Olney Maryland Chamber of Commerce News Flash - July 5, 2011

[Howard Hartman]

July 5, 2011   President's Message Thank you, Olney Chamber Members, for Another Busy and Productive Year.   It’s been a privilege to serve as President of the Olney Chamber of Commerce.  Thanks to you, our members, we continue to grow!  Here’s a glimpse of all that you helped your Chamber to accomplish this year:   The Chamber welcomed thirty new members this year, bringing our membership now to 230.   We were able to offer a wide variety special events and programs to educate, inform and connect.  These included community-wide events such as the award-winning National Night Out and Community Night, the longest running business expo in Montgomery County.   The Chamber partnered with members and groups, which helped to extend our reach.  The Greater Olney Sandy Spring ATHENA Award Program with our generous friends at Brooke Grove Retirement Village, supporting GOCA with Olney Days and two political debates, collaborating with the Germantown/Gaithersburg Chamber for a business growth seminar, promoting “I Buy Olney” at the Farmer’s Market in December and participating in a number of recent grand openings for new businesses in the community were among these programs.   Meanwhile, the Chamber’s own event calendar was full and varied, offering more than seventeen programs including educational and networking breakfasts and lunches, the ever-popular Biz Buzz, an open house at the Chamber office and the always well-attended Holiday Mixer.   Communication with our members is always a top priority for the Olney Chamber and in addition to the informative and widely read Monday e-newsletter, the Chamber utilized its website, FaceBook, Linked-in and other online capabilities to promote and connect members as well as to share information.  Further, “Walk-Abouts” with members of the Board personally visiting members and member surveys helped us learn more about what members need and want from the Chamber.  Always seeking to do what we do more effectively, the Chamber Board reviewed and revised committee structures and functions while continuously reaching out to invite members to join in and add their ideas and perspectives to the work of our committees. Serving as an advocate for our community, the Olney Chamber was successful in its efforts to keep our Police Satellite Facility open and functioning, and to support safe walkways and roadways.  The Chamber continued to play an active role on the Olney Town Council Advisory Council, as well. There is more to celebrate, including recognition of community leaders through the Business Person of the Year (congratulations again to OBGC Executive Director Elisabeth Deal) and the Partner in Business (thanks again to the Longwood Rec Center!) awards, as well as the 6th Annual Greater Olney Sandy Spring ATHENA Award recipient (congratulations once again to Paula Kahla!).  Future leaders were celebrated through the annual Scholarship Program.  The four students selected this year were: Michael Leonard from James Hubert Blake HS, Natalie Duncan and Brandon Osborne from Sherwood HS, and Sarah Petrocci from Our Lady of Good Counsel HS. Fundraising was also important for our Chamber’s success this year and we’re grateful to our many generous donors.  In addition to dues and proceeds from Community Night, which support Chamber operations, funds raised allowed us to award the four $1000 scholarships and, through National Night Out, to support to the Sandy Spring Fire Department, the Maryland National Capital Park Police, the Police Satellite Station, and Montgomery County Crime Solvers. That’s all great news and, again, thank you to our Board, our members and volunteers and especially our executive director, Virginia Mauk, for all you did to help make it happen.  We now look forward to another year and invite you to be active participants in the good work of your Chamber. Please join us and help us continue to grow!   Wishing you success, Pam Spears, OCC President National Night Out-August 2 Olney National Night Out will be held this year on Tuesday, August 2 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on the MGH Grounds. National Night Out is a time when the nation draws attention to crime prevention and police awareness. The Olney Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with the Montgomery County Police, the Park Police, Montgomery County Crime Solvers, the Sandy Spring Fire Department, and Longwood Community Center to bring you this great community wide event. The local fire and police departments will have displays and information for local residents, businesses will have information on health and safety, and Longwood Community Center will provide activities for the kids. There will be food, music, and fun so be sure to mark the date, August 2, on your calendar now. Proceeds from the event go to the local police and fire departments. To be an event sponsor or to participate click here for the donor/registration form or call the Chamber office at 301.774.7117 Announcements: The Art of Networking Extravaganza: There is still time to register for the Montgomery All County Networking Extravaganza on Wednesday, July 6 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Fifteen local networking organizations are cooperating this year to promote this event. This year's networking extravaganza will be held at Huckleberry Fine Art located at 12051 Nebel Street in Rockville. If you are a member of the Olney Chamber of Commerce or one of the other sponsoring organization, you get the discount rate of $22 for the event. There will be food, drinks, prizes, give aways, and more. To register visit www.teamnetwork.com/megamarty. VOLUNTEERS AND ITEMS NEEDED: Do you enjoy participating with other volunteers to help create an enjoyable event?  Lisa McKillop is chairing the Annual Gala to benefit Hospice Caring, which will be held on October 15 in Potomac. Lisa is seeking assistance with several tasks.  If you are interested please call her at (301) 602-3468. Businesses who wish to donate items, services or gift certificates may also call Lisa to provide information and arrange for pick up.  These items will be greatly appreciated for the silent auction being held at the Gala. Money raised will help Hospice Caring provide free practical and emotional support to dying and grieving children and adults in Montgomery County as it has done for the past 22 years. Looking for a new career? The new Gazette.Net/Careers will connect you to local job openings and resources. Plus, simply by uploading your resume to Gazette.Net/Careers in the month of July, you’ll be entered to win an iPad! Employers can also win big in July by creating a free Company Profile and being entered to win a Premium Recruitment Package valued at $4,000. Visit Gazette.Net/Careers for more information and to create your company's free profile. SAVE LIVES!  GIVE BLOOD at the Inova Blood Drive to be held on Wednesday, July 20, at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 18131 Slade School Road on the Sandy Spring campus of Brooke Grove Retirement Village. All those who complete the donor screening process will receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream! Appointments preferred, but walk-ins welcome. For information or an appointment, contact Nancy Ochsenreiter, director of volunteer services at Brooke Grove Retirement Village, 301-570-7081 or volunteers@bgf.org. Movement Workshop: Blueberry Gardens will host a Movement Workshop on July 16-18.Roger Tolle, a popular instructor in the The Trager Approach to Movement Education, will explore the mind/body approach to ease of movement, bodywork, functional rehabilitation and personal development at this three-day workshop. This is a fun and inspiring class that can chart your path to unexpected, positive life changes. Additional information is available here. VIVA LAS VEGAS~Elvis Tribute Artists' Performance!  Hospice Caring, Inc. is having a fundraiser on Monday, July 11, featuring Elvis Tribute Artists Art Kistler and Steve & Tommy Marcio.  These artists have received national recognition and awards for their performances.  Art is a professionally trained vocalist, experienced and accomplished entertainer and recording artist, and has performed in numerous international Elvis Impersonator events.  He has won eight talent competitions as "Elvis".  Steve and Tommy Marcio perform as the younger and older Elvis. Both Steve and Tommy perform for "Cruising with the King" on Royal Caribbean cruise lines.  This entertaining evening will be held at the Washington Rockville Elks Lodge, 5 Taft Court, Rockville.  Doors open at 5:30, with light dinner fare and drinks available for purchase.  The performance begins at 7:00p.m.  VIP/front row tickets are $50; $35 for all other seats.  (25% of ticket priced is non-refundable.) For additional info or to reserve seats, contact Jamie at 301-990-8903, or jamiep@hospicecaring.org Our mailing address is: Olney Chamber of Commerce 3460 Olney-Laytonsville Road Olney, MD 20832 Copyright (C) 2011 Olney Chamber of Commerce All rights reserved.