The Chamber Companion:

A Complete Guide to
Chamber Membership
 Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Companion
Produced By:
Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce
300 Civic Center Plaza, Ste. 245
Quincy, IL 62301
Phone 217-222-7980 * Fax 217-222-3033
www.quincychamber.org
qacc@quincychamber.org

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About the Chamber

The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of business owners, professionals
and individuals concerned about improving the business climate in the Quincy Area and who
are willing to actively do something about it. Its strength lies in the number and diversity of its
membership. Both large and small businesses, from virtually every profession, are represented
and influence the direction of the Chamber’s programs. These programs are financed by
membership investments in the Chamber.

YOU are the Chamber. The more members the Chamber has, the better it can represent the
business community. It accomplishes collectively what no one business could do alone.

Mission Statement
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce leads the business community by aggressively
promoting issues and activities that meet member needs and enhance the business climate and
economic well being of the Quincy area.

Chamber Goals
 Increase and diversify membership base.
 Lead in business retention and development by promoting specific projects and forming
alliances with business, government and education.
 Aggressively advocate public policies that enhance the business climate and reduce the
cost of doing business.

Chamber Finances
The Chamber of Commerce is funded solely through its membership dues and profits earned by
special events. We do not receive city, state or government funds. While we are a non-profit
organization we are not a 501(c)3 organization because we earn income off membership dues,
and that often prohibits us from receiving grants. The Chamber is a 501(c)6 organization.
Directors and Staff
2011 Board of Directors
Executive Committee

Chairman Terry Traeder Traeder’s TNT Yamaha

Chairman-Elect David Hetzler, Jr. Gardner Denver
Treasurer Rodney Heimer Heimer & Associates
Vice Chairman Mike Gilpin Blessing Health System
Vice Chairman Jason Stratton Advance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Vice Chairman Mecki Kosin The Travel House of Quincy
Immediate Past Chair Scott Ruff Edward Jones

Board of Directors

Chuck Bevelheimer City of Quincy

Julie Bonansinga Snelling Personnel Service
Jim Broemmer Adams Telephone Co-operative
Danielle Fleer Danielle Fleer, Certified CPA, PC
Tanner Freiburg Freiburg Insurance Agency
Paul Grawe Western Catholic Union
Mike Hilfrink Quincy Herald Whig
Gerry Kettler Niemann Foods, Inc.
Lonny Lemon Quincy Public Schools
Mike Moyers STARadio WTAD-WCOY-WQCY-KGRC-WZZK
Terry Myers ADM Alliance Nutrition
Darin Prost Architechnics, Inc.
Dave Rakers First Bankers Trust Company
Bill Romans Allied Waste Services of Quincy
Jeff Spear Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors
Chris Schuering Goehl, Schuering, Cassens & Bier
Randy Stocker Merrill Lynch/Great Debate Books

Staff
Amy Looten Executive Director
Mary Effrein Office Manager
McKenzie Disselhorst Membership Director
Chamber Ambassadors
The Ambassadors are the official hosts of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce. They
officiate at Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breakings; recruit new members into the Chamber and
work to retain the current membership.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP:

1. An Ambassador must be employed by a firm that is a member in good standing of the
Chamber.
2. No more than 2 people from the same firm may be members.
3. Each Ambassador must have a black or blue blazer and wear it to Ambassador
functions.
4. Membership in the Ambassador Committee requires an annual membership fee of $90,
used to cover the cost of meals served at committee meetings and other miscellaneous
committee expenses. This fee is billed annually and can be paid by the company or the
individual. Ambassadors are also charged $10 for their name badges.
5. Ambassadors are expected to attend all regular meetings. They are held the 3rd Friday
of each month, at 7:15 A.M., at various Chamber restaurant locations
6. Each Ambassador is required to participate in enough Ambassador activities to allow
him/her to accumulate a designated minimum number of participation points per year.
7. The Ambassador Committee is organized into teams in order to foster attendance and
participation through competition.

