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October 15, 2012

Chamber continues forward as Baldwin, Stewart leave

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Despite having two of its three employees leaving to pursue other opportunities, the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is continuing to move forward.

Chamber President Chris Deal was sad to see Sandy Stewart and Laurie Baldwin leave the Chamber, but said the Chamber isn’t just based on the office staff.

Deal said there are many volunteers who are stepping up to help out.

“The Chamber is larger than any one individual,” Deal said. “It’s a volunteer-based entity. I’m appreciative of all Laurie and Sandy have done.”

With the departure of the two women, the Chamber office may be shorthanded, but Deal isn’t concerned.

He went to Express Personnel, a Chamber member, and asked for them to connect him with someone who would be able to answer calls and handle customer service situations.

On an annual basis, the Chamber fields 7,000 calls asking everything from “When it Halloween?” to requests for help to find services within the Duncan community.

He said the Chamber is all about working and advocating for the community and its businesses.

Deal said the Chamber will continue that mission and will work toward being more member driven.

By bringing in new people to work the office, he hopes to be able to restructure the Chamber office.

“This will allow us to broaden the Chamber base,” Deal said. “We’re all about building relationships.

“This is an opportunity to change direction. The Chamber represents the heart of service.”

Deal said the Chamber volunteers and the Chamber board have stepped up to ensure things continue to go smoothly, especially with one of the Chamber’s biggest events coming up. The Holiday Gift and Glitz is set for Nov. 17.

“There are great people  who have offered to help if we need help,” he said. “I will be looking to them.”

In the past year, Deal has seen membership grow nearly by nearly 30 new members. Last year’s membership was at 458 members. This year, membership is up to 485 members.

He said the important thing is for those members and prospective members to know the Chamber is still standing strong and will continue to work for them.

He said the volunteers and the board are helping the Chamber to grow and succeed.

“We have a really good board,” Deal said. “We have a good board coming on, too.”

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