Chair's Column Chamber offers opportunities for
your voice to be heard
By Dave Rozenboom
2009-10 Chair of the Board
Dave Rozenboom
2009-10 Chair of the Board
Despite vacations and many opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation and special events in the Sioux Falls area, our activity at the Chamber continues to increase and intensify as the city changes and grows. It is a very busy time as we near the completion of an extremely successful and challenging year for the Chamber.
You may have heard some buzz about the Plug-In Sioux Falls project that was recently announced by the Chamber’s Young Professionals Network (YPN). YPN received a grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to fund an initiative to engage and give voice to all young professionals in our community. A new website and a dedicated group of volunteers are working to spread the message about being informed, getting involved, voting … and even running for office. I invite you to learn more by viewing the website at www.pluginsf.com.
Each year, the Chamber sponsors our Inside Washington series. During the next 30 days, we will be hosting all three members of South Dakota’s Congressional delegation, beginning with Sen. Tim Johnson on Aug. 13, followed by Sen. John Thune on Aug. 16 and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin on Sept. 1. With the passage of comprehensive healthcare and financial reform legislation over the past couple of months, this will be a particularly interesting and informative opportunity for you as members to hear first-hand from our elected officials at the federal level and to learn more of the implications this legislation is expected to have, as well as other issues in which you may be interested. Please join us at one or more of these upcoming events.
One of the key focus areas for your Chamber is to continue to promote quality of life initiatives that make Sioux Falls a special place to live. One of the crown jewels of our community is the Washington Pavilion. Please take a look at the cover story in this issue of the Chamber News that outlines the economic impact that this important venue has on Sioux Falls and the surrounding area.
Last month, we featured Leadership Sioux Falls and took a closer look at the successful 25 year history of this important leadership development program in our community. Applications for the upcoming year program are due this month, so please be sure to get your application in by the deadline if you are interested in participating. Each year we have more than twice as many applicants as we have spaces available, so please understand that it may take a year or two to be selected … but it is definitely worth the wait.
In closing, I would like to express my appreciation to the outstanding staff that we have at the Chamber. Evan Nolte and his dedicated team of professionals do a remarkable job of keeping all of our committees on task and ensuring that our many programs and services are timely and relevant. On behalf of our entire membership, a sincere and heart-felt “thank you” for a job well done!
