Chanandelor Bong

There has been a request for me to clarify what it is that I do with my time from 8am to 5 pm each day. Since I don’t often receive requests, as I am not a top 40 radio station, several questions came to mind. Do I just tell them? Am I so easy that I give in when asked? Isn’t a little mystery fun? How does someone not know what a chamber does?

Hmmm…sure. Yes. Sometimes. They don’t own a business. What can I say, I like to be the center of attention.

So here I am sitting at my desk in a yet-to-be-remodeled office wondering how I explain what I do and realize it must be not much since I have time for this. Solis is found quickly though since I’ve wedged you in between meetings.

I am the Executive Vice President of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce until January 1, 2008 when I become the Executive Director. What’s the difference? Nothing, except for a few letters and the semantics of a community development organization divesting, my job will be the same. It’s a story so long and boring I’m yawning just typing about NOT telling it you. It has none of the action and adventure of the honeymoon story, which I would be glad to regale now. Ok, put your computer monitors down I was just kidding.

I hear Kara saying, “Great, so what do you do?”

As defined in our bylaws: “The EVP will serve as the chief administrative and executive officer.” So I’m the CEO and CAO (which is the CFO, COO, Director of HR, and everything else).

I hear Kara saying, “Great, so what do you do?”

I run the day to day operations of the Chamber. I hire, I fire, I set salaries, I preside over 15 committees, I call on businesses to make them feel loved, I drive membership, I cut ribbons and shovel dirt, I organize new programs (young professionals, monthly Chamber meetings), I help new businesses form business plans, find funding and locations, I’m the dog and pony show at the annual meeting, I represent the business community to the city, state, and federal government, produce and write 3 pages a month for the newsletter (which we might just produce our own little deal, so you could add publisher to my list).

How’s that for a run on sentence?

This covers about 70% of it. Basically, I’m a pretty busy boy these days and I apologize for neglecting my cyber fans. Without you I might be able to fit my head through a door jam without turning it, and what fun would that be? Oh, and our Mac crapped out so when we get that back I’ll put the G-man’s 9 month pics up…even though he’s now 10 months.

And finally, raise your hand if you know what the title means.