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Beyond Storefronts: Why People Are the Heart of the Chamber
When most people think of a Chamber of Commerce, they picture local businesses working together to strengthen the community’s economy. While that is true, the Chamber is also about something much deeper … people. Your neighbors, friends and fellow citizens play just as big a role in shaping the future of Ponca City through their investment in the Chamber.
You don’t have to own a business to make a difference. Individual investors are citizens who want to see Ponca City thrive as a better place to live, work, play, shop and worship. Their investment is a reflection of pride in community and a commitment to creating a thriving hometown economy that future generations will be proud to call their own.
investments, or household investments. That year, Chamber Chair Lee Evans Sr. championed the idea of welcoming not only businesses but also individuals as investors in the Chamber because he understood that together we can do more. Thanks to his leadership, 18 new families and individuals joined in just one year, a record at the time.
Here are the individual investors who partnered with the Chamber in 2012. Barry & Lois Bickle, Don Bohon & Kristin Smith, John & Linda Brown, Rich & Pam Cantillon, Jeff & Felicia Cowan, Bruce DeMuth, Lee & Laura Evans, Marshall & Natalie Fraser, Clayton Johnson, Marc & Holly Labossiere, Jerry & Marsha Orr, Hugh Pickens, Kim & Arlene Stauffer, Craig & Beckie Stephensen, Marta Sullivan, Joe & Hollye Theobald, Judy Throop and Cynthia Winterrowd.
(It’s even rumored that a few cows tried to sign up too, though they never made it into the Chamber’s official database!)
Today, the Chamber proudly celebrates 95 active individual investors. To put that into perspective:
2011 and Before: The Chamber had only 13 individual investors
During 2012: 18 new investors partnered with the Chamber.
2013 to Present: Another 77 individuals and families became part of the Chamber family.
These individual investors include singles, couples and even families, like Scott, Katie and little Zane Larssen, our youngest Chamber investor to date!
Most have shown remarkable loyalty. Our longest-standing individual investors, according to our chamber software system, are Sue Boettcher, who joined in 1991, and John Young, who joined in 1994. Their commitment shows that the Chamber isn’t just for businesses, it’s for anyone who cares about Ponca City.
Of course, we’ve also said goodbye to some members over the years. Sixteen individual investors have dropped, with at least 13 of those dropping due to retirement, moving away or sadly passing away. Each left a mark on the Chamber’s history, and their contributions are remembered with gratitude.
An individual Chamber investment is $100 per year, which is a modest contribution with a powerful impact. It helps fuel meaningful services, advocacy and programs that benefit the entire community. Being an individual investor is about more than writing a check; it’s about being engaged in becoming part of the change you want to see.
There are many ways to engage in supporting Ponca City’s future, and the Chamber is your guide to this engagement:
Network and connect with others who share a passion for our community through our networking events, particularly Business After Hours.
Support and cheer on local businesses, market local businesses and Shop Ponca First, like ribbon-cuttings, milestone presentations, purchasing Chamber Bucks to keep dollars local, participating in Santa Buck Giveaway and Jumpstart June.
Educate yourself about our community’s strengths and opportunities for growth through one of our committees.
Support our local schools through the PIE Partner Program.
Know our community and state’s local candidates and their platforms by attending our forums.
The growth of individual investments since 2012 proves that when businesses and individuals unite behind the Chamber, our collective voice is stronger. Every investment, whether from a storefront downtown or a family across town, strengthens the community through engagement.
Thanks to leaders like Lee Evans Sr., individuals saw themselves as part of the Chamber story. That story continues with every new person who chooses to step up and say, “I want to be part of building a better Ponca City.”
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