2011 Ambassadors
Becky Albert, F & M Bank & Trust Company
Charman Baxter, Arbonne International
Sara Bruns, Winters Insurance
David Cain, Farmers Insurance & Financial Services
Tom Cane, Cane Tech Group
JT Dozier, Dozier Insurance Agency
Amy Earnest, Bank of Quincy
Elaine Fesler, ETC ComputerLand
Jennifer Gordley, First Bankers Trust Company
Dustin Hall, WGEM
Richard Heinie, Heinie Specialty Products
Brian Hendrian, Bank of Springfield
Breeana Hill, Alzheimer’s Association
Peggy Johnston, Winters Insurance
Tige Jones, WGEM
Becky Kelsall, Mercantile Bank
Tracy Kiefer, Great River Referral Group
Adam Klingele, Sam’s Club
Dean La Velle, Webcentric
Ashley Mayfield, Adecco Employmnet Services
Diane McHatton, First Bankers Trust Services
Natashia Myers, Illinois Mentor
Barbara Oitker, Dynamic Job Solutions
Tony Rhodes, Powder Coat Plus
Kristin Ritterbusch, Rokusek Design
Darlene Schuermann, KHQA-TV
Kimberly Schutte, Kennedy Wealth Group
Amie Smith, ServPro of Quincy
Debby Stark, Associated Bank
Shelly Steinkamp, O’Brien Insurance
Randy Stocker, Edward Jones
Joyce Waterkotte, U.S Cellular
Patti Westerman, First Bankers Home Loan Center
Dave Willing, Priority One Printing
Jenny Willingham, Infiniti
Chamber Committees
Ag Committee—Fosters relationships with the agricultural community. Meets at 7:15 a.m. on the
second Wednesday of every month at locations throughout the county.

Leadership Committee—Plans and facilitates the Chamber’s annual three-day Leadership Academy.
Meetings to be determined by committee.

Legislative Committee—Educates and motivates membership to support local and state legislative
policies that enhance the business climate. Meets at 7:30 a.m. on the first Friday of every month at the
Oakley Lindsay Center.

Membership Committee—Works to increase, diversify and retain membership. Develops

programming to benefit membership.

Marketing Committee—Increases awareness and image of Chamber and member businesses.

Technology Committee—Provides educational seminars on technological advances. Meets at 7:30 a.m.

on the first Tuesday of every month at the Oakley Lindsay Center.

Workforce Development—Identifies, coordinates and facilitates seminars and other training to better
the community’s workers. Meets as needed.

Networking Events
The best and most effective way to use your Chamber membership is to network with your fellow
Chamber members. The Chamber of Commerce hosts many events throughout the year that connect
Chamber members with other Chamber members. Business Before and After Hours events, the Annual
Meeting, the Golf Outing and others all provide an opportune time for Chamber members to converse
with each other and to talk about their various businesses.

Annual Meeting
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce holds its annual meeting in mid-January of each year. In
addition to brief presentations by the Board of Directors stating the accomplishments of the previous
year and aspirations for the coming year, the luncheon event includes the annual induction ceremony for
the Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame honorees.

Business After Hours

The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce schedules Business After Hours throughout the calendar year.
They are held on the second Thursday of each month from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at various host business
locations.

Business After Hours are hosted by a business with the intent of getting people in their door to show off
their place of business. The hosts provide the initial flyer to be placed in the newsletter announcing their
event. The Chamber takes care of handling reminders to other members. Hosts are encouraged to invite
their customers.
(Continued)
Business Before Hours
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce schedules Business Before Hours events from 7:00-8:30 a.m.
on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Business Before Hours are hosted by a business with the intent of getting people in their door to show
off their place of business. The hosts provide the initial flyer to be placed in the newsletter announcing
their event. The Chamber takes care of handling reminders to other members. Hosts are encouraged to
invite their customers.

Business Expo
The Business Expo is an opportunity for Chamber members to show off their latest products and
services. Nearly 400 business people are expected to attend, providing quality leads. Free food and
drink, door prizes and often seminars and entertainment top off this perfect opportunity to meet new
people and share information about your business.

Golf Tournament
Organized by the Ambassador’s Club, this annual 18-hole scramble Golf Tournament is held at
Westview Golf Course on the second Thursday of September with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. and dinner
following golf. Cost is $75 per person. Businesses may donate items for the goodie bags and raffle,
sponsor a hole or prize, or contribute to the beverage cart.

Ladies of the Chamber Golf Tournament

Ladies enjoy nine holes of golf, lunch, and education about nine different Chamber member businesses
during this annual outing. The cost is $40 per person. Businesses may donate items for the goodie bags
and raffle, sponsor a hole or prize, or sponsor lunch.

Legislative Roundtables
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce believes that legislators should know how the laws they are
voting on affect business. Therefore, quarterly luncheons are organized to bring legislators and business
owners together to share information, requests and concerns. Cost is $10 per lunch.

Women’s Networking Group

Networking at its best! This small group of 25-30 business women meets monthly to discuss their
products and services and get acquainted with other women in business. Open to all female Chamber
members.

Special Events
Dogwood Parade
The annual Dogwood Festival is the first weekend in May. The parade is coordinated by the Chamber
of Commerce. Any business or organization may have an entry in the parade for a fee of $25 for
organizations and $50 for businesses.
Chamber Advertising
The Chamber of Commerce offers many free or low cost advertising opportunities to Chamber
members.

