 WDM CHAMBER 3 STAR PACESETTER
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2 STAR PACESETTERS
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May Events:
Rush Hour
Wednesday, May 4
4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln Savings Bank
12345 University Ave-Clive
Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, May 4
5:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Lincoln Savings Bank
12345 University Ave- Clive
New View After Hours
Thursday, May 5
5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Greater Iowa Credit Union
1630 22nd St- WDM
Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, May 11
5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Iowa Mortgage Professionals
1200 Valley West Drive #700-WDM
Membership Luncheon
Thursday, May 12
11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Parkway- WDM
WDMLA Booster Pak Bash
Saturday, May 14th
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
WDM City Hall
4200 Mills Civic Parkway
Citizen of the Year Reception
Tuesday, May 17th
4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
WDM City Hall
4200 Mills Civic Parkway
Breakfast B4 Business
Wednesday, May 18th
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Great Southern Bank
6260 Mills Civic Parkway
Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, May 18th
5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
The General Store Eatery
206 5th St- WDM
Regional Business After Hours
Thursday, May 19th
5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Tournament Club of Iowa
1000 Tradition Drive- Polk City
RUNzing, 5k Fun Walk/Run
Saturday, May 21st
8:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.
WDM City Hall
4200 Mills Civic Parkway
Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, May 25th
5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
See the Trainer
1250 NE 128th St
Clive
Business After Hours
Thursday, May 26th
5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m
Wright Outdoor Solutions
800 Raccoon River Dr- WDM
Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, May 31st
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Actis Wealth Management
9295 Bishop Dr., Suite 105
For a complete listing of May
WDM Chamber events, please
CLICK HERE
Don't forget about
A-MAY-Zing Days
Check out that Calendar |
New Members
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After Hours
Thursday, May 5th
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Greater Iowa Credit Union
1630 22nd St.
WDM
RSVP: Casady@wdmchamber.org | |
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Membership Luncheon
Thursday, May 12th
11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
Click here to RSVP
$20 Member
$25 Non Member | |
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| Join the WDM Chamber Ambassadors at |  | |
Wednesday, May 18th
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Sponsored by:
Located at:
Please RSVP
Call 515.225.6009
or click HERE |
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Tool of the Month
May is Productivity Month
If you have a "tool" or special tip relating to Productivity and want to share it with your fellow members, email office@wdmchamber.org and your tool may be posted on our social media sites, websites, and newsletters.
Just a few sentences of information is all we need. Then we will pass your "tool of the month" along to everyone.
*All tools will remain anonymous
If your tool isnt used don't worry we have a plan for it. | | |
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WDM Chamber Officers
CHAIR
VICE CHAIR 515.288.3279 TREASURER |
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WDM Chamber Board of Directors
515.289.5590
515.250.6379
515.633.2439
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WDM Chamber Staff
PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR OF CHAMBER OPERATIONS
PROJECT COORDINATOR
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
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A-MAY-Zing Days is a month-long celebration recognizing the individuals, organizations and activities that make West Des Moines a great place to live, work and play.
Greater Des Moines residents are invited to be a part of West Des Moines' biggest celebration ever - with events and activities spread across all corners of our community. The fourth annual A-MAY-Zing Days will showcase West Des Moines favorites like the YESS Duck Derby, Bill Riley Talent Show, Citizen of the Year Reception, Festivale Cinco de Mayo, Valley Junction Farmers Markets, RUNZING IV, Principal Charity Golf Classic, Spring Art Market and more.
 Also back this year is the WDM Jobs Expo, hosted by the West Des Moines Development Connection. The A-May-Zing Days calendar continues to grow, with new events being added annually. New events include the Val Air's Local Artist Showcase, Booster Pak Bash, and A-May-Zing Days Race Family Bike Challenge.
A-May-Zing Days concludes its annual celebration with Smokin' in the Junction, two great days of barbecue and live music in Historic Valley Junction May 28-29. This event will include a Kansas City Barbecue Society Sanctioned Barbecue Contest with cash prizes, food vendors, and exhibitors, kids' activities including inflatables, a beverage garden and live music. A-May-Zing Days is looking for volunteers to assist at Smokin' in the Junction. Each volunteer will receive $10 in free food/beverage tickets at the event. Contact Jamie at office@valleyjunction.com to sign up and receive details.
At multiple A-May-Zing Days events including Festivale Cinco de Mayo, Val Air's Local Artist Showcase, Les Misérables Concert Performance at Valley Auditorium and Smokin' in the Junction, the committee will be collecting personal care items (e.g., diapers, deodorant, toothbrushes, toilet paper, shampoo, etc.) for donation to West Des Moines Human Services. Items can be placed in the bins on site and all donations collected will go to area families in need.
Visit www.amayzingdays.com for event details and a printable month-long activity calendar.
The committee thanks the primary A-May-Zing Days sponsors: Aviva USA, The City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines Chamber and West Bank for their annual support. A number of community members also donate their time and professional services in order to put on a successful celebration.
Wirtten by Erica Turner- 2 Rivers Marketing |
Greater Iowa Credit Union-New branch in West Des Moines showing early signs of success
Greater Iowa Credit Union has been providing banking services to Iowans for 78 years. What began as a humble operation by the Buildings and Grounds staff at Iowa State College in 1932 is now a full service financial institution offering products and services to its 29,000 members throughout the state. And its newest branch at 22nd Street and Westown Parkway is ahead of schedule for attracting new members and showing good financial growth.
'"We're very proud of our new branch," said Shazia Manus, president and CEO of Greater Iowa. "We worked very hard to appoint it with the latest in financial services amenities."
