Clinton, Iowa - Chamber Committtees

Committees/Task Forces

Divisions & Committees

With the investment of nearly 600 Clinton area businesses, the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce delivers programs and services which enhance our business community. Whether it is government advocacy, business promotion, or membership services, your chamber support builds a solid foundation for a pro-business climate.

The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce encourages a strong local economy and quality of life by promoting a well balanced community, receptive business climate, sound government, and an informed membership and community.

The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, a voluntary organization of 20,000 business people, working together to encourage economic vitality, strengthen our workforce, and improve our communities.

The Chamber is divided into three Divisions:

Governmental/Community Affairs

Member Programs

Convention & Visitors Bureau

Governmental/Community Affairs Division

Chair: Tom Determann

Within the Governmental/Community Affairs Division, there have been committees established to advocate legislation and government action that will lead to a more friendly business environment. This division is also working to better connect Clinton to the world with enhanced infrastructure improvements primarily in the way of ground transportation.

Governmental Affairs Committee

Chair:

Monitors the activities of local government; distributes information to local government; seeks to influence legislation, at the local, state and federal levels; acts as an advocate of legislative issues and business interests; and educates the public and the members of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce about governmental processes. Organizes the annual county-wide trips to Des Moines and the regional trip to Washington D.C.

Iowa-Illinois Highway Partnership

Chair: Edith Pfefer

Advances the Clinton area's ground transportation priorities through local, state and federal advocacy efforts. Projects include: US 67/30 reconstruction, both phase I and II, US 30 four-laning from Interstate 35 (Ames) to Interstate 88 (Sterling/Rock Falls) and 19th Avenue N. construction.

Camanche Committee

Chair(s): Tom Parker, Gail Clements, Mary Temple, Paula Mayer, Tom Determann, Donna Pinter

Serves as a catalyst for addressing needs specific to Camanche members and the Camanche community. Committee members host two fundraising events each year (Bingo Tent at Camanche Days in August and Spaghetti Dinner in January or February) with a goal of awarding scholarships to Camanche High Schoo graduating seniors.

Business Park Corporation

Chair: Tom Determann

Clinton Area Housing Development Corp.

Chair: John Eisenman, Astract & Title Guaranty Co.

Member Programs Division

Chair: Cathy Crosser, NelsonCorp Wealth Management

Within the Membership Division, committees have been established to ensure the Chamber is offering the best membership services whether its through informing, networking or promoting. Each individual member has needs for their business and the Chamber continues to plan and produce publications, events and programs that will strengthen the organization.

Ambassadors

Chair: Sally Schroeder, AllStar Staffing

Recognizes new members and helps retain existing Chamber members. Ambassadors conduct ground breakings, ribbon cuttings, ceremonies, special events and serve as hosts at various Chamber events.

Leadership Committee

Chair(s): Julie Allesee

Prepares and conducts Leadership Institute program in an effort to develop a future supply of well-informed community leaders.

Lead Program

Chair(s): Stacy Powers, Ashford University and Heather Mohler, Clinton Community College

Modeled after the Leadership Institute Program of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, the LEAD program participants are members from all of the local high schools and colleges in the Clinton area.

LEAD (Leaders Emerging and Developing) was formed to help identify and develop future community leaders within our local school systems and to retain these members in the community. The LEAD program meets from August through December with guest speakers, community leaders and project workshops.

An important aspect of LEAD is the Class Project. The objective of the project is to provide an experience in “learning by doing” through active involvement in a project that adds value to the community or insight into the application of ”leadership”.

Events Committee

Chair: Kim Point

Develops, implements and evaluates events that provide members with opportunities to network and promote their business. Yearly events include: Chamber Night at the Ballpark, ShamROCK, Annual Meeting, Golf Playday, Fall Tailgate, and Jingle Bell Jam.

Clapper Committee

Chair: Jim Clark, Retired, Coupe de Ville

Reviews nominations for Clapper Award, which recognizes excellence in customer service and presents the award monthly.

Gateway Greetings

Chair: Cheryl Fry, Volunteer Coordinator

Gateway Greetings, a new service of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, is a word of mouth marketing service that connects newcomers and new homebuyers with local business, community, medical and professional services in the Clinton area. A personal introduction pairs new consumers with products and services they need, influencing their buying decisions at a critical time in their decision making process. For participating businesses in the program, our advertising sponsors receive a monthly follow up prospect list of where our volunteer service members have visited enabling them to track new prospects, patients and businesses in addition to developing mailing lists.

Women in Business Committee

Chair: Carissa Evans, BeautiControl

Plans events that provide women with opportunities to develop as business leaders and business owners.

Tools for Business Success:

Tools for Business Success® is hosted on the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce website. Tools are hosted by local cities, counties, chambers and economic development agencies that want to help the local business community succeed. Tools offers a list of forms that is needed to comply with federal and state laws, loans and financing programs, how to market globally, disaster planning, business planning, sustainable business decision making and more.

The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is also a bridge for information regarding Small Business Development and Targeted Small Business Development in the State of Iowa.

Business Training and Seminar Committee

Chair: Shannon Foster, Foster’s Creations

Provides direct support to the Chamber's small business members through forums, counseling, Biz & a Bite and information. Works with the Small Business Development Center at Eastern Iowa Community College to bring our small business members more information.

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Chair: Sue Raaymakers, DQ Grill & Chill

Within this division, five committees and one task force have been established in a continued effort to promote the Clinton area locally, regionally and nationally, with increasing emphasis on developing additional attractions for the area.

Special Activites Committee

Chair: Lori Susie

The purpose of this committee is to oversee special one-time tourism-related events.

Local Awareness Committee

Chair: Tom Dithmart, Rastrelli’s

The purpose of this committee is to continue to educate the Clinton area about the benefits and objectives of the tourism industry and to create an awareness of all tourism activities in Clinton.

Conventions & Meetings Committee

Chair: Mick Welding, BBBS

The purpose of this committee is to develop and implement an action plan to attract small-to-mid-sized conventions, meetings and conferences to the Clinton area.

Leisure Travel Committee

Co-Chairs: Sara Misiewicz, Valley Bank and Becky Tiesman-Day, HyVee Floral

The purpose of this Committee is to create packages that will increase the number of individual visitors and group tours to the Clinton area.

Sporting Tournaments/Events Committee

Chair: Norlan Hinke, Clinton National Bank

The purpose of this committee is to increase and support sports venues that bring overnight visitors to Clinton.

Legislative Task Force

Chair: Paula Mayer, Citizens First Bank

The purpose of the Legislative Task Force is to respond to Legislative issues (during session) that promote and fund the Tourism industry in Iowa and in Clinton.