Newsletter
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter, Update, is published on the first Monday of every
month by the Chamber staff. This newsletter is free to all paid Chamber members. It contains valuable
information on upcoming events, member news, legislative issues and announcements. You can
advertise in the newsletter three different ways:

 Place a flyer in the newsletter for $90. You provide 900 copies of what you would like to place in
the newsletter, plus an electronic file of the advertisement. We do the rest. It is much less expensive
than a direct mail piece!

 Every Chamber member gets a FREE business card size ad in the newsletter each year. Additional
ads are only $10. You provide us with camera-ready artwork that will fit in a 1 ½ x 2 ½ inch space.
We do the rest.

 Place an announcement in the newsletter about a staffing change, recent awards or event, new
service, location change, etc. This is a free service provided on a first come, first served, space
available basis.

Phone Referrals
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce receives numerous phone calls daily inquiring about
companies that provide specific services they need. The Chamber refers only Chamber members to these
calls (if there is not a member that provides the service, we pull all available names out of the local
phone directories). We give out business name, address and phone numbers only.

Membership Directory
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory contains information about Quincy’s
history, tourism and culture, shopping and dining, homes, recreation, schools, and, of course, business.
More than 3,000 copies of the book are distributed annually. All Chamber members are listed in both the
alphabetical and categorical listings. Larger advertisements are available through the Quincy Herald-
Whig newspaper, our partner in this project. The Membership Directory is distributed to all Chamber
members, potential members, and potential and new residents. Additional copies are available for free.

Ribbon Cuttings
What better way to show off your new, newly remodeled, or relocated business than with a free ribbon
cutting? You pick the date and time, we do the rest. We bring all the supplies (ribbon, very large
scissors, camera) and our Ambassadors. Businesses 60 days old or younger will be featured in the
Quincy Herald-Whig newspaper; others will be featured in the Update newsletter.

Chamber Website
We are the door to the community. More than 83,000 people visited the Chamber’s website in 2007, and
they searched for a business more than 111,000 times. All Chamber members and their contact
information are listed on the Chamber Website. Links are provided for members who have active
websites. Place a sponsorship banner on the front page for only $600 per year, at the top of your
category listing for only $240 per year, or expand your listing to a Deluxe listing for only $50 per year.
Membership Identification
Say you are a Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce member by proudly displaying your Chamber
membership window cling! Look for membership identification when you visit an company to do
business, and if you don’t see anything, ask if they are Chamber members. We have plenty of clings, so
you can request more than one...for your front door and your back door.

Member Connection
The Member Connection is one more way to encourage members to shop and use other Chamber
members’ services. All special discounts are listed in a brochure that is distributed periodically to all
members and published in the newsletter. The program works on the Honor System, so you must only
state that you are a Chamber member to receive your discount.

Chamber Bucks
The Chamber Bucks program is a gift certificate program that allows the recipient to use Chamber
Bucks instead of cash at participating Chamber businesses. An average of $70,000 worth of Chamber
Bucks are sold annually. The Chamber of Commerce will reimburse the business full face value of the
certificate accepted, less a 50-cent handling fee. More than 50 Chamber businesses accept Chamber
Bucks.

Potential Residents List

The Chamber receives calls on a weekly basis from persons wanting to know more about our area
because they are considering moving here. We send a relocation packet out to them. Businesses who
wish to receive a list of those out-of-town names and addresses on a monthly basis just need to sign up
for this free service.
General Services
Membership Lists
As a member of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, you can receive an updated membership list at any
time, free of charge. The Excel document can be e-mailed to you within 24 hours, and the Chamber can print
labels within 48 hours for five cents per label. Since new members are added monthly, our list is always
changing. This is a great way to keep up on who your fellow Chamber members are. Membership lists are
not available to non-members. E-mail addresses are not shared.

Stolen Check Alert System

This program, offered with assistance from the Quincy Police Department, alerts businesses not to accept
checks that have been reported missing or stolen. Businesses receive faxed or e-mailed information free of
charge.

Business Counseling
The Service Corps of Retired Executives provides counseling to entrepreneurs who wish to open a business
and to those who have recently opened their doors. Members provide advice on writing and managing a
business plan, marketing, inventory, billing, and anything a business owner needs to consider to start or
maintain a new business.

Export Declaration Papers

The Chamber of Commerce can serve as verification that your product was made and shipped from Quincy,
Ill. This service is free to members and $5 for non-members.

Sales Tax Charts

Charts that show 7.75% sales tax for the City of Quincy are available from the Quincy Area Chamber of
Commerce.

Educational Programs
The Chamber hosts a variety of educational programs throughout the year. Some are free brown-bag
luncheon seminars that take place over the noon hour and are conducted by local experts. All of our
technology seminars are conducted in this manner. Others that need to be longer in length are held in the
morning or afternoons and are offered for a small fee. Check the UPDATE newsletter for announcements of
these educational programs.

