Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.
is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and exclusively for community and educational purposes.
The Foundation is operated, supervised or controlled by the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce. Its general purpose is to provide resources to support community efforts of the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is composed of individuals who are qualified to be stewards of the corporation. The Board is held responsible for seeing that the purposes specified in the Bylaws are attained. Officers shall be a President, Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officials as may be determined by the Board of Directors. The Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors continues to hold an annual meeting where it strategically evaluates and monitors the programs being funded to further educational opportunities of community members and to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Foundation Board is committed to providing the leadership necessary to successfully achieve its mission. In the process, it empowers community members to achieve their own goals, and energize the organization to act for the betterment of the community.
2010 Officers
- President: Gerald Noll, Rogers Memorial Hospital
- Vice President: Sharon Manke, First Bank Financial Centre
- Secretary: Pam Thomas, Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc
- Treasurer: Jim Glorioso, Glorioso's Tax Services
Purpose
The primary goal of the Foundation is to further educational opportunities for community members.
Objectives
- Establish Business and Education Partnerships with the Oconomowoc Area School District to explore ways in which business and education can link in order to achieve better workforce preparedness and resource utilization. Areas being considered include (1) a mentoring/job-shadowing program to identify school career pathway programs and recruit appropriate businesses for school partnerships; (2) hands-on assistance with the student intern program that allows students to gain academic credit in their selected field of interest; and (3) broaden the business community’s understanding and awareness of the school-to-work transition and the existing adult workforce.
- Develop a better understanding and communication between the business and educational communities; teach and foster the skills and values students need to succeed in the workplace; and to play an advocacy role in educational issues that will provide a well-educated workforce for the future.
- Initiate a Student Scholarship Program for 12th grade students in the Oconomowoc Area School District. Judging criteria is based on student leadership and academic achievement. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to two students who have been accepted to a college, university or technical school for vocational training.
- Provide workshop/seminars, and program speakers at Chamber programs to enhance business/personal development and growth that will, ultimately, foster a healthy local economy.
- Continue, enhance and support the Chamber’s “Old Mail Boat” tours during the month of August. This program allows both residents and community visitors the opportunity to experience the mail boat route around Lac La Belle and learn about historic points of interest along the way. Each tour lasts approximately one hour and each pontoon boat accommodates up to 10 people.
- Provide opportunities for businesses and individuals to unite and advance the civic, educational, and economic interests of the community in order to improve the “quality of life” for all citizens in the area.
- Provide for the promotion of Downtown Oconomowoc to new residents, new employees and visitors through the Foundation’s Partnership for a Prosperous Downtown.
Funding
The Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. raises funds to achieve its objectives: to enhance community leadership programs that strengthen and serve the community, to help provide for a well-educated workforce for the future, and to improve the overall quality of life in the community.
Standing Committee
Partnership for a Prosperous Downtown: a public-private partnership of the City of Oconomowoc, the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, and business and community leaders. Its mission is to identify and promote the downtown area as a destination of choice.
This committee oversees progress in organizing downtown building owners and merchants, and reviews long term programs and funding opportunities for continued downtown success.
Short-term goals include: (1) creation, coordination and implementation of a downtown logo/brand identity; (2) facilitate the organization of downtown building and business owners in the development of a Business Improvement District; and (3) encourage private investment in Downtown.
Long-term goals include: (1) sustainable private sector funding for Downtown Revitalization initiatives; and (2) establishment of a Professional Downtown Manager who will oversee a Business Improvement District.
Downtown Revitalization Donors
- City of Oconomowoc
- Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce
- Frontier Development
- Oconomowoc Area Foundation
- First Bank Financial Centre
- Paragon Development Systems
- Waukesha State Bank
- ISB Community Bank
- Beverly Designs
Partnership for a Prosperous Downtown
A total of over $100,000 has been raised to fund the following projects:
2006-2007 Accomplishments
Brand Identity Project
- Thiel Design of Milwaukee hired to develop brand identity and Wayfinding signage plan
- Downtown logo/branding created
- Fundraising efforts established
- Wayfinding Signage Plan adopted – includes perimeter trailblazer signs, gateway/entrance signs; parking and area amenity directionals.
2008 Accomplishments
- Wayfinding Signage installed
- Fundraising Campaign brochure created
- Chairs on Parade event held in conjunction with Spring Gallery Night
- Fundraising efforts continue
2009 Accomplishments
- General Downtown brochure with locator map published (quantity 10,000)
- Seasonal “Oh! – Experience It All” Advertising Campaign in area magazines
- 40 multiple color Street Banners throughout Downtown
- Joint Marketing opportunities with businesses
- Fundraising efforts continue
