I would like to begin my inaugural weekly updates with a heartfelt thank you for the warm welcome I’ve received throughout the community regarding my appointment as executive director. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the counties of Wetzel and Tyler. My goal in the coming weeks and months is to visit our member businesses, to listen to each of your concerns and suggestions, and to share our vision in creating a robust chamber that serves all members and our community.
To that effort…
In January of 2021, there was a survey sent to all members with your billing invoice. Over two hundred surveys were sent out. The return rate was dismal. We received sixteen completed surveys. While the return rate was low, the responses, I believe are representative of a number of our members.
252 Surveys distributed with January 2021 Invoice
16 Surveys returned
6% Participation rate
1. What do you feel is the proper role the Chamber should play in the community?
· Economic development
· Small business support
· Community promotion and support
· Promote local businesses and community activities
· Work with the area government agencies
2. Why did you become a member of the Chamber?
· To become more involved in the community
· Support local businesses
· Networking
· Civic responsibility
3. What would you like to see the Chamber do better than it has in the past?
· Finding businesses that attract people to stay in the area
· Promote area businesses
· Business networking referrals
· Educational seminars
· Training events
· Communication
· Spotlighting businesses
· Helping new businesses get started
· Networking with other chambers around the state
· Community support—financial and general
4. What programs that we offer have you taken advantage of in the past?
· Business After Hours
· Ribbon cutting
· The Entrepreneur Pitch
· Christmas parade
· Candidate Forum
· Small Business Saturday
· Advertising
· Lunch and Learn
· Play It Forward
5. Does your organization have events that frequently need volunteers?
· Only one respondent indicated an occasional need for volunteers
6. Overall, how would you rate the performance of the Wetzel-Tyler Chamber of Commerce over the last two years?
· On a scale of 1-10, our average rating was 7.42
7. Is there anyone in your organization who would be interested in being a more active part of the Chamber? (Board member or serve on a committee)
· Yes—3
· No—5
· No answer—7
· Currently serving—1
Thank you to all who responded! We are using the results as an indication of where we need to improve as well as what we are doing successfully. In the weeks ahead I hope that you will share with me your ideas and suggestions to help make our Chamber a dynamic entity that truly serves all. Please feel free to email me at: director@wetzeltylerchamber.org.
Sharon A. Campbell
Executive Director