SFCC - 01/27/09

The Voice of West Feliciana Business

Greetings!

Your Chamber of Commerce is off to a flying start in 2009 and let me encourage you to get involved today!

Our Chamber committees are the backbone of our organization. This is where the great ideas - and elbow grease - come from to help keep us moving forward. Take a look at the list of committees below and choose one that suits your interests and abilities. We'd love to have you get involved!

The time requirement is minimal. Most committees meet just once per month. All that's required is your can-do attitude and an email or phone call to the committee chair. Here's the list (and the contact info for each chair):

Communications Committee - oversees the publication of this e-newsletter and the Chamber's website, helps to compile a master community calendar, assists other committees with publicity for various Chamber functions. Contact Communications Chair: Cathy Howard at 635-0443

Member Services Committee - helps to increase the benefits of membership, oversees the annual membership drive, and recruits new members to the Chamber (a great way to gain exposure for you and your business...). Contact Member Services Chair: Glenn Thomas at 252-2698

Scholarship Committee - is the steward of the "Swing For Scholarship" Trust Fund which provides annual scholarships to deserving graduates of WFHS, conducts the annual fundraiser to support the trust fund, and recommends scholarship recipients. Contact Scholarship Chair: Janis Crutchfield at 784-3225

Events Committee - plans the Chamber's key meetings throughout the year including the membership luncheons, Business After Hours, and the Business Awards Dinner. Also conducts Ribbon Cuttings for new and/or expanding businesses in the parish.
Contact Events Chair: Amy Spillman at 635-3523

Governmental Relations Committee - interfaces with governmental agencies such as the Police Jury, Town of St. Francisville, School Board and Port Commission to be the voice of business in our community. Also plans and conducts Town Hall meetings as necessary throughout the year.

Contact Governmental Relations Chair: Greg Accardo at 268-2201.

Again, we welcome (and need) your involvement. Please take a moment to contact one of these terrific committee chairs. You (and your Chamber) will be glad you did!As always, my door is open to you. Don't hesitate to email or call me with any questions, concerns, or ideas that you have.

Have a great week!

Michael Smith, President
The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce
266-2793

Last Call for Renewls!
2009 Chamber Membership Renewals

Just a reminder that if you have not renewed your Chamber membership for 2009 to send it in TODAY! Many calls are coming in to the office and we want your business referred first! If you need a new membership invoice, please call the office and let us know at 225-635-6717. You may renew and pay on our website at Chamber of Commerce

New Chamber Member
Chamber Welcomes Angola Museum

The St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce welcomes Angola LSP Museum to its list of members. Come see all the history of Angola at this interesting site. Hours of operation and more about the museum can be found at www.angolamuseum.org. Bring the family to West Feliciana and add this to your "must see" list.

Camellias in the Country
The Feliciana Nature Society and Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will host the 5th annual "Camellias in the Country" program on February 6 & 7, 2009. The weekend event will be packed with information, fun and food for those interested in Camellias or just want to spend a relaxing weekend to enjoy the beauty of West Feliciana. The event includes a program on camellia wine by award-winning chef, author, and TV celebrity John Folse.

Proceeds benefit projects of the Feliciana Nature Society. For reservations and more information call 1-800-488-6502 or 225-635-3110 or visit www.audubonbirdfest.com .



Library Events
Eatin' and Debatin' at West Feliciana Parish Library
On Sunday, February 1, 2009 at 3:00 pm, Mrs. Violet Pate will be at the West Feliciana Library to speak about her published cookbooks. She is the author of "Plantation Recipies" and "Aunt Shug's Favorite Plantation Recipes". The cookbooks will be available for purchase and signing.

On Thursday, February 5, 2009, some of Ms. Georgia Dudley's students from West Feliciana High School will debate the proposition: The Death Penalty Should Be Abolished in the State of Louisiana. They will begin at the West Feliciana Parish Library at 6:30 pm.

Call the Library at 225-784-0260 for more information on these events.


Red Cross Family Programs being offered

The LA Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering some family programs on First Aid, CPR, and Rescuer First Aid beginning February 3, 2009. Visit their website at www.batonrouge.redcross.org to register or to get more information.

Relocation Packets are now Available

If you know of anyone who is moving to St. Francisville, they can call the Chamber office at 635-6717 and request a re-location packet. Information about the parish and parish facilities along with phone numbers they will need and some brochures from Chamber businesses and maps of the town and parish are enclosed in the packets.

