The Aggie Corner MACC Community Volunteerism Scholarship is awarded by the Chamber to one or more deserving Mason High School graduating seniors each year in May. In April, the committee prioritizes candidates, based on criteria exemplifying volunteer service in our local community. The Chamber president or their designee makes the presentation at the school's annual awards ceremony.
The Ambassadors Committee is charged with providing leadership to bring attention to and increase the vitality of the Chamber and the community, the Ambassadors Committee is the group dealing with policy and implementation issues regarding member networking activities, welcoming new businesses, planning for hospitality, and providing active assistance with such activities. Members represent the both Chamber and the Mason area community, so they have a good knowledge of local resources. They receive the reports of the Ribbon Cutting Committee, MACC Golf Classic Committee, the Good Morning Mason Committee, Business-to-Business Expo, and the December Holiday Party & Member Mixer Committee, as major networking activities of the Chamber. (masonchamber.org October 2015) Ambassadors are a Standing Committee meeting monthly on the first tuesday after the monthly BOD meeting.
The business of the Chamber shall be under the direction and control of a Board of Directors consisting of 13 members, one of which should be the immediate past president. However, if the immediate past president should fail to complete their term, they shall not be replaced on the Board of Directors. Meets monthly on the first Friday after the Executive Committee meeting.
This evening “Grow Mason!” business-to-business networking event is held once a year. Format is similar to a mixer or “after hours,” but informational tables are set up by a limited number of exhibitors, who are all Chamber members. The entire Mason area business community is invited to attend. The committee plans and promotes the event. Major sponsors and exhibitors are encouraged to involve their key employees in volunteering for this event. Volunteers needed to set up tables, chairs, etc. before, to assist at check in, and to clean up afterward.
The Economic Development Committee is charged with supporting the facilitation and promotion of economic development in the Mason area, this is the group dealing with policy issues regarding local economic conditions, use of land and infrastructure, promoting the growth of existing businesses, tracking available business space, and attracting needed new business to the Mason area.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and the immediate Past President. The Executive Committee shall have authority to take emergency action if the full board is unable to meet. Decisions of the Executive Committee must be presented to the Board of Directors at the next regular meeting of the board. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be three (3) members. (2011 By-Laws) Meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month.
These popular “news and networking” morning breakfast events are held six times each year. They are held the last Thursday of the month in February, April, June, August, October, and also on a mid-December Thursday. Each program runs from 7:15 to 8:15 AM at the Ingham County Fairgrounds Community Building. Major sponsors are encouraged to involve their key employees in volunteering for these events. Volunteers needed to arrange for speakers at the events, set up tables, chairs, etc. the afternoon before, to assist at check in, to sell 50/50 raffle tickets, and to clean up between 8:15 and 8:30 AM.
Reports to the Hometown USA CommitteeThis is an annual Chamber-sponsored celebration in Cobblestone Village and downtown Mason in the afternoon and evening of the Friday after Thanksgiving. Planned and operated by members of the Mason Holidays Celebration Committee and other individuals and groups they recruit, there are a variety of many volunteer jobs, especially in the area of entertainment and parade safety.
The Hometown USA Committee is charged with encouraging local commerce of all kinds -- retail, service, and manufacturing -- with an integrated community identity, this is the group dealing with policy issues regarding community events, quality of life, improvement of marketing by members, strengthening business capacities, promotion of member-to-member purchases, community image campaigns, and improvement of the local business climate. They receive the reports of the Spring Fling/Down Home Days Committee, the Communication Committee, the Independence Day Celebration Committee, the Holiday Celebration (Christmas Tree Lighting/Lighted Parade) Committee, and the Thursday Night Live Courthouse Concerts Committee, as major community identity activities of the Chamber. Meets first Thursday after the monthly BOD meeting.
This is the annual Fourth of July celebration in downtown Mason. The Chamber assists in promoting an old car show downtown during the daytime and also hosts the traditional evening parade at 7:30 PM. Firefighters and others host the fireworks at the Fairgrounds after dark. All events are planned and operated by members of the committee and other individuals and groups they recruit. There are a variety of volunteer jobs, especially in the area of parade safety. A number of volunteers are needed, both at the High School staging area beginning at 5 PM and downtown beginning at 6 PM.
