copy of May 2012

You can reach the Chamber at:

300 Main Street

Fort Morgan, CO 80701

970-867-6702

fmchamber@qwestoffice.net

www.fortmorganchamber.org

Your 2012 Board of Directors

Officers

President

Geoff Baumgartner

Morgan County REA

Vice President

Jeff Osuch

Ehrlich Toyota East

Secretary

Melissa Johnson

Media Logic Radio LLC

Treasurer

Robert Farmer

Key Bank

Past Officer

Dan Marler

Morgan Community College

Board Members

Jade Spotts

Spotts Brothers Furnace

Company Inc

Julie Spradlin

NE Colorado Broadcasting

Heath Stencel

Longmeadow Game Resort & Event Center

Greg Wagers

Fort Morgan School District

Ex-Officio Members

John Brennan

City of Fort Morgan

Brian McCracken

Morgan County

Dr. Kerry Hart

Morgan

Community College

Cassandra Wilson

Morgan County

Economic

Development

Robin Northrup

Executive Director

Meet Our Newest Member

New Member - Larry French Accounting - 111 E. Railroad Ave, Fort Morgan, CO 80701 970-867-9040, Fax - 970-867-9008, tfa@kci.net. Larry French accounting has been in business since December of 1977. His business handles accounting, bookkeeping, taxes, income tax problems and payroll. He has four employees, and is open from 8am-Noon and 1pm-5pm - Monday through Friday. You can often see Larry at Chamber events. He has been a long time volunteer, and we are happy to have him on board.

Meet Our Newest Member

New Member - Lady Saver Laundromat - Owned by Sandy French and is located at 615 W. Platte Ave, Fort Morgan. Lady Saver has been in business for 47 years. Sandy took over the business 12 years ago. With Wash, Fluff and Fold Services, the Laundromat is open from 6am - 8pm daily. Sandy currently has three employees and is open 7 days a week. If you are in the area, stop in and welcome her to the Chamber.

Meet Our Newest Member

New Member - The Alzheimers Association. The Colorado Chapter is one of over 70 Alzheimer's Association chapters serving communities across the United States. http://www.alz.org/about_us_about_us_.asp . The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research..

Join the movement to end Alzheimers. You can make a difference in our fight to reclaim the future— a future free from Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. Lead the way and be the first to sign up for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2012. Use our enhanced online registration and fundraising website - designed to further help you reach your goals while staying motivated and having fun! In 2011, you helped us raise more than $47 million nationwide in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Your fundraising and awareness efforts are helping to change the course of this disease, but there is still much to be done so we can ultimately achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.

Fort Morgan, Saturday, September 8, Fort Morgan City Park, Register Now

Meet Our Newest Member

New Member - Unified Title - Mike Oakes, serves as Vice President of Unified Title Company of Northern Colorado, LLC. Mike earned his BA in Broadcasting in 1990 from Arizona State University. He began his career in Title Insurance in 1991 with Security Title in Denver where he learned all aspects of the Title Business Including Underwriting, Business Development, Escrow Operations, and Management. Mike has four children ages 11, 16, 16, and 19, lives in Greeley, and is a Colorado native. He currently serves as Director of Greeley Centennial Rotary Club where he is also the chair of the Finance Committee, member of the golf committee, and publisher of the online newsletter. He will be announcing the opening of his office in Fort Morgan in May.

Meet Our Newest Member

New Member - Akron Auto in Fort Morgan has been in business since July 2008. Offering a wide variety of quality pre-owned vehicles from your teenagers first car to Dad’s work truck, and everything in between. We have financing for all credit levels. At Akron Auto we meet our communities needs by providing a full service shop, and exceeding their expectation with our excellent customer service. Stop in today or visit online.

Akron Auto in Fort Morgan is located at 202 E Platte Ave. in Fort Morgan, CO 80701. Phone 970-867-0807 fax 970-867-0817 or website is www.akronautofm.com Our hours are 8 to 6 Monday-Friday and Saturday 8-4 or later by appointment.

