Greetings friends,

I look forward to assuming the presidency of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce for this next year. Going into my fourth year on the Board of Directors, I have developed the philosophy that the Chamber exists solely for the benefit of its members. Therefore, in this coming year, I and the other members of the Board of Directors want to do everything we can to enhance the benefits and establish new ones for our membership.

To that end, as President, I have it in my plans to the best of my ability, to visit each member business of the Chamber as is possible. When I do visit your business, I will be asking how we can make the Chamber better and how we can serve our membership better. Is there some other benefit that we can develop for the betterment of our membership? In order to do this, we need your feedback. Please do not hesitate to contact us at the Chamber office.

As business people, we all understand the necessity to market ourselves and our businesses. We also understand the importance of public relations. The Chamber is no different. We need to market ourselves as well. We need to work on public relations also. With that in mind, the Marketing and Advertising Committee is putting the finishing touches on an idea that I call the Liaison Program.

We have divided the River Valley into different geographical areas with each member of the Board of Directors having the responsibility of the area in which they live, if possible. That director will become your representative to the Board at large. That director will endeavor to help you, within the scope of their time availability, with any Chamber business and questions that you might have. In this manner, we are putting a “face” to the Chamber.

In all actuality, there are many “faces.” These directors are duly elected by you the members of the Chamber of Commerce, and many of them live in your different areas. They are your friends and neighbors and they care very much how your business is doing. As directors, they also want to help you succeed in your business. As this plan is put into action, you will be given more information as to who your liaison is and how you can get in touch with him or her if you need to. This doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to contact us at the Chamber office, but this is just another way that we want to help you, our fellow members.

Here’s hoping that you and your family have a happy and fun-filled Fourth of July!

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Joseph (Joe) F. Roberts,

President