Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce

Letter from the Chairman  |  What is the Chamber?  |  Mission Statement
Staff  |  What is the Chamber’s Purpose?  |  How is the Chamber Financed?
General Objectives  |  How Does The Chamber Work?  |  Membership Benefits
Commerce Circle

Dear Chamber Investor

By choosing to live and work in the Lawton-Fort Sill community, we have all acknowledged that we believe in the quality of life, the wealth of opportunity, and the genuine spirit of goodness in our residents. Consistent with the theme of the Chamber’s Annual Banquet this year “Let the Good Times Roll,” I believe we are well positioned to do just that for the next several years. Of course, the “good times” can only “roll” with the efforts of dedicated members of the community – members like our Chamber Investors, who recognize our opportunities and are willing to work to transform those opportunities into achievements that benefit the entire region.

Opportunities do not exist in a void. Every opportunity presents its own unique set of challenges. The enthusiasm of Chamber investors and of community leaders within the Chamber is evident in every Chamber activity. We embrace challenges with optimism, with a “we can work that out!” attitude. As a member of the Chamber Board and Executive Committee over the past few years, I have enjoyed the great privilege of observing that sort of determination and commitment first hand.

The Chamber President and staff are an impressive team of individuals that coordinate Investor volunteer efforts with a professional, effective approach that delivers ever-increasing growth oriented results to our community, and we should all consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have such a high level of consistency in place to anchor and drive our goals. I must say, however, that what astonishes (and heartens) me most is the enormous amount of time and personal financial investment our Chamber volunteers expend in making our community a better place to be. This is not a casual observation, it is a solid fact.

It gives me great pride to be a part of a group that is so intensely determined, on behalf of us all, to spend thousands of hours of time, even personal time, to endeavor to bring jobs and strong business expansion to southwest Oklahoma. They meet obstacles and setbacks with new plans and new effort, and their endeavors benefit all of us as this community grows, as new jobs emerge, as industry expands, and our businesses grow. Our successes increase and the opportunity to keep our children, our grandchildren, and our intellectual capital in this community grows proportionately. Communities that lack the sort of determined leadership that is so readily apparent here diminish, fade and ultimately fail. Our community has a strong supply of determined business leaders that will ensure we thrive, grow and excel for decades to come!

I look forward to the coming year with a sense of excitement and anticipation. We have so much to look forward to, so much to do, so many opportunities to explore. To the outgoing Chair John Hester, and the President Dana Davis, a great round of thanks to you both for paving the way so clearly, and for preparing me so well for the challenges ahead. To all of you, thank you for your willingness to laugh when I’m bossy and indignant (when confronted with naysayers), and to support my notion that “nothing is impossible!” Now, let’s get busy. There is so much we can accomplish. We are smart enough, and have the savvy and energy to compete with the world. Let’s do it!

Sincerely,
Sylvia “Woogie” Burgess, Chair
Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce

What is the Chamber?

The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of Lawton Fort Sill area businesses, professional people and interested citizens who have joined together to improve the economic, industrial and civic well being of the Lawton-Fort Sill community.

We are not a department of the city, county or state government; a political body; a civic club or professional society; a social service agency or charitable institution; or a private advertising, publicity or public relations agency.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Chamber is to be a leader in the orderly growth and development of the Lawton-Fort Sill community, thereby creating economic opportunity and enhanced quality of life.

Staff

Dana D. Davis, President
Shelia O. Lee, CCE, Executive Vice President
Court Newkirk, Economic Development Director
Nadine Hanefield, Tourism Development Director
Jennifer Holloway, Membership Director
Joslyn Wood, Government and Military Affairs Director
Sharleen Gehers, Special Projects Manager
Shannon Yarbrough, Executive Assistant
Josh Cranston, Economic Development Assistant

What is the Chamber’s Purpose?

The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber will –

• Aggressively seek out and contact prospective new industries and manufacturers, promote and assist in the expansion of existing industries, and in general, act as the catalyst for industrial development in the area.
• Promote and advance the business, commercial, economic, financial, professional, cultural, educational and civic welfare of the City of Lawton Fort Sill, its trade territory, its civic neighbors and environs.
• Foster, maintain and preserve a friendly, personal and business relationship with the Fort Sill community, and exert all possible efforts to sustain the growth, expansion and interest of the installation.
• Promote economic programs to strengthen and expand the income potential of all businesses within the trade area, promote programs of a civic, social and cultural nature which will increase the functional and esthetic values of the community, and discover means to enhance business expansion and community growth.

How is the Chamber Financed?

The Chamber is financed by the investment of its members and the hotel/motel tax. The support of businesses and professionals in the community is essential to finance Chamber programs, which are vital to community growth and development.

