FOCUSFocus is the Chamber’s news link with its membership, reporting on

Chamber action involved in building a better community.Phone: 417.326.4118Email: info@bolivarchamber.com

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chamber of commerce

Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

FOCUSFOCUSVolume No. 34 Issue No. 1 January 2020

Help Wanted: Job Fair MarcH 5

Renewal notices have been mailed to current Chamber members. Why renew? Here are just a few reasons to invest in your business by investing in the Chamber.

A chamber membership:

• Adds CREDIBILITY to your business• Increases your VISIBILITY in the community• Provides NETWORKING opportunities (serve on

committee/leadership development)• Serves as a VOICE in the local business community• Makes business CONTACTS• Is a source of INFORMATION on members and events• Acquires customer REFERRALS • EXPANDS your prospect base -- Chamber events/

programs/member exclusive advertising

Return renewal forms ASAP to receive full benefits!

tiMe to reneW

Employees and employers have the chance to connect from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 5 at the third annual Job Fair at the Roy Blunt Bolivar YMCA. Chamber members can receive a free booth, but should register early for availability. Booth space will be offered to non-chamber members for a $250 fee. Last year’s Job Fair resulted in several connections and hires according to attending businesses.

“The fair is the perfect opportunity to connect with potential employees, conduct interviews and promote your business,” says Dr. Tony Berry, chairperson. “Space is limited, so we encourage reserving your booth now.”

Sponsors partnering with chamber are the YMCA and the Bolivar Herald-Free Press.

Get a SWinG on SprinG

Member Golf Tournament Set for April 17Planning is in full swing for the annual chamber networking golf tournament, Friday, April 17 at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club. Registration for teams, as well as sponsors, is now open.

“The golf tournament is a chamber tradition to start off the year’s events,” committee member Kim Segui said. “Considering the great growth and support, we’re excited to offer two tee times this year.”

Entry fee is $350 per team which includes golf, cart, lunch, snacks, team mulligans (two per player), entry into longest drive, closest-to-the-pin and hole-in-one contests. Morning and afternoon tee times are available, with lunch provided to teams at noon. The top three winners of each flight will earn cash prizes and gift certificates. Prizes will also be given for closest to the pin and longest drive. For more information, call the chamber at 417-326-4118.

MeMberSHip MeetinG January 9, 2020

continued on next paGe...

Board members attending: Bobbie McKnight, Sean Patel, Tamera Heitz-Peek, Malcolm Green, Aaron Sloan, Kim Segui and Jacob Wilson Guests attending: Lisa Hagness, Dennis Wiggins, Barbara Howe, Wendy Dressler, Sydney Allen, Deanna Moore, Denae Allen, Melissa Rohrbach, Anita Jackson, Lori Turner, Angel Haun, Julie Gilstrap, Anna Presley, Matt Henenberg, Cary Charles, Barbi Bay, Mike Hayward, Chris Warwick, Justin Ballard, Dustin Holden, Laura Jenkins, Quincy Young, Logan Chaney, Kerrick Tweedy, Sammy Jacobson, Jerry Tice, Austin Tice, Bob Moreland, Vicky Benner, Jim Benner, Randy Boulware, Greg Ankrom, Charles Valentine, Tom Rhodes, Jared Taylor, Courtney Pinklim, Ben Salmon, Linda Simmons, Linda Bunch, Lexi Berry, Lorrie Simpson and Britta Winfrey

Agenda: Welcome and Introductions – Bobbie McKnight, Chamber of Commerce President, call to order at 12:11 p.m.

New Members • Ballard Septic Tank Cleaning LLC,

Justin Ballard• Basil & Bourbon, Kayla Rippee

Membership • Just in January we already have 24%

paid• Renew now• Invite others to join and bring them

to networking lunch• Let the chamber office know of

businesses that need to be involved

Save the Dates• Spring Job Fair

o Free booths for chamber members

o March• Chamber Golf Tournament

o Morning and afternoon tee times

o Friday, April 17o Silo Ridge Golf & Country

Club

Get Involved• Event, project and planning

committees are not limited to just chamber board members

• Please see the list circulating for committees

Program: Planning and Zoning Administrator Sydney Allen

• Census 2020 Matters to Polk County• P&Z Administrator for City of Bolivar • #BolivarCounts

