Election of officers and board appointments were the highlights of the December meeting of the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Kenny Griffin will serve as chairman in 2010 & 2011. Russ Yeomans was elected treasurer with Jim Harrell selected as secretary of the local group. Elected chairman for 2012-13 was Athen Walden

Dr. Sonji Leach, Joe Lanier and Ken Warnock have been named to the board. The appointees will serve for a two-year term beginning in January.

Dr. Sonji Leach was named principal of Swainsboro High School in May 2009. A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Leach holds degrees in marketing, middle grades education and education leadership. Dr. Leach also holds a doctorate degree from Argosy University in Atlanta.

She served as assistant principal and athletic director for Portal Middle School since 2007. Prior to working in Portal, Dr. Leach was assistant principal at Sallie Zetterower Elementary and Statesboro High School. She has also been a classroom teacher at Bryan County Middle School and Richmond Hill Middle School.

Since taking the reins at Swainsboro High, Dr. Leach has been very active in the community and is a recent graduate of 2009 Leadership Emanuel.

She is married to Derwin Leach. They have three sons, Devin, Donovan, and Dontavian.

Joe Lanier joined BB&T as the Swainsboro financial center leader in January 2009. Lanier is a recent graduate of BB&T's Leadership Development Program, a six-month management training program based in Winston-Salem, N.C. He is also a 2002 graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in finance. Joe worked as a mortgage loan originator with Synovus Mortgage Company prior to joining BB&T. Lanier is also a graduate of 2009 Leadership Emanuel. He and his wife, Laura, reside in Statesboro.

Ken Warnock is vice president and CFO of the architect and engineering firm, James W. Buckley and Associates. He currently serves as Chairman of the Swainsboro-Emanuel Airport Commission and is immediate Past-Chairman of the Swainsboro Rotary Club. Warnock served as president of the Swainsboro- Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce for the 2006- 07 term. He is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association. He received bachelors' degrees from both the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University. He and his wife, Denise, have one son, Cameron.

Other members of the 2010 Chamber board are Richard McNeely, Charles Schwabe, Desse Davis, Dr. Bobby Sasser, and Harry Martin. Milton Gray is immediate Past-Chairman.

On February 25th, as part of our business development initiative, the Chamber will join other chambers in the region and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Georgia Southern University, in presenting a course on collections for business owners.

In today's tough economic environment when business is slow, companies need to collect every cent customers owe. If you are new to collections or need an update on current laws, you'll find strategies that will make you more effective, less stressed and a whole lot happier.

Here are some of the topics to be covered: *How to take money directly from the debtor's checking account-without paying any fees. *How to get slow payers to pay on time without closing the customer. *Why you should never put a slow-payer on C.O.D. *Why your slow pay customers may actually be worth more to you than the ones who pay on time-and how to make them even more profitable. *The right person to pick up the phone as soon as a customer starts to fall behind. (You'll be pleased to learn that it's usually NOT you.) *The most critical piece of information you need to get from new customers up front--Make getting it a habit and you'll never get stiffed again. *The seven words you should NEVER say when collecting by phone. *How to craft phone scripts and collection letters that work. Believe it or not, a few simple tricks with working can make all the difference. *EXACTLY what to say, how to say it, and even the best time of day to call. *How to collect bad checks. *Plus much more.

The half day seminar will be held at the new Holiday Inn in Statesboro. The cost for the course is normally $129, but members will receive a discounted rate of $99. For more information contact the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, 237-6426. Seating is limited so call early.

On January 28, 2010, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the East Georgia College Foundation will sponsor the Twelfth Annual Rural Georgia Economic Outlook Luncheon, presented by the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. Swainsboro's 1999 Economic Outlook Luncheon was the first held in a rural area of the state. Because of the huge interest shown through large attendance that year, it was decided it would become an annual event. The event will be held in the Richard L. Brown Room of the East Georgia College student center complex.

The state, national and international forecasts will be presented by Jeffrey Humphreys, Director of UGA's Selig Center for Economic Growth. His comments will include some regional perspectives. The in-depth presentations will be extremely informative. A short question and answer period will be conducted prior to the conclusion of the meeting.

The cost of the tickets, which includes lunch, is $15.00 per person, or $96.00 for a reserved table for eight. Because of the high interest level, and limited seating, those desiring to attend should call the Continuing Education Department at East Georgia College, 478-289-2121, no later than noon Friday, January 22, 2010, to reserve a seat.

Dear Chamber Members:

2009 was an unforgettable year, and most of us would like to do just that! With the country in the throes of a deep recession, business here in Emanuel County has been less than stellar. While unemployment has hovered slightly above the 10% mark, progress has still been made.

So as not to break with tradition, you'll find this "open letter" to the membership listing some of the noteworthy achievements and activities in 2009.

While we are pleased with the accomplishments made this year, we are hopeful that 2010 will be brighter, especially for local businesses and industries. Chairman Milton Gray and the Chamber's Board of Directors are to be commended. They have provided guidance and leadership during these tough times.

I would also like to personally thank the Chamber staff for their help and dedication during this past year. Without Donna Brinson and Shanna Taylor, many of our efforts might have fallen short of the mark. We are very fortunate to have a concerned staff that works diligently to promote and enhance our county every day.

As we said in last years' January newsletter, we know there are still difficult economic times ahead for our county, state and nation. We also realize these downturns are cyclical in nature and given time, our overall economy will improve. Our pledge is that we will continue to work hard to merit our members' financial commitment to the chamber.

We hope this report meets with your approval and again in 2010, we can count on you for your renewed interest and membership.

