"Thanks for Giving..." Thanksgiving is a faded memory, with the exception of my waistline, and Christmas is right around the corner. The year has flown by and it is time to say thanks to the dedicated volunteers who when asked stepped up and agreed to devote their time and energy into leadership roles for the Chamber, Economic Development and the Visitors Bureau.

"Special awards to be given!" The Shawnee Chamber December Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Luncheon is dedicated to recognizing the many volunteers who support the Chamber year round. These volunteers allow us the opportunity to provide the many services and programs of the Chamber. The luncheon will honor the 17 Chairs of committees, which Chairman McAnany has taken the opportunity to list and personally thank this month.

Good things are coming, and the excitement is building around the community's branding project. The Branding Task Force led by Tim Harmon, Harmon Construction Inc., along with staff from the Chamber, Economic Development, Visitor Bureau and City of Shawnee released the extensive research, branding platform and final designs to the community stakeholders this week. Within a few weeks, you all will start to see the changes, but first will be a new community Web site, www.GoodStartsHere.com. The look and feel tells the story of the brand platform: Shawnee is about people who appreciate genuine quality, who have a heritage of nourishing new beginnings then and now, located in one of best value suburbs in Johnson County, offering a fresh opportunity every day. As we move into 2009, print and electronic communications will have our new look and feel. We hope you all will be as excited as the many volunteers, staff and investors in this major project that made it possible. Good things are coming.

Please join us Wednesday, December 10th, for our monthly membership luncheon. This will be our Volunteer Appreciation/Holiday luncheon. It will be held at the Shawnee Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Drive, 11:30 a.m. Networking - Noon Luncheon. Call (913) 631-6545 to RSVP.

Thanks to a new partnership between the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and Shawnee Magazine, all Chamber members will receive two valuable new benefits starting in 2009. Starting with the spring 2009 issue, all Chamber members will receive a complimentary mailed subscription to Shawnee Magazine. The magazines will be included in the Member Serve packet directly mailed to all Chamber members on a quarterly basis. In addition, all Chamber members will be entitled to a special discount on any new or upgraded advertising contracts in Shawnee Magazine. This discount is being offered exclusively to Chamber members. Shawnee Magazine is a high quality, glossy, perfect- bound magazine and is the leading publication for style, places and people thriving in Johnson County. Writers and staff of Shawnee Magazine are dedicated to profiling homes, people, businesses, events and organizations that contribute to the quality of life in and around Shawnee. The magazine is published by Sunflower Publishing, a division of The World Company, which also owns in The Shawnee Dispatch. Launched in fall 2007, Shawnee Magazine is hand- delivered to select neighborhoods in Shawnee, can be found at advertisers across the city, and is available by mailed subscription. Copies may also be obtained at the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and civic venues such as the Johnson County Public Libraries. For further details of Shawnee Magazine, advertising opportunities and the special Chamber member discounts, please call Sunflower Publishing at (888) 497-8668.

Don't miss the 2008 Annual Dinner! Purchase tickets now and join in on the celebration of Phil McAnany's, Chairman of the Board of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, very successful, appreciated year with the Chamber! "La Fiesta, Shawnee Celebrates" will be an exciting evening out January 31, 2009, with both a silent and live auction, cocktails, dinner and dancing! Check out the auction item listings on the Chamber's Web site. Be sure to be the best to bid because there are several hot items! Hope to see you all there!