Graham, Texas - Presented by Village Profile

Village Profile Home Page | About our Company | Sales Opportunities | Community eStore | vpmobile.us

Graham Chamber Information

Established in 1918, the Graham Chamber of Commerce is an organization of businesses and individuals dedicated to actively and consistently promoting commerce in Graham and Young County through leadership development, assisting in the recruitment of tourism and industry, encouraging sound business practices and quality of life through education, healthcare, culture and history. Three-hundred-fifty members strong, the Graham Chamber of Commerce welcomed 73 new members in 2006.

The chamber partners with several organizations within the community. Now in its sixth year, The Young County Leadership Program, or You Lead, is produced in partnership with the Young County Cooperative Extension. The program is designed to cover areas critical to informed leaders, such as the mechanics of government, history and culture of the community, social services, the justice system, healthcare, leadership skills and more. The program begins in August with a reception for the leadership participants and key community leaders. The reception is followed by an overnight retreat/team building program in September, and eight once-a-month, full-day classes, culminating with graduation in May.

Graham ISD collaborates with the Chamber to sponsor the HOSTS program, or “Helping our Students to Succeed,” a high school mentoring program that involves 41 volunteer business and community leaders. The 2006-2007 program features new curriculum written by Cheryl Groves, Director of the Graham Education and Workforce Center, Roger Mooney, Manager of the Workforce Center, Greg Dies, Executive Director of the Graham Industrial Association, and Robin Raney, Executive Director of the Graham Chamber of Commerce. The most recent collaboration of this group is a new series of business workshops, called the Graham Business Initiative, led by the Midwestern University Small Business Development Center. Strengthening the workforce is a key component of the objective of all organizations involved. Individually, the GIA, GEWC and the Graham Chamber of Commerce are all strong organizations, but when working together, efforts are maximized and the community receives even greater dividends. The Graham Leader and Lake Country Radio collaborate with the Chamber to produce the Christmas Stroll and Lighted Christmas Parade, and the 4th of July Parade. The City of Graham contracts with the Chamber to provide Visitor Center Services.

Other Chamber-sponsored events include the Annual Membership Banquet and Grahammy Awards, the Teacher’s Appreciation Breakfast, and monthly luncheons. The Chamber’s website hosts a community calendar and provides Chamber information as well as links to other community websites. www.graham chamber.com

The Graham Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, also known as the Red Coats, are the official hosts of the Chamber and carry out activities which improve the prestige and public image of the Chamber of Commerce and City of Graham. The Annual Ambassadors Golf Tournament, hosted by the Ambassadors each spring, is one of the Chamber’s primary fundraisers each year.

The Graham Chamber of Commerce is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Texas Association of Business, and the Better Business Bureau.