"Success is Our Destiny and Membership
Makes it Happen"

Greetings Members,

As we are into the spring season, I hope you find your business plan in tact and on the right track. Our country, our county and our Chamber have been faced with some challenging times over the last year.

As we continue the process of rebuilding, strengthening and supporting our businesses and communities, we should be as diligent as ever in ensuring that our plans are on track.

We are at a point in the history of the DeKalb Chamber, where we have emerged again as a true business leader in DeKalb County. Our membership continues to grow and opportunities for education and business development are at an all time high.

As we approach our 2004 Membership Drive, the first that we've had in many years, there are two important ideas that we must keep in mind; "Success is Our Destiny and Membership Makes it Happen".

As a member of the DeKalb Chamber, you should know that this is more than just a Membership Drive; rather we are making a statement to the Atlanta metropolitan business community that we are open for business and that business is yours!

Here is just a sampling of some things we have accomplished since January 2004:

We have redesigned our administrative staff which has resulted in new permanent positions such as our VP of Operations and Programs, Kim Davis Mitchell and our Marketing and Communications Manager, Janniece Leonard.

We have reestablished our place in the business community with our monthly networking events and through collaboration with county entities; we have provided education and business development opportunities. Attendance at our events is higher than ever and we are constantly soliciting and receiving sponsorships for additional events and networking opportunities.

Our Government Affairs Committee has re-emerged and they are examining and will be reporting on, the tough issues that our Membership needs to know about. In the coming weeks, we will be hosting candidate forums and providing our Members and our community with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates.

We have established an Education Foundation for the Chamber in an effort to reach out to our public school system and excite our youth about the benefits and responsibilities of entrepreneurialism.

There are many more accomplishments too numerous to list and you have been an important part of them all up to and including, our current challenge, the 2004 Membership Drive.

In the next 2 weeks you will be receiving emails directing you to our Chamber Website for additional details on the 2004 Membership Drive. We have lots of exciting prizes and promotional opportunities for participating Membership Sales Teams.  If you have not already signed up for a team, please contact one of the staff members at the Chamber immediately.  We need you on board!

This is your opportunity to participate and contribute to one of the strongest membership drives this Chamber has ever seen.  Your support is greatly appreciated and remember, "Success is Our Destiny and Membership Makes it Happen!"

Your Chair - Delores Crowell