Notary Public
Mary Effrein, Chamber Office Manager, is a Notary Public. Her services are free to members.

Third-Class Postage Privilege

The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce has a third-class postage permit that can be used by members.
Since this permit will cost individual businesses approximately $150 per year, that amount can be saved
when you use the Chamber’s permit.

Businesses must notify the Chamber prior to publication of the direct mail piece to receive correct indicia
information. Businesses are responsible for the preparation of the mailing and completion of all paperwork.

Informational Services
Census Data Phone Books
City and State Maps Service Clubs Mailing List
Directory of Government Agencies Trade Area Statistics
Legislative Information Visitor Information
Local, State and Federal Legislative Directories World Chamber of Commerce Directory
 QUINCY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2011 INVESTMENT SCHEDULE

GENERAL: (Wholesale, Service, Real Estate etc., not otherwise listed)

1 to 2 FTE employees ................................................................ $186.00
3 to 6 FTE employees ................................................................ 222.00
7 to 10 FTE employees .............................................................. 269.00
11 to 50 FTE employees ............................................................ * 155.00 plus $10.25 per employee
51 to 100 FTE employees .......................................................... * 335.00 plus $6.65 per employee
101 to 300 FTE employees ........................................................ * 426.00 plus $5.75 per employee
301 to 500 FTE employees ........................................................ * 883.00 plus $4.25 per employee
501 FTE employees and over .................................................... 1,761.00 cap

RETAIL:
1 to 2 FTE employees ................................................................ $ 186.00
3 to 6 FTE employee .................................................................. 222.00
7 to 10 FTE employees .............................................................. 269.00
11 to 50 FTE employees ............................................................ * 155.00 plus $10.25 per employee
51 to 100 FTE employees .......................................................... * 457.00 plus $4.25 per employee
101 to 300 FTE employees ........................................................ * 586.00 plus $2.95 per employee
301 to 500 FTE employees ........................................................ * 702.00 plus $2.35 per employee
501 FTE employees and over .................................................... 1761.00 cap

PROFESSIONAL (Doctors, Architects, Accountants, Engineers)

Base rate (one principal) ............................................................ $ 186.00
Each additional principal or partner ............................................ $ 52.00
Each staff employee ................................................................... $ 4.25
(NOTE: If all members of partnership or group are not members, base rate is applicable to each member partner)

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (Banks, Savings and Loans, Credit Bureaus)

Per Million Dollars deposits ........................................................ $ 17.00
($231.00 MINIMUM, $1710.00 MAXIMUM)

HOSPITALS (Minimum $186.00) ................................................... One Fourth General Business Rate

EXTENDED CARE (Minimum $186.00) ........................................ One Eighth General Business Rate

HOTELS AND MOTELS (Minimum $186.00) ....................................................................... * $5.86 per unit

SCHOOLS (Not for profit or tax support) ....................................... One fourth General Business Rate

ORGANIZATIONS (Not for profit) ................................................................................................... $ 186.00

INDIVIDUALS (Retired, Clergy, Government Employee) ............................................................... $ 76.00

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

(To calculate dues for firms with part time employees, full time equivalents will be determined by dividing total annu-
al employee hours by 2080)
01/01/2011
 Welcome to the
Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce
Application for Membership

Firm__________________________________________________________
Business Address _______________________________________________
Mailing Address _________________________________________________
Telephone _____________________________________________________
Fax ___________________________________________________________
Web-site _______________________________________________________
“Yellow Pages” Classification _______________________________________

Primary Contact Name ____________________________________________

E-mail Address __________________________________________________

Number of Employees ______ Full-time ______ Part-time

Annual Investment $_________ (see investment schedule)
Payment schedule:
 Check (annual)
 Bank Draft (additional paperwork required)
 Credit Card (additional paperwork required)

Print Name _____________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________Date ___________________
Title ___________________________________________________________
Sponsor ________________________________________________________

Mail to: Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce

300 Civic Center Plaza Suite 245
Quincy, IL 62301
(Over→)
Business Directory Keywords
Please provide up to 10 keywords (may be word or short phrase) for your company. These words
should be primary services or products provided by your company. Keywords will help potential
customers and clients find your business via search in the Chamber’s online business directory.
Keywords:
1._________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________________________
7. _________________________________________________________________
8. _________________________________________________________________
9. _________________________________________________________________
10. ________________________________________________________________

Does your business utilize social media marketing (i.e. Facebook page, Twitter
account, blog, FourSquare listing, etc.)? If so, please list:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Please list additional representatives for your company:

Name Title E-mail Address

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________