The Annual Awards Committee solicits nominations and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee for Citizen of the Year, Excellence in Business, Excellence in Education, President's Award, and Special Recognition awards. The Awards Dinner takes place on a selected Wednesday evening in the first part of February at the Eldorado Golf Course Banquet Facility beginning with 5:30 PM social hour and 6:30 dinner. Volunteers are needed for set-up, cleanup, and to assist with check-in. Board members volunteer for hosting and announcing.
This committee is involved in all overall fundraising activities of the Chamber, an activity that goes on throughout the year. It includes raffle drawings held on a Thursday evening in early August and another in in early December. The activities and events are planned by the committee with the assistance of other volunteers. Many, many volunteers are needed to help out and sell tickets at all possible area venues and events. A variety of jobs are done by many volunteers before, during, and after the events.
Nearly as old as the Chamber itself, this annual event is held on a Thursday at the end of July to promote networking and member-to-member interaction. A variety of volunteers are needed, from people to set out tee signs to the announcer for prize winners. The total number of volunteers ranges from 10 to 15 people. Sponsors are encouraged to involve their key employees in volunteering for this event.
The Mason Area Visitor Center is open in the front area of the MACC offices from 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday, except for holidays and off-site Chamber events. Oversight of the staffing, materials, and upkeep of the center are responsibilities of this committee. They are also responsible for all aspects of the outreach booths at Spring Fling and Down Home Days Courthouse Shows, the Outdoor Expo, Sun Dried Music Fest, Ingham County Fair, and the Mason Women’s Expo.
This committee implements membership recruitment and involvement programs that will retain and increase Chamber membership. They maintain or initiate contact with all members and non-members. They encourage sponsorship of networking events, volunteer leadership, and involvement in Chamber programs and activities. They are also responsible for assisting at the outreach booths at Spring Fling and Down Home Days Courthouse Shows, the Outdoor Expo, Sun Dried Music Fest, the Ingham County Fair, and the Mason Women’s Expo.
A variety of evening events are planned for various times of the year, depending on perceived interest, to promote additional networking and member-to-member interaction. The most popular event is the annual December Mixer Holiday Party in the first week or so of December. A variety of volunteers are needed to help plan and host these events. Depending on the type of event, the number of volunteers range from six to 30. Major sponsors are encouraged to involve their key employees in volunteering for these events.
Operations – charged with being a resource to serve the needs of Chamber members and the business community – the Membership Service Committee is the group dealing with policy issues regarding membership dues and conditions, member services and benefits, management education and training, and with Chamber development activities. They receive the reports of the Planning and Raffle Committees. They review all major development activities of the Chamber.
Ribbon cuttings are provided at no charge for new businesses, new ownership, change of location, grand opening, anniversary, and similar milestones (within a six-month window) for Chamber members, Mason Values neighbors, and Grow Mason neighbors. Usually, if a ribbon cutting is provided for a new business, subsequent milestones are marked in five year increments. A one-year anniversary may be done for a business that missed the original six-month window. Groundbreaking assistance is also provide by this committee.
The Spring Fling Courthouse Show is held on the first Saturday of May and the Down Home Days Courthouse Show is on the third Saturday of September. Both are set up early morning around the Courthouse square including the adjacent parts of Maple Street and southbound Barnes and the shows runs from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Planning and coordination of all events on the two festival weekends is done by this group. Currently being assisted by the Mason Public Schools Foundation, people are needed for layout and booth marking the day before and people are needed beginning at 6:00 AM to assist vendors in setup. Ambassadors are needed in shifts to host a visitor’s center booth. Volunteers are also needed to sell raffle tickets.
This committee is involved in all overall planning operations for the Chamber, including member surveys, focus groups, revision of bylaws and other organizational documents, general policy concerns, etc.
Communication & Technology Committee
This committee assists with policy, procedure, and operational decisions regarding technology and communication of all types within the Chamber and community. Of particular interest are events, promotions, news, and other information that needs to be communicated to target audiences through a variety of methods. They are also responsible for the Chamber’s website, newsletters, and other related information needs, including ChamberMaster.
Live musical performances on the Ingham County Courthouse square on eight select Thursday evenings from May through September from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Volunteers needed beginning at 4:00 to assist performers and sponsors with any concerns in setup or takedown on the west lawn, to distribute programs, and to be available to answer audience questions during and after the concert.
