East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce: Chamber Activities

Chamber Past Activities & Events

The East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of events for business owners and the greater community. Past events have included monthly Evening Speaker Series, training and workshop opportunities (including Business Development Workshops and One-on-One Counseling presented by the SBA), Community Forums, and much more.

To view details of some of the Chamber's upcoming activities and events, please click here.

To see featured Community Voices, Community Resident Profiles, and Inside East Lewis County stories from 2005, please click here.

2005 Events & Activities

Community Forums
Community Forum on Education Monday, Oct. 17, 6-9 pm, at Bob Lyle Community Center, Morton *Read about the Forum in the Chronicle: Bergeson Speaks at Forum, by Aaron VanTuyl, October 18, 2005* *Read editorial East Lewis County Needs Good Schools; WASL Part of That from the Chronicle, October 19, 2005* Coming in October 2006: Second Annual East Lewis County Education Forum	Making Education a Priority NOW in East County! The forum featured Dr. Terry Bergeson, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as Keynote Speaker, as well as speakers from Lewis County Head Start, Centralia College, Cispus Learning Center, PTSA, ESD 113; and Morton, Mossyrock, Onalaska, and White Pass School Districts. Bergeson talked about the need to improve public education and funding for schools. Other education leaders talked about local education programs and issues. Click here for complete agenda. THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED & PARTICIPATED! Sponsored by Key Bank, Morton and Fischer's Market, Randle.
Community Meth Forum Thursday, Sept. 15, 6-9 pm at Bob Lyle Community Center, Morton *Sue Killillay*, Executive Director, Cascade Mental Health and various speakers participated at the Chamber's Community Meth Forum. Thanks to all the speakers and concerned citizens who participated in the Meth Forum on Sept. 15th. More than 60 people attended this event. Click here for complete agenda.	*Chamber's Meth Resources* To learn more about the Chamber's ongoing efforts, please visit our resource page Get The Meth Out of East County that includes info on: *Chamber's Working Group* Meth in the News Training & Events Community Contacts Other Resources *Volunteering*
Great Race Last Pit Stop
Our young Chamber produced a huge event in July 2005, less than 5 months after we were formed! With our sponsors Cascade Peaks RV Resort and Cowlitz River Lodge, we hosted the national Great Race when it came to East Lewis County for a "pit stop" before the final leg of its cross-country jaunt, on July 8, 2005. Though Mother Nature served up the stormiest, wettest weather of the entire route right here in East County, we welcomed the Racers with warm hospitality. We thank the many volunteers and supporters of this event.	See more photos here.
Fireworks Fundraising
The East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce sold fireworks June 28-July 4 at a stand by the Seasons Motel in Morton. Thanks to all who stopped by to purchase fireworks and chat with the Chamber. A portion of the funds raised will be used towards the Chamber's Charitable Foundation and its scholarship fund planned for 2006 graduating high school seniors.
Speaker Series & Business Breakfasts
Evening Speaker Series July 13, 2005, 6:30-8 pm, Bob Lyle Community Center, 700 Main St., Morton Sharon Barber, Assistant District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA). Topic: Business Financial Assistance _____________________ August 11, 2005, 6:30-8 pm, Bob Lyle Community Center, Morton Larry J. King, Attorney, Retired District Court Judge, Mason County. Topic: King answered questions on employment law and delivered his perspectives after spending six months living with Afghan tribesmen learning about their dispute resolution system.	Business Breakfasts June 10, 2005: Business Breakfast Speaker Pam Warner, Marketing Coordinator, Department of General Administration, Office of State Procurement. To find out more about how to do business with the State of Washington, click here. Second Speaker: Joan Reed-Nickerson, General Manager, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe.
Workshops
Our first Disaster Preparation Workshop (held December 8, 2005 in MOrton), presented by Jeff Smith, American Red Cross volunteer, was very informative. We plan to offer this vital training again in spring 2006. Learn how to BE PREPARED for emergencies and disasters, from the American Red Cross and Division of Emergency Management, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Learn about emergency kits and how to prepare them, family communication plans, back-up medication supplies, and also some specific considerations for storms, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions. We will also be continuing our EMERGENCY SUPPLIES DRIVE in 2006, to benefit families in need in East Lewis County. We invite all community members — individuals, families, businesses, and organizations — to bring items to donate to help less-fortunate residents of our community. We will be collecting items to put in BE PREPARED KITS that will be distributed through local charitable organizations. For more info on supplies to donate, click here. We also welcome donations by cash, check, or credit card (via PayPal -- see link here) to be used to purchase emergency supplies in bulk. Please join us to support your community by helping those in need.
Business Development Workshop June 17, 2005, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Cascade Peaks RV Resort, 11519 US Hwy 12, Randle. Sharon Barber, Small Business Administration. Topics: Business Financing/Loans and Business Planning. Additional representatives are Harold Murphy, Vice President/Loan Officer, Community Capital Development, John Rodenberg, Business Development Specialist, SBDC Small Business Development Center, Washington State University and Bates Technical College, SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business. One-on-One Business Counseling/Workshops Aug. 16 and Sept. 13, 9 am-4 pm (one-hour slots available per business), Bob Lyle Community Center, Morton The Small Business Administration presented these free one-on-one sessions with East County business owners or those thinking of starting a business.	Marlene Collins of Glenoma and April Toups, Manager, Key Bank of Morton, at Chamber's Business Development Workshop, Cascades Peaks RV Resort and Campground, June 17, 2005.