About the Chamber

The Andale Area Chamber of Commerce serves as an advocate and voice for the local business community.  The Chamber works in partnership with the City of Andale and the corporate community to promote, advocate for and expand business in the city. The Chamber is a volunteer-based group of individuals that work hard to help support local businesses and strengthen the community. While the chamber is led by an able group of volunteers, the strength of the group is the involvement by a large number of community members. None of the Chamber events would be successful without their hard work and dedication!

 Chamber Mission

Our mission is to help build up and enhance our community by supporting and advocating for our local businesses and members.

Recruitment

 We are currently looking for officers to volunteer for the 2012-2013 positions. This is a two year volunteer commitment that meets once a month at the Chamber office. Training will be provided.

Please contact Sheri Barnes for more information.

316-259-9728

Board Members

President

Sheri Barnes

Vice President

Brenda Norris

Secretary

Patty Schwartz

 Treasurer 

Jeremy McFadden

A Brief History

The Andale Area Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1996 for the purpose of promoting programs of a civic, social and cultural nature which are designed to increase the functional and aesthetic values of the community and keeping abreast of current events in order to promote community growth and business expansion.

The previous paragraph comes from the Chamber’s bylaws. For