#SouthwestMOCounts• Census data important

o Used to allocate over $675 billion each year for 132 federal programs

o Over $16 billion distributed in MO alone through 55 federal programs

o Census happens once every ten years but data used for the full ten years

o Potential annual reduction of $4,700 for each household/family missed in the count

o Helps prepare for emergencies and mitigation

o Grant programs – accurate count to convey need

o Redistricting of state legislative districts, could gain or lose districts

o School district, voting boundaries

o Local trends for communities • Polk County has four census tracts

o 2010 census had 72% participation, dropped 4% from 2000 response, goal is 95% response

• Goal to reach every person, this is first time can respond online

• Count everyone once, only once, in the right place

• Some info via ads, other by mail• Census day is April 1, 2020 (how your

household looks that day)• Dec. 1 will report to White House • Questions on census:

o How many people at your address

o Own or rent o Phone numbero Nameo Male or female

Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce

2020 Board Members

PresidentBobbie McKnight

Mary Kay

Vice PresidentJennifer Fields

Cole & Fields, LLC

SecretaryKim Segui

OakStar Bank

TreasurerAaron Sloan

Strategic Financial Concepts

Josh BakerQuality Fire Extinguisher

Tiffany PhillipsCounty of Polk

Darin PetersonCentury 21 Peterson

Real Estate

Dr. Tony BerryBolivar R-1 Schools

Meilani ConleySouthwest Baptist

University

Sean PatelComfort Inn

Paul FolbreEdward Jones Investments

Malcolm GreenFarmers State Bank

Tamera Heitz-PeekCitizens Memorial Hospital

DaKotah LearBolivar Auto Sales/

Elite Gun, Pawn and Jewelry

Jacob WilsonShelter Insurance,

Craig Lehman

The January 2020 Networking@Noon chamber lunch featured the City of Bolivar’s Planning and Zoning Administrator Sydney Allen. Allen provided essential information regarding the 2020 Census and how its information will be used in Bolivar for the next 10 years. Read more about Allen’s presentation in the meetings minutes.

MinuteS continued FroM previouS paGe... Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

o Age and date of birtho Origin and race o Whether a person lives or stays somewhere

else o Relationships to those at address

• Will not ask for social security number, banking info, fee/money, etc.

• Social media education, but cannot respond to census via social media

• People worried about what happens to their infoo All info is confidential, census info is held 72

years before released o Takers and employees take oath not to release

info, have penalties otherwise• Push to hire census employees

o Polk County pay rate is $21 hourly plus mileageo Flexible schedule

• Spread the word that this means a lot for Bolivar, Missouri, country

• Bolivar Complete Count Committee o Group of people willing to help, help would be

greatly appreciated o Look at hard to reach areas, low income

households, students, kids • Question – seniors in facilities

o Facilities have specific way to respond, also harder to reach areas

o “Groupcorders” at facilities • Question – partial responses counted?

o Allen not sure how much info needs to be present to be counted

o Courtney Pinklim – Southwest Missouri census coordinator Can get the answer and give it to Allen

so she can follow up • City of Bolivar will start process to start new

comprehensive plan, will push for public engagement, city uses this document to shape and watch community grow, will look for public engagement from residents and business owners

• Announcements: o Tom Rhodes, Zion Lutheran Church – Sanctity

of Life Service at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 on behalf of Alpha House

o Angel Haun, Autism Awareness Polk County – also a substance abuse counselor with Rohrbach Services for Families, first event on Jan. 24 for all individuals, promote inclusion

o Melissa Rohrbach, Rohrbach Services for Families – goal is to provide mental health services to our area

o Mike Hayward, Liberty Utilities – new building open house ribbon cutting 11 a.m. Jan. 31

o Sammy Jacobson, Bolivar R-I Schools – courtwarming tomorrow

o Greg Ankrom, Bank of Bolivar – thanks to BOBS gift club, BOB will donate over $4,000 to four different charities, thanks to those who partnered

o Jerry Tice, Little Green Dumpster Co. – provide roll off dumpsters

o Laura Jenkins, Polk County Library – winter reading program with 80’s theme, would like to feature business memorabilia in locked case at library, adults can do reading program and get a fanny pack, kids can do program and win a grand prize, also have Pinterest Night, Trivia Night, every Monday free movie night

o Jim Benner, Historic Bolivar Speedway – test and tune starts in April, May 20-24 big race baby grands 1/3 size cup car (like NASCAR), expect 300-400 cars for four day event, always looking for sponsors

• Bobbie McKnight – encouraged networking before leaving, adjourn at 12:42 p.m.

