Pictured, 2008-09 Nacogdoches County Chamber Board of Directors and officers stand during the installation ceremony led by Betty Shinn at the 87th annual Meeting and Membership Banquet held Sept. 30. (Photo by Bruce R. Partain) The public is invited to get to know the Chamber and board during Texas Chamber of Commerce Week. The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce will actively participate in Texas Chamber of Commerce Week, Monday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 24. “We are proud to participate in Texas Chamber of Commerce Week,” said Donna Finley, board of directors chair. “Our Chamber serves as an important resource for businesses large and small. The Chamber has played a significant role in our community with committees and events that support education, retirement marketing, agriculture, transportation and government affairs.” The events planned during the celebratory week include proclamations at city and county commissioners meetings, three ribbon cutting ceremonies and the Chamber Fourth Friday Luncheon “Understanding and Managing Generations in the Workplace” and the optional, three-hour workshop following the lunch. A state proclamation signed by Governor Rick Perry and dated Sept. 8, 2008, reads “local Chambers of Commerce have distinguished themselves through their promotion of local communities and projects. By fostering job creation, improving education and developing infrastructure, these organizations have literally laid the foundation for many communities, contributing to a better future for all Texans.” “I’m encouraging everyone in the community to express their appreciation through a simple thank you to the leaders, volunteers and staff of our local Chambers,” Finley said. “In return, our Chamber thanks the businesses and organizations that are actively engaged in our programs.” Chambers throughout Texas are scheduled to participate in this year’s event. “Texas Chamber of Commerce Week is an opportunity for Chambers of Commerce around Texas to celebrate their accomplishments and promote their roles in positively impacting their local economies,” said Diane Probst, president/CEO of the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce and board chairwoman of Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE). “We have Chambers that represent large metropolitan areas as well as those that represent smaller communities, but all of them have a substantial impact on their respective communities. Their collective efforts have helped position Texas as the number one state in which to do business.” Texas Chamber of Commerce Week is coordinated annually through TCCE, which is based in Austin. TCCE is an organization of chamber executives from across the state, working together to improve the business climate in Texas, while developing ways to enhance the quality of life in the communities that they represent. For more information, please visit www.tcce.org. “Since 1920, the Nacogdoches County Chamber has existed to serve our community and to create an environment where business can take place,” Chamber President / CEO Bruce Partain said. “We provide information to thousands of individuals across the country - helping people who want to know about Nacogdoches, and introducing our business members in the process. We hold a number of different events for members to network with each other, with our community leaders and SFA administration, faculty and students. We sponsor the NOBLE Scholars and Great Expectations programs, where business volunteers encourage junior high students to take a more challenging curriculum in math and science. The result is better educated, more valuable future employees for Nacogdoches businesses – and twenty annual scholarships to SFA. We enjoy meeting and serving the hundreds of walk-in visitors and newcomers to our facility, providing a friendly front door to the Nacogdoches businesses, attractions and educational institutions.” Get to know the Nacogdoches County Chamber better during Texas Chamber of Commerce Week. View more on the Chamber's web site, call 936-560-5533 or visit the office at 2516 North Street.