Cape Chamber membership drive begins

Ambassadors and other Chamber members are joining together to compete in the annual Chamber membership drive. Each year during May, Chamber members get involved to promote and recruit those businesses and new members in the community that have not yet had the opportunity to benefit from Chamber membership.

The drive will begin on Tuesday, May 18, with a 7 a.m. breakfast at Drury Lodge. A local businessperson will energize the volunteers and a brief training session is held. Those who participate in the three-day drive send excitement into the air as they rush out after breakfast to talk with prospects.

These are just some of the reasons why Chamber membership may be the perfect fit for your business: The Chamber offers unparalleled networking opportunities, business referrals, information, seminars and professional development. The Chamber also gives business a powerful voice. It works to increase economic development and it has incredible opportunities for you to advertise your business. The Chamber also offers great Web site exposure to your business.

Names of prospects to recruit are available for the volunteers; however, some volunteers will already have made some sort of contact with prospects just prior to the kick-off to assure their success.

Volunteers will focus on recruiting through Thursday, May 20. As is customary, prizes are awarded to volunteers for their recruiting successes, and one new member will be chosen to receive a special gift. The winners will be announced at the May Business After Hours on May 25. This BAH is very well attended, especially because of the barbecue-eating contest put on by the sponsors.

More than 1,200 members represent the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Cathi Schlosser, director of membership development, says, "I think everyone wants to be a Chamber member. Sometimes we just haven't invited them or had the opportunity to explain the vast number of ways our Chamber helps promote business."

Schlosser has been active in this recruitment event before assuming her membership position just one year ago. She has tried to coach other ambassadors how to use this opportunity to increase Chamber membership while conducting their every day business duties.

Jackie Majoros (with A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc.) will serve as this year's drive chairman. She too has several years' experience in recruiting and is vice chairman of the Ambassador Committee.

"This year our goal is 40 new members," said Majoros. "We had a very successful drive in 2003 and are hoping for as much participation from the membership and successes as we did then. The drive will begin on Tuesday morning with breakfast -- to get everyone energized.

"Each team (consisting of two Chamber members) is asked to actively recruit until Thursday and turn in new applications by 5:30 p.m. to be included in the competition. There are prizes given to first- and second-place recruiters as well as any team recruiting investment dollars of at least $500. Not only is this an exciting time to share reasons to join the Chamber, but you can be rewarded for it."

If you would like to join the Chamber, or to discuss Chamber membership with an ambassador, contact Cathi Schlosser at the Chamber at 335-3312. This year's theme is "The Chamber, Your Partner in Business."