Lake Almanor Chamber looks forward to exciting year
Saturday, May 19, turned out to be a beautiful day for the golfers playing in the second annual Chamber Golf Tournament at Bailey Creek Golf Course.
The tournament is sponsored by the Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce as an early fundraiser, with the closing dinner serving as a membership meeting.
As one of the first golf tournaments in the area it offers advertisers and hole sponsors a unique opportunity to display their businesses early in the season.
This year the tourney drew golfers all the way from Reno and the Bay Area. In fact, a foursome from the Bay Area took first place for the day.
The team of Bob McCarrick, Ted Hurd, Jay McCarrick and Bob Arns shot a combined 56 in the four-man scramble format to take the honors.
Tournament, hole and special competition prizes were handed out at the dinner immediately following the tournament.
Chamber President Susan Bryner welcomed the golfers, chamber members and special guests from several community groups as they enjoyed an excellent filet mignon dinner.
The Almanor Fishing Association, American Red Cross (Lake Almanor), Alliance for Workforce Development, Almanor Recreation & Park District, Chester-Lake Almanor Museum, Courage Triathlon, Feather River Land Trust, Feather River Tourism and the Plumas Audubon Society were present to show support for the chamber.
Each of these community organizations shared a display of their upcoming events and even with a little competition from the breeze blowing, they communicated many opportunities for summer fun and community improvement.
Fourth of July Parade Chair Rachelle Jilbert announced that the 2018 “Person of the Year & Parade Grand Marshal” is Aaron Seandel.
Seandel has a long history of community service and participation with local organizations.
During the membership phase of the dinner President Bryner stressed the need for more businesses, community organizations and community members to join in the efforts of those that are already trying to make our community a better place to live.
“Some of them are here tonight,” she added.
She indicated that she had accepted this appointment to the board because she wanted to once again be part of the solution.
“Here tonight are just a small sampling of the organizations and dedicated people making efforts to sustain and improve our community,” Bryner declared.
“I believe all that is missing is a connecting factor that can bring businesses, organizations and resources together and I am confident that our Chamber of Commerce can be the perfect vehicle for that connection factor,” she confirmed
She envisions bringing the community together as a primary mission of the chamber in future events and existing ones alike.
She would like to see the chamber focus in three areas: build and expand on the connections currently in place, respond to community needs/requests whenever the chamber can and re-invest in and grow the projects the chamber has now and find new avenues into the community.
Many people at the dinner expressed the idea that complaining about “what’s wrong” with the community solves nothing.
“If you see a need for something in the community, come to the chamber, explain the need and be prepared to lead or at least help to find a solution” was a common theme.
The chamber is planning numerous new opportunities for businesses, organizations and community members to connect with the C of C.
– Town Talks: Four per year. (Including the spring golf dinner);
– Town Coffees: Monthly, with selected community organizations; and
– Town Walks: Chamber members walk the town to visit and listen to businesses and offer support and resources.
In closing, Bryner wanted each member to reflect on the idea of initially responding to community complaints with these questions:
– Have you reached out to that person or persons?
– Have you made a connection that may solve the problem?
– Is there someone out there already working on the problem and of so how can you help?