97.5 BOB FM - BOBSTOCK 2012 featuring The Little River Band

Media Logic Radio is excited to announce the headline act for Bobstock 2012

THE LITTLE RIVER BAND

BOBStock 2012 will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 7th at City Park in downtown Fort Morgan. There will be non-stop music throughout the day featuring several local bands.
Opening for the Little River Band will be Fort Morgan’s own "Synthetic Elements."
Sunday, July 8th will feature a community church service beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by another line-up of bands. The event will conclude at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
BOBStock will also include vendor booths, games for the kids, the Elks Lodge beer garden and a variety of food booths.

Booth Space available through the Fort Morgan Chamber

Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce

970-867-6702 or fmchamber@qwestoffice.net

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Fort Morgan Federal Credit Union

Mark your calendars for a Ribbon Cutting and Open House at the new Fort Morgan Federal Credit Union building - 709 E. Railroad, Fort Morgan - on Tuesday, May 8th. The Ribbon Cutting will take place at 1:00, followed by an Open House until 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Come on down and meet the staff and see their new building.

Newsletter Advertising

Advertising space for promotion or coupons can be purchased for $25.00 per newsletter by contacting Robin at the Chamber Office at 970-867-6702 or email fmchamber@qwestoffice.net

Chamber Information

The Chamber has been working hard to publicize our members, events, seminars and our website & calendar. We have been calling and visiting our members to update your information for the Chamber Website. Now that summer is here, the Chamber is an information warehouse for callers. We have calls coming in for just about everything you can imagine. Our Calendar of events is hot on the list this last month. You can visit our calendar at http://www.fortmorganchamber.org/ . We refer our calls to our website, along with giving them information over the phone.

As a Chamber Member, we want to remind you of the benefits that you can be using throughout the year. Each member is entitled to two email blasts per month. This can be information about an upcoming event for your business or just to put your name out there. The Chamber is restarting their Business After Hours, Member Luncheons and sponsoring seminars that we feel will be beneficial to you and your business. Did you know that the Chamber has a "Community Information" area? We have several people stopping in to get information on businesses and the town. Please bring down any pamphlets or business cards that you would like displayed, or call the Chamber at 970-867-6702, and we will be happy to pick them up. We have a full list of the benefits of being a Chamber Member, and we are happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you are ever down by 300 Main Street, stop in and say hello.

News Flash

FMS Bank - Formerly known as Fort Morgan State Bank, 520 Sherman Street, Fort Morgan, CO 80701, 970-867-3319, unveiled their new sign to celebrate their 30th Anniversary and name change on April 6th.

Have you met our new Executive Director?

Robin Northrup was named Executive Director April 2012. Prior to services with the Chamber, she was employed in the Hospitality Industry, working in management, marketing, networking, and planning for group events.

In the past years, Robin has served on the Fort Morgan Area Chamber Board of Directors, Morgan County Tourism Panel, the Fort Morgan Head Start Policy Council, CH Regional Co-Op and the State of Colorado Tourism Ambassador Program. A native to Colorado for the past 17 years, Robin has made Fort Morgan her home since 1995.

Chamber Event

Chamber Luncheon - The 4 P's of Marketing
05/17/2012
Chamber Luncheon - Marketing Seminar Time - 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Place - District Support Center. Cost - Chamber Members - $10.00 Non-Chamber Members - $12.00

The 4 P's of Marketing
Marketing topics to include -
What is marketing?
What does marketing entail?
Many facets of marketing
Cost effective marketing ideas

2012 Chamber - Home and Garden Show Sponsored by: The City of Fort Morgan, Morgan County Tourism Panel and Walmart

The 2012 Chamber Home and Garden Show took place at the Fort Morgan High School on March 9 & 10, 2012

A portion of the Fort Morgan Times article March 13, 2012.

“People enjoyed a variety of entertainment, and had a chance to visit booths offering products during the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show at Fort Morgan High School Saturday.

Entertainment started off with the Lake Street Choir and moved to the Fort Morgan High School Jazz Band, a presentation on how to save money by saving energy, the Fort Morgan High School Symphony, the School for the Performing Arts and a talk on remodeling homes”.

