Rookie, Member of the Year named
The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce held its "State of the Chamber" annual membership breakfast Nov. 8 at Eagle Brook Country Club.
More than 200 members enjoyed the complimentary breakfast offered by the chamber as they waited eagerly to hear the winners of Rookie and Member of the Year Awards. These awards are a surprise and are given to individuals who have volunteered service to the chamber and community in addition to their ordinary business throughout the year. This year's winners are Angela Meyer for Rookie of the Year, and Tamara Sims, Member of the Year.
In addition, the Small Business of the Year Awards were announced by Terry Aaron and Bil Papp, members of the Business In Action Committee. The Chamber received more than 20 nominations for these awards. Jay and Tamara Sims of Something 2 Dance 2 accepted the Business To Consumer Small Business Award and Ed Brooks of Digiovine, Hnilo, Jordan & Johnson, Ltd. received the Business To Business category award.
The winner in the Not-For-Profit category was Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice. One of these three winners will be awarded the Small Business of the Year announced at the Charlemagne Awards Dinner on Feb. 1. Past winners of this award have been Blue Goose, Burger Drugs and McDowell Exteriors.
Bob Strasser, the 2007 chairman of the board, introduced the incoming 2008 board of directors. Changes in committee names and chairmen were also announced. All attendees received a copy of the 2008 action plan, the 2008 calendar of events, and the chamber's magazine, St. Charles Lifestyles.
Angela Meyer, of Angela Meyer, CPA, joined the Chamber in 2006. She is a member of the Legislative Communication Committee and is a Diplomat of the Chamber serving as a greeter at many ribbon cuttings and after hours. Meyer attends many chamber events, often as a volunteer for the event. She donates time to charitable and community organizations as well, including Bison Cares and Downtown St. Charles Partnership. Meyer has a strong, friendly working relationship with many chamber members and always goes the extra mile to lend a helping hand or volunteer.
Tamara Sims, of Something 2 Dance 2, has been a member of the chamber since December 2004. From the minute she joined she jumped on board, becoming involved with a LEAD$ group and the Women's Business Council Committee.
Always enthusiastic, positive, Sims attends numerous chamber functions and is a great advocate of networking.
Last year Sims became a diplomat of the chamber and greets new members at their ribbon cuttings and assists other members at their events. She volunteers for the American Cancer Benefit and the Steel Beam Theater. She co-chaired her LEAD$ group this year and will be serving on the chamber's 2008 board of directors.