Osawatomie Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Newsletter

February 2012

    Hosting a monthly coffee is an easy way to share information on your business with other Chamber members and potential customers. Typically held the second Tuesday of the month, the host business provides coffee, snacks, and a door prize.

    We advertise it for you and encourage our members to attend.  At the coffee, you are encouraged to share whatever information you'd like about your business.  We follow up by sharing this same information under the "Business Spotlight" section of the monthly newsletter.

    Coffees can also be held at the Chamber Office.  We can provide the refreshments if needed, also.  The time and date can be adjusted to work with your schedule.

    If you'd like to host, please contact the Chamber Office.  We have openings beginning in April.

    Osawatomie's Legislative Breakfast will be held Saturday, February 18th in the High School Cafeteria.  Beginning at 7:00am, enjoy a buffet style breakfast followed by a Q & A Session with our Legislators.

    Senator Pat Apple and Representative Bill Feuerborn have confirmed their attendance.

    This event is sponsored by First Option Bank, Midwest Reginal Credit Union, Landmark Bank, Agler & Gaeddert, Great Southern Bank, Moon's Hometown Market, and the Chamber of Commerce.  Everyone is invited.

    Louisburg will host their breakfast on February 4th, followed by Paola on February 11th.  Spring Hill will have theirs on March 3rd.   

   President's Day falls on Monday, February 20th which is a day that City Offices, Banks, and Schools are closed.  Therefore, we will be giving away pre-baked cherry pies on Tuesday the 21st!

   Simply bring in a receipt from that day, totaling at least $5, from ANY Chamber member to receive your FREE pie.  One pie per person. The Chamber Office will be open 8:00am until Noon that day, or until all 40 pies are distributed.

  See our website for a complete Chamber Membership list, or see the flyers around town at many participating businesses. 

  This is our way to encourage and thank you for thinking and shopping locally!

     Save the date!  The Home and Business Expo will be Saturday, March 3rd in the City Auditorium.  This event runs from 10:00am to 2:00pm and is a great place to showcase your business and get face to face time with potential customers and clients.

     Registrations are arriving and we already have 17 spaces reserved.  We can only accommodate around 35 booths, so get your forms in as soon as possible.  Registration forms are available on the website or by calling the office.

     We plan to have some new giveaway items with the Chamber logo on them, in addition to free drawings throughout the day.  There will be a fire truck on display, pictures with the Easter Bunny, a DJ, and much more to attract visitors.

     Please contact the office with any questions you may have. 

     Beginning this month, you will be required to show a valid photo ID when visiting the polls this election year.  The following documents may be used as identification:

Driver's license or ID card, U.S. Passport, Student ID card from an accredited post-secondary education institution in Kansas, U.S. Military ID, Employee badge or identification document issued by a governement office, Concealed carry of handgun license issued by Kansas or another state, Public assistance identification card issued by a government office.

     If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Miami County Clerk's Office at 913-294-3976 or countyclerk@miamicountyks.org

     Are you a business owner or entreprenuer looking for a new perspective?  Help is on the way.  Through a combined effort between the Kansas Small Business Development Center, Miami County Economic Development, and the Chamber of Commerce, a series of FREE 90 minute courses will be offered this spring.

     Business Consultant Bob Kolich will lead the sessions. The small group environment will encourage addressing specialized questions focused on the needs of the persons present.

Schedule of Classes 

•  Conducting Market Research, February 10th at Paola First Option Bank, 10:00am- Do you know who your competitors are and how you are viewed in the marketplace? This session will highlight tools to help you secure more clients.
• Understanding Financial Statements, March 9th at Osawatomie First Option Bank, 10:00am- Tracking expenses and revenue is just the first step. Bob will help you unlock the key to how those monthly statements can help you manage your operations.
• Social Media for Businesses, April 13th at the Louisburg Plaza Office Building first floor conference room, 10:00am- If you are all Twittered out, this session will help you sift through social media options to help you identify which ones can be of most benefit to you.

Registration is encouraged but not required. Persons with questions can call Miami County Economic Development at 913-294-4045 or 913-755-4114

     Think your customer service is the best? Now you can prove it! Elder Friendly means business cares! 10,000 Americans are turning 60 each day. Implications for business are clear: improved access and knowledge to the older consumers needs are important to be competitive.

     Elder Friendly Business Certification is a relatively inexpensive way for businesses to acquire new customers and help you attract this valuable consumer base. The program utilizes trained older adults to anonymously evaluate your business from the perspective of an older consumer.

    The Elder Friendly Business Decal tells you that the business has passed rigorous standards of accessibility, customer service, and layout.

    For more information about this certification program, contact Debby Lyder at the East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging 1-800-633-5621 or 1-785-242-7200

     If you are hiring and seeking quality job applicants, KansasWorks is a source for posting job opportunities and finding prospective employees. Not only are employers able to post job openings at no cost to www.kansasworks.com , registered employers are also able to search and review thousands of jobseekers' resumes.

     In addition, for those seeking employment in Kansas, the job board can be a helpful tool. Jobseekers are encouraged to search and apply to thousands of full and part time jobs across the state- jobs in all industries, at all levels of skills and experience.

     KansasWorks can be a valuable tool in connecting employers with jobseekers. If you have any questions, please contact Debra at 1-877-509-6757.

     The first Quarterly Membership Meeting of the Year was held on January 19th at Whistle Stop.  Ten people were in attendance and had the chance to meet Nick Marchi of KWJP 89.7 Eagle One-Postive Country Radio.  They are live every morning from 6-9am, and again in the afternoon from 3-7pm. They play a wide range of positive music in between.

     This NFP, 24-7 station is based in Paola and has a wide range of coverage in our area. They went on the air last summer and their listener base continues to grow.  That has created advertising opportunities that more and more businesses are taking advantage of.

     Nick is interested in promoting all Miami County communities and shared ideas of broadcasting the highschool football "game of the week", broadcasting live from community events, and airing political debates during this election year, if there is interest in doing so.  For the record, they are prohibited from endorsing any particular candidate or party. 

     Their office is located at 907 Pearl Street in Paola. They welcome visitors and will be happy to answer any questions or discuss advertising rates with you. Reach them at 913-294-5957 or kwjpinfo@gmail.com. The website is www.KWJP897.com   

     The Osawatomie Museum Foundation, Inc. has the 1 1/2" die struck medallions, commemorating the visits of President Barack Obama and Teddy Roosevelt. The medallions are made of gold colored metal with an antique finish and are housed in a plastic case. 

   They are $8.00 each, or $10.00 each if they are mailed. All profits will go to the operation of the museum. Purchases can be made at the Museum at 628 Main St., or through Gordon Schrader, President of the Board at 526 Main St.   

   Remember that your business is welcome to advertise in the Chamber Office, as part of your benefit to membership.  If you have pamphlets, brochures, business cards, giveaway items, or anything else you'd like to have displayed, just drop it by.     

  We supply the City with welcome bags for new residents, and include your information in those as well.  

  If you have a booth at the Expo, leftover items can be left with me that day, for transport to the office for this purpose.

   The Chamber Office will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of President's Day.