Dear Friends,
I want to begin by sending wishes of health, happiness, and prosperity to all in both your personal and professional lives.
2011 was a prosperous year for the Chamber and I would like to thank you for your contributions through your membership, sponsorship, donations, event hosting, and volunteerism. The Berkley Chamber cannot exist without the continued support of our members.
I would like to extend a special Thank You to the board members that completed their terms at the end of 2011. Dan Cleary (Coffee Beanery) served on the board from 2006 - 2011, Lisa Baker (Beaumont Hospital and DCB Designs) served from 2006-2011, and Tom Byars (Eagle Rock Insurance), who completed the last year in a term for a fellow board member. Tom also served on the board from 2008 - 2010. These individuals play a significant role in the success of the Chamber and should be recognized for their contributions and volunteer hours.
We also have two dedicated individuals that have been an integral part of our board for many years, Phil O'Dwyer, City Council liaison and David Sabbagh, Planning Commission liaison. Both Phil and Dave have been very valuable to our board and they will be surely be missed (although we know we will see a lot of Phil in his new role as our Mayor). We thank both for their many contributions and wish them well.
As we move into 2012 we will swear in 4 new board members at our January meeting and as you know a new Executive Director will soon take the reigns. The last 5 years as the Executive Director of the Berkley Chamber have been wonderful and I thank you for your support and friendship. I feel fortunate that this postion has allowed me to both work and be home with my children. I love working and living in this wonderful city of Berkley. I have met so many kind, supportive people over the years that it truly will be hard to leave. However, I am confident that I will continue to see you in my travels through Berkley. I am looking forward to taking part in the Chamber events as a Berkley resident!
I encourage each of you to take an active role in the Chamber: attend coffees and mixers, volunteer at events, offer your suggestions and ideas, sponsor an annual event, attend board meetings, serve on a committee, recruit new members, attend joint Chamber functions, etc. Whether you have a lot of time or just a little, any contribution you can make will only help the Chamber become bigger and better. Let's use the momentum we have gathered over the past several years to make 2012 a stellar year!
My best to you,
Julie Melrose, Executive Director
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