spring Membership Forum or the Fall Membership Breakfast
• Inexpensive advertising opportunities in
monthly newsletter
• Sponsorship opportunities at an array of
membership events

And regardless of your interests, you’re sure to find a Chamber committee that meets your needs. Committees are open to all members, and we’re always excited about embracing new members in a leadership role. The following is a list of the current committees. For a schedule of meeting times and additional information, please contact Tiffany at (541) 746-1651.

Chamber committees include:

Education Committee: The Chamber is committed to creating a better workforce. This committee is responsible for three major education events in the Springfield Public Schools each year. The committee meets once a month, nine months out of the year.

Events/Communications Committee: This committee meets once a month, to work toward improving Chamber events and communications to our membership.

Membership Committee: This committee meets monthly to strengthen our membership program through recruitment, retention and improving our membership correspondence.

Future Committee: Researching and evaluating Springfield growth options, this committee works to take advantage of long-term and short-term opportunities. This committee meets once a month.

Springfield Gateway Development Committee: This committee meets once a month to look at ongoing issues such as transportation and visitors services and the image, identity and continued economic development of the Gateway area.

Greeter Meetings: The Springfield Greeters are the Chamber’s outreach and networking committee. Committee members may take part in ribbon-cutting events, tours of businesses, social activities, greeting at Chamber events and representing the Chamber at State Conventions. Meetings are once a week all year round.

Legislative Issues Committee: Members of this committee study pending legislation and recommend advocacy and action to impact laws and regulations on local, regional and state levels. This committee meets twice a month.

Women’s Networking Group: This committee is a networking group that looks at issues affecting businesswomen today. Each committee member has the opportunity to host a meeting at her place of business. The committee meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

2005 Chamber Work Plan

Business Vitality
• Continue to be an active partner
in the Mayor’s Business Advance­­ment Team
• Explore economic development ­models to support active business recruitment to Springfield
• Form a Gateway Development Committee as a Board
Standing Committee
• Actively support urban renewal
in Glenwood

Conference Center Project
• Direct the Future Committee to create the Conference Center in early 2005
• The Conference Center Consortium will consist of the players, partners and programmers that will pursue
the project
• Task list in 2005 will include:
- Final site selection
- Development agreements
- Financing identified

Membership
• Conduct a professional Membership Drive in the first half of 2005. Gain a net of 100 members in 2005, taking the Chamber to 700 members.
• Create annual sponsorship opportunity piece for members
• Focus on retention of members
in 2005

Image and Identity
• Form a Communications/Events Committee as a Board Standing Committee. The Committee would:
- Create a comprehensive
communications plan for
the Chamber year
- Connect with our members and
with our community
- Reflect a politically
proactive Chamber
- Review/enhance the existing
Chamber communications tools
• Conduct a Springfield Summit in 2005

Financial Status of the Chamber
• Form a Communications/Events Committee as a Board Standing Committee. The Committee would:
- Enhance the events conducted currently by the Chamber
• Golf Tournament
• Speakers Partnership with AMA
• Chamberfest
• Annual Dinner
- Meet year round
- Enhance the sponsorship opportunities and amounts
• Publish an annual sponsorship opportunity
membership piece
• Secure major sponsorship early 2005

Vision & Mission Statement

Vision
A thriving community recognized for its collaborative leadership, business vitality and quality of life.

Mission
To champion our community’s future as a regional leader in economic vitality and quality of life.
Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Calendar of Events 2005
Annual Dinner: January 21, 2005
Business Expo: Saturday, February 5, 2005
Chamberfest: June (1st day of summer) 2005
Joint Chamber Golf Tournament: July 19, 2005
Filbert Festival: August 5, 6, 7, 2005
Tailgate Auction: November
(On the eve of the Civil War game)

Annual Events (dates to be set)
Business After Hours: One every two months
Joint Greeters Breakfast: Two per year
Middle School Career Day: March
Membership Breakfast: One in fall, winter, spring, summer
Speaker Event: May (usually toward the end)
Chamber Board Retreat: Early October
Problem Solving Workshop: Mid-October