WMWO Chamber to host Congressional Candidates' Forum Sept. 2

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce will host a Congressional Candidates' Forum on Tuesday, September 2.

The forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center.

Candidates who have qualified for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District race are invited to attend the forum.  Each candidate will given a set amount of time to address the audience, introduce themselves and explain why they want to be this district's next Congressman.

With the 5th District being large in geographical size, some of the candidates live in other parts of Louisiana.  This forum is an opportunity for voters of northeast Louisiana to meet the candidates in person and learn more about them and their platform.

The election is Tuesday, November 4.

The cost to attend the forum is $15 per person. Reservations will be taken through Friday, August 29 at noon.  To reserve a seat, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961 or email reception@westmonroechamber.org. 

Adopt a School during the 2014-2015 School Year

School bells are officially ringing in Ouachita Parish!

Our public schools enjoyed their first official day of school today.  As our children, teachers and faculty and staff begin to set goals for themselves this school year, the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce encourages our local business community to consider taking an active role in the success of parish educational system.

The WMWO Chamber, in partnership with the Ouachita Parish School Board and Adopt-a-School Committee, hosts the "Adopt-a-School Program."  The goal is simple - connect at least one adopter with each of the 36 public schools in Ouachita Parish.  Adopters can be businesses, large or small, or even non-profit organizations, service clubs, churches or individuals.

What does it mean to adopt a school?  It means that as an adopter, you take time throughout the school year to check on your adopted school to see what needs they might have.  Perhaps they need a volunteer reader, a judge at the social studies fair, a cookie tray for Teacher Appreciation Week or someone to simply encourage the school and let them know they are doing a good job.

How do you adopt a school?  Contact the WMWO Chamber of Commerce if your business or organization is interested.  There is a minimal fee - $25 per new school adopted.  After the first year of adopting that school, there is a $10 renewal fee.  You choose the school you want to adopt, or we can help match your organization with a school in need.  Schools may have multiple adopters!

With all the changes in our state educational system this year, the WMWO Chamber feels it's even more important to show our support of our public schools.  Our children are the future workforce of this community.  There is no better investment to make in Ouachita Parish.  We strongly encourage our local businesses and organizations to consider adopting a school in Ouachita Parish and positively impact the lives of our children.

WMWO Chamber offers group travel to Ireland this spring

The WMWO Chamber of Commerce and the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Chamber of Commerce are partnering with Collette Travel to offer a group travel to Ireland in April 2015.

This "Shades of Ireland" trip offers a 10-day tour of Ireland.  Highlights include Limerick, Killarney, Blarney Castle, Waterford Crystal and Dublin.  The price of the trip is as low as $3,049 per person which includes round trip air fare, accommodations and meals.  The trip is scheduled to take place April 20-29, 2015.

If you have dreamed of going to Ireland or a trip abroad, we encourage you to attend an informational meeting at the WMWO Chamber office on Monday, August 4 at 5:30 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.  There is no obligation by attending this meeting.  It's a free and informative gathering of people who are interested in learning more about this trip.

For additional details about the "Shades of Ireland" trip, we encourage you to check out this video:

https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/629642

Be on the look out for information on additional group travel opportunities.  The WMWO Chamber will offer a "New England Fall Colors" tour in Fall 2015.  Contact the WMWO Chamber at (318) 325-1961 for more information!

 

 

WMWO Chamber of Commerce joins the blogging community!

The West Monroe-West Ouachita chamber of Commerce is excited to delve into the blogging community! 

Through this blog, the WMWO Chamber hopes to reach a greater audience and continue to provide valuable tips and information to our members.  We'd like to share information with you on everything from tips to marketing and use of social media to information you need to know about upcoming events, community happenings, tax issues and much more.  If you're looking for information on a particular topic, let us know and we'll research it and share it on this blog!

This blog is another tool the Chamber can use to reach our members.  With nearly 600 members belonging to the WMWO Chamber of Commerce, our primary goal remains connecting members to members and giving area businesses the tools they need to be successful in our community.

Over the next several weeks, you will be hearing about several of the events being hosted by the WMWO Chamber including community festivals, concerts, networking opportunities and free trainings.  If you're not already a WMWO Chamber member, we hope you will consider joining.

For more information about the WMWO Chamber of Commerce, find us at www.westmonroechamber.org or on social media including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.