L.I.N.C. is a program conducted in partnership by the Adel-Cook County and the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce’s using the Fanning Institute’s Community Leadership Program. It brings together people from diverse backgrounds and varying perspectives to learn more about themselves and their communities. Participants share their ideas and experiences with each other, gain new skills and knowledge about leadership, and develop plans and strategies for implementing community development projects.
Monthly programs are led by UGA facilitators and focus on current decision-making and explore ways in which regional efforts may prove fruitful. Field studies and community awareness visits augment the curriculum.
Local candidates must be residents of, or work in, Adel-Cook County. The candidate’s participation must be endorsed by his or her employer (employer shall be broadly construed to include all companies under a corporate umbrella, wholly-owned subsidiary, political entity, etc.) or sponsored by a civic or non-profit organization.
The Chamber assists with various events to reward the students for their hard work.
The Chamber works in conjunction with the Cook High School business program to offer selected members of the junior class the opportunity to spend the day working with a business person in the Cook County community whose job most closely matches what they would like to do upon graduation from school or college.
STAR Students are selected on the basis of academic excellence. Both American College Test scores and scholastic averages are compared to determine the school's STAR Student. Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher, usually the classroom teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student's scholastic achievement. The Adel-Cook County Chamber provides the awards honoring the recipients and sponsors the table at the regional dinner is held in Valdosta.
The Adel-Cook Chamber promotes good grades, citizenship, and attendance at Cook Primary School by presenting scooters to deserving students at Bee Hive Bash held every quarter at the school. The winners are featured in the Adel News Tribune with a picture and a short story about the student. Local businesses sponsor purchase of giveaway
The Chamber funds $1500 in college scholarships. The Chamber’s top scholarship will be given to a Jr. Board member who has participated in the program in both junior and senior years of high school and has acquired the most volunteer points during the current year. Other qualified students will submit an application and one page essay and will be selected by the committee. Additional scholarships will be given at the discretion of the Chamber President.
The Adel-Cook Chamber honors our Retired Teachers organization with lunch and an update on the Chamber’s educational initiatives from throughout the year. Southwell Medical co-sponsors the luncheon and provides a speaker to discuss important trends in healthcare.
The Adel-Cook Chamber’s newest partnership with the school system offers 10 students the opportunity to connect with local businesses and events much like our adult board of Directors.
The Chamber coordinates monthly gift bags sponsored by local businesses. They are delivered to the BOE for distribution to continue to thank new teachers for choosing to work at the Cook County’s School System.
Hope Walk, Chair
Women in Business Luncheon - April
This luncheon celebrates the women in our community in conjunction with the nationally recognized “Administrative Professionals Day” in April.
Business and Beyond “Sip & See” – Annually in the Fall
This event gives members and non-members the opportunity to discover the vast array of businesses and organizations that offer goods and services to the Cook County community. The Expo provides an opportunity for many businesses, organizations, and the public to interact with one another in a single location. It currently features a venue for up to 25 exhibitors to display and sell their products and to greet customers one-on-one, in a fun, relaxed environment. Many door prizes, giveaways, and exciting offers are a hallmark of this event sponsored by some of the leading businesses in Cook County and the surrounding area.
Business After Hours – Quarterly
Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours are exciting business networking events that provide an excellent opportunity for Chamber members and prospective members to establish and renew relationships. Each Business After Hours is sponsored by a leading business in the community.
Ribbon Cuttings / Ground Breakings – Ongoing
The Chamber offers the opportunity to get new businesses and industries off on the right foot by holding Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breaking Celebrations. Such events offer a wonderful opportunity for new businesses to meet current Chamber members and form business alliances and contacts. Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breakings are free to Chamber members.
Small Business Seminars ("Power Hour" Lunch & Learns)
These quarterly seminars like the Lunch and Learn Series offer members the opportunity delve into topics of interest to small business people including inside theft, counterfeit currency, tax issues and customer service. Another popular topic is Business Success Stories, an inside look into our most successful local business people who have overcome adversity and rose to the top in their fields.
COOK CA$H Chamber Bucks Program – Ongoing
In an effort to effectively realize our mission of encouraging citizens to Buy Cook, Live Cook, and Serve Cook, our Shop Local COOK CA$H Chamber Bucks Program keeps several thousand dollars per year in Cook County. COOK CA$H can be purchased and redeemed at the Chamber and is accepted at over 50 merchants and restaurants in Adel and Cook County.
Chad Sumner, Chair
Adel Daylily Festival – Third weekend in May
Adel’s premier hometown festival since 2007, the Adel Daylily Festival offers events for every member of the family. Early Saturday morning, runners participate in the Daylily City 5K Road Race. Then thousands of visitors from around the region descend on downtown Adel for a day-long festival featuring daylily vendors, arts and crafts, food, and live entertainment. The Adel Daylily Festival is held the third weekend of May.
Annual Membership Dinner and Awards Presentation – January
The Annual Membership Dinner is a decades-long tradition of gathering and celebrating the accomplishments of the Chamber of Commerce. Each year, recognition is given to outstanding member businesses. The Man and Woman of the Year are recognized at the Annual dinner, as well as many other successful and accomplished members in various categories.
Shonna O'Quinn, Chairwoman
The Chamber’s Membership Committee oversees the recruitment of new members and the retention of existing members. Twice a year, the Chamber sponsors New Member Breakfasts to acquaint new members with the benefits and services of the Chamber. Chamber Ambassadors are a vital part of membership engagement. The Ambassadors assist with all chamber events, especially Ribbon Cuttings, and are under the supervision of the Membership Chair. Another important function of the Membership Committee is to coordinate the Annual Dinner in conjunction with the Community Development Committee.
During the course of the year, the Chamber’s Annual Program of Work may be modified somewhat due to economic trends, political climate, and other conditions which may warrant a real-time adjustment by management and staff. Ongoing all the time is the Chamber’s role of being the 411 of the community. Providing Certificates of Origin to business members who export local products to foreign countries is another important part of the work of the Chamber. Advocacy of positive change related to important community issues is a key responsibility of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as, partnering with economic developers in the community, serving as the public relations arm of the City and County, and tackling quality of life issues affecting the future economic prosperity of the community.