Michael Woods * 2013 President * DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce

You never really know how much you're writing for a column like this until you see it published in 0.4 font. Last month's column was very… dense. On a positive note, we've been contacted by Cliffs Notes and they've agreed to distribute a condensed summary at your local book store. Let's dial it back this month.

January moved by with astonishing speed and was eventful. Since we returned from the holiday break, we've started the process for the re-roofing of the Chamber building, held our induction ceremony and banquet for the new Chamber board and witnessed the induction of new elected officials throughout the region. This, in addition to the standing committee meetings, planning sessions and the after-hour events. Yet all I focus on is how much more there is to do.

Our programming is always a work in progress. We have standard, go to events (monthly and annually) but we look for ways to improve and expand. Our board and committee chairs are always looking for ways to grow the Chamber message and to deliver relevant, quality service to our members. But for everything that gets slated on the calendar, there are so many more worth while ideas or programs that simply get placed on hold due to a lack of available volunteer hours.

For that reason, one of the projects we are working on is making it easier to volunteer at the chamber. I know first hand how quickly one meeting a month can expand to what sometimes feels like a second full-time job. So we are working across the various committees to break down certain existing tasks into assignments that can be accomplished in less than one hour a month. I'm still working on a catchy title (and will accept suggestions) but the intent is to have broad-based involvement that can be easily integrated into everybody's daily schedules. You can do more, but the hope is that there will be no excuse to do less.

Finally, I want to thank our two prize winners from January's contest (Sherri Emery at Image Works and Tracy Lunquist at Working Magic) for plowing through the magnum opus and emailing their answers. No contest this month, but keep a look out in the future. Have a great month.