As a result, the chamber has formed a Target Action Committee to determine alternatives that will allow us to continue to operate. We looked at all possibilities—cutting staff, cutting services, or possibly merging with another nearby chamber.
We decided the first thing that we would do is approach the city to see if it would be willing to help the chamber through this difficult time because of all of the services that we perform on its behalf, which, if discontinued, would have to be undertaken by the city and its staff.
We listed such things as Greeter Service, Community Directory, Warrenville Visitor Guide, and, most importantly, public relations with people and business concerns looking to locate in Warrenville.
The chamber sends out packets and sometime boxes of information to potential new businesses or residents. We also provide all of the beverages, cookies, Santa and Candy Canes for Holly Days. We run the city festival—Summer Daze (car show and street dance), with help from many local organizations such as the park district and lots of volunteers.
The chamber also publishes the Warrenville Lifestyles Magazine and the Village Profiles. We reach out to Warrenville area businesses to provide them with opportunities to network with other businesses and give them recognition in town through the Community Directory and our various events.
The Chamber hosts the State of the City Address, so all of the local businesses can see what the city is doing for them and the residents in Warrenville.
We would like to thank the Warrenville City Finance Committee for showing the city’s support by unanimously agreeing to give the chamber $10,000 to take it through October. During the next few weeks we will meet with a Task Force made up of both city and chamber representatives to see how we can work together to keep the chamber alive, thereby allowing us to continue to provide these services.
However, because of the economic situation at this time, there will probably be less staff in the chamber office, and we may have to trim back on some of our activities. However, we will do everything we can to keep our chamber valuable to our members and to their businesses.
We look forward to our future together as we continue to promote economic growth and the civic and social well being of the Warrenville region.
