Our Committees are the heart and soul of the Sidney Area Chamber. They each have specific responsibilities and work very hard to carry them out. New members are welcome at any time. Call the Chamber office for information about the committee(s) that interests you. Several events have committees that only work on that specific event and only during part of the year. Those committees are:
- Lone Tree Gun Show
- Sunrise Festival of the Arts
- Town & Country Festival
- Wings of Freedom Air Show
Agriculture Committee
The focus of this committee is on agriculture as our economic base and how to include and promote agriculture in Chamber membership, events, and activities. Its purpose is threefold: recognition, education, and communication. Members of the committee help plan and participate in Ag Days, serve breakfast at this event, and help to man an informational booth at the Trade Show. They retain close contact with the USDA-ARS-NPARL; members serve on their focus group and lobby on behalf of this facility when necessary to help solve funding problems. Committee members also help to prepare and serve the noon meal at Ag Field Day and attend meetings with visiting dignitaries. This committee also submits to the Executive Board a nomination for the Ag Award at the annual Chamber Banquet. Events of this committee are:
- Ag Days Breakfast and Booth
- National Ag Week Display
- Ag Appreciation Golf Tournament
- Assistance with Field Day
- MonDak Harvest Fest - Car Show & Tractor Pull
This committee meets monthly on the first Wednesday at noon at the Chamber. Any Chamber member interested in the development and promotion of agriculture is invited to attend meetings and become active. The Chairman is Jerry Nypen.
Leadership Task Force
This committee oversees the Sidney Area Leadership Program. This program, developed by the Sidney Area Chamber, is held on an annual basis and is open to anyone in the community who is wanting to increase their leadership skills. Applications are available by July 1 each year and classes begin in September. The course consists of 7-8 Issues Days and 3 Skills Development half-day seminars. The goal is to train leaders for the area, by giving them in-depth information and skills. A class project will also meet a need of the area. Fees are $250, but a reduced fee of $200 is available for Sidney Chamber members. Graduation is held in April. This committee meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. Amanda Seigfreid is the Chairman of the Leadership Task Force.
Membership
The primary purpose of this committee is to broaden the base of Chamber membership by recruiting new members and working to retain current membership through contact and by developing membership benefits. Responsibilities of this committee include: development of membership packet, revision of forms, systematic calls on the membership, developing and recommending changes in member services and benefits to the Executive Board, and supervision of the Sunrise Ambassadors program to represent the Chamber at community events, open houses, ribbon cuttings, and Business After Hours. This committee develops new services and benefits based on the findings of periodic membership surveys that are developed within the committee and approved by the Executive Board. This committee meets monthly on the fouth Wednesday at noon.
Sports and Recreation Committee
This committee works closely with the school district to plan bids for basketball tournaments, hospitality for other hosted tournaments, and volunteers to provide tournament services such as ticket taking and selling. The committee chairman also attends Class C district and divisional meetings to present bids for tournaments and track meets. This committee promotes Sidney as a site for area sporting events of all sorts, recruits sponsors for major events, works to finance successfully bid events, and develop new events. Events and programs include:
- Various tournaments with hospitality rooms and volunteers
- NFL Play-off Books
- Concessions for Spring Track Meets
This committee meets at the Chamber at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. All Chamber members are welcome to attend, but those businesses impacted by sporting events may be particularly interested. Current Chairman is Cara Nelson.
Sunrise Ambassadors
The Ambassadors are the hospitality arm of the Chamber supporting the Chamber’s efforts by serving as good will ambassadors.They serve as Hostesses at Business After Hours events, participate in Ribbon Cuttings and assist with special events. The committee meets at 3:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Chamber.
Trade Promotion Committee
This committee plans promotions throughout the year to draw people to Sidney to shop and promote Sidney as a regional trade center. Their successful “Sidney’s Got It!” television promotion earns bonus ads each year for the Chamber to promote events in Sidney. This committee also plans seminars and workshops to educate businesses and their employees in customer service, tax changes, debt collection, and other employer concerns. Their promotions and events include:
- Town & Country Festival (sub-committee)
- Christmas Stroll
- Christmas Big Bucks loan program
- Christmas Cash
- Sidney’s Got It! Advertising program
- Chamber Bucks
This committee meets at the Chamber at noon on the second Wednesday of each month. All Chamber members are welcome, but those in the retail trades would be particularly impacted. Current Chairman is Greg Miller..