Sincerely,
Bill Rogers Jr., President

Here is a partial list of the Chamber's 2009 activities:

1) Sent out 12 monthly newsletters to membership
2) Reviewed monthly chamber budget
3) Held meetings with the chamber staff to coordinated activities. Held monthly meetings with board of directors.
4) Attended Georgia Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Eggs & Issues Breakfast in Atlanta.
5) Membership banquet was held in February at East Georgia College. The event drew over 200 people. Harry Martin was selected as "Person of the Year." Sanitary Market and Swainsboro Technical College were chosen as small and large "Businesses of the Year."
6) Attended 2009 GACCE Staff Clinic Workshop in Columbus, Ga.
7) Continued to work closely with the Swainsboro Festival Foundation Committee on the Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber EXPO. The event was held in May. Over 10,000 people were in attendance for the three-day event.
8) Attended Heart of Georgia Regional Council monthly meetings.
9) Hosted a reception for employees and management of Nordson's Swainsboro Plant following recognition by Industry Week Magazine. The Swainsboro plant was named one of the "top-ten" manufacturers in North America.
10) Attended Leadership Day at State Capitol with 2008 Leadership Emanuel Class members.
11) Hosted four "Industry Appreciation Luncheons" for employees of local industries during year: Nordson, Stitch n Print, American Steel and Husqvarna.
12) Published Chamber Directory and Manufacturing Directory for membership.
13) Attended monthly meetings of the Joint Development Authority.
14) Held "Eggs & Issues" breakfast with local legislative delegation at Emanuel Medical Center.
15) Attended monthly meetings of the Swainsboro Downtown Development Authority.
16) Named the STAR students & teachers for county.
17) Attended Classic South Regional Tourism meetings during year. Advertising purchased in Georgia Travel Guide and other publications to enhance local tourism efforts.
18) Sought funding for "2009 Leadership Emanuel" classes. $5,000 grant awarded by Fanning Institute, University of Georgia in March 2009. Classes held September through November. Twenty-four people graduated.
19) Attended Georgia Association of Chamber Executives Board meeting and Staff Clinic in Columbus.
20) Assisted the Joint Development Authority with reception at Emanuel County's I-16 industry site for state industry project managers.
21) Continued to enhance and upgrade the Chamber's website.
22) Continued working with DOT officials on Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant for signage on Swainsboro bypass.
23) Submitted monthly articles on happenings in Emanuel County for inclusion in the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' monthly newsletter.
24) Hosted a "Town hall meeting" for Senator Johnny Isakson.
25) Assisted Joint Development Authority with reception for Kongsberg Automotive management with major suppliers.
26) Continued to work with Swainsboro Technical College representatives on "Certified Work Ready" community status.
27) Named "Chamber Business of the Week"on web page.
28) Set up Pine Tree Festival exhibit at State Welcome Center in Augusta on 1-20.
29) Attended I-16 Corridor Alliance meetings with JDA President Andy Riley.
30) Initiated a "Back-to-School Shop at Home" and "Christmas Shop at Home" campaigns on WXRS, WJAT, WELT, and WRJS.
31) Continued to promote "Emanuel Made-Emanuel Grown" products on website.
32) Conducted community tours for doctor recruiting specialists and administrator finalists, Emanuel Medical Center.
33) Held annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic; 110 golfers & 9 local industries participated.
34) Attended Ga. Department of Community Affairs "Communities of Opportunity" grant application meetings.
35) Assisted business & commercial developers with potential projects.
36) Hosted Woodpecker Trail Association quarterly meeting in Swainsboro.
37) Submitted grant application for electronic display board for downtown kiosk to Mill Creek Foundation.
38) Assisted Swainsboro Downtown Development Authority with Halloween Haunted House at Emanuel Arts Center.
39) Held first ever "Movies under the Stars."
40) Attended Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive Leadership Conference at Lake Blackshear, Ga.
41) Hosted Farm/City Breakfast with Emanuel County Farm Bureau.
42) Assisted Downtown Development Authority with Christmas parade and "Carols on the Square."
43) Attended GACCE Annual Conference for Chamber Executives.
44) Hosted meeting with DNR officials and Rep.Butch Parrish on potential tourism/education site for Ohoopee Sand Dunes Area.
45) Attended monthly Family Connection meetings.
46) Attended Forestry Field Day event in Griffin, Ga. with members of the Pine Tree Festival Committee.
47) Solicited sponsorships for 2010 Pine Tree Festival & EXPO.
48) Participated in 10 ribbon cuttings and grand openings throughout the year.
49) Submitted numerous radio and newspaper stories on chamber activities.
50) Held small business classes: "Survival Tips for Small Businesses during Tough Times" and "Internet Marketing Class."

From January 1 thru December 21th : (approximate figures)
Over 13,336 first time unique visitors to website
Answered 4,115 telephone calls
Referred over 1,396 calls to local businesses
Hosted 638 visitors in Chamber office
Mailed 82 packages of requested information
Distributed 375 Emanuel County brochures
Distributed 657 Emanuel County maps/telephone books
Handed out 18 "How to Start a Business in Emanuel County" packets

Are you looking for an unusual gift for someone special? Be sure to check out locally made items on the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce website.

Artisanal cheeses from Flat Creek Lodge, hand- crafted writing instruments by Eric Anderson, a gift certificate for kayaking on Watson Pond at Geo. L. Smith State Park are just a few of the featured items.

To place a locally made product on the chamber website or to access the great gift items, go the Chamber's website at www.emanuelchamber.org.