Charleston Metro Chamber Volunteers Exceed Campaign Goal

CHARLESTON, SC –The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce wrapped up their tenth annual Total Resource Campaign (TRC) as Dick Elliott, 2009 TRC Campaign chairman reported that Chamber volunteers raised $2,280,033 which was $4,261 over the goal, and 143 new members.

Over the past four months, more than 200 Chamber volunteers in over 80 corporate teams gathered resources to fulfill this year’s goal of $2,275,772 through memberships, sponsorships, donations and advertising sales. Investments in the Chamber, facilitated through TRC have a powerful and positive impact on education, public policy, business development, innovation, regional advancement and many other areas of economic growth for the Charleston region.

The goal for the TRC campaign was set $1 over the amount raised last year. “We did not want to take a step back but rather to keep moving forward in our efforts to serve as the catalyst for advancing our region’s economy, improving our quality of life and enhancing our members’ success,” said Charles Van Rysselberge, president and CEO of the Chamber. “The recognition for taking such a bold step in this economic environment belongs to campaign chairman Dick Elliott and his cabinet of vice chairs.”

This year’s theme was “Playing for Keeps” which symbolizes playing for keeps in tackling the challenges of improving our region, volunteers playing for keeps in their work, in the campaign and the Chamber’s determination to maintain its effectiveness at levels that have earned national recognition including five star accreditation status with the U.S. Chamber and one of three finalists for Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.

“In this challenging economy, it’s promising to see that the business community can come together to raise this money to support the Chamber’s initiatives,” said Dick Elliott, campaign chairman. “Chamber volunteers did an exceptional job at taking the challenge this year so that we as a Chamber can continue to effectively work on successfully positioning our region as America’s best location to live, learn, work and play. The community responded because they have seen the Chamber’s results.”

“We are told that many metro chambers in other states have not met their goals or had to lower their goals, while our Chamber succeeded out of the sheer will of the volunteers and staff of the Charleston Metro Chamber,” said Bobby Collins, Chamber Board chairman. “The business community responded, even in these challenging times that because of the Chamber’s effectiveness on key issues regarding education, port development, infrastructure, discount air service, innovation, etc., they couldn’t afford not to step up to support the Chamber.”

TRC leadership included: 2009 TRC chairman, Dick Elliott, Maverick Southern Kitchens; Power of Partnership chairman Bill Moody, Associated Management Services Inc.; Membership Development vice chairman Bobby Pearce, Nelson Mullins; Board of Directors co-chairs Karen Elsey, Laura Alberts, Tasteful Options and Laura Varn, Santee Cooper; Leads Campaign chairman Patrick Bryant, Go To Team; Campaign cabinet Larry Collett, WCBD-TV, Channel 2; Kent Floyd, Total Comfort Service; Bill Goodwin, The Goodwin Group Inc.; Bridget Hearn-Simmons, South Carolina Federal Credit Union; Michelle Kelly, Clear Channel Communications; Richard Moore, Kestrel Horizons LLC; Brantley Moody, Bank of America; Liz Oates, Elliott Davis; John Osborne; Mary Porter, Porter Consulting Group; Katie Robinson, LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD. and Tim Walter, The Beach Company.

With more than 2,000 members, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the catalyst for advancing our region’s economy, improving our quality of life and enhancing our members’ success.