Happy Sunny Summer Week!
Today, I thought it might be helpful to explain again what we do. What do you get when you become a Chamber member? How are we helping you? I know we seem shrouded in a cloud of glamorous mystery (ha!) down here but it’s really very nuts and bolts.
Christine, our new Membership Director, came up with a great way to explain what we do at the Chamber, because sometimes it can be very amorphous. She said there’s a description of what the magic that women bring to life, “If you give a woman ingredients, she’ll make you a meal. If you give her a house, she’ll make you a home. If you give her a kid, she’ll build a family.” This is obviously not true across the board, and of course it applies to men – but it helps illustrate the special magic that we all recognize some people can bring to make something more than just the simple sum of its parts. That’s our hope here at the Chamber – that we can make Lead more than just the sum of her parts by working together to make it extra FABULOUS*!
However, like all meals, homes and families your membership is only as good as the raw ingredients we get from you! We do try to be all things to all people and be in all the places at once, but sadly with our tiny staff it’s just not possible. We work best with the members who work with us. So bring us your events, keep in touch, let us know when you do a new thing, ask us to help promote you, come visit!
In case you were wondering here’s a brief list of member benefits (and ALL for under $20/month – on average):
Seal of Trust
People trust businesses they know. Membership gives your business instant credibility. You are viewed as a trusted community member – because you are!
Referrals
People call our office every day looking for products and services. While we’re always promoting Lead, the first recommendations go to chamber members. So when tourists call to ask about places to rent UTVs or where to eat lunch, or a business calls to find a B2B recommendations you’re the first and best referrals we give – even if you’re not directly in Lead itself!
Event Participation
We organize several events large and small throughout the year. Members get visibility and the opportunity to participate in the events that bring business to Lead, either for free or with discounted participation or the option for us to sponsor your event as part of it.
Addition of your events and happenings:
-Electronic sign board outside our offices
-Addition on the website community calendar
-Mention in this email
-Addition to our monthly print newsletter
-Longer term events get into our annual Lead magazine as well!
-Your news/notes/events mentioned in our weekly Facebook video
Social Media Blast
Let us know when you have something coming up and we’ll get it into the line up of stuff we publicize on our social media channels. Membership also gets you included in various other special random member posts. Most recently we did a special on Mother’s Day gifts and where to go to find cool stuff from our members.
Monthly Print Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter goes to approximately 250 members and courtesy members (other chambers) in the area. This piece has super high engagement and we’ve been told many times how much people enjoy this and save it to read! We try to do special sections and spotlights on our different members – this is included in your membership. Have an idea for an article or something you’d like to include? We’re always open to ideas! Members can also place advertisements for super cheap! There’s also a showcase for events and upcoming happenings.
Monthly Mixers
These monthly parties are an opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of Lead and make connections. Host a monthly mixer and bring 30-50 people to your business. We were happy to see high engagements through last year when we brought back in person meetings and look forward to even better attendance this fall!
Tourism & Relocation Guide
We write, design and publish a yearly magazine (2021 season is out now!) Anyone can advertise but members get discounts and can be featured in the editorial content.
Tourism Support
With our brand new Tourism Director, who will work to bring more groups to town and promote not only our members but also Lead as whole, we are utilizing our office rental at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center in ways never before seen! With the expansive parking lot this is often where people first start their Lead trip, but we definitely don’t want them to end here. Your membership gets you posted on the display cases we rent, as well as your materials front and center for the visitor. Our new trolley tour also helps the guest understand what’s cool in town and how to get around!
Website Listing
Our website has great Google clout! By including your business’s information and linking to your website we can help you get found online.
Supporting Lead
Membership showcases that you are a loyal and dedicated part of our community. Your participation supports Lead’s economic growth. Some businesses don’t need more marketing – they’re already swamped, but membership can also show your support of everything we’re trying to do for the community. Lead is a better place because of what we’re doing, and you can be part of that!
_______ Here’s what’s going on around town this week
Today, Thursday 5/20
4-6pm – May Mixer at Spearfish Canyon Lodge! Note the time and come on over to the hotel side (not the restaurant side) to join us for a great happy hour with a beautiful drive to and from this gorgeous location! See you there!
