The Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Meghan Manning officially passed the torch last week, formally turning the chamber's presidency over to Mike "Mr. DizzyGÇ¥ Buse.
Once a month, the Monroe Chamber coordinates an agency-wide luncheon which typically features a guest speaker. Chamber members are given the opportunity to network and spread word about their businesses, and new chamber members are formally welcomed.
Manning, who just completed a two-year term as president, spoke during the chamber lunch which took place on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11:30 a.m. at the Rock Church in Monroe.
"It was always my goal to leave the chamber in better shape than it was when I walked in, and I'm pretty confident that we have done that,GÇ¥ said Manning. "I couldn't have done it without an amazing staff. That has changed a little bit over the two years, but everyone has been amazing and we're really happy to have Una here today; she is just doing a wonderful job.GÇ¥
Una Wirkebau-Hartt has been the Monroe Chamber of Commerce's executive director since March of this year.
Newly-elected board president Buse, also known as Mr. Dizzy, is an accomplished racecar driver and record-setting stunt man. Buse is the owner of Mr. Dizzy Motorsports and Genesis Refrigeration and HVAC, LLC in Monroe.
Buse acknowledged the other members of the board including Meghan Manning, who will now serve as the treasurer, and Secretary Traci Hobbs. He also thanked board members Adrian Taylor, Lisa Caldwell, Adam Hoffman, Jay Jones, Carlina Morris and Danny Hernandez.
He then gave accolades to the chamber's Executive Director Wirkebau-Hartt and Operations Manager Shelley Nyhammer. He complimented Nyhammer for her ability to seamlessly accomplish the vast array of behind-the-scenes administrative functions that keep the chamber operating smoothly on a daily basis.
"She's the person I call when I need something done,GÇ¥ said Buse.
Buse described Wirkebau-Hartt as a true visionary, and complemented her tireless efforts when something needs to be accomplished. He noted that her ability to see projects through from start to finish is remarkable, and she develops her ideas in a forward-thinking manner.
"She says, "Okay this is the idea,' and she carries it with her everywhere she goes,GÇ¥ he continued. "That's how she makes stuff happen and it's really impressive to watch.GÇ¥
He advised the business community not to be discouraged by the idea that the new Walmart store might hurt their bottom line. He advocated for the close-knit community atmosphere which is offered at Monroe's many small businesses, and encouraged chamber members to use the opportunity to shine in the area of customer relations.
"What I'm saying is, beat them where they can't do anything about it,GÇ¥ said Buse. "Beat them with customer service. Make your businesses inviting and people will come in there; it's just a no brainer. Just do your thing and do it well.GÇ¥
After Buse's presentation, lunch attendees were dazzled by the brand new Park Place Middle School choir led by choir instructor Katie Carruthers. The impressive performance led to a standing ovation at the end.
For more information on become a member of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, contact Wirkebau-Hartt at director@monroewachamber.org, or Nyhammer at office@monroewachamber.org.
WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER DO?
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the local business community. While a typical chamber might focus largely on influencing legislation crafted to support small businesses, the Monroe Chamber is unique in that it wears numerous additional hats. Economic development, tourism and recreation promotion, grant-writing, business development, event planning and destination marketing are just a few of the functions for which the chamber is responsible.
While the chamber shares a vision with the city of Monroe, it operates independently from the city, though the two often collaborate on different projects and events.
"We have a symbiotic relationship; they're a public entity that has elected officials and rules and black and white policies and procedures that they need to follow,GÇ¥ said Chamber Director Una Wirkebau-Hartt. "I'm a nonprofit entity that has a board that I need to support. I don't run the chamber; the board runs the chamber.GÇ¥
Funding for the chamber of commerce comes from a portion of the city's lodging tax funds. The funds are paid to the state when lodging businesses pay their state excise taxes, and are then distributed back to the levying cities by the state treasurer. Monroe accepts grant applications each year to determine who will be awarded the city's lodging tax funds.
The money is awarded to different entities within the city that can demonstrate that they bring "heads to bedsGÇ¥ in the Monroe community. The 2015 awardees include the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, which was awarded $65,000 for tourism marketing, and the city of Monroe Parks Department, awarded $13,000 to help support the Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour event and the USA Triathlon.
Additional grant opportunities are problematic due to the fact that Washington is the only state without a designated tourism budget. While limited opportunities do exist within Snohomish County, Wirkebau-Hartt has been advocating to the legislature in hopes the state will implement a tourism budget which would serve to broaden the available resource pool. She has also been strategizing ways to increase the city's lodging tax revenue, which is limited to the number of hotels that are in the city.
"Unfortunately we only have three hotels, which means we are maxed out,GÇ¥ said Wirkebau-Hartt. "I cannot get any more money because we only have three hotels to get money from.GÇ¥
Aside from the $65,000 in lodging tax money, the chamber's operations are funded through various grants and membership fees.
"The average amount a business pays is $255 for the year,GÇ¥ said Wirkebau-Hartt. "It's based on how many employees you have.GÇ¥
Once a local business becomes a member of the chamber, they are provided with numerous networking opportunities. Additionally, they are given free access to the chamber's online event calendar, a weekly newsletter, marketing support, advertising and promotion via the chamber's numerous social networking sites and more.
Wirkebau-Hartt sits on various boards and committees, including the Sky Valley Recreation Group, the Cascade Loop Board, the Everett Community College East County Campus Board, and more.
"Not every one of my members has time to go to these board meetings, but one person can, and can disseminate that information,GÇ¥ said Wirkebau-Hartt.
She helped implement a retail theft prevention group, comprised of business owners and law enforcement professionals, and is actively strategizing ways to help revitalize Monroe's downtown core.
To find out more about what the chamber is working on, or to find out how to become a member, visit their website at: http://choosemonroe.com/ and visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/choosemonroe.
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