Encouraged Member Networking/Dismissal

Networking@Noon

2020

JANUARY 9FEBRUARY 13MARCH 12APRIL 9MAY 14JUNE 11 DECEMBER 10

JULY 9AUGUST 13SEPTEMBER 10OCTOBER 8NOVEMBER 12

WHat’S For luncH?New in 2020, the chamber is working more closely with CMH Catering to give members a preview of the upcoming meeting menu. Guests at the Feb. 13 Networking@Noon luncheon can enjoy chicken cordon bleu, sliced ham, au gratin potatoes, Catalina blend vegetables, rolls, winter fruit salad and cheesecake brownies for $8 per person.

FROM YOUR CHAMBER

theParkLight

2019

The Bolivar area ChamBer of CommerCe WelComes our NeWesT memBers:

Ballard Septic Tank Cleaning LLC4411 S. 172nd Road, Bolivar

417-327-2687 • speditor31@yahoo.com

Basil & Bourbon113 S. Main Ave., Bolivar • 417-326-8047

basil.bourbon@gmail.com

SucceSSFul liGHt tHe park WrapS up

cHaMber partnerS previeW 2020

Huge shout-out to all the sponsors, businesses, volunteers and displayers who helped with the 16th Annual Light the Park display of Christmas lights in Dunnegan Memorial Park. Nearly 30 non-profit organizations benefitted from donations accepted at the park entrance. Groups including the Bolivar High School Junior ROTC and Polk County KLIFE donated their time to help set up and decorate the event for others to enjoy.

“Once again this year we partnered with the City of Bolivar to work behind the scenes of the event,” the chamber’s Britta Winfrey said. “The guys in the parks department have been great to us. They set up the light tunnel and do all the heavy lifting before and after the event. They also set aside time each afternoon to meet volunteer groups at the park and go over the locking up procedure — we couldn’t do this without them.”

Chamber corporate and executive partners met for breakfast in December to review, preview and provide feedback on the chamber.

“Our partners gave helpful comments on how we can better serve our members and our community,” Chamber President Bobbie McKnight said. “These are key partners who invest in the growth of the community through their chamber membership. Many thanks to them and all our members who work together for our area.”

For more information about extended benefits and opportunities through corporate and executive partnership, please contact the chamber office.

MeMber opportunity: Weekly e-blaSt

Included in your chamber membership is the opportunity to utilize the weekly E-Blast emailed to more than 400 fellow members. There is no charge to have information in the weekly E-Blast, but a few guidelines help keep content current.

E-blast GuidelinesDEADLINE:

• Noon Tuesday prior to Wednesday publication

• Email to info@bolivarchamber.com with the word “E-blast” in the subject

PUBLICATION:• Wednesday weekly, with exception to

holidaysSUBMITTED CONTENT:

• All submissions are subject to chamber approval. Space is limited and may require submissions to be rotated to an alternate week. Upon approval, submitted content will be included in a limited number of e-blast publications.

• Content may include announcements of new products, new promotions, new hires, new hours, special events, expansions, additions, fundraisers and limited time sales. Content should be of a news announcement or timely happening. Please note: information on regular products, services or hours is not accepted for inclusion.

CONTENT FORMAT:• .jpeg or .png, 200-300 dpi

Join tHe cHaMber…paSS it onDo you know of a business that could benefit from a Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce membership? Encourage them to join, invite them to a meeting or forward the newsletter to them.

coMinG in February – netWorkinG@noonWhat’s Love Got to Do with It?What’s love got to do with your workplace? Come to the Feb. 13 Networking@Noon luncheon to learn about loving yourself, your employees, your customers and your community.

“No matter the business size, this topic is relevant to all of our members,” Chamber President Bobbie McKnight said. “Panelists will have specific ways to care for yourself, your employees, your customers and our community.”

Door prizes provided by the Chamber.

Support Your Fellow Chamber Members.Thanks to the Chamber Corporate Partner Businesses.

Commitment, Service & Dedication to Polk County

www.commercebank.com

Hometown proud.Community focused.

“Big” bank technology.5 location convenience.

BankOfBolivar.comUltimateBankAccounts.com

180 N. Davis Drive • Bolivar, Mo 65613417.326.3799