Download your Chamber Member poster today!

All employees of Chamber-member businesses are entitled to the benefits of Chamber membership, including training opportunities, networking events, informational public affairs meetings and so much more.

Oftentimes, employees of member firms are unaware they are Chamber members, so we've created a membership poster for display that will help your organization make the most of its membership investment by encouraging all employees to get involved.

Download your high-resolution printable copy today by clicking the photo, or by clicking here.

STEM Advocacy Videos (created by area students)

With the Chamber's Greater Rochester STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Summit right around the corner (Tuesday, Nov. 4), we thought we'd share a pair of STEM Summit advocacy videos created by area Lincoln middle schoolers. Enjoy!





STEM summits are a component of a community initiative to promote advanced science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) coursework to greater Rochester students.

For more information about how your business can participate in November’s STEM Summit (i.e. giveaways, interactive booths, bus sponsorship, etc.), contact Julie Fiesel at 507-424-5665.

Arc Southeastern Minnesota seeking volunteers annual "Jail-A-Thon"

Arc Southeastern Minnesota is currently seeking Volunteers for its annual
"Jail-A-Thon." Come down to their jail located at Hy-Vee Barlow on Wednesday, Nov. 19th and raise money via pledges for persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Arc is a non-profit agency providing support, education and advocacy to persons with developmental disabilities and their families in Olmsted, Winona, Houston, Dodge, Goodhue, Wabasha, Fillmore and Rice Counties. Contact Ryan at the Arc office at 507-287-2032 for more information!

Chamber Chat Show - October 2008

On yesterday's Chamber Chat show on AM 1340 with Tracy McCray, Chamber Vice President - Education/Workforce Jess Ihrke joined Lincoln middle school student Celeste to discuss the upcoming STEM Summit on Nov. 4. To learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and the Greater Rochester STEM Summit (which is expecting more than 800 middle school students to attend), hit the play button below!

Tune into AM 1340 the fourth Monday of each month at 9:50 a.m. to hear the show live! You can listen to past Chamber Chat shows by clicking here.

KTTC NewsCenter at Ten wins Emmy

The KTTC NewsCenter is once again honored with a regional Emmy Award by the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy.

Honored for its exceptional evening news, the KTTC NewsCenter at Ten received the award at the annual Emmy Awards Gala this weekend in Minneapolis. Those involved in the newscast include anchors Tom Overlie, Rachel Wick, Randy Brock, and Pat Lund, executive producer Mike Soe and reporters Chris Woodard and Chris Hrapsky.

News Director Noel Sederstrom says, “It’s a testament to the staff here at KTTC both in front of the camera and behind the scenes and to what we do every night, and that is to cover the stories that matter to our viewers.”

The Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Western Wisconsin.

NewsCenter Today was the first to win an Emmy in the Rochester, Austin and Mason City television area in 2002 and has received the honor twice. To date, the KTTC NewsCenter is a seven time recipient of the prestigious Emmy Award.

Rochester Area Family Y's I CAN! Diabetes Prevention Program

Learn how to create a healthier lifestyle and prevent diabetes in the Rochester Area Family Y's 20-week diabetes prevention program. Groups will meet with a trained YMCA instructor once a week to help participants lose weight, eat healthier and increase physical activity. Classes begin Nov. 3, 2008, and will be held on Mondays beginning at 5:30 p.m. for 20 weeks. The program will include extra activities where participants will focus on topics related to specific nutrition or physical activity concepts. For more information about the I CAN Prevent Diabetes program, contact Robin at the Rochester Area Family Y at 507-287-2260 ext 332 or robinc@rochfamy.org.

Click here for the Fall 2008 Session Brochure.
Click here for the Assessment Referral Form.

Photo Gallery: 2008 Annual Member Celebration

Again, thank you to all who supported the Chamber's Annual Member Celebration last night - both attendees and our many gracious sponsors. We at the Chamber had a great time putting this event on for our members and hope everyone had a wonderful time as well. A huge thank you to Howard Lower of Lower Photography & Studio for volunteering his time to take photos at the event.

Enventis Telecom to hold a "Lunch & Learn" sessios

Enventis Telecom and Cisco invite you to a "Lunch & Learn Session" to enjoy lunch and learn about Cisco. Enventis and Cisco join forces by evolving business communications for increased business innovation, flexibility and responsiveness through advanced unified communications, VoIP services and managed care solutions.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Rochester Chamber of Commerce board room; 220 South Broadway, Suite 100


Please RSVP by Friday, Nov.7th to Scott Bauserman at 507-251-1943 or sbauserman@enventis.com.

