We want your input!
Our members are what make us successful. Let us know what we can do to make your membership more valuable. Attend a Board meeting to tell us in person, send an email, or leave a voicemail at 423-3650.
Host An After Hours
Our island is small which limits where we can hold our monthly After Hours events. If you would like to host an After Hours let us know. It is a great way to show off your office location or talk to fellow members about your home−based business. Send us an email or leave a voicemail at 423-3650.
The Chamber kicked off its 2007 Winter Breakfast Series on
Tuesday, January 23 with “Marketing for Small Business”. Charlie
Petit, Chamber President, and owner of Petit Marketing, talked about creating
a brand identity and using your “brand” consistently throughout
your marketing. Margaret O’Connor of Wickford Web Works spoke to the
group about the benefits of email marketing and using it to build your
customer base and grow customer loyalty.
Our next breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20 where Jennifer
O'Hora Lawrence, President of the Newport County Board of Realtors will
talk about ”Local & National Real Estate Trends”.
She’ll discuss what has been happening in our area and how that
compares to what is going on throughout the country. We all know how
important real estate is to the Jamestown business community and this
is an excellent opportunity to learn how it impacts our area.
The final session will be held Tuesday, March 20 with Doug Hanson of
BankNewport talking about “Small Business Financing”. This
event is sponsored by Brockmann &
Associates.
Each session is held at The Bay Voyage, 150 Conanicus Avenue from 7:30 to
8:45 am and includes a hot buffet breakfast. Cost is $10 per session for
Chamber members and $15 for non−members. We are running a special
incentive for non−members − attend a breakfast, join the
Chamber and get $15 off your membership.
Register
online or call 423-3650. Special thanks to John McCauley for
coordinating this series.
Join us in welcoming
our newest members...
Bentsen Signworks
Cityscope
Distinctive Construction
Gallagher Environmental Consulting Group
Jamestown Wine & Spirits
Montgomery Design Group
Spencer W. Potter Real Estate
Chamber Chocolates are a new fundraising initiative to
raise money for the Chamber Scholarship Fund. Made by Sweenor’s
Chocolates, and designed by Chamber member
Jane Lee, these custom
chocolate bars are 5 ounces of your choice of milk or dark chocolate.
The chocolates are available for purchase at Baker’s
Pharmacy, Conanicut Marine Ship’s Store, Grapes & Gourmet,
Jamestown Hardware & The Secret Garden and are $7.50 each.
Chamber Chocolates are a great idea for visiting family, for
your Jamestown friends who have moved on to other places, for corporate or
employee gifts, for wedding gift baskets, or just because you want a
sweet treat.
If you would like more than 10 chocolates, please contact the Chamber by
email or leave a voicemail at 423-3650.
Mark Your Calendars!
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7:30−8:45 am
Winter Breakfast Series, The Bay Voyage
“Local & National Real Estate Trends”
Thursday, Feb. 22, 7−9 pm
350th Jamestown Anniversary
Celebration Committee
Jamestown Library
Tuesday, Mar. 20, 7:30−8:45 am
Winter Breakfast Series, The Bay Voyage
“Financing for Small Business”
March, Date & Time TBA
Annual Meeting
This August, Jamestown will celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Jamestown Land Agreement. This important historical document was signed in 1657 when the colonists purchased Conanicut Island from the Narragansetts.
The Chamber, along with several other island organizations, will work together as a “ Celebration Committee” to plan a week−long series of events for our community. The first meeting is Thursday, February 22nd from 7 to 9 pm at the Jamestown Library. Anyone interested in helping coordinate events is encouraged to attend. You don’t need to be a Chamber member − the only requirement is that you have some time to volunteer and make this a memorable event for Jamestown.
Marketing Committee Open to All Members
If you’ve got ideas and an hour a month, join
the Chamber's Marketing Committee. The group meets the second Thursday of
each month at 8 am to plan and execute marketing, advertising, and public
relations projects to promote the Chamber, our membership and events.
For more information or to join, contact
Donna Kohler, Chamber Executive Director.
Each May, the Chamber issues two $500 scholarships and now is the time to apply. The Chamber scholarship is open to any Jamestown resident pursuing business−related studies. Whether you yourself are taking a night course or your child will be going off to college in the Fall, make sure you get your application in. Applications are available at Baker’s Pharmacy or online.
Make sure your web listing is correct. Visit our Member Listing Page to verify your listing. If you have any changes, submit them by email.
