Total Resource Campaign

Well it's that time of year when we ask our membership to step up and secure the future of our Chamber. We have worked hard to provide a value to our Chamber member s that is worth the investment. There is a tangible quality to your purchase through the Total Resource Campaign. Your generous support has allowed us to bring valuable benefits to all of our members. The sponsorship and marketing opportunities that are presented through the Chamber reach many throughout our community and beyond.

Look For The "Positives"

Click any TV remote control on or turn to any radio station or check the net. If you tune into the news these days, what you will hear won't be good. Economic growth has slowed and the financial markets are falling. Gasoline prices still remain sharply up and consumer confidence is down drastically. And, the upcoming November 4th general election looks to be one of the highest turnouts for a presidential year election in many years.

With drops in the stock market, spending at an all time low, and national bailouts being discussed, many citizens concerned about the current US economic status. There are worries about progress on both a national and regional level. However, despite the current economic situation, there is still significant commercial growth in the City of Shawnee. For the past three months (June through August) there have been commercial building permits issued every month, with the average monthly construction cost amounting to almost $1 million.

Wonderscope Children's Museum has been an important part of our community since it was founded in Shawnee in 1989. No doubt about it, it is a major attraction in Shawnee drawing over 65,000 per year in attendance and its recent merger with the Children's Museum of Kansas City and Beyond the Book previously, will provide it with exciting new opportunities to expand and to grow.

Joining the Chamber staff recently as Program Coordinator is Megan Hardwick, a 2008 graduate of Kansas State University. Megan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations with a minor in French. Megan grew up in Johnson County and is a graduate of Olathe East High School. Megan will work directly with Mary Taylor, Vice President of Programs and Events and support the many programs of the Shawnee Chamber.

Join us Wednesday, October 8th, for our monthly membership luncheon, featuring a special presentation on the Education Research Triangle issue that appears on the November ballot. It will be held at the Shawnee Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Drive - 11:30 Networking - Noon Luncheon. Call 913-631-6545 to RSVP.

The Shawnee Chamber is pleased to send via US mail, your copy of the 2009 Business Member Directory and Community Resource Guide. The new larger format provides additional resources with a community events calendar, economic data and additional program information. The Resource functions as an excellent marketing tool for your business, especially as a source of member-to- member referrals. Special thanks are extended to our directory business advertisers and Sunflower Publications who made it all possible. The Chamber office has additional copies available for distribution as requests for relocation, visitors and community marketing are received. Please feel free to come by the Chamber office for additional copies.

Leadership Program
In the coming months the Chamber will be looking for 20 to 25 community minded citizens to be a part of the 2009 Shawnee Tomorrow class.

Participants will be required to attend eight full day and one half day class sessions from January 2009 to May 2009. Topics will include Education, Health Care, Economic Development, Community Service and City, County and State Government.

With one of the most important elections in our nations history fast approaching please remember to vote either in advance or on election day. Remember as well the very important local issues on the ballot and the positions taken by the Chamber Board on these questions; QUESTION #1-VOTE NO-TO REPEAL THE MERIT SELECTION OF JUDGES. QUESTION #2-VOTE YES- EDUCATION RESEARCH TRIANGLE. QUESTION #3-VOTE YES -DESOTO SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ISSUE.