Salvation Army Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

The Salvation Army of Rochester is seeking volunteers for this holiday season. Listed below are their top five volunteer needs for this year:

Bell Ringing (Nov. 14 - Dec. 24)
Through the Red Kettle Campaign, needed funds are raised to support year-round programs in your community. With the help of hundreds of generous volunteers, The Salvation Army is making a difference in thousands of lives. Bell ringing shifts are in 2 hour increments...sign up for as many as you would like!

Christmas Application Processors (Nov. 17 - Dec. 17)
Put your computer skills to work! You will be helping area families apply for Christmas program assistance. Registration will take place via computers located at our building. The program is straight-forward and people skills are a must. Shifts are for three hours, so sign up for one or as many as you would like!

Prison Toy Wrap (December 3)
Volunteers gather to wrap and ship gifts to the children of inmates at the Rochester Medical Center Corrections Facility. Before this event, the inmates are interviewed and make requests for what gifts they would like to have sent to their kids.

Children's Shopping Trip (December 10)
And the shopping continues... The 8 & 9 year old children of eligible families are invited to join the Children's Shopping Trip. This trip involves pairing up the children with a volunteer. Together they board a bus and head to ShopKo where they shop for members of their immediate family. The Salvation Army provides funds based on family size. The children and volunteers then return to The Salvation Army where they wrap their gifts and have a snack before parents pick up their children.

Christmas Toy & Joy Shop (December 22 & 23)
Shoppers, this is for you! Volunteers are paired one-to-one with needy families and literally take them "shopping" through all of the donated new toys, clothes, books and games. The volunteer will assist the parents in finding age-appropriate items and the correct number of items for each child in their family. All toys, clothing, and other gifts have been donated by groups and individuals through the Apache Mall Sharing Tree, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, and other programs.

The information above, as well as more volunteer opportunities, can be found on Salvation Army's Web site by clicking HERE. For more information, contact Jess Urban at 507-424-4191.

In the News: Annual Member Celebration

Thank you to everyone who made last night's Annual Member Celebration a huge success. We had more than 600 businessmen and women in attendance and couldn't have put on the show without your support, especially that of our gracious sponsors. We will have photos up on the blog within the next several days and will also be updating this entry with news blurbs from the evening as they are made available.

Rochester Business Leaders Honored at Dinner
KAAL-TV News story - Click Here.

Wrap-up from Rochester Chamber bash
Kiger's Notebook (Post-Bulletin) - Click here.

Again, we will be adding to this list as stories, videos, photos, etc. are made available.

And of course, congratulations to the evening's award winners.
Business of the Year: Dunlap & Seeger, PA
Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Brinkman: Custom Alarm/Custom Communications, Inc.
Lamp of Knowledge: Senator Nancy Brataas

WSU Rochester to hold reception/open house as part of sesquicentennial celebration

In conjunction with Winona State University's Sesquicentennial celebration, WSU Rochester will hold a reception and open house for current and prospective students, alumni and community members from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Atrium of University Center Rochester, 839 30th Ave. SE, Rochester.

President Judith Ramaley will announce the university¹s renewed commitment to serving the needs of a diverse population in Rochester through academic programs, student services and community outreach. WSU has served the Rochester area for more than 90 years, beginning in 1917.

Rochester Community Technical College President, Don Supalla, and University of Minnesota Rochester Chancellor, Stephen Lehmkuhle, will join Ramaley for a brief program at 5 p.m. A representative from the City of Rochester Mayor¹s Office will present a proclamation, recognizing WSU's long-term commitment and contribution to the region.

The public is invited to attend. Birthday cake, coffee and punch will be served.

For more information, call Brenda Phillips at 507-285-7139 or email bphillips@winona.edu.

Join the Chamber's Facebook page today! Now over 100 "friends"!

Earler this month, we started a Facebook page as another avenue to reach out to our members and prospective members. Our goal for the page is to keep our members - especially those in the ages 25-34 range - better connected with the Chamber.

Today, we are happy to announce we reached the 100 "friend" mark. Facebook is also a great way for you to upload your photos taken at Chamber events and to make virtual connections with other Chamber members.

We plan on uploading event photos to our Facebook page in addition to our blog and keep our "friends" updated on Chamber events, initiatives, etc.

Please help spread the word and give us any feedback you may have! Click here to see the page! If you don't have Facebook already, it only takes minutes to sign up and is easy to use.

Green Mill selling pizza slices this weekend to benefit Habitat for Humanity & the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center

Green Mill will be selling pizza slices on Friday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Rochester Market Square (37 Woodlake Dr. SE). All proceeds will benefit the Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity Women Build.

Green Mill will also be selling pizza slices on Saturday, Oct. 25 from Noon - 3 p.m. at the Home Depot (3050 41st St. NW). All proceeds of Saturday's pizza slices sold will benefit the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center.

For more information, call Green Mill at 507-282-4222.