Make sure we have your email address so you receive all of our communications. Because things do happen at the last minute, there are some announcements that only go out by email. We don’t give out or sell email addresses − we only use it to keep you updated on Chamber activities. Send us an email to be added to our distribution list.
And make sure you are receiving all of our communications by adding info@jamestownRIchamber.com to your trusted email list so that we don’t go into your spam folder.
2006/2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Charlie Petit, Petit Marketing
1st Vice President Jane Lee,Jane Lee Design
2nd Vice President Peter Brockmann, Brockmann & Associates
Secretary Vicki DeAngeli, Island Realty
Treasurer Eric Eunis, Rabecca L. Eunis, CPA
Tim Baker, Baker’s Pharmacy
Mary Brittain, View This
Deb Goyette, The Purple Door
John McCauley, Island Realty
Karen Potter, Bella Baskets
Bob Umbenhauer, East Ferry Deli
Board Meetings Open to All Members
The Board of Directors of the Jamestown Chamber
of Commerce meets the first Thursday of each month from 7:15 to 8:30 am at the
Jamestown Police Station, 250 Conanicus Avenue. Board meetings are open to the
public, are handicap accessible, and we encourage members to attend. Our agenda
and schedule are posted
online. Anyone wishing to address the Chamber or give a presentation should
contact the Chamber a minimum of 1 week prior to a scheduled meeting by
email or calling 423.3650.
The Board would like to thank Harry Wright & John Murphy of the Jamestown
Historial Society and Judy Bell of The Jamestown Library for their recent
presentations.
Holidays in Jamestown
The holidays were a little bit brighter and more
festive again this winter thanks to the efforts of many of our members. December
was filled with events for anyone and everyone from Santa’s arrival, The Polar
Express trolley, Teddy Bear Tea, CIAA Craft Fair, Dog Parade and a new event this year,
a Winter Holiday Party for teens & their families.
The holiday season has truly become a time for our community to come together and
showcase all that makes Jamestown such a wonderful place to call home. Many thanks
to all of our sponsors and volunteers, particularly
Conanicut Marine Services,
Jack’s Electric, and
Rabecca L. Eunis, CPA.
A special thanks to the Jamestown Fire
Department and The Secret Garden for their continued assistance and support
in decorating our downtown area.
Boat Show Recap
The Chamber once again participated in the Providence Boat
Show at the RI Convention Center this past January. The Chamber booth featured information
on many of our downtown businesses, as well as home−based businesses serving the
marine industry. This event has been great way to draw attention to our island and all
of its resources and offerings.
The feedback each year is always very positive with many people saying that they haven’t
been to Jamestown in awhile but will plan a visit. Many thanks to the businesses who
participated and to those who volunteered to man the booth. A special thanks to May Munger of
Conanicut Marine Services, David Swain of
Ocean State Scuba, and Chuck Masso of Chopmist
Charlie’s for coordinating the event on behalf of the Chamber.
Membership Notes
The Chamber always welcomes new members. If you know a Jamestown business or organization or a Jamestown resident who owns an off−island business that would enjoy our networking/social events, participating in community events or keeping both our downtown & home−based businesses visable please forward this newsletter!
Download our membership application.
Our Current Membership is 130!
Our Chamber Check program continues to be a huge hit with island residents. This past holiday season we sold $4,730 in Jamestown Chamber Checks − this is money that can only be spent at participating member businesses. We have 30 businesses accepting Chamber Checks from shops, salons, & restaurants to accommodations and professional services.
We’ve been actively promoting this program through our website and with signs throughout town. It is a great opportunity for your business to get additional exposure − and best of all, there is no cost to participate. You simply tell us you want to accept Chamber Checks, and when you receive them as payment, mail them to us at PO Box 35 and we’ll mail a 100% reimbursement within 1 week. It really is that simple!
Find out more about the Chamber Check program or call us at 423.3650 to sign−up.
A Message from the President
I have had the fortunate experience of serving on the
Chamber Board for the past 3 years, and as President this past year. The
Chamber has grown a lot in that time with our membership increasing and our
organization becoming more involved in our community and in representing our
membership.
Our organization is a dynamic group of business owners
and community members who are what make our Chamber successful. It is
through their efforts and time that we can accomplish so much.
We have an extremely exciting year ahead of us
particularly with the 350th Jamestown Celebration and our annual
"Night at the..." fundraiser. I encourage all of our members to get
involved with the Chamber in one way or another and take advantage of
what the Chamber offers.
Sincerely,
Charlie Petit
President