2015 Annual Report

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2015 Annual Report Seward Area Chamber of Commerce

Mission Statement: The Seward Area Chamber of Commerce exists to promote and support new and existing business, to assist in economic development, and to cultivate communication and cooperation within the community and surrounding areas.

Message from the President On behalf of your Chamber Board of Directors, thank you for your involvement and support in 2015. I am happy to say our membership grew this year to over 220! We are proud to be your biggest advocate and promoter. It has been a year of change, planning for the future, and exploring new directions for the Chamber. It has been exciting to a part of the process and I will continue to be involved as the transition occurs in 2016. Early this year, the Chamber transferred ownership of the Olde Glory Theatre and Community Hall to the Olde Glory Foundation. It is now a stand-alone non-profit organization and attraction in Seward and Seward County. Your Chamber Board also decided in July, following the resignation of our Executive Director, to hire an interim director and consultant. The purpose was to explore the idea of bringing multiple organizations together, talk about their visions and missions, and establish a new or reconfigured organization to best achieve a shared, common vision for the future. This topic been discussed for several years and the Chamber Board felt outside expertise and facilitation would help us accomplish this goal. The Seward Area Chamber of Commerce, Seward County Economic Development Corporation, Seward Area Development Corporation, Seward County Visitors Committee, Milford Chamber of Commerce, Utica Commercial Club, Seward County Housing Corporation, and Seward Arts Council formed a Seward County Vision Working Group in September which has been meeting frequently ever since. A shared common vision statement and guiding principles have been drafted and are being shared and adopted by the eight groups. A proposed organizational structure, bylaws, budget and staffing plan have been drafted and will be further refined in early 2016. Our goal is to have a new president and CEO in place by February or March 2016 for the newly formed organization. I would personally like to thank Kathy Evert, Interim Chamber Executive Director and Consultant for her knowledge and the expertise she has provided us throughout this process. Also, thank you to Pat Coldiron, Sharon Hambeck and the Chamber staff for their dedicated service to the Chamber during the transition period. I am grateful for your patience and cooperation with all the changes. 2016 will be a very good year for your Chamber and for all of Seward County. Sincerely, Renee Coufal, President

2015 Accomplishments                 

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The Extravaganza, first Allen Barghahn Customer Service Award Ag Banquet in conjunction with Seward Kiwanis; sponsored Seward County Agribusiness of the Year award 26th Annual Spring Show Transferred ownership of Olde Glory Theatre & Community Hall Annual Spring Clean-up City-wide Garage Sales Bi-Annual Tire Recycling Hosted the 4th of July Car Show Downtown Merchants and Building Owners survey; Downtown Shoppers Survey – in partnership with Seward County Economic Development Corporation Seward County Duck Race Fundraiser Booth at the County Fair Economic Development Job Fairs Business After Hours Back-to-School Breakfasts at Seward Public Schools and Concordia University Seward Day at the Salt Dogs Baseball Game Governor’s Proclamation Ceremony – Seward is Nebraska’s Hometown Christmas City Christmas miniature of Santa House, annual Christmas ornament, Christmas Festival Medallions and Walking Sticks unveiled for sale and purchase

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Christmas Booklet and Holiday Calendar printed and mailed to over 6,000 residents Fifth Annual Christmas Festival including Santa and the reindeer, Santa House, Winter Wonderland, Lighted Christmas Parade, Lego Contest, Ugly Sweater Contest, Letters to Santa, Coloring Contest, Gingerbread House Contest, live reindeer, Fruitcake Toss Rudolph’s Red Nose Run Seward County Vision Working Group Sold $31,755 in Chamber Bucks Quarterly Newsletter and Weekly Email Newsletter Updates; Monthly Chamber Connection in Seward County Independent Annual Report Partnership with Seward Newcomers and Newcomers Guide Partnership and staff support with Seward County Visitors Committee Continued work on new entrance signs for Seward Ambassador calls, ribbon-cuttings and first dollar certificates to expanding and/or new businesses Membership Luncheons Business and community inquiries and referrals Relocation packets Membership/business directory database update Launched Member Spotlight program

Financial Reports Seward Area Chamber of Commerce—2015 Balance Sheet

Profit and Loss Summary Dec 31, 15

Jan - Dec 15

ASSETS

Ordinary Income/Expense

Current Assets

Income

Checking/Savings Cattle Bank Savings #XXX163

4.00

Christmas Festival

17,848.17

City Appropriation

22,500.00

CD #45133 - 2.97% 9-19-13

5,456.59

City Wide Garage Sale

CD #45134 4.18% 9-19-12

5,690.61

Extravaganza

CD #722462 - 2.67% 9-19-14

5,523.31

Fundraising

5,423.86

Garage Sale Income

CD #722463 - 3.15% 9-19-11 Chamber Bucks Account

46,662.88

Leadership

Checking - Cattle National Bank

45,226.86

Membership Dues

Jones Bank-Duck Race Total Checking/Savings

9,166.24 123,154.35

Other Current Assets

1,904.00

Misc.