Volunteers Needed for United Way of Olmsted County's Winter OuterWear Program

The United Way of Olmsted County is seeking volunteers to help with their Winter OuterWear program this year. Winter OuterWear provides winter coats and other outerwear items such as hats, mittens, gloves, boots, snow pants, scarves to individuals and families in Olmsted County who have no other means to purchase these essential items to keep them warm during the long and cold Minnesota winter.

Volunteers are needed on distribution days - Oct. 22 and 23- at United Way of Olmsted County. They are also seeking volunteer shopping escorts, welcomers, troubleshooters, registrars, etc. They especially need volunteers to help as shopping escorts on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. There are also opportunities to help out on October 17, 20 and 21 if you're interested in sorting winter coats and other winter outerwear items.

Please visit www.volunteersolutions.org/olmsted and look for the Winter OuterWear logo under the Events heading to sign up. If you have already signed up this year - thank you! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Becky at 507-529-4831.

Yaggy Colby Architect to speak at Saturday's Think Green Sustainability Fair

Andy Masterpole, ASLA, a Senior Landscape Architect with Yaggy Colby Associates of Rochester will be speaking at the Think Green Sustainability Fair at the Mayo Civic Center on Saturday, Oct. 18th. Andy is also involved with a group promoting Rain Gardens in Rochester called Realize Rain Gardens - Rochester. For more information, please contact Tammy Westby at 507-288-6464.

Brian Davis/Tim Walz debate video available online

There has been plenty said about the Brian Davis/Tim Walz debate that took place last week, hosted by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, but today we are happy to provide you with a video link for you to watch the entire debate on video at your leisure.

A huge thank you to Guy Hamernik from RCTC and Rochester Public Access for the YouTube link. Another big thank you to Ryan & Grinde, LTD and Spectrum Pro Audio who sponsored the event!

Business After Hours photo gallery - Oct. 2008 (hosted by Charter Business)

Thank you to everyone who made it out to the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center last night for the Chamber's Business After Hours networking event hosted this month by Charter Business. It was a great crowd and we couldn't put on events such as this without the support of our wonderful members and sponsors. Thank you again!

Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund Endorses Randy Demmer and Kim Norton for Minnesota House

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund Political Action Committee recently announced the endorsements of Randy Demmer in District 29A and Kim Norton in District 29B for the Minnesota House of Representatives.

"An endorsement by our organization is an indication to businesses and their employees that both Randy Demmer and Kim Norton are committed to going to St. Paul to improve our state’s economic security," said Chairman Scott Thiss.

The Leadership Fund PAC Board uses specific criteria to determine its endorsements. They include: local business community support, the candidate’s positions on key issues likely to be addressed in the 2009 legislative session, the candidate’s elect-ability, their leadership on key issues and their voting record.

The Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund is a state-registered political action committee. The Fund represents supporters from across Minnesota organized to promote the election of pro-jobs candidates to offices of Minnesota state government.

Insty-Prints Footprint Fund to Award Print Services to Local Non-Profits

The Insty-Prints FootPRINT Fund, launching Wednesday, Oct. 15, will help Rochester area non-profit organizations "leave a footprint" in the community by awarding print services for promotional and informational materials.

The Insty-Prints FootPRINT Fund will award $15,000 annually to non-profit organizations and associations seeking financial assistance for graphic design and printing of brochures, newsletters, forms, invitations, posters and other print communications. Applicants that qualify are eligible to receive up to $1,000 each in 2009.

Visit http://www.instyroch.com/ and click on the FootPRINT Fund logo to learn more!

Business After Hours - Tonight!

Don't forget to attend Business After Hours tonight for some valuable networking from 5 - 7 p.m., hosted by Charter Business! Please note that the event will take place at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center. Rumor has it that Charter Business has some wonderful door prizes to be given away to members! We hope to see you there! And if you can't make it, check out the blog tomorrow for photos!

Advertise in the Chamber's annual Profile and Membership Directory!

The 2009 Chamber Profile and Membership Directory can help take your business in new directions, but you must act fast - the deadline is this Friday, Oct. 17th.

Inside you'll find:
• Over 1,200 business contact names and addresses, fax numbers and web site addresses
• Rochester Area Chamber Membership Directory – listed 3 ways: alphabetically by business name, category, and contact name
• Rochester Area Chamber Information (Volunteer opportunities, Priorities and initiatives, Membership programs and services, etc.)
• Rochester Area Community Profile with relocation information
• Directory of elected officials

Free Ad Consultation
Advertising consultants from the Post-Bulletin will call on you to assist with your ad design. They will help you create an ad that promotes a positive business-to-business presentation for your company.

Ad Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2008
For more information, click here or call Sue Lovejoy at the Post-Bulletin at 507-281-7492

In the News: Brian Davis / Tim Walz Debate

If you were unable to make it to yesterday's Brian Davis/Tim Walz debate, there was plenty of media there to cover the event for you to check out! The following is just a sampling of some of the media hits that the Chamber could compile from the event!

