Loading...Team Georgia Chamber '07 Membership Campaign Roars Into Week 3; Volunteers Say Message is Resonating Statewide
The Team Georgia Chamber '07 statewide membership campaign is less than three weeks old, but volunteers are finding that the Georgia Chamber's strong record of success is making their job less of a challenge.
"In previous years," said one worker in north Georgia, "we had to spend a lot of time explaining, educating if you will, just what the Georgia Chamber does. This year, I am finding that many business people know exactly what the Georgia Chamber does and they have a good feeling about it." Ask any salesman if that's not important and you'll find it may be the best advantage you have when trying to win over a prospect. And gaining new members is the goal of the campaign, part of an effort to make the state chamber a stronger and more influential organization.
"I have a slightly different view on why this campaign is so important," commented 2007 Georgia Chamber Chair, Dr. J. David Allen, Founder and President of Dr. J. David Allen and Associates, Consultants to the Healthcare Industry." Of course, new members, when they join, begin to take advantage of the services we offer and they benefit. But, existing members also benefit because new members increase our visibility and make us stronger and better able to get things done. So, in real terms, every time a new member joins, existing members see the value of their membership investment rise," Allen added.
Dr. Allen, who cut his teeth in the membership arena as he rose through the ranks to eventually assume the top leadership role, knows a thing or two about selling memberships. He holds the record as the all-time top new member recruiter for the Georgia Chamber and already this year he has 30 to his credit.
But, other volunteers are joining in the action. The campaign has reported 103 new members, en route to its goal of 700. On the dollar side, the 39 corporate and volunteer teams have exceeded $441,000, on their way to achieving a record-setting objective of $1.75 million. Top producers for week 3 included: Melissa Phillips (Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung, Savannah) with $3,000; Tommy Graham (Atlanta Gas Light, Atlanta) reporting $2,295; Bob Hayes (Georgia Power, Conyers) turning in $2,429; Frank Boyd (Georgia Power, Atlanta) announcing $2,250; and Swann Seiler (Georgia Power, Savannah) with $769.
Campaign volunteers will get a briefing on the Georgia Chamber's pro-business legislative agenda at the 2007 session of the Georgia General Assembly on Tuesday, July 31st, at a Legislative Breakfast, to be held at Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta. Representatives from the Georgia Chamber's Government Affairs professional staff will review legislation that passed and some that did not pass, but will be reconsidered in 2008. According to 2007 Campaign Chairman, Charles K. Tarbutton, Assistant Vice President, Sandersville Railroad Co., in Sandersville, the breakfast will reflect the essence of what the Georgia Chamber does. "Although we work year round in government affairs, we are often judged by the results we get during the session and, for the most part, we have an outstanding record of success. But, we're not getting together to pat ourselves on the back. Our intention is to explain what happened, how it affects business and why it is important for it to continue," Tarbutton said.
For more information on the Team Georgia Chamber '07 campaign, call Tom King at 404/223-2278 or email tking@gachamber.com.
