Receiving an invitation to a big party in someone's home, although exciting, can be a scary occasion. Even if you have always wanted to be included, an invitation comes with an unwritten set of expectations that causes a person to wonder, "Am I dressed right? Is the hostess gift appropriate? How should I behave? Will they like me? What if they ask me to leave? If I just be myself, will that really be OK? (Let's be honest. How many people get to see the real me"?)
That is pretty much how I felt when I was approached by The Monroe Times to be a guest columnist. Sure, I can come to the party, but are you sure you want me there? I feel like I am a great party guest, but one never knows. So, I thank you for letting me in to your home. I will try not to overstay my welcome and I hope to not knock over your favorite Cheese Days beer stein.
So, here is the icebreaker. For those of you not familiar with me, I am the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I started in late July and have been super busy putting my touches on a lot of events, projects and community issues. When I started, I was asked several times what my plans were. I had to be really honest and tell people I did not have all the answers. Quite frankly, I did not know what all the questions were, so having a plan in place while walking in the door seemed foreign to me. It wasn't unlike the feeling one might have when walking in the door to the big party you just got invited to.
I did know for sure that I am qualified to serve the business community and the city of Monroe. I have taken on so many responsibilities I have never had the opportunity to undertake before. I have always been a person willing to take on a task and find a way to make things come together. With help from some very patient advisors, I have been able to get a grasp on publishing weekly announcements called Chamber Chat and a monthly newsletter. I do hope you have been able to keep in touch with the Chamber of Commerce events. We really do try to provide information on a blend of all industries that make up our chamber membership.
I do feel at times the general perception is that commerce equates to retail, and to a certain extent that is true. Monroe does have a very robust retail business base and it is something we can be proud of. At the same time, we also offer some very significant, agricultural-based industries. We are blessed to be the home of some of the best cheese producers in the world and with that comes many growing industries which support every aspect of the business. I'd be foolish to think I would be able to list them all.
One other aspect that is lesser known about the Chamber; over 25 percent of our membership is either a charity or service organization. We take great pride in promoting the causes vitally important to Monroe and its surrounding area. Promoting the works of our nonprofit organizations is something we do not take lightly. Through strong leadership and philanthropy our nonprofits are benefitted by the businesses that drive our economy. This is one of the elements of our Chamber of Commerce I am most proud to speak on. With that, I will graciously make my exit, hopefully leaving a good impression on you. And look, your stein is still intact. I hope you invite me back!
- Melissa Even is the executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She can be reached at melissa@monroechamber.org.
That is pretty much how I felt when I was approached by The Monroe Times to be a guest columnist. Sure, I can come to the party, but are you sure you want me there? I feel like I am a great party guest, but one never knows. So, I thank you for letting me in to your home. I will try not to overstay my welcome and I hope to not knock over your favorite Cheese Days beer stein.
So, here is the icebreaker. For those of you not familiar with me, I am the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I started in late July and have been super busy putting my touches on a lot of events, projects and community issues. When I started, I was asked several times what my plans were. I had to be really honest and tell people I did not have all the answers. Quite frankly, I did not know what all the questions were, so having a plan in place while walking in the door seemed foreign to me. It wasn't unlike the feeling one might have when walking in the door to the big party you just got invited to.
I did know for sure that I am qualified to serve the business community and the city of Monroe. I have taken on so many responsibilities I have never had the opportunity to undertake before. I have always been a person willing to take on a task and find a way to make things come together. With help from some very patient advisors, I have been able to get a grasp on publishing weekly announcements called Chamber Chat and a monthly newsletter. I do hope you have been able to keep in touch with the Chamber of Commerce events. We really do try to provide information on a blend of all industries that make up our chamber membership.
I do feel at times the general perception is that commerce equates to retail, and to a certain extent that is true. Monroe does have a very robust retail business base and it is something we can be proud of. At the same time, we also offer some very significant, agricultural-based industries. We are blessed to be the home of some of the best cheese producers in the world and with that comes many growing industries which support every aspect of the business. I'd be foolish to think I would be able to list them all.
One other aspect that is lesser known about the Chamber; over 25 percent of our membership is either a charity or service organization. We take great pride in promoting the causes vitally important to Monroe and its surrounding area. Promoting the works of our nonprofit organizations is something we do not take lightly. Through strong leadership and philanthropy our nonprofits are benefitted by the businesses that drive our economy. This is one of the elements of our Chamber of Commerce I am most proud to speak on. With that, I will graciously make my exit, hopefully leaving a good impression on you. And look, your stein is still intact. I hope you invite me back!
- Melissa Even is the executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She can be reached at melissa@monroechamber.org.
