Winter Membership Meeting  –  On November 7, 2007 your chamber board of directors met for nearly three hours covering chamber finances, Community Building Renovation, marketing, membership and other pertinent elements of chamber operations. This meeting was an extension of the business conducted at the boards November meeting.  After a lengthy discussion the board agreed to reestablish some committee’s for marketing, membership, and renovation. 

• Membership Committee (Chair: Jeff Clegg/Redfish) - The committee will evaluate methods currently being used, make personal contact with members, develop membership meetings and opportunities to gather including and beyond our June membership barbeque.
  
  
• Marketing Committee (Chair Jared Hopkinson/Sawtooth Adventure Company) - Efforts will be focused on Internet Marketing, redesign and tune-up of the chambers website, and the development of new brochure piece.  Jared will work with Tim Kron (Stanley Baking Co.) and Heather Denning (The River Company) to  begin developing a new slogan or branding statement for the chamber.  For many years the chambers branding slogan has been “Stanley Idaho a playground for all seasons”.  A number of great ideas have already been generated and we invite you to contact us with yours!  Since the meeting, this committee as well as other board members, have been working feverishly to update the homepage on our website, and develop a comprehensive list of needed site improvements. 
  
   
• Renovation Committee (Julie Meissner/Sawtooth Fishing Guides) - As of this writing construction bids have gone out to three area contractors for the Community Building Renovation Project.  Once completed the City of  Stanley as well as the Visitor Information Center will enjoy significantly increased space.  The committee will work to raise additional funds to finish the interior, connect with partners for interpretive information including, Scenic By-ways, Fish and Game, Forest Service, tribes and others.  Landscaping and exterior signage will also be a task for the committee to tackle.

These are big projects with deadlines looming the first and second quarter of next year. The board has developed an ambitious schedule with much progress already made.

Travel & Tourism Internship Opportunity  - The Chamber is currently looking for an intern to participate

and assist in a marketing makeover currently underway.  Interns will be invited to participate in all aspects of the marketing strategy to re-invent Stanley Idaho as a mountain town destination.  This is a computer based internship, allowing the individual to complete tasks from home.  Applicants should be highly motivated self-starters, have the ability to organize multiple complex tasks, pay attention to details, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.  Compensation will be an all expense paid vacation in Stanley for two persons.  Should you know of anyone interested in such a position please have them contact us.

Music From Stanley  - Now in it’s third year NPR (National Public Radio) and Ryan Peck have worked to produce and air a weekly one hour musical program.  The program features Idaho artists and is recorded throughout the summer months at Redfish Lake Lodge and other locations throughout the basin.   Now aired throughout the state at 2:00 PM (may vary dependent upon your location) the show has increased in audience largely do to the increase in advertising, press releases, and featured articles in various publications.  The show runs side by side with national programs Mountain Stage and Prairie Home Companion. The criteria to host MFS is the ability to contribute at least $100 towards payment for the artists.  Provide lodging for the artist(s).  A list of available dates that you would consider needs to be provided no later than March 15, 2008.  If you are interested in hosting a program please contact Ryan Peck at musicfromstanley@gmail.com or the chamber office.

Membership Drive – By the first of January we will have wrapped-up our 2007/2008 membership drive, with this years effort nearly 90% completed.  By January 15th we will have our database complete and be in position to send our Membership Directory to the printer.  We have seen an upswing in members purchasing graphic space on the web site for pictures and logos.  Our banner ad program offers a tremendous value for member businesses with some folks choosing to run for the three month minimum and others throughout the year.  Remember to call Greg if you have any problems, questions, or comments regarding your chamber membership and/or listing in printed directory or on the website.

www.stanleycc.org – Our web site has proven to be very successful, drawing over 175,000 visitors.  Please take the time to check your listing, links, and general information.   If you find a problem, give us call as things can generally be remedied in a day or so.  As mentioned above, for those businesses paying to post a picture or logo for their business on the site, we need the graphic art work.  We can receive the graphic in digital or printable format and will make every effort to contact those persons paying for this service, but omitting the graphic with their membership renewal. 

Winter Operations –  Your chamber continues to provide visitor information seven days a week 365 days a year.  With the closure of the tourist information center in October the 800#, local phone, mail, email, and electronic files were transferred to marketing/administrative coordinator Greg Edson’s office in Twin Falls.  The Visitor Information Center will open for the summer season in May.  In the meantime, Greg can be reached at 774-3411, 1-800-878-7950, or gedson@cableone.net.

Last...But Certainly Not Least...Thank you to all chamber members for not only your membership but for your support, feedback, and contribution to the chamber.  For a small community with a Chamber of Commerce our size we have garnered a very positive reputation throughout the state.  We have also made a positive impression on our visitors as well as those persons seeking information about the basin.   This year will bring more challenge and opportunity as we continue to enhance the services we offer members and the public.  We will continue to develop the renovation project, our web site and information pieces, and most of all relationship with our members.  Your chamber can’t continue to develop as your marketing arm without your support and feedback.  So, please contribute where you can, with your membership renewal, feedback, and participation where and when possible.  On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff we wish all of you the very best in 2008!

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