Full Audio Coverage from Minnesota Public Radio
Click here.

News Story by Minnesota Public Radio
Click here or here:

News Story by KAAL
Click here.

News Story by KTTC
Click here.

News Story by Post-Bulletin
Click here.

News Story by Associated Press
Click here.

Ribbon Cuttings: ARC Southeastern Minnesota, Well Spring Acupuncture, Kingdom Kids and the Multicultural Learning Center

In the past several weeks, the Chamber and its Ambassadors have been on hand for a handful of ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies at local Chamber Member businesses. The following photos are from ribbon cuttings that recently took place at ARC Southeastern Minnesota, Well Spring Acupuncture, Kingdom Kids and the Multicultural Learning Center.

ARTStoberFEST in full swing

Rochester’s rich and diverse arts and humanities activities fill up the calendar all year long. Special attention, however, is being given to events taking place during October – National Arts and Humanities Month and Mayor Brede’s proclaimed ARTStoberFEST. This is the perfect time to explore the visual arts, music, theater, history, literature, arts education, and dance offerings in our community.

Join your neighbors in supporting the arts and humanities by participating in one or more of the exciting events on the ARTStoberFEST calendar. Concerts, theatrical performances, classes and workshops, discussion groups, visual art displays, demonstrations – name it, and Rochester has it! For more information on all the events happening in Rochester, visit http://www.artstoberfest.com/.

Diversity Dialogue of Southern Minnesota

The Extension Youth Work Institute Presents Diversity Dialogues - Color of Fear

This free, 3-hour workshop provides an informal, facilitated conversation about diversity issues in youth work as a part of Diversity Dialogues-Color of Fear. Youth workers and all others interested in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of differences are invited. The Color of Fear is the award-winning documentary about eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African American descent who spend a weekend together talking about racism.

Facilitators: Margo Herman, Youth Work Institute and Kay Hocker, Diversity Council - Rochester.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: University of Minnesota Rochester; South Broadway, Room 417

To Register, click here or call 612-624-1999.

Beverages & cookies will be provided. Please bring a lunch.

Co-sponsored by:
· University of Minnesota Rochester
· Diversity Dialogue of Southern Minnesota
· Diversity Council – Rochester
· University of Minnesota Youth Work Institute

Brian Davis/Tim Walz Candidate Debate Rescheduled for this Thursday!

Join the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce for a Minnesota First Congressional District United States House of Representatives debate between Brian Davis and Tim Walz. The debate will allow our membership an opportunity to hear first-hand where the candidates stand on the national issues of importance to the business community.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 9
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
Cost: Member: $20; Non-Member: $30 (includes lunch)

Registration required. Register by clicking here or call 507-288-1122. Sponsored by Ryan & Grinde, LTD and Spectrum Pro-Audio.

Brother Music, Sister Rhythm performing Saturday night

"Brother Music, Sister Rhythm", is a duet featuring Al Brentner, playing old style guitar, and Anne Koschmeder whacking out the rhythm on a home made kick drum and various other instruments. The band plays and sings, what they call organic, uncluttered, country, western, folk, rock n roll tunes you just don't hear much anymore.

"Brother Music, Sister Rhythm" is performing this Saturday night, Oct. 4, from 8 - 10 p.m. at the Oak Center General Store which is north on HWY 63, 25 miles from Rochester.

The band would love to see fellow Chamber members present, supporting live music, and is offering Chamber members who come to the performance a 20 percent discount if they are hired as the musicians for future events.The Chamber Member would simply identify themselves to the band at the concert on Saturday night..

Chamber sends letter to MN Congressional Delegation urging prompt action by Congress on a financial rescue package

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce sent out letters to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation today regarding the need to stabilize financial markets, urging prompt action by Congress on a financial rescue package.

To read the letter, please click on the image to the left or read the copy-pasted version below.


To: Members of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation

Subject: Need to Stabilize Financial Markets


On behalf of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and our 1,200-plus members, I urge you to work with the administration to reach and pass quickly a bipartisan plan to stabilize our financial markets.

Swift action is critical. Minnesota businesses are ever more concerned about the uncertainty in the economy. Minnesota's tax receipts and ability to fund education and public safety are at risk over the constricting credit markets and the lack of confidence in the stock markets.

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in southern Minnesota. Our members represent more than 95 percent of the private sector jobs in Olmsted County alone and include firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the region.

The financial well-being of all our members and all Minnesotans hinges on a resolution to the financial crisis. We urge you to act immediately.

Once the current crisis is settled, all interested parties can work together on a comprehensive, longer-term reform of the financial market structure and related regulations.


Sincerely,

John Wade
President
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce