Some changes are in store for the Ellinwood Chamber in 2024, but the organization remains dedicated to promoting a favorable business climate and promoting economic growth in the community.

At Saturday’s well attended annual meeting at the Ellinwood American Legion, members were treated to an evening of socializing, a catered meal and dancing as the temperatures dropped outside. Nancy Baird, who officially stepped down as Chamber Director in 2014, noted that after working with the After Harvest Festival Committee last year for the event’s 50th anniversary, she looked forward to rejoining the Chamber board for 2024.

“I was so excited to get back on the Chamber,” Baird said. “I started attending the After Harvest Festival meetings and thought it would be fun. I do have a true love for Ellinwood. It’s great to be involved with the businesses in the community. 

“It’s wonderful to see everyone that’s here tonight, because that means that everyone has the Chamber close to their heart.”

Baird noted that the Chamber’s presence in 2024 will focus more on the interactions and relationships the organization maintains with its members, without the expense of a physical location going forward.

In October, the chamber board started to re-evaluate what the Chamber 2024 was going to look like. Members had a Chamber retreat to focus on 2024. 

“We realized we were at a pivotal point. It’s difficult to find a Chamber employee who wants to work at the Chamber office 15-20 hours per week and be in the Chamber building,” Baird said. “So, we decided we are going to do something completely different, but our main focus will always stay with the mindset and motto of the Chamber as, first, to promote our Ellinwood Chamber businesses.”

In December, the Chamber hired Lesli O’Neil as its social media and communications director, beginning Jan. 1.

Along with a revamp of the Chamber’s website, the coordinator will maintain communications through emails and social media blasts to promote events.

“That is going to take a lot of stress off of the Chamber board,” Baird noted. 

New location

After years of having an office downtown, the Chamber is relocating. “Sunflower Bank is gracious enough to let us have a room downstairs,” Baird said. “We still have the Chamber cellphone number; we will no longer have a landline. “We will be doing some deep cleaning and we will be moving by the end of the month. We don’t have a spot that you can walk in and talk to somebody, but if you contact us on the Chamber cellphone, one of us board members will come and talk to you.”

Members will have two options to choose for their membership plan, one aimed at business promotion and participation and another for Chamber support.

Brent Schartz and Krystal Schartz were also elected to serve as board members in 2024.

Treasurer Luke Abbott provided a financial look back at the previous year.

“This year was financially good for the Chamber,” Abbott said. “Our net operating revenue was very high this year. We didn’t pay a director for most of the year.

“The Chamber is being very intentional this year to make sure we use our finances wisely. We are reassessing some of our expenditures.”

The Chamber had a total 109 members in 2023, with 61 businesses, seven home businesses, 23 individual members and 18 non-profits.

Abbott noted that there was a change-up in membership structure for the coming year. “I’m really excited about our membership outlook for 2024,” he said.