AT THE CHAMBER OFFICES, 714 MAIN STREET, ASHTON—11:30 AM
LUNCH WILL BE CATERED BY BIG JUD’SMENU CHOICES

CHEESBURGER/FRIES OR TOTS   $7.00

GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD             $7.50

GRILLED CHEESE/FRIES OR TOTS$6.50

ALL PRICES INCLUDE SALES TAX &  TIP

     Larry Pettigill will once again be our guest speaker.  His topic this meeting will be the Regional Fairness Board Division of the SBA and how it works with small businesses to help with unfair treatment of small businesses by government entities.

IMPORTANT  NOTICE

HELP WANTED

      Ashton Chamber of Commerce Administrator
The ideal candidate is an experienced and organized office
professional with excellent communication and people skills.  Must
have a working knowledge of computers.  Flexible hours, approximately  30 hours per week.  Base salary (DOE)  plus bonus.  E-mail resume to  info@ashtonidaho.com.

        The Ashton Chamber of Commerce is sorry to announce that Jean Hansen, who has been the Chamber's Acting Administrative Director for the past three months, has accepted a position as Manager of the Jackson Hole Historical Society Museum.  The Board of Directors has placed ads in the local newspapers seeking to hire an Administrator to carry on Jean's work.  We appreciate all the work Jean has done for the Chamber and, while we will miss her, we wish her the best in her new position!   

        Since one of Jean's duties was to edit and publish the Newsletter, we are indefinitely suspending its publication.  As Chamber members that have been attending the chamber work sessions know, the newsletter has not been cost effective and requires significant time to gather the news and ads and to edit and publish each week.  In our quest to replace Jean, the Board will also look at various alternatives for the Newsletter.  In the meantime to stay abreast oflocal events, we encourage everyone to visit the chamber web site and make use of the Community Calendar.

NEWSLETTER DISCUSSION

     On April 9, the Chamber of Commerce held its regular monthly late work session.  The first work session of each month is held at 5:30 PM rather than 4:30 PM in an effort to accommodate more Chamber members who would like to take part in the work sessions.

     Several members of the general community, as well as four Chamber members joined the regular Chamber Board Members.  It was great to have so many people turn out.  The primary topic of discussion was the Ashton Chamber of Commerce Newsletter.   Because our small community does not have a newspaper, the newsletter has become a primary method of communication.  The new website is also used to provide information concerning up-coming events and local news.

     The Chamber has been trying to find a way to continue to provide the newsletter to the community, but at the same time, minimize the total expense of the production and delivery of the newsletter.  Various Chamber Members have shown their support of the newsletter by purchasing ads in the same, but the newsletter does not pay for itself and in fact, costs the Chamber nearly $345 each quarter.  This is based on the first quarter of 2008.

     Prior to the meeting, the Chamber had investigated the possibility of doing a bulk mailing and providing the newsletter to everyone who received mail via the Ashton, Idaho zip code.  However, this method was extremely cost prohibitive and did not include a method to get the newsletter to those individuals living outside of Ashton who would be interested in getting the newsletter. 

     Several ideas were discussed, including e-mailing the newsletter (In PDF format) to anyone who would be interested in receiving it.  This could be accomplished through one of the functions of the new website.  Several business owners stated that they would be willing to print the newsletter at their establishments and even provide copies to those businesses that were unable to do so.  This is a great example of businesses working together.  Other ideas included limiting production of the newsletter to once every two weeks, or even on a monthly basis.  This would possibly result in a newsletter of more than one page.

     The topic is still being discussed and the Chamber welcomes ideas and input from any and all of its members.

CRUIS’N FOR

ST. JUDE’S

     Spread the word—May 31st. 2008, will be the first annual “Cruis’n For St. Jude’s”  motorcycle rally staged right here in Ashton, Idaho. Motorcycle riders from all over will converge in town to begin their ride which will take them on a loop ride past Mesa Falls, around Hebgen Lake and back to Ashton.

     Organizers, Carol Rasmussen, Performance Sports, and Randy Von Wagoneer, Parts Service, have been working hard to bring this great event to life.  If you would like to help either by volunteering or through a donation of goods or money, please contact Carol (208) 652-7738 Or Randy (208) 652-7666.

   The special guest speaker for this month’s meeting is Mr. Larry Pettingill, past president of the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce & a current member of their Board of Directors.  Mr. Pettingill is a retired successful small business owner and a real estate broker.  He is also a member of SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives).     

   The program will include a power point presentation regarding the help available through SCORE to assist small businesses to succeed including marketing, financing and other aspects of business.     

    The public is invited to attend. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

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