Just one example of those efforts includes the “Friday Flyer,” which is e-mailed to more than 600 recipients on a weekly basis. If you are not receiving it, please sign up at our Web site, www.tonganoxiechamber.org.

We work with other local organizations to help organize Tonganoxie Days, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Community Wide Garage Sale, Halloween Spooktacular, Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and informational membership luncheons. An upcoming event includes our involvement with the Kansas Sampler, which recently selected Leavenworth County for its 2010 and 2011 annual festivity. Approximately 15,000 people travel to attend this two-day event each year as it rotates to different communities throughout the state.

Our membership consists of roughly 80 businesses and individuals on an annual budget of $26,000.

As you can imagine, with a budget that small the majority of our work is provided through the volunteerism of many caring hearts. Please consider becoming a member and join us in our promotional efforts.

As we enter a new year, our board of directors has scheduled a “Strategic Planning Meeting” to be held in February.

Will Katz of the Kansas University Small Business Development group will be facilitating the event. This meeting will increase our clarity of vision and intensify our efforts in promoting the excellent opportunities and quality of life that is available in Tonganoxie.

All board members are volunteers who care about making a positive impact in our community. They are Cheryl Hanback, executive director; Margaret Steele, vice president; Marcy Manion, treasurer; Steve Christensen, immediate past president; J.W. Evans; Mike Reischman; Kathy Graveman; Mayor Mike Vestal, on behalf of the City of Tonganoxie; Victoria Rowley, on behalf of the Leavenworth County Development Corporation; and myself as president.

Hanback and our administrative assistant, Amy Harris, manage our efforts and can be found in our chamber office at 304 West St. in the Little Gray House (just south of Casey’s).

We are all excited to be a part of the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce and want you to be part of that excitement.

We value your input and advice on how we can better serve you.

Please give us feedback at (913) 845-9244, or by emailing us at info@tonganoxiechamber.org or visit us on our web site at www.tonganoxiechamber.org.