Valpo Chamber Committees

Enhance your membership by serving on a Valpo Chamber committee or simply volunteer for an event! It's a great way to meet people and use your skills and talents on interesting and challenging projects. Choose the committee/event that most interests you.

Opportunities abound! Not sure which committee to choose? Call us at 462-1105. We'll help you find the group that's just right for you!

Special Events Division

Chamber Network Night

This business expo and is the largest networking night of the year. Committee Meetings are held the 3rd Friday of each month (February - November) at 9:00 a.m.

Kurt Gillins, Staff Liaison
Linda Reyes-Popovich, Co-Chair • Centier Bank • (219) 462-1701
April Wolford, Co-Chair • Citizens Financial Bank • (219) 531-6315

Envision the Future

Envision the Future Organize and host this annual one-day educational program for the 8th grade students in Porter County. Committee meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month (September - April) 9:00 a.m.

Kurt Gillins, Staff Liaison
JoElla DePra, Chair • 1st Souce Bank • (219) 476-2974

FunDay

The FunDay committee plans the largest annual golf outing in Valparaiso featuring a morning and afternoon flight, continental breakfast, buffet lunch, awards dinner, contests, and much more. Committee meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month (February - July) 4:00 p.m.

Kurt Gillins, Staff Liaison
Lori Daly, Co-Chair • Strongbow Inn • (219) 462-5121
Kevin Kosek, Co-Chair • REGIONAL Federal Credit Union • (219) 845-5654

Economic Development Division

Public Policy Forum/Legislative Hotline

The monthly Public Policy Forum discusses government issues at the local, state and federal levels. Attendees have an opportunity to interact with state legislators as well as county and city officials. Legislative Hotline sessions run January to March while the Indiana state legislature is in session.

Rex Richards, Staff Liaison
Tina Bengs, Chair • Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC • (219) 242-8649

Member Services Division

Ambassadors

We promote membership and retention, and we help new Chamber members get the most from membership. We also assist members in hosting monthly Business After Hours, which highlights and promotes their business and provides networking opportunities for our members. Committee meetings are held the 1st Thursday of each month 7:30 a.m.

Danielle Oeding, Staff Liaison
Renee Gluth, Chair • Citizens Financial Bank • (219) 476-2704

Percolator Club

This committee plans and promotes luncheon meetings where invited speakers keep members up-to-date on a wide variety of interesting topics. Meetings held quarterly.

Kurt Gillins, Staff Liaison
Linda Zyla, Chair • Century 21 Alliance Group (Zyla) • (219) 462-2090

Small Business TASKFORCE

Business Educating Business event Coordinate events and advocate for the small business; maintain the Members Helping Members program. Develop and promote educational programs including Business EDUCATING Business. Organize and promote A.M. Valpo, our monthly morning networking event.

Kurt Gillins, Staff Liaison
Wes Kotys, Co-chair • The Koyts Group • (219) 465-6924
Jonathan Nalli, Co-Chair • Porter Health System • (219) 263-7096

Note

All Chamber committee members are asked to adhere to the Chamber's policy of offering opportunities on a fair basis to Chamber members only. Examples of opportunities include but are not limited to, business contracts, sponsorships, contributions, and public speaking engagements. No committee member may contract for business independently on behalf of the Chamber.

Serving on a Chamber Committee

Don't committees have lots of long meetings?

No! Most committees meet once a month for about an hour until their project is complete. Committee members decide when to extend meetings or add more.

Aren't committee meetings boring?

You meet with interesting people in business, government, and education. You get to share ideas, use your talents and skills, have some fun, and get recognition for what you do. Does this sound boring?

Do I have to attend every meeting?

You should try to. Otherwise you'll miss a lot. At most, try not to miss more than three meetings.

Can I join more than one group?

Certainly! But beware of "volunteer overload." And keep your work schedule and other commitments in mind.

What if I sign up and then find I can't come to any meetings at all?

Please let us know. We'll remove your name from the committee roster.

What are my responsibilities?

To attend the meetings. To call if you are unable to attend. To arrive on time. To participate fully. To volunteer for committee tasks. To carry out assignments. To resign if you are unable to fulfill these responsibilities.

Can I join a committee at any time?

Yes. Most committees organize their plan of action at the beginning of the year, so that's the best time to join, but new committee members are always welcome.

Can more than one person at my business serve on a committee?

Yes. But we think you'll get more involvement for your business if you and your colleagues serve on different committees.

Does my serving on a committee make a difference?

Yes indeed! Without volunteers, the committees and the projects they work on simply would not exist. Your Chamber is active and worthwhile because of your input and active involvement.