5-7pm – After the mixer don’t miss the new exhibit and open house at the Lead Deadwood Arts Council for “The Chair is not Me” by James “JJ” Janis! JJ was born with cerebral palsy complicated with several other conditions, he was only expected to live for 12 hours, but 60 years later he is still here! Come and meet “JJ” and read his poetry that sets him free from his disabilities, and view the accompanying artwork created by a cadre of artists with diverse abilities. This exhibit will be on display until June 18. For more info call (605)584-1461
Friday, 5/21 – 5:30pm – Zumba @ Explore Fitness & Adventures with Debbie Minter! Also each Wednesday at 6:30. Email her directly for more information [email protected]
Saturday, 5/22 – The Fashion Show previously scheduled for this Saturday 5/22 has been CANCELED – Unfortunately we had to cancel this event this year! But we’re looking for exciting ways to incorporate it into future plans this year! Stay tuned!
6-8pm – Visit Explore Fitness & Adventures for live music, and snacks available for purchase at their new cantina!
Wednesday, 5/26 – 9am-12 – Shepherd’s Pantry will be open at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Call 722-1206 for more info.
Thursday, 5/27 – 5pm – Come on down to the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center for the May SCIENCE ROCKS! This month we’ll be featuring the Wolf Pack Working Dog group who do cadaver searching throughout the region. They’ll talk about the science behind training dogs to look for human remains and what is involved in training their dogs. They’ll have themed snacks and refreshments and after the presentation they’ll do a live demo! Parents and those who are a bit squeamish are advised. This event is part of the SLHVC science programming and free to the public, though donations are welcome and help with the upkeep and overhead of this stand alone non-profit!
________Save the Date / Register Now!
Saturday 6/19 – 2021 Bike Rodeo, Register your child (5-12) by Tuesday 6/2. Kids will receive instruction on safe riding, and have some rodeo fun! Register at Lead City Hall 801 W. Main St. Participants will receive a t-shirt and new bike helmet. Only 25 spots available! Register today!! This event is sponsored by Thyssen Mining / ACE Hardware of Lead / The Lead Police Department / The Lead Area Chamber of Commerce / Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
________ News & Notes
Black Hills Energy would like to let everyone know that due to the crazy storm and super cold weather we had in February they will be recovering these costs in the next twelve months, beginning on June 1, 2021 and ending on May 31, 2022. An average residential customer using 670 kilowatt hours per month will see an increase of $11.06 per month. We’d like to thank them for all they did to smoothly get us through that awful week!
Summer Meal Program – Pending final approval of the application, the school summer meal program in Lead Deadwood starts on June 1. It is free to all from birth to 18. Breakfast and lunch will be served at the High School cafeteria in Lead. Breakfast 8:00-8:30. Lunch 11:30-12:30. Grab and Go meals can be picked up at the High School from 10-11 M-F. Call 717-3890 and ask for the cafeteria to reserve grab and go meals. Meals will need to be picked up as delivery is not provided. Closed July 5. Last day is August 20th. We are only having the one 1 site at the High School. Please call 717-3890, if you have questions. Thank you.
Black Hills State University will be offering Academic Summer Camps for students in grades 1-12. Learn from BHSU faculty and career professionals! All classes will be held on the BHSU campus. Classes include Photography, Camp Invention, Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing. Registration and information: www.bhsu.edu/SummerCamps For questions, contact Helen Nessan-Merriman, BHSU Summer Camp Coordinator at [email protected]
Unemployment Fraud – As filling our open positions in South Dakota is becoming even more difficult, cabinet Secretary at the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Marcia Hultman addressed this concern with Economic Developers. She is encouraging employers to report suspected unemployment fraud. Email: [email protected] with details. Fraud looks like flaking on interviews, refusing to interview, or stating they don’t want a job because they don’t want to “mess up their unemployment”. Unemployment is not a tax benefit, and employees do not pay into the service. It is an insurance paid for by the employer – required and administered by the state. Help stop the spread of misinformation and fraud.
4th of July Vendor Sign up – We’re gearing up for Gold Camp Jubilee! If you’d like to sign up to be a vendor see here for more information: https://docs.google.com/forms/
We’ve added a brand new membership level! The Special Event level for $50! Not a member but want to utilize all our awesome services for one special event? Now you can! Join in advance of your special event and we’ll publicize it just like we would all our other awesome member events. Once your event is done your membership will end unless you choose to renew at an annual level. Call or email us with any questions.
A big welcome to Carsten Cottages as this week’s newest member! Thanks for supporting all we do, Joyce!
Hope to see you all tonight! Remember, you don’t need to be a member to come to a mixer, though members get free drinks! Bring a friend!
With Love from Lead,
Sierra Ward
ED