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How does the Chamber work?
The Chamber functions through its members. Your best investment in the Chamber is your involvement.
An elected Board of Directors select a program of work annually. This work is carried out by the coordinated efforts of the staff and specific working committees which are better termed "action teams."
Chamber members work together in teams, behind the scenes, to carry out the mission of the Chamber and enhance its collective effectiveness in the community on many fronts. Your involvement is welcome and encouraged in any of these hardworking and important action teams. Working alongside fellow Chamber members to make a difference in Williston is a networking opportunity second to none.
AGRIBUSINESS COMMITTEE This group of thirty individuals meets monthly to monitor the pulse of agriculture and related issues. Their projects include supporting the National Hard Spring Wheat Show, Farm Field Days and the Experiment Station Tour, assisting the college Ag club with highway clean-up, and sponsoring the FFA award.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE During the legislative session, this diverse group meets weekly to monitor the status of impending legislation which could impact the interests of Chamber members, alerting membership of needed action. In addition, they host forums to educate the community concerning local and state issues and introduce candidates running for elected office.
AMBASSADORS CONTACT CLUB This group of thirty enthusiastic Chamber members continuously recruits new members by visiting new and expanding businesses, welcoming them to Williston and hosting their ribbon cuttings. They are called upon to host other events as needed on behalf of the Chamber.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS This team plans Business After Hours and other networking events to encourage Chamber member interaction and networking.
Chamber Coffee Break - The Chamber Coffee Break is an organized networking event for Chamber members and prospective members. The purpose is to provide time-sensitive, cost-effective and valuable networking opportunities.
The Coffee Break is a half-hour event scheduled at 10:00 a.m. and hosted at a member business location. The hosting member is responsible to provide coffee and juice and rolls or muffins if they choose.
The hosting member along with up to two additional members will be given up to 3 minutes each at the beginning of the event to introduce their company and any new developments such as new products or services. Attendees then go around the room to introduce themselves and their company. The meeting is then opened up for networking among the attendees.
ENERGY COMMITTEE This group of Chamber members meets regularly to monitor oil and gas related business developments, and periodically plans an Energy Festival.
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE This group of a dozen Chamber members monitors the transportation developments affecting the Williston area. They work tirelessly toward the four-laning of Highway 2, and maintaining necessary airline and rail service for Williston. This group was instrumental in developing the Welcome to Williston signs, and lobbies for speed limit action and retaining our local weather station.
HOMETOWN WILLISTON The Chamber cooperates with several entities to encourage former Williston residents to relocate and/or retire back in the Williston area. Come Home Events in cities with significant former resident population are hosted and attractive publications are distributed. Building on the Chamber's BLAST street dance and downtown activities, which have made the Fourth of July a prime time for family and class reunions, a parade, park celebration and fireworks display keep local residents in the Williston area for the Fourth and bring numerous visitors to the City.
SHOP WILLISTON FIRST COMMITTEE This active and progressive group of Chamber members meets monthly to plan community-wide retail promotions for the Williston area. During the Christmas season, you enjoy their Light Up Harmon Park parade and celebration, the Christmas Cash Giveaway, and Saturdays with Santa. During the football season, the Football Pool attracts numerous participants and raises funds for retail promotions. This year a Celebration of Scandinavian Heritage is being held in conjunction with the annual Lutefisk dinner in February.
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE This group of about 15 Chamber members meets twice a month and expends continuous effort to bring Business and Education to a closer working relationship by pursuing Business/Education and Public/Private Partnerships in the region. They impact Williston by steering the annual LEADERSHIP WILLISTON Program, which uses the community and current community leaders as the classroom to train new leadership. Education is served as they sponsor Junior Achievement in the schools, host the School to Work Expo, tie in with Tech Prep and Marketplace for Kids, and hold an annual Teachers' Reception to kick off each new school year. The Chamber worked with other community leaders to bring the Aerospace program to the Williston State College campus. In preparation for the upcoming Bicentennial, they sponsor Lewis & Clark information seminars.
MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE This group of about 15 members from the military community, law enforcement, and the community at large meet monthly to dialogue about ways the community can support the military and vice versa. The Williston area is economically and socially advantaged by the presence of a local National Guard unit. This committee keeps the community informed of anticipated changes in the status of the Guard unit. They also serve by raising and lowering the flag displays at the Riverview Cemetery and Harmon Park on special days, and provide manpower to block off the appropriate streets during parades.
NORTH STAR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE North Star Caviar is a non-profit joint venture between the Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of Fort Union Trading Post to produce North American Paddlefish Caviar, with net proceeds being granted back to the community for historical, cultural, recreational, and resource-related projects. Three Chamber members steer North Star Caviar all year long, along side three Friends members. Grant awards are decided by a ten-member team of five Chamber representatives working side by side with five Friends' representatives. North Star Caviar has channeled over three hundred thousand dollars into worthy projects enhancing the quality of life in the tri-county region, in addition to creating jobs and supporting Chamber member businesses by the purchase of goods and services needed for the fish cleaning station, caviar production, and office operation.
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| FOR PENNIES A DAY YOU HAVE HIRED NUMEROUS AGENTS OF ACTION THAT EFFECT CHANGE ON THE BUSINESS FRONT AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES. JOIN A TEAM TODAY, MEET FELLOW LEADERS, AND EXTEND YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. |
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