The Chamber was happy to announce that over 1,800 guests were present during the two day event. An exciting addition to the event was The Pinewood Derby races, brought in by Jack Spots for the Cub Scouts and the Optimist Club Brain Bowl.

The event was highly successful and we already have vendors ready for next year.

If you would like more information on the Home and Garden Show, contact the Fort Morgan Chamber Office at 970-867-6702 or email at

fmchamber@qwestoffice.net

Newsletter Advertising Space Available

Advertising space for promotion or coupons can be purchased for $25.00 per news letter by contacting Robin at the Chamber office - fmchamber@qwestoffice.net or by calling 970-867-6702.

Business After Hours (BAH) Clarion Inn & Embers Restaurant, Thursday, June 21, 2012

Join us at the Clarion Inn & Embers Restaurant14378 Hwy. 34, Fort Morgan, CO 80701. 970-867-8200 for our June Business After Hours (BAH). The event is our foremost networking opportunity. Not only does it offer guests the chance to meet people representing local agencies and business in a relaxed social setting, but you will meet the Hosts from The Clarion and Embers Restaurant. BAH’s attract several of our business community members and fellow Chamber Members. Join us on Thursday, June 21st from 5:30 - 7:00pm. Members, employees, and your guests are welcome.

Excellence in Business

CACE partnership with Morgan Federal Bank is hosting guest speakers Charlie Brown, Director of DU’s Center for Colorado’s Economic Futures and his colleague Phyllis Resnik on Tuesday, May 22, 7pm in the Morgan Community College Founders Room. The topic of discussion will be state economics and the implications for local businesses. For more information - contact April Amack 970-542-3187

12 Most Inescapable Leadership Teachings

Posted by David M. Dye on Apr 19, 2012 in Blog, Business, Le

http://12most.com/2012/04/19/inescapable-leadership-teachings/

Leadership is a journey where the first steps are often the most difficult. Throughout that journey you learn through your own experiences and the lessons of others. However, those early lessons are often the most critical.

These 12 most inescapable leadership teachings are a combination of both types of learning: wisdom gained from early mentors as well as experiences along the way. They apply as much today as they ever have — you can’t escape them! I hope these early lessons help you build a solid foundation or refresh you on your journey to change the world!

1. Your number one job is to build your replacement

The most important work you’ll ever do is to invest in other people. You simply cannot change the world on your own. Leaders build leaders. If you want additional responsibility or increased impact, help others learn to do what you’re doing.

2. Don’t believe your own press release

Success can easily turn sour if you start to assume all the good things you hear about yourself or your organization are automatic… that things will go well because they always have in the past. Enjoy praise and affirmation when they come, but remember the work it took. That work usually took place where no one could see it.

3. People don’t argue with their own information

You may have a great solution to a problem others don’t even know exists. The time you take to outline problems and get input from others will pay for itself ten times over. It is critical to involve stakeholders in problem solving. We are all more likely to implement solutions we have helped craft.

4. All of us are smarter than one of us (sometimes)

Crowdsourcing has demonstrated this one in many ways. No one person has all the answers or knows all the facts. But I say “sometimes” because crowds can also make pretty dumb decisions. Your job as a leader is to set clear criteria and a vision of what we can accomplish. Leaders help all of us to be smarter than one of us.

5. The greatest are the least

Humility is fundamental to influence. Humility can take many forms, but at its core it says:

“We are both human beings with value”

“I know enough to know I may be wrong”

“How can I help?”

“Come and join me” not “go do this for me” — people intuitively know if you think you are better than they are. No one follows that.

6. We, not I

Leaders say “we”, not “I.” It’s not about you, it’s about the team.

7. Bring people with you

Once I was leading a group of fifty or sixty people from outside an arena through doors, around the concourse, and down to a bank of seats on the arena floor. We each put a hand on one another’s shoulder and I set off. When I got to the chairs, however, only three people had made it with me. I had gone too fast and the team broke apart. I was a great scout that day — I found the chairs. But leaders take people with them.

8. No responsibility without authority

This one I learned very early in life. As the oldest of six, I was asked to get the house clean by the time my father returned home. I was given responsibility… but I was 12 years old. 12 year olds don’t have a lot of authority. Effective leaders do not give responsibility without also giving authority to go with it.