1,238.00

Misc. Sales items

Total Other Current Assets

Mugs Newsletter Sponsorship Office Administration

Petty Cash

187.74

Olde Glory

Total Other Assets

187.74

Postcard

TOTAL ASSETS

124,203.09

LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities

Chamber Bucks to Issue Payroll Liabilities Sales Tax Payable Total Other Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Seward Sign Sinking Fund Total Liabilities

28.50

17.00 161,032.17 161,032.17 19,890.00

-6.77

Paypal Fees

20.03

68,418.22

X Bank Fees

72.25

68,418.22

X Christmas Festival x City Wide Garage Sale

42.00

X Economic Development

42.00

X Extravaganza

68,460.22

725.44

Retained Earnings

X Membership/Board Luncheon

Net Income

-6,267.77

x misc.

X Membership

X Office Administration

824.11 3,636.00 223.00 19,748.68

X Olde Glory

4,841.51

X Promotion & Tourism

6,035.26

X Reimbursable Expense

3,800.02

XMisc XPayroll Expenses XProfessional Development Total Expense Net Ordinary Income

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112.00 3,676.84 13,029.17

41,375.69

Net Income

324.65

X Leadership 20,634.95

55,742.87 124,203.09

17,385.23

X Fundraiser

Opening Bal Equity

Total Equity

215.00

8,147.13

Chamber Bucks Issued

Equity

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

38.00

Expense

972.11

Long Term Liabilities Total Long Term Liabilities

250.00

Reimbursed Expense

Gross Profit 67,452.88

6.00

3,903.47

Total Income

Other Current Liabilities

58.50

Promotion & Tourism T-Shirts

Current Liabilities

76,751.00

MINIATURES

861.00

Other Assets

180.00 2,400.12 3,003.28

861.00 124,015.35

3,995.00 18,409.00

Membership/Board Luncheons

Undeposited Funds Total Current Assets

140.00

825.00 70,490.88 1,639.87 167,299.94 -6,267.77 -6,267.77

Past Chamber of Commerce Presidents The Seward Area Chamber of Commerce—117 Years of Advocating for our Businesses!

2015 Renee Coufal 2014 Joe Caldwell 2013 Charles Lieske / Joe Caldwell 2012 Trish Lenz 2011 Pete Kenow 2010 Greg Barnes 2009 Kevin Zadina 2008 Charlie Schumacher 2007 Jill Wild 2006 Greg Majerus 2005 Karen Peterson 2004 Dan Yates 2003 Mike Hecker 2002 Steve Kayton 2001 Duane Miner 2000 Duane Gabriel 1999 Ryne Seaman 1998 Ron Waltz 1997 Mark Suhr 1996 Gerrold Leggott 1995 Sharon Glawatz 1994 LeRoy Virus 1993 Marshall Adams 1992 Don Bauer 1991 Becky Vahle 1990 Roger Grunke 1989 John Blomenberg 1988 Arlo Bower 1987 Larry Wentick 1986 Greg Zabka 1985 Ron Holsteen 1984 Ken Schmieding 1983 Deroyce Volzke 1982 Charlie Jirovsky 1981 Clark Kolterman 1980 Leonard Dryer 1979 Marian Fosler 1978 Gil Heine 1977 Jerry Larson

1976 Steve Nesbitt 1975 Jacques Berger 1974 Chuck Matzke 1973 Bob Dahms 1972 Tom Engler 1971 Dick Besse 1970 Richard Mailand 1969 George King 1968 Bob Grien 1967 Bud Hans 1966 Dean Goings 1965 Vern Westerhoff 1964 Lowell Jepson 1963 Robert Pralle 1962 George Coon 1961 Don Rutledge 1960 Dale Miers 1959 Bernie Wallman 1958 Kenneth Tobiska 1957 Norm Schulz 1956 Herrold Riggert 1955 Leonard Geesen 1954 Wilber Wood 1953 Louis Sahn 1952 John Cattle Sr. 1951 Paul Colburn 1950 Charles Graben 1949 Don Kolterman 1948 Walter Herpolsheimer 1947 Ralph Davidson 1946 Walter Cannon 1945 Carl McGrew 1944 Orville Ramsey 1943 Al Floto 1942 Herbert Hawkins 1941 C.H. Rhoades 1940 Stan Matzke 1939 Art Stark—Al Floto 1938 Charles Campbell 1937 Al Floto

