One program at the Chamber is coming to a close and another one will be opening up soon.
The program that will be ending on Nov. 1 is the sign-up for the 2025 monthly Business Happy Hour lottery schedule.
This annual lottery takes place during the month of October. Businesses interested in hosting one of the monthly Happy Hours should contact the Chamber.
When contacting us, we will need your business, your choice of three months that you would be interested in hosting a Happy Hour and an email address. You can call Membership Coordinator Anna Deering at (970) 264-2360 or email her at info@pagosachamber.com with your interest information.
We will draw for the winners on Monday, Nov. 4.
Here are some general guidelines for hosting a Business Happy Hour:
• The hosting business must be a Chamber member.
• There are no networking events scheduled in January and September due to WinterFest and ColorFest, respectively.
• Happy Hours are usually scheduled for the fourth Friday of the month except for months where there is a holiday: Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. An alternate Friday is then selected.
• The hosting business is responsible for providing food or snacks, and the Chamber will provide the beverages.
It is important to know that businesses can join together to host a Happy Hour.
Perhaps you are a Chamber member but you do not have a storefront space. You could combine with a business that does have a storefront space.
Perhaps you are a nonprofit agency that has a small space or only an office. You, too, could partner with another nonprofit agency or business.
Perhaps your business is in a strip center or near other businesses. Join together and have a “block party.”
There are lots of options to make these important business networking events work for you.
Need ideas? Contact us. Just remember that the deadline to enter the lottery is Friday, Nov. 1, by 4 p.m. We look forward to some new entries.
Chamber Board of
Director nominations
The Chamber is preparing its slate of candidates for the annual Chamber board election.
Every year, six candidates are presented to the Chamber membership and of those six candidates, three are chosen by the membership.
There is a board nomination process, and nominations are open to interested Chamber members that have had membership for one year.
The board commitment includes a three-year term. The Chamber holds monthly meetings, with the date and time is determined every year at an annual board retreat.
Board members are also requested to assist at the monthly Business Happy Hours and at events when possible.
If you would like to have a better business presence and help represent the business voice and would be interested in submitting your name to the nomination process, please contact Mary Jo Coulehan, executive director, either by phone or email.
Don’t just sit on the sidelines. Be a part of the business voice.
The election will take place at the end of this year for the terms starting in 2025.
Colorado Workforce
mobile hours
Several articles ago, I wrote about the various workforce programs that the Colorado Workforce Center offers.
Depending on qualification, your business might be able to be reimbursed for employees who are working through a work experience, on-the-job training or apprenticeship program.
Would you like to find out more about this program? Or, if you are a resident, would you like to find out more about any of these programs?
The Colorado Workforce Center will next be in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Archuleta County Department of Human Services at 550a Hot Springs Blvd.
You can find out more about how you participate in one of these programs as an employer or an employee.
If you are interested in hosting an apprenticeship program, I highly encourage you to find out more about what is needed. The payoffs may be a future valuable employee.
There are lots of opportunities in our community for on-the-job training. Find out how you can participate.
Should you want more information about the programs, contact Mary Jo at the Chamber at (970) 264-2360.
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