9. Say “thank you”

No one must do anything for you. They choose to do it. Acknowledge that miracle!

10. Apologize

When you’re wrong, own it. Apologize and make it right. A real apology acknowledges that you were wrong.

11. Flowers bloom in their own time

As a child I would be so eager for the first spring roses or peonies to bloom that I sometimes “helped” them along. I would pry open the green leaves covering the blossom and try to coax the interior petals into the semblance of a flower. Of course, it ruined the whole thing.

Flowers bloom when they are ready and you cannot force them. People also have natural seasons and you can ruin good people by forcing things. Sometimes you have to go slow to go fast.

12. Protect people’s dignity

Extend worth to everyone. Celebrate their contribution to the world. Do not spend time with those who steal another’s dignity.

Even in difficult situations such as ending someone’s employment, extend dignity. There is never a reason to belittle or make someone feel small. If you do, you will lose credibility as well as lose the person and their network.

Sometimes the early lessons are the most important. They serve as a beacon to call us back to sanity when life gets complicated.

What has been your most inescapable leadership teaching? How did you learn it?

Featured image courtesy of MightyBoyBrian via Creative Commons

Chamber Calendar of Events

More information on these events and others can be viewed on the Chamber Website Calendar at - http://www.fortmorganchamber.org/

Check us out on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/fortmorganchamber

Cropin for B.A.B.Y
05/05/12 9:00am to 6:00pm

REDHEAD EXPRESS Concert 05/08/12 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Chamber Ribbon Cutting at the Fort Morgan Federal Credit Union 05/08/12 1:00pm to 4:00pm

2nd Annual Hospital Hustle 05/12/12

Morgan Community College - HOSA Blood Drive 05/16/12 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Chamber Luncheon - The 4 P's of Marketing 05/17/12 11:30am to 1:00pm

Excellence in Business 05/22/12

Kick Off To Summer 06/02/12

Morgan County Relay For Life 06/08/12 5:00pm to 11:30pm

Antique Tractor & Power Show 06/09/12 6:00am to 5:00pm

MCC & CACE presents Deomen of the Guard 06/16/12 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Northeast Rural Philanthropy Days 06/20/12
-06/22/12

Glenn Miller SwingFest 06/21/12
-06/24/12

Business After Hours - Clarion Inn/Embers Restaurant, May 17th 06/21/12 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Advertising Space Available

Advertising space for promotion or coupons can be purchased for $25.00 per newsletter by contacting Robin at the Chamber Office at 970-867-6702 or emailfmchamber@qwestoffice.net

Volunteer Help Wanted

Kick Off To Summer, June 2nd, 2012 - Join us for the Community Breakfast, Volleyball Tournaments, and downtown sidewalk sales. We can always use an extra hand.

97.5 BOBSTOCK Vendor Booths, July 7th & 8th, 2012 - We are looking for a few good people that would like to be involved with the vendors and booth spaces throughout the weekend.

Ambassadors Committee - Meets the first Monday of each month at the Chamber Office at Noon. Come down and join a great bunch of people that go out and meets our Members. Only a few hours a month, and you choose your own schedule.

More events will be listed - We are always looking for people that have a few hours during an event to help out. Gather a group from work that enjoys getting out there and bring exposure to your business and the chamber by helping with meet and greet and working behind the scenes at events.

Good Neighbor Day at KeyBank, Fort Morgan - May 24th, 2012

Instead of serving customers, the Fort Morgan KeyBank employees will be serving their community. KeyBank will close their doors on May 24th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm and send their employees into the community to work. If you know of a community project that is in need of volunteers, please call KeyBank at 970-867-7777 for more information.

Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce Website Traffic Report

Robin Northrup

Do you ever wonder how often people visit the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce Website?

Well... We have that information.

In the month of April in 2012, we have had:

Member Directory Queries: 65429
Number of Member Exposures: 357062

Your chamber membership provides the public with information, not only about the chamber, but about our members as well.

Fort Morgan Area News - copy of May 2012