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1936 Ted R. Hughes 1935 W.E. Langworthy 1934 Walter Gass 1933 Thelbert H. Ramsey 1932 Thelbert H. Ramsey 1931 Fay Wood 1930 Earl Smiley 1929 H.A. Cummins 1928 C.T. Joern 1927 Harry Graff 1926 J.E. Swanson 1925 J.E. Swanson 1924 Harry L. Norval 1923 J.J. Thomas 1922 D.M. Hildebrand 1921 D.M. Hildebrand 1920 J.F. Graff 1919 C.T. Joern 1918 D.M. Hildebrand 1917 W.T. Souders 1916 F.W. Goehner 1915 F.W. Goehner 1914 J.M. Calder 1913 M.C. Miller 1912 Thomas H. Wake 1911 John Zimmerer 1910 John Zimmerer 1909 John Zimmerer 1908 John Zimmerer 1907 John Zimmerer 1906 W.I. Dickinson 1905 W.I. Dickinson 1904 L.E. Host 1903 L.E. Host 1902 L.E. Host 1901 Ed McIntyre 1900 Ed McIntyre 1899 Ed McIntyre

2015 Chamber of Commerce Membership Diamond - $2,000 or more Patriot - two times dues or over $1,000 in annual dues. *CITY OF SEWARD-DIAMOND *JONES NATIONAL BANK & TRUST-DIAMOND *THE CATTLE NATIONAL BANK & TRUST-DIAMOND *CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY-PATRIOT *SUHR & LICHTY INSURANCE-PATRIOT ABBOTT PORTABLE TOILETS LLC ALLISON GARRETT JOHNSON, PHOTOGRAPHER ALLURE FASHIONS AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE-Cheryl Gerdes AMERICAN FAMILY, Angie Murray-Pate Agency AMIGOS/KINGS CLASSIC AWE SALON AND BARBER BEAVER CROSSING COUNTRY CABIN BERN'S BODY SHOP BETTY'S BUNCH TEMPORARIES BLACK HILLS NEBRASKA GAS UTILITY CO. BLUE RIVER ELECTRIC BLUE RIVER PET RESCUE BLUE VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BLUE VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION BLUESTEM SIPS LLC BOTTLE ROCKET BREWING BOUTIQUE 2 GO BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA BROOKDALE SEWARD HEARTLAND PARK CAMPBELL CLEANING AND RESTORATION CAMPBELL ELECTRIC, INC. CASA CASEY'S GENERAL STORE CATTLE INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS CCS GROUP CHAPTERS BOOKS & GIFTS CHARTWELLS FOODSERVICE CHEM-DRY OF STROMSBURG CHURCH OF CHRIST - SEWARD CITY OF SEWARD COBBLESTONE HOTEL & SUITES CODE 504 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CROSSMAKERS OF SEWARD CULLIGAN WATER CONDITIONING CUTTIN IT CLOSE LAWN CARE D & S FORKLIFT DALE'S INC/SEWARD ECONO WASH DAVISSON FURNITURE CENTER, INC. DUANE SVEC ADVERTISING DUDLEY'S DEW-RIGHT TREE CARE EARNEST WELL DRILLING INC EDWARD JONES & CO EHLERS ELECTRONICS ET CETERA GIFT & THRIFT SHOP EXCEL DEVELOPMENT GROUP FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH

FARM BUREAU FIN. SRVC, JACK RUSSELL FARMER'S COOPERATIVE FAST MART FICKE CATTLE CO./GRAZE MASTER GENETICS FOUR CORNERS HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOX DEN RENTALS FRIENDS OF SEWARD LIBRARY FUN PIANOS! BY 176 KEYS GARY ROLF GERHOLD CONCRETE COMPANY INC. GFWC JR. WOMEN'S CLUB GFWC WOMAN'S CLUB GOLDEN RULE CONTRACTORS GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH GRACE MINTO LLC GREAT PLAINS COMMUNICATIONS GREENE PLACE H&R BLOCK HACKBART CHIROPRACTIC HAIRTRIX HARTMANN CONSTRUCTION CO. HEARTFELT INCORPORATED HEARTSPUN FLOWERS & EVENTS HELMINK PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN HERITAGE HOMES HOBBIN WOLFE HOLLMAN MEDIA HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE HOME REAL ESTATE/UNDERWOOD TEAM, PC HOPE CRISIS CENTER HORIZON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INC. HUGHES BROTHERS HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT SERVICE INC JD'S COFFEE SHOP JEAN KOLTERMAN JESSICA KOLTERMAN JESSIE T LANGWORTHY TRUST JIM STEIDER AGENCY JONES INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. JONES NATIONAL BANK & TRUST Junto Wine KACH INVESTMENTS KAPSTONE CONTAINER CORPORATION KASEY'S QUEST KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY - Sharon Hartmann KINGERY CONSTRUCTION CO. KIRBY ROTH INSURANCE KIWANIS KOLTERMAN AGENCY, INC. KRIESER DRYWALL & INSULATION KTMX 104.9 LA CARRETA MEXICAN RESTAURANT LAMINATED WOOD SYSTEMS

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LAST MILE NETWORKS/BLUE SKY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SWRD CNTY LEES REFRIGERATION LENZ CONSTRUCTION, INC. LIBERTY FIRST CREDIT UNION LIBERTY HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST LINCOLN FIRST REALTY - Charmaine Kearl LINDNER & JOHNSON PC LISA BENNETT LIVING WORD LUTHERAN CHURCH MARBLE VIOLIN STUDIO MASSAGE WELLNESS CENTER MCCONNELL THERMAL SERVICES, LLC MCDONALD'S MEL BOLTE MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS MERLE'S FLOWER SHOP MERLE'S GARDEN CENTER MOVIE PLACE VIDEO MUERI DRUG NATES ON THE NINE NEBRASKA BOUNCE - Party Rentals NEBRASKA CELLULAR STORE NEBRASKA COMMUNITY BLOOD BANK NEBRASKA EQUIPMENT NEBRASKA HARVEST CENTER INC. NEUTRAL GROUNDZ/BREAD OF LIFE MIN. NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL - Phil Friedrich NPPD O'DELL COMPANIES OLDE GLORY FOUNDATION ORIGAMI OWL - Kelly Roberts ORSCHELN FARM & HOME SUPPLY OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL PAC N SAVE PAC N SAVE DISCOUNT PHARMACY PLAINS EQUIPMENT GROUP PRECISION PILATES PRISTINE RENTALS, LLC PRODUCTION SALES CO R.W. BECKLER & ASSOCIATES RADIANT HEATING SYSTEMS, INC. RED PATH GALLERY & TASTING ROOM REED ELECTRIC REELBAIT TACKLE CO. REMBOLT LUDTKE LLP RG INVESTMENTS RIDGEWOOD RIVOLI THEATRE INC RON'S REFUSE RUE 6 RUNZA DRIVE INN S&S DESIGN

2015 Chamber of Commerce Membership cont. SACK LUMBER SAM'S CLUB SECOND CLOSET SEWARD ANIMAL HOSPITAL, P.C. SEWARD APPLIANCE REPAIR SEWARD BLACK BELT ACADEMY SEWARD CAR WASH SEWARD CHIROPRACTIC CENTER, P.C. SEWARD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SEWARD COUNTY BRIDGES SEWARD COUNTY ECONOMIC DEV SEWARD COUNTY EXTENSION SEWARD COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY SEWARD COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEWARD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SEWARD COUNTY INDEPENDENT SEWARD COUNTY KENNEL CLUB SEWARD COUNTY PHEASANTS FOREVER SEWARD COUNTY PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT SEWARD COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSIT SEWARD DENTAL CLINIC SEWARD ELECTRONICS SEWARD JAZZERCISE

SEWARD LUMBER & HOME CENTER SEWARD MOTOR FREIGHT SEWARD NEWCOMERS SEWARD PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICE P.C. SEWARD SCHOOL DIST SEWARD UNITED METHODIST/BRIGHT BEG. CDC SEWARD VISION CLINIC SEWARD YOUTH CENTER SEWARD'S ATTIC SPARETIME LOUNGE/GRILL SPORTS EXPRESS ST ANDREWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH ST GREGORY THE GREAT SEMINARY ST JOHN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER ST JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL STATE FARM INSURANCE - BRENDA HENNING STEVE & SHARON HAMBEK SUBWAY SUE IMIG SUHR & LICHTY INSURANCE