Statement of General Chamber Objectives

The Chamber is incorporated and organized to promote and advance the commercial, industrial, recreational, agricultural, health, educational, social and professional activities of the people of the Lawton Fort Sill community. Our objectives include –

• Collecting and compiling information of value to the growth and welfare of the Lawton Fort Sill area.
• Encouraging and aiding the development of existing business and industry, and establishing viable economic development programs.
• Affirming the friendship between Lawton and Fort Sill, and furthering the interests of the area.

How Does the Chamber Work?

• Members will always be at the top of our organization.
• The Board of Directors is selected in accordance with the bylaws. The general membership elects 12 members of the Board, the Board elects six members to serve, and a number of city officials and community representatives are included as ex-officio members of the Board.
• The Executive Committee are officers selected by the Board of Directors to act in the interim between meetings of the Board.
• The President is employed by the Board of Directors. The President is responsible for hiring staff and as a group they work for the membership in carrying out the day-to-day tasks of the organization.
• Committees and task forces are made up of volunteers from the general membership. This is where the real work of the Chamber is conducted. All members are encouraged to get involved and serve on a committee or task force, but they are not required to do so.

Membership Benefits

Marketing Opportunities

• Participate in our annual trade show, the Parade of Trade. This event, usually held in the fall, is the biggest trade show of its type in the area. Booths are offered in a range of prices to encourage large and small businesses to participate. This trade show gives you an opportunity to showcase your products and services.
• Enjoy our referral services as a Chamber member. When people call us looking for a particular product or service, we refer only Chamber members!
• Advertise in Chamber publications like this Membership Directory and Business Guide, maps, and our website.
• Take advantage of opportunities to use our mailing list. You can receive ready-to-peel labels of our entire mailing list – members only, or specific groups. Most lists are $50 for Chamber members. Non-members pay $150 for the same benefit. This list can be alphabetical or zip code sorted.
• Insert a flier in our Chamber newsletter, which is mailed to our entire membership. The cost is only $150 per newsletter insert (approximately 1400 newsletters per quarter)!
• Take advantage of our sponsorship opportunities. These include sponsoring one of our Business After Hours where you can highlight your products or service. Other opportunities are available at reasonable rates – just ask us!
• Have an official ribbon cutting ceremony provided by the Chamber, for members only. This is particularly helpful if you are a new business, have recently moved, remodeled, or had a name change.

Networking Opportunities

• Attend our monthly Business After Hours. This is one of our most popular functions and it’s FREE, it’s informal and it’s fun! Always be sure to bring lots of business cards, and register for door prizes to be given away.
• Attend one of our Breakfasts or Luncheons. Scheduled on an as-needed basis, these not only give you the opportunity to meet new people, but to learn from our speakers.
• Get involved in a committee or task force. Many do not demand a great deal of your time and the rewards can be immense.

Be an Informed Member of the Community

• Read our quarterly Work In Progress newsletter and be informed on Chamber events, activities and programs. Our newsletter includes a community calendar of events for each month and much more!
• Our Legislative Awareness program helps our members know what is going on at local, regional, state and national levels of government. We represent your concerns and opinions on issues of importance.
• Attend the workshops and seminars the Chamber offers. Chamber members also get a discount on many of the training seminars and workshops offered by the Great Plains Technology Center.

Other Benefits and Notes of Interest
for Chamber Members

• As a member in good standing, your credit is good with us. You may charge many things to your account and be billed once a month.
• As a current member of the Chamber, you are eligible for the Oklahoma Blue group health insurance plan.
• Use Chamber Scrip Money to keep dollars in town with Chamber members. Scrip money comes in $10 and $20 denominations and is like a gift certificate, which may be used at face value with any participating Chamber member. Scrip money makes a great gift or employee bonus.
   

The Commerce Circle is a membership level in the Chamber which allows those businesses that are most committed to economic growth in the community to increase their support for programs and receive some additional benefits along the way. Benefits include special recognition in the Chamber newsletter, links on the Chamber website, and a special annual luncheon.

Adventure Travel PSO Affiliated Van Lines Arvest Bank Aubrey Chevrolet BancFirst Billingsley Ford of Lawton Brox Industries CDBL, Inc Coldwell Banker-Crossroads – Johnny Kinder Comanche County Memorial Hospital Comanche Home Center Comanche Nation Casino Cosmetic Specialty Labs Christopher Meyers, Attorney at Law Dan Mullins Nissan Eagle Systems and Services Fiesta Toyota Fitch Industries Ford, Hines Klein      & Watson Insurance Agency

Fort Sill Federal Credit Union Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Hatch, Croke & Associates IBC Bank J.T. Neal Insurance Agency Johnny Owens Commercial Properties, Inc. KSWO TV 7 Lawton Publishing Company Southwest Ready Mix Lawton Retail Merchants Association Scott’s House of Flowers, Inc. Signal Mountain Associates Smith & Sons Insurance Agency, Inc Southwestern Medical Center Storage “R” Us Techrizon, LLC The Territory Golf and Country Club Towe, Hester & Erwin, LLC. Young Eye Institute

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