Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, Hours of Operation, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(Summer hours Memorial Day thru Labor Day the office will close at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays)

 Welcome!

The ability to create and maintain a network of contacts is vital to every business. Belonging to the Chamber of Commerce offers you several opportunities for involvement. How about joining an interest group and sharing your expertise? There are networking opportunities scheduled each month at our Business After Hours (BAH) and we have several Annual Events scheduled throughout the year.

The Chamber is an alliance of over 500 members and over 700 representatives working together to develop a productive climate in Calvert County in which to conduct business. The Chamber enables its members to accomplish collectively what no one could do individually!

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END HUNGER IN CALVERT COUNTY
It has been brought to our attention that the food pantries in Calvert County are in dyer need of food, therefore Rev. Robert Hahn of Chesapeake Church has declared October as "End Hunger in Calvert County" Month.  The Calvert County Chamber of Commerce would like to invite its members to participate in the "End Hunger in Calvert County" by helping to stock our local food pantries.  This is a great opportunity for Chamber members to get involved in the community while helping families in need.  The Chamber office will be participating as a collection site and would like to encourage other members to volunteer their business as a drop-off site.  Besides food, monetary donations will also be accepted.  You can also help by donating your time or an employee's to help with pick-up and distribution of food.  All items collected will stay in Calvert County!!

NEEDS LIST
*Shelving for the warehouse – this could be given or loaned
*Printing
*Trucks and/or drivers to pickup food
*People to help do the pickups
*Cardboard collection bins - we have a model we intend to use – this could be provided or people could give money to help pay for them.
*Place End Hunger posters in their places of business
*Allow employees official time to volunteer
*Cash to cover hard costs
*Be a collection site and/or manage a collection site - in other words if we place a collection bin in a strip mall - a business owner(s) in that mall would oversee that bin - letting us know when it was full - bringing it in at night - stuff like that.
*Storage space – warehouse space for the food collection, sorting and final redistribution
*Sponsor the End Hunger Concert – 10/11/08 – we need about $10,000 to cover the concert – 5 sponsors at $2,000 each – tax deductible.
*Include the End Hunger logo in business advertising during Sept and October.
*Do ‘tie-in� promotions – i.e., Smoothie King is doing a week of “bring a can and get $1.00 off a smoothie�
*A staff person for three months would be very helpful – either donate a person or help pay a person.

For more information please contact Rev. Robert Hahn or Ann Edwards at Chesapeake Church, 410-257-0700

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CALVERT CARE - A unique basic HEALTH PLAN for members of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce! Find out more...

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VIEW THE FULL CALENDAR OR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS......Business Over Breakfast, Business After Hours, Ribbon Cuttings, Meetings, etc.

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             GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING A RIBBON CUTTING

I.  Set the Date and Time:  Select a date several weeks away in order to ensure that you have adequate preparation time and to ensure that you can get the maximum amount of publicity and attendance that you are seeking.  Because history has proven that best attendance occurs during these times and that it is often difficult for elected officials, dignitaries and Chamber Ambassadors to attend weekend, holiday and evening events, it is recommended that you schedule your event Monday thru Friday.  Check calendars such as the Chamber or the County's to be sure you are not in conflict with other events.  It is also recommended that you schedule your event at these suggested times:  early (9 a.m.), lunch time, or mid-afternoon.  If you elect to schedule an event other than these times, the Chamber will support the event as possible in the newsletter and broadcast e-mails and make the scissors and ribbon available for your use.  Scissors may be picked up the day before the event and must be returned the following work day.  Please note, if you schedule your event such that it coincides with a scheduled Chamber event or major county-wide event, we will make the scissors and ribbon available for your use as well.

II.  Prepare and Send Invitations:
Develop an invitation list which should include your family, current and prospective business clients, vendors, banking officials, business counselors or advisors, bookkeeper/CPA, local dignitaries, etc.  Formal invitations are not always necessary, flyers or postcards are often sufficient.  List the basics of who, what, when, where and why.  Include your business logo on the invitation if possible.  Including your business card is always appropriate.  Include an RSVP date for one week prior to the event.  This is helpful in determining a headcount for food and beverages.  Send invitations in time to arrive in mailboxes two weeks prior to the event.

III.  Make Reminder Calls:
A day or two before the RSVP date call your guest list as a reminder.  This will serve as a reminder for those who have accepted and those who plan to attend, but forgot to RSVP.

IV.  Send Press Releases:
Write a press release and send it to local media two weeks in advance of the event.

V.  Plan Refreshments/Decorations:
Plan a menu that is appropriate to the time of the event.  Contact caterers as soon as a date and time have been established.  Determine if decorations or floral arrangements are needed and place the orders early.

VI.  Plan an Agenda:
Plan an agenda and determine in advance who will speak, who will hold the Ribbon Cutting scissors, etc. 

MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM

IS YOUR BUSINESS PARTICIPATING?  IF NOT, YOU ARE PASSING UP A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR "FREE" ADVERTISING ON THIS WEBSITE AND IN THE NAVIGATOR NEWSLETTER!

Check out the new additions to the Member to Member Discount Program.  (Above click onto "About the Chamber" scan down to "Member Discounts.") If you have not had a chance to review your possibilities, now is a good time to find out what businesses are participating.

MAYBE THAT PERFECT GIFT CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR OWN CHAMBER'S BENEFIT LIST - THE "MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNTS."  PROMOTING YOUR SUCCESS.