SUNRISE COUNTRY MANOR T PARTY PLACE TABITHA ELDER CARE SERVICES TASTEFUL INDULGENCE, CAKE ART OF SWRD TENNECO THE CATTLE NATIONAL BANK & TRUST THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF SEWARD NEBRASKA THE UDDER STORE & WEEDY CREEK YARN THRIVENT FINANCIAL TIME WARNER CABLE BUSINESS CLASS TREAT YOURSELF B&C UNION BANK & TRUST CO. VFW CLUB VICTORINE ORIGINALS VILLAGE OF BEE VOLZKE FUNERAL HOME WADDELL & REED - Nolan Rathe WAL-MART WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA WHISLER AVIATION WOODS BROS REALTY ZABKA FUNERAL HOME

Business Anniversaries 2015 5 Years Cross Makers of Seward Living Word Lutheran Church Nebraska Cellular Store

40 Years Nebraska Public Power District Tabitha Health Care Service 50 Years Faith Lutheran Church Kiwanis Club of Seward Lee's Refrigeration Merle's Garden Center

15 Years Massage Wellness Center Seward County Pheasants Forever Seward Electronics 20 Years Blue Valley Behavioral Health Campbell Cleaning and Restoration Jim Steider Agency Kirby Roth Insurance Union Bank & Trust Company Whisler Aviation

65 Years Memorial Health Care System 70 Years VFW Club 90 Years Earnest Well Drilling, Inc.

30 Years Fast Mart Nebraska Equipment Pac N Save Grocery 35 Years Kolterman Agency, Inc.

105 Years Great Plains Communication 115 Years GFWC Woman's Club

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Thanks to the Committee Members for their work in 2015! AGRICULTURE: Jeff Aegerter, Doug Brand, Dennis Kahl, Duane Miner, Dan Perincek FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Mel Aldrich, Lisa Bennett, Mel Bolte, Jerry Meyer, Lecia Motley, Gary Rolf, Marv Taylor, Kitty Vacha, Clarence Wattier, Jeanne K. Wiemer, Scott Willet CAR SHOW: C. J. Novak, Larry Ray CHRISTMAS: We are thankful for the numerous volunteers that helped make the Christmas events possible. The following are those who not only volunteered to help with the events, but were also part of the planning.

Alan and Culleen Bauer, JoAnn Boshart, Pat Coldiron, Teresa Dredge, Sheri Fritz, Sharon Glawatz, Steve and Sharon Hambek, Brenda Henning, Kurt Holliday, Gerald Homp, LeAnn Lowther, Jerry Meyer, C.J. Novak, Del and Kathleen Peters, Gary Rolf, Melanie Suhr, Kitty Vacha, Jeanne and Verle Wiemer, Greg and Terri Whisler, Amanda Whitney, Hobbin Wolfe, Gary Wolter DUCK RACE: Kandi Brown, Joe Caldwell, Pat Coldiron, Sheri Fritz, Leanne Josoff, Crystal Kirby, Steve and Sharon Hambek MINIATURES: Diane Lichty, Tina Marroquin ORNAMENTS: Debby Aegerter, Bonnie Elwell, LeAnn Lowther SANTA HOUSE: Mark Suhr, Greg Zabka SPRING SHOW: Jim Graves, Crystal Kirby, Jean Kolterman, Jill Martin, Nolan Rathe, Fred Redmond, Gary Rolf Committee opportunities are available for all Chamber members. Volunteers are one of our strongest assets – please join us!!

Ambassadors Attending Calls in 2015 AMBASSADORS serve as Public Relations Representatives for the Chamber. During 2015, the Ambassadors made 14 visits to new businesses and renovations and attended several ribbon cuttings. They also welcomed back to school Concordia University faculty and Seward Public Schools faculty and staff. Brad Perdue Brenda Henning Cathy Dickey Cheryl Gerdes Duane Miner Gary Ayres

Gary Rolf Greg Majerus Greg Zabka Jane Rehmer John Owens Jonathan Jank

Karen Ruether Kevin Zadina Michelle Spahr Michelle Pallat Mike Hecker Nancy Dolezal

Renee Coufal Rick Gray Ryan Burger Ryne Seaman Steve Hoger

Special Thanks to this Year's Extravaganza Committee! Renee Coufal, Angie Fuller, Jennifer Marr, Vicky Hanseling, Jill Perdue, Susan Singleton

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