FAIR OAKS CHAMBER is going VIRTUAL
What does this mean? We will be closing our office doors on Aug 31st and will continue to run our chamber virtually (as we have for the past 6 months) and remotely from our community when it is safe to do so. *Note ; for those that missed the announcement, we are working on getting the video up soon on our website, so you can hear why we decided to do this.
Trust me this was not an easy decision to make, but one we had to make to keep our chamber alive and in business. As your Executive Director I had to make a hard decision back in May, to go on unemployment, yes I have been a volunteer of the chamber since May. It was not easy to do but something I had to do. We don't qualify for many loans as a 501c 3 (6). Our chamber took close to a $75k loss so far this year due to the pandemic. In the past 7 years I was able to build up a small reserve account to keep us afloat but that was only going to last a few months before we were 100% out of money and out of business. My plan is to do everything I can to save our chamber and stay with the chamber for as long as I can financially. One of the first things to do was lose the overhead of having an office. Being home during this time has proved that I can work remotely from home and in the community, so why not start there!
Our plan going forward is to work remotely in our community, I plan to be out at Chamber members businesses and helping support them by offering specials or doing live videos and more, once we can safely do so.
I pretty much have written off this 2020 year since we are already nearing the end of August, with the exception of our Honorary Mayor candidates. I do not see us able to have a large gathering or events, so I will be taking this time and working on updating our website and working on the new marketing information we will offer to our members that is offered nowhere else. If members don't taken advantage of what is offered to them for Free - you are missing out!
I'm excited about the change as we will be the first in our area to do this, I spoke with many other chamber colleagues and they are talking about going virtual as well, as the times have changed with chambers of commerce. Don't worry we will still have in person events and networking opportunities when we can safely do so, and just maybe if things are looking better we can maybe get a small office again.
GOING VIRTUAL SALE!!!
Chamber items we will no longer need
office supplies, office furniture, Fair Oaks items, artwork, pictures, chairs, decorations, raffle items and so much more... to much to list.
Come by to see if there is anything you just can't live without or are in need of some things this is the place and there is only a few days to come check it out.
Items sold will help fund the chamber.
Chamber Sale dates
These are the only dates available, come by and see us
10014 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks
Thursday Aug 20th 11am - 3pm
Friday Aug 21st 11am - 3pm
Monday Aug 24th 12pm - 6pm
Tuesday Aug 25th 12pm - 6pm
Our scheduled date to move will be on Wednesday Aug 26th & 27th.
If you want to come by and volunteer packing or moving or helping with the sale please let me know, I have a 1500sq. ft office I have to get ready to move over to the Extra Space Storage location just on the other side of Sunrise, by the 26th so help is appreciated or just a visit come on by. Please let me know if you want to volunteer by emailing me at info@fairoakschamber.com
What is a Chamber of Commerce? it is a form of business network, for example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Fair Oaks Chamber's Mission Statement: serving, representing, and enhancing business growth and success in the Fair Oaks Community
I'm a BIG believer in supporting local chamber and community. It is so important to support all our local small businesses, not only our restaurants, but our bars, specialty shops, salons, banks, home businesses, grocery, senior care, real estate, financial advisors, local dentists and doctors, schools, churches, gyms, recreation & parks, our small clubs and non-profit organizations and so many more. We need these businesses to thrive so that we can all thrive. Let's keep Fair Oaks as special as it is. It is the place to Live, Work, Play .
Your Executive Director,
Kimberley Pitillo