Contact Information
Linda Osterberger; Executive Secretary
phone: 635-6717

SFCC - 01/07/09

Greetings!

FROM THE 2009 PRESIDENT:

It is both an honor and a privilege to begin 2009 as the President of The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I would like to thank my fellow board members for their trust and support, and to thank the many fellow Chamber members who have shared an encouraging word. I am looking forward to a great year with a great organization in, what I consider to be, the greatest place to live, work, raise a family and run a business.

Each of us is keenly aware of our economic times. Whether this is a cyclical downturn or long-term economic shift remains to be seen. However, one thing is very clear to me - supporting our locally-owned businesses is at the very core of our success here in West Feliciana Parish. This is why I will work hard alongside my fellow Chamber board members to assist our member businesses with new and innovative ideas on marketing, research, cost savings, and training. Our first goal for 2009 is to assist our existing businesses in anyway that we can.

Another priority for the New Year will be to identify opportunities for new business offerings. Are there goods and services that you would like purchase that are not currently available in the area? We want to know about it - and so do other Chamber members. Perhaps there is a current business that can add that product or service to its offerings. Let's ask. Or, maybe we need to reach out to a possible new business. Either way, everyone wins when we communicate with our merchants in the marketplace.

Your Chamber will continue to build on its positive relationships with local and parish governments in the coming year. There is a renewed spirit of cooperation and optimism here in "Louisiana's Hill Country" and we're proud to be a part of it. By working closely with our government and community leaders we can help shape the future of this community into one that builds on our strengths and addresses our needs - while remaining beautiful, family friendly and business friendly.

Last, but not least, your Chamber will work hard to promote our many parish positives in any way that we can. From our natural beauty to our public schools, from our modern infrastructure improvements to our important role in American history, and from our community treasures to our new "can-do" government attitude, we live and work in a very special place. It's a great story and worth telling to anyone who will listen - and then repeat it.

Your Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is a tremendous group that mirrors our business community. Small businesses, large companies, mom-and-pop stores, manufacturing, sole proprietors, high tech - all have a seat at the table. And for the coming year, my pledge to you is that we will work as a team to help our community reach its common goals by helping our businesses - the backbone of our community - reach theirs.

My door is always open to you and your ideas. So, please, don't hesitate to let me know what's on your mind. My contact information is below. Let's talk.

Looking forward to a great 2009,

Mike Smith
President/CEO
ConnectCallUSA.com
2009 Chamber President
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New Chamber Members

The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce welcomes
Kean Enterprises, LLC to the chamber. The business specializes in investments and is owned by Mr. John Kean. The business opened in 2001.

We also welcome Audubon Cafe to the Chamber. Owner Lori Gore opened the restaurant in February 2004. Thank you both for serving the needs of the community!

The Chamber encourages everyone to support all of its members- they support the community!

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2009 Chamber Membership Renewals

Just a reminder that if you have not renewed your Chamber membership for 2009 to send in your renewal form and check. Many calls are coming in to the office and we want your business referred first! If you need a new membership invoice, please call the office and let us know at 225-635-6717 or renew and pay on our website at Renewal

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Business Recognition Dinner

The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the "Business Recognition Dinner" on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Sage Hill Reception Center at 6 pm. Tickets are $35 per person.
Reservations only required. There are still a few seats available so please call the office at 635-6717 or reserve your place and pay on line at the chamber website, Purchase your ticket(s) online.

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6th Annual Taste of the Felicianas

Mark your calendars! The Women's Service League of St. Francisville will host its Sixth Annual Taste of the Felicianas Gala, Bling, Bling It's a Girl Thing...A Nigh of Glitz and Glamour, Friday, January 23, 2009 at Hemingbough. The festivities will begin at 7:30 and tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Ticket price includes our magnificent all you can eat tasting from area restaurants and caterers, live music by Souled Out, exceptional silent auction, and other delightful surprises. A cash bar will also be available. Put on your cocktail attire and join us for an experience like no other.

New this year: "Nearly New" boutique of ladies cocktail attire, evening bags and costume jewelry! "Wine Pull" A $20 ticket allows you to "Pull" a numbered wine bottle cork assigned to a corresponding numbered bottle of wine valued $20 to $100. You win that bottle!

Please visit the . Women's Service League website or kkmarionneaux@bellsouth.net
for more information.

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