NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The Chamber Board’s Nominating Committee met to consider new candidates for the 2017 Chamber Board of Directors. Shannon Medley, Lea Ann Thomas and Sharon Casey are the Board members who rotate off the Board.

I am very happy to announce that Clint Edwards, who has served on the Executive Committee as Vice President of Economic Development/Community Development, has accepted the nomination for next year’s President. A complete list of the nominations are as follows:

Seats Available (retiring members)
  9. Shannon Medley
11. Lea Ann Thomas
 21. Sharon Casey

Nominating Committee Recommendations           
  9. Richard Dreyer of Tindale Oliver
11. Chandra Frederick of BOCC
21. Orathi Northern, Ph.D. of Polk State College

The above slate was presented by the Nominating Committee to the Board as their recommendations for the Board election in December.

Additional names of candidates for Directors can be nominated by petition bearing the genuine signatures of at least twenty-five (25) qualified Chamber members. Qualified members are defined as a “main” contact on any business or individual membership in good standing, with only one signature per membership accepted. Such a petition shall be filed with the Nominating Committee within ten (10) days after the notice has been given of the names of those nominated. The determination of the Nominating Committee as to the legality of the petition(s) shall be final.

Bartow is very fortunate to have outstanding leadership within the business community. I am very pleased with this year’s nominees to your Board of Directors. My year as President is rapidly coming to a close. It is very gratifying to see new, dynamic individuals wanting to serve on the Chamber Board.

 Until next week,
Jennifer Hall

Your Chamber President, 2016

ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!
We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

Congratulations to the 2016 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, December 9,  2016, at 8:00 a.m.
      Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.

Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

Hair Salons
The Hair Parlour Styling Studio, LLC
Ms. Tiffany Sackett
130 S. Wilson Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 661-3515

Caterers
All Racked Up BBQ
David & Stephanie Kimbrough
3420 Stoneway Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33812
(863) 670-5325

Advertising Agency
Lakeland Outdoor Advertising
Ms. Kathy Oertel
General Manager
215 E. Bay Street, Suite 7
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 603-0373
lakelandoutdoor.com

Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

Left to right: Lori Martini (Chief Philanthropic Officer), Christy Vreeland (Executive Assistant), Terry W. Simmers (President, CEO), Barbara Adamson (Bartow Chamber), Dave Walter (Communications Specialist), Amy Royal (Chief Financial Officer), Rhonda Todd (Community Engagement Specialist)

November Business of the Month
________________________________________

GiveWELL Community Foundation
Lakeland Office: 1501 South Florida Ave., Lakeland 33803
(863) 683-3131
WH Office: 20 3rd Street SW, Suite 307, Winter Haven 33880
(863) 683-3131
info@GiveCF.org

GiveWell Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties by connecting donors to the needs of the community. We offer individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits an efficient place to invest dollars that grow to do tremendous good.


WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME
THE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH?
Contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Services,
863-533-7125 or email
barbara@bartowchamber.com

Help us honor them! Here's the form to sign them up for the Veteran's Day Luncheon honoring our local Veterans, Nov. 11, 2016, 11:00 a.m. Sponsorships also available. Sponsor this worthwhile event to purchase lunches for our local hometown heroes and a guest. Veterans and Sponsor forms available at the Chamber; or register to sponsor or attend this event here!

The ceremonial red ribbon is cut for the new location for Rummel Klepper & Kahl (RK&K), by Dick Combs, Florida Transportation Leader for RK&K on Wednesday, November 2. RK&K is now located at 402 S. Kentucky Avenue, Suite 400, Lakeland.

MAIN STREET BARTOW HONEY BEE FESTIVAL & CRAFT FAIR NOVEMBER 12
    Bartow’s annual Craft Fair, now in its 25th year, will again include the Honey Bee Festival. Main Street Bartow, Inc. has partnered with the Ridge Beekeepers Association to bring a day full of education and fun, along with the local craft show the community looks forward to annually, on Saturday, November 12. The event will be held from 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. in downtown Bartow.Nearly 100 vendors will be offering a wide variety of handmade, all-season crafts, and honey and honey products will be featured. Food will be available for purchase from vendors on the street as well as from Bartow’s downtown restaurants. An open car show will also be a part of the event, as well as Bartow’s monthly Antique Fair. There will also be a children’s tent and other activities for children. For further information, call Main Street Bartow, Inc. at 863-519-0508 or email mainstreetbartow@verizon.net.

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

NOVEMBER

Wednesday, November 9, 9:30 a.m.
LENNYS GRILL & SUBS RIBBON-CUTTING
485 E. Van Fleet Dr., Bartow

Thursday, November 10
LEADERSHIP XVII EDUCATION DAY

Thursday, November 10, 5:00 p.m.
BARTOW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FUN THURSDAY

Friday, November 11, 11:00 a.m.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Bartow Civic Center

Saturday, November 12
HONEY BEE FESTIVAL & FALL CRAFT FAIR

Monday, November 14, 9:30 a.m.
THE HAIR PARLOUR STYLING STUDIO RIBBON-CUTTING
130 S. Wilson Ave., Bartow

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!

Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there! NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.