Calendar of Events

March 5th- Women’s Division Board Meting 5:30 p.m. Chamber Board Room 8th-Chamber Board Meeting—Noon Chamber Board Room

April 2nd- Women’s Division Board Meeting 5:30 p.m. Chamber Board Room 7th-Easter Egg Drop-4pm. at Tiger Stadium 12th-Chamber Board Meeting—Noon Chamber Board Room 21st-Slaton Shapes Up 5K at SHS 8am registration, 9am start

May 7th-Women’s Division Board Meeting 5:30 p.m. Chamber Board Room 10th-Chamber Board Meeting—Noon Chamber Board Room

NewsletterNewsletterNewsletterNewsletter

Spring 2012

Tom Aberle

Julee Becker

Gary Boles

Lance Bownds

Jim Davis

Mark Heinrich

Wes Kitten

Mark Meurer

Patsy Vessels

Jim Morton

John Mark Sadler

Jim Taliaferro

Jim Tidwell

Chad Wilson

Anne Marie Wright

2012Directors

Notes from the office…

I would like to thank your sponsors for the 2012 Annual Awards Banquet: Xcel Energy, Citizens Bank and the City of Slaton. We had a great turn out for the banquet despite the wet weather.

As the poem by Robert Burns says, “The best laid schemes of mice and men…” , we unfortunately were not able to have Marsha Sharp with us. She had the flu. Representative Charles Perry came in at the last minute to give us a brief update. Thank you Rep. Perry for being so flexible.

However, Marsha did send the autographed basketballs. Not only that, but she added several copies of her book, as well as an autographed football from Coach Tuberville. County Tax Assessor Ronnie Keister joined Mark Meurer and Mark Heinrich for the drawings. The final surprise prize of the evening was from Steve Deaton of Xcel Energy. He donated a round of golf for four and buffet at Hillcrest Country Club. Rod Klemke is already making plans.

Now to the best part. The Chamber accepts nominations for citizens in our community for “Man of the Year”, “Woman of the Year” and “Boss of the Year”. Each year we ask a different group of directors and past winners to select winners from those nominations. The 2011 winners are as follows: For members, those who have participated and encouraged our members throughout the year are: Women’s Division - Margaret Edwards What a mentor this woman is to everyone. She inspires with her never ending energy. Chamber - Jim Davis. He always supports and participates in any way he can. Even wrapping Christmas lights the trees around the square with his arm in a sling.

Boss of the Year - Michelle Craig from Library of Legacies Assisted Liv-ing Community. She considers her residents and employees as part of her family.

Woman of the Year - Jolene Fondy who is our Ambassador to Slaton. She loves and supports her family, church, and her hometown Slaton.

Man of the Year - J. D. Jones was recognized for his support of our youth and serving on the City and School Boards as well as many other areas. Congratulations to each of you. I would also like to thank First Baptist Church for the use of their facility, Slaton ISD maintenance for helping us set up. Klemke’s Sausage Haus, Slaton Bakery, Pauline’s Flowers and Gifts, Slat-Co Printing and Dr. Cleve Kirby. We could not have done it without your assistance.

Saturday, April 21st Slaton High School 8:00 a.m. Registration/9:00 a.m. start time Hosted by Slaton Police Department and Slaton Independent School District

SISD Students and Staff are Free Adults - $15 Seniors - $5 Dig out those sneakers, start warming up. We are running, walking and moving.

No pressure just lots of fun. Set an example for the youth of our community of a healthy lifestyle. An easy, quick form of exercise is just getting out and walking. Take it at your own pace.

Don’t we all need it. Start worming up by walking your neighborhood or the high school track. Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy attitude.

Call 828-2020 for more information.

Fun, food, music and more.

Slaton Chamber of Commerce Souvenirs.

Centennial Souvenirs

T-shirts cups koozies

ornaments, decals

on sale at the Town Square Antique Mall and the Harvey House.

On sale at the Slaton Bakery, Town Square An-

tique Mall, Harvey House, Sign Creations.

