Get Involved
Chamber Committees Provide Opportunities To Get Involved
Your input, participation and ideas are needed at the Chamber!
The Chamber's task of working to improve the long-term economic vitality of its members and the community is accomplished through the ideas and projects that begin in committees of the Chamber. Each committee focuses on a different aspect of the community that affects business, as you can see by their goal descriptions below.
All employees of a Chamber member business can get involved in Chamber Councils. Just contact the office to begin receiving meeting information.
Community Development Council 
Board Liaison: Carol Kisling
Education Connections
Chair: Eric Carlson (Youth & Shelter Services)
Meeting time: As needed, on first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 PM
Mission: To develop an on-going program to help business owners, managers and employees better understand and respect all people and to strive for continuous improvement in providing customer satisfaction; to increase Chamber members’ interaction with local school districts through school-to-career activities and to assist the district in evaluating its building needs. Salute to Educators: 2009 will mark the 9th year of this celebratory luncheon. Hosted by the Ames Chamber Education Connections Committee at Ames High School every August, this event is held to recognize and honor all those involved in education. The lunch is informal and celebrates the value of educators from Ames, Gilbert, and United Community Schools. Sponsorships, donations, and volunteers are needed each year to help make the event a success.
Program Chair: Mark Stenberg (Stenberg Concrete) & Amy Juhnke (Lutheran Services in Iowa)
Meeting time: Varies.
Mission: Develop leadership skills, knowledge and resources through a 9 month/11 session program. Topics include Community Development, Ames Community Schools, State Government and Quality of Life. Participants go through an application/selection process every summer (applications available in June).
Government Affairs/Local Issues Council
Board Liaison: Jolene Randall
Government Affairs
(Legislative Luncheon & Candidate Forum Task Force)
Chair: Jolene Randall (Knapp-Tedesco Insurance)
Meeting time: First Friday of each month at 12:00 PM.
Mission: To identify and research state issues that affect business, recommend and take action through informed positions and communication with state legislators.
Membership Council
Board Liaison: Chad Copley
Ambassador Committee
Meeting time: Ribbon Cuttings are held as requested usually on Thursdays at 11:00 AM.
Mission: To promote unity in the business community and encourage Chamber involvement through active, visible participation as goodwill messengers to local businesses. ($50 annual charge)
Membership Affairs Committee
Chair: Cindy Schwickerath (Heartland Technology Solutions)
Meeting time: Second Wednesday of each month from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
Mission: To oversee all organized recruitment efforts of the Chamber and make recommendations to the Chamber Board regarding retention activities that strengthen the services offered to existing members.
Business Improvement Committee
Chair: Ryan Lynch (First National Bank)
Meeting time: First Thursday of each month at 7:30 AM.
Mission: To provide support and resources for area businesses and organizations as they strive for continuous improvement in their organization.
You can join a committee or task force at any time and participate for as long as you wish. Please call the Chamber at 232-2310 for more information or to join.
