Loading...Statewide Campaign Reaches 75%, with Four Weeks to Go
Whoever called them the greatest group of volunteers in the world knew what they were talking about. The more than 500 businessmen and women, from all across the state, participating in the Team Georgia Chamber '06 campaign, are once again proving that commitment and hard work pays off. With about a month remaining, they have catapulted the team totals to almost $1.3 million, as they continue to whittle away at the remaining $400,000. They've left little doubt that they will hit the goal by the day of the victory celebration.
When they do, it will mark the tenth year in a row that the Georgia Chamber campaign has achieved its dollar goal. If any of this makes it sound like it's easy, that would be the wrong message. A better way to describe what these dedicated representatives of some of the state's leading corporations and professional service organizations do is communicate a strong message and demonstrate that every business in the state benefits from the work of the Georgia Chamber. They point out that only if it remains strong, can it continue as the voice of business under the Gold Dome.
The campaign runs each year from June until November and veteran volunteers report that as the countdown to the new legislative session ticks away, there is more of an awareness of the role of the state chamber. "When chatter about proposed legislation to be introduced when the General Assembly convenes in January increases, business people begin paying attention," remarked veteran Team Captain Tommy Graham, with Atlanta Gas Light. "The very nature of bills and laws makes it difficult for most of us to fully understand, but we know that the experts at the Georgia Chamber see them all and they make sure none are harmful to business. This is what members expect when they join the Georgia Chamber and it's what they get," Graham concluded.
Whether that's the reason or not, things do pick up in the final weeks. Week 17 was a good example of strong production, with three volunteers reporting in excess of $10,000. Alan Golden (Georgia Power) turned in $10,500; Martha Baxter (SunTrust Bank) matched Alan with $10,500; and Frank Boyd (Georgia Power) was off only slightly, reporting $10,055. Others making the Top Producers list were Teresa Greenwood (Atlanta Gas Light) with $6,160 and Dean Marianos (Atlanta Gas Light) who had a $5,250 week.
Top Teams for the week were, in order, Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light, SunTrust Bank, Georgia Power-Metro North and Regions Bank.
Qualifying is well underway for the highly popular "Day in New York City," a perennial event on the Team Georgia Chamber calendar, sponsored by AirTran Airways. To qualify for the trip for two, which takes place in early December, volunteers must bring in five new members between Oct. 5th and Nov. 8th. With plenty of time remaining, that early morning jet to the Big Apple will be filling up fast.
Another popular contest rewards producers with what is clearly one of the best tickets in town, a $200 gift card that can be used at any one of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group locations (yes, we are talking Bluepointe, Chops/Lobster Bar, Pano's and Paul's, to name but a few of these famous establishments). The bar is higher (8 new members), but the reward is worth the effort.
The campaign reported an amazing - and gratifying - statistic this week. Although the major thrust of the campaign is on recruiting new members, volunteers are also rewarded for capturing their renewals. In a stunning tribute to the high regard members hold for the Georgia Chamber, the number of renewals is on its way to setting a new record. Just measured in dollars alone, with four weeks remaining, the goal of $665,000 has been shattered, as the drive reports renewal dollars thus far have topped $711,700 and are expected to climb.
With more than 4,000 members on the rolls, a number that will grow by year's end, the Georgia Chamber will be in a strong position in 2007 to continue to work on behalf of the state's business community.