WHAT YOUR SIGN CAN DO

Signs have limited ability to accomplish marketing goals-but perhaps not as limited as you think. You can use signs to help people find you-starting with a sign near a freeway exit and ending with signs marking the entrance to your store or parking lot.

It’s amazing how many businesses make finding themselves difficult.

Aside from their practical value (letting people know where you are), signs can and should promote your image and brand name. An attractive sign on your building or vehicle

can spread the good word about your business or brand to all who pass by. Don’t miss the brilliant opportunity to put your best foot forward in public.

By the way, about 25 percent of all commercial signs are in poor condition. Signs sit out in the weather, and when they fade, peel, or fall over, they give negative advertising for your business. Don’t let your sign give the public the im-pression that you don’t care enough to maintain your signs ( they may even think you’re going out of business?). Re-new and religiously maintain your signs to get the maximum benefit from them

Excerpt form Marketing for Dummies 2nd Ed. By Alexander Hiam, MBA, Wiley Publishing, www.wiley.com

ADVERTISING

Try adding something new and compelling to your next campaign. Any of the following ideas can be brand-supportive, fresh, and relevant. It all depends on how you put your message together and if you are consistent with it, For example:

• Buy an unusual size insertion.

• Buy a normal size, then create your ad inside a more

unusual size or shape. • Try soft ads, such as a community public service or an

advertorial (which looks like an editorial). • Spotlight a great client or employee.

• Split your ad buy through out one publication so it be-

comes an evolving story. • Split your broadcast buy into many mini spots.

• Quiz your readers or listeners with Q & A. Start with the

answer, then reward them if they get the questions. • Tease your customers with suspense.

• Run the ad upside down.

• Incorporate a game into your advertising.

• Add humor.

• Include unexpected testimonials.

• Stir up controversy.

• Introduce a surprising perspective.

• Create a bumper sticker.

• Write your message in a new way (e.g., as if to address

another country, another generation, another species). • Compensate buyers for reading or listening to your

ads— test them on content. • Reward buyers for referrals.

Excerpt from Brain Tattoos By Karen Post. Amacom Books 212-903-8316.

Won Feb. 3 Texas Tornados (26) vs McCamey Skyforce (0)

March 3 Texas Tornados vs West Texas Outlaws

March 10 Texas Tornados @ El Paso Seminoles

March 17 Texas Tornados @ Amarillo Titans

March 24 Texas Tornados vs West Texas Drillers

March 31 Texas Tornados @ McCamey Skyforce

April 14 Texas Tornados vs El Paso Seminoles

April 21 Texas Tornados @ West Texas Outlaws

May 5 Texas Tornados vs Amarillo Titans

May 12 Texas Tornados @ West Texas Drillers

Texas Tornandos MPFL 2012 Games. Home games are played at Tiger Stadium (shaded games)

Minor Professional Football League

P. O. Box 400

200 W. Garza

Slaton, Texas 79364

(806) 828-6238

Email: slatoncoc@sbcglobal.net www.slatonchamberofcommerce.org

WOMEN’S DIVISION DIRECTORS

2012

Melissa Buxkemper Tana Copley Jacque Davidson Kim Emerson Donna Englund Sheila Forrest Darlene Jones Betty Knight Elizabeth Martinez Beth Mitchell Jeanette Moore Jan Morton Claricia Osuna Kay Reed Debra Sims

OFFICERS

2011 2012

Darlene Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Emerson Donna Englund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Knight Cynthia Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shelia Forrest Kay Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay Reed

OFFICERS

2011 2012

Jeff Ratheal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Meurer Mark Meurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patsy Vessels Anne Marie Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Tidwell

SLATON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTORS

2012

Tom Aberle Julee Becker Lance Bownds Gary Boles Jim Davis Mark Heinrich Wes Kitten Mark Meurer Jim Morton John Mark Sadler Dr. Jim Taliaferro Jim Tidwell Patsy Vessels AnneMarie Wright Chad Wilson