Mission Statement
“To foster a spirit of cooperation and excellence within the
business community of the Big Lake area through education and
promotion.”
Chamber Services
Chamber newsletter - Chamber
members receive our monthly newsletter with information from
committees, Chamber events and business news. The "Member News"
section, featuring announcements and info about member
accomplishments and announcements is a great way to tell our members
more about YOUR business. Information on upcoming dinner meetings
and other Chamber and city events is also included. The
newsletter is published in the
middle of
each month.
Newsletter advertising - Chamber
members can advertise in the chamber newsletter. Your business can
have a small ad in the newsletter (as space allows) for free
or you can
have a full-page insert in our newsletter. The insert only costs
your business $25. You must provide 275 copies of the insert printed
on 20# paper by the first week of the month. Be sure to call the
Chamber office to schedule your insert.
New members are given one FREE insert (you supply the
inserts) so you can reach the other members with information about
your business right away.
Bulk Mailing Program -
Chamber members
are welcome to use the Chamber’s bulk mailing permit. All you need
to do is call the Chamber office to schedule it. Then stop and pick
up the stamp and instructions, use it for your mailing and return
the stamp to our office. It’s a real money saving idea if you have
over 200 pieces for one mailing! If you have a mailing that is
professionally printed, you can have the bulk mail stamp printed on
the piece at the same time, saving another step. The amount you pay
for the bulk postage depends on what size is sent and where it is
sent but the savings is usually substantial!
Chamber Dollars Gift Certificates -
The gift
that always fits! Chamber Dollars are very easy to use. To
purchase them just call the Chamber office and tell us how many
you want, what denomination you want and when you need them. Then
give them away as gifts, prizes, employee bonuses or rewards.
When people
bring these certificates to your business, please treat them just
like a check and give them the full face value of the certificate.
Then, to redeem them, all you need to do is deposit the certificate
in your regular bank deposit, just like a check. What could be
easier?
Big Lake Beginnings -
This is a service to new residents in the Big Lake area. They receive a package containing
information on our community, the schools and the surrounding area
and a copy of our Community Guide. We encourage any member business that
would like to participate to provide flyers, brochures or
promotional items to be included in the basket. These can be
dropped of at the Chamber office. This program allows our members
the opportunity to reach new residents when they are forming new
relationships with area businesses. It’s a great way to get some
FREE advertising!
Informative speakers -
Chamber members
can enjoy speakers on professional development, business and
legislative information, motivation and other relevant subjects
throughout the year at our monthly meetings and in special seminars.
If there is a special subject that you would be interested in
hearing more about, please contact the Chamber office.
Networking-
The monthly
meeting is a good chance for YOU to do some “Networking”. Bring your
business cards and hand them out to new and old friends during the
social hour before each meeting. You can help other businesses grow
and they in turn will help your business grow.
Business Promotions -
Member to member discounts and
specials are a great way to promote your business within our
membership. If you have an offer you would like to extend to our
membership, we will feature the info in our newsletter and in our
regular member info emails. Just contact the Chamber office to have
your info added!
Community
Guide -
Chamber members
are given an opportunity to be a part of this book, which is
published annually. The books are distributed to all
Big Lake addresses and also handed out at participating businesses and
the Chamber office. The guide is a good source of information about
our community and a way for businesses to welcome new people to Big
Lake and invite them to use your business or service. Every
Chamber member receives a FREE listing in the guide even if they
do not purchase advertising. This book is given out all year, so one
price gives you advertising for a whole year! All members will
be contacted about participating.
Membership
Directory -
A Chamber
Membership Directory is printed yearly containing a listing of all
current Chamber members, complete with address, phone number and a
contact person.
This is distributed ONLY to Chamber members.
We encourage you to use this directory to help identify the
resources available to you. When you need products or services, turn
to the directory and contact your fellow Chamber members.
Microphone -
Chamber
members are welcome to use the portable microphone system that the
Chamber owns. The unit is self-contained and runs on batteries, so
is very handy. You need to call the Chamber office to reserve your
date. A $25 deposit is put down at the time of pick-up. The entire
amount of the deposit will be returned if the microphone unit
is returned by the appointed time and in satisfactory working
condition.
Copy Machine -
The Big
Lake Chamber copy machine is available to our members for use
during Chamber office hours for a nominal charge. Call the Chamber
office before you come to make sure the copier is available.
Mailing Labels
- Contact
the Chamber office and we will print you a set of Chamber member
mailing labels FREE of charge once per year. This is a service we provide ONLY to
our members. We do NOT give out our mailing list to anyone who is
not a member in an effort to keep your business off junk mail lists!
Membership Certificate -
A certificate
suitable for framing is given to each member. We encourage you to
display this, demonstrating your commitment to a healthy business
and community environment. We also provide a “Power Plaque”
stating your current year's membership and a window sticker, other
items to display with pride.
Newspaper articles -
The Chamber
will publish information about our new businesses and a picture of
the owners or contact people in both our monthly newsletter and in
the local newspaper. We do this to let our members and the community
know when new businesses have joined us and to encourage them to use
our local businesses for their product and services needs.
Chamber Committees -
The Chamber
has several standing committees such as Welcome/Membership and
other committees that are only in force when needed, such as the
Expo and Annual Bash committees. We encourage all our
members to participate and would ask that you contact the Chamber
office to let us know where your interest lies.
Membership meetings -
The Chamber
has a regular monthly membership meeting on the last Tuesday of each
month, except June, July and December. Meetings include networking,
introductions, updates and announcements on Chamber events and
news and informational speakers. We also regularly feature Business
Profiles, which give members a chance to take a few minutes to tell
others who they are and what they do.
Website
-
The Chamber
website features information on Membership, Chamber events and a
public directory. There are links to our monthly newsletter, the
City of Big Lake, Big Lake Township, Big Lake Schools and more. For
a small fee, you can even have your company's logo with a link to
your site! This site is used by members, local businesses, area
residents and visitors to find community and business information. .
Remember - to get the most out of your
membership you must put something into it...become involved, attend
meetings and events and get to know the other
members so you can help each other!
Back to Membership Information
E-mail:
blchamber@sherbtel.net
©
2001-2005 Copyright, Big Lake Chamber, Big Lake, MN 55309
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