Greater Iowa is headquartered in Ames and has eight branches located in Ames, Des Moines and Denison. Until 2002 the credit union was known as the ISU Community Credit Union and the majority of its members were affiliated in one form or another with Iowa State University as a member of the faculty or staff or as a student.
In 2002 Greater Iowa joined the ranks of credit unions that became "community chartered," opening its membership to the whole community.
Beginning that same year, the Greater Iowa board and management accelerated its rapid growth through mergers with credit unions in Des Moines and Denison, including acquisition of the Armstrong Employees -Local 164 Credit Union in East Des Moines and the Heartland Credit Union in Denison. All were considered single employee credit unions when they joined Greater Iowa.
The opening of their Westown branch represents the first major expansion of the credit union since the mergers.
"We have a very conservative board when it comes to making major changes in the way we do business," Manus said. "Before opening the new branch, there was a great deal of discussion, debate and study that accompanied the decision-making process. Once we did make the decision to expand our operations in the Des Moines and West Des Moines market, we were very confident we would be successful."
According to Manus, Greater Iowa prides itself on its ability to deliver top-notch service. Currently the staff is undergoing a comprehensive training program titled "Elevate the Experience" to help the staff hone it customer relations skills.
Greater Iowa's board and leadership team have worked with employees to create a "value proposition," a document that emphasizes the organization's core beliefs: flexibility, community, fairness, democratic governance, local decision-making and safety and soundness. One tangible result of this culture: Greater Iowa was recently named Outstanding Business philanthropist by the Story County Alliance for Philanthropy.
From left, Britt Jones, branch manager, Somerset branch; Shazia Manus, president and CEO; Don Borcherding, branch manager, Lincoln Way; Lynn Carr, director of branch operations; Gene Holtorf, dealer direct manager; Morgan Voga, marketing specialist; Tricia Cunningham, branch manager, Westown; and Michael Russell, assistant branch manager, Westown.
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WDMLA Class-
Thinking Outside the Box
Motivating the Co-reative Best
The West Des Moines Leadership Academy gathered at the Caspe Terrace located in Waukee, Iowa on April 21, 2011 for its second to last meeting before graduation. The class participated in numerous creative activities to encourage thinking outside of the box and motivating the co-creative best. It was followed by a panelist discussion and dinner at Rube's Steakhouse.
The first session was lead by Michael Wagner of White Rabbit Group and Jocelyn Wallace of Red Eleven Group. Each presenter told the intriguing stories of their creative business names. The White Rabbit Group is a play on the theme from Alice in Wonderland and the importance of the white rabbit helping Alice discover her creativity. The Red Eleven Group name is based on the "mullet model" connecting the importance of business (up front) and creativity (or a party in the back). The importance of being creative in business and evolving with change was stressed throughout the program. "In the next 5 years, as much as 50% of revenues will come from a new source as traditional business models are collapsing," Michael Wagner.
Employers and employees tend to be discouraged to be different as they grow older and progress in there careers, but a safe fail environment could be the key to growth and sustainability in a diverse and changing market. "Create an environment where it's ok to try new things and dare to be different," said Michael Wagner. Jocelyn of Red Eleven Group also stressed the importance of using visuals to tell a story and how effective it can be in communicating your message.
The class was also allowed to tour the Jewish History Museum where a vast array of displays highlighted the importance of Jewish History in Iowa and displayed many personal and family artifacts, photographs, business memorabilia and Holocaust memorabilia. These included an actual outfit and Jewish star patch that were worn in the Holocaust. There was also a cup that was made in the Schindler Factory which many people will recall from the movie Schindler's List.
The final session was a panel discussion of
West Des Moines Leaders moderated by Phil Hodgin of RDG Planning and Design. The panelists included Dave Nelson, CEO West Bank; Steve Gaer, Mayor of West Des Moines; Connie Wimer, Chairperson, Business Publications Corporation; The Honorable Mary Kramer, Former US Ambassador to Barbados; and David Vellinga, CEO, Mercy Medical Center. The leaders offered many insights and examined adapting to and thriving on change. "There will always be road blocks and risks, but looking at the opportunity in the end is very important," Steve Gaer.
Submitted by Joe Richardson, Storey Kenworthy. Joe is a current class member of the WDMLA. |
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May = A-May-Zing Days!
Since it is May there is so much going on with
A-May-Zing Days! Dont forget to check out the calendarfor all the lists of events. |
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Citizen of the Year
Please join us for a special reception honoring
Loretta J. Sieman
2011 Citizen of the Year
Tuesday, May 17th
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
City Council Chambers
4200 Mills Civic Parkway
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 Sponsorships are being snapped up - act fast!
Our 2011 Chamber calendar is booking up quickly and the 2011 West Des Moines Chamber Sponsorships are officially on sale! With so many great opportunities available, what are you waiting for? Check out the entire online catalog now by visiting www.wdmchamber.org/2011sponsorships.
If there is something in particular you are hoping to purchase, you better snatch it up fast because all WDM Chamber sponsorships are sold on a first come first serve basis. Happy shopping! |
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Viewing Gallery - April Events
The Big Deal April 1st, West Des Moines Chamber Staff and our Big Deal Event Coordinator - the incomparable Edye Beckerman!
Mark your calendars for next years Big Deal March 30th, 2012
New View Luncheon April 7th, speakers from One Social Media. The event was held at The Embassy Club West and Sponsored by Great Southern Bank.
Breakfast B4 Business April 20th at Travel and Transport Vacations. Egg Hunt for the Big Grand Prize!
West Des Moines Leadership Academy April 21st Class at Caspe Terrace.
Re-dedication of Historic City Hall April 28th. Ribbon Cutting and Business After Hours. Thanks to all who came and showed their support!
Time Capsule items at the rededication of Historic City Hall, April 28th. The building is located at 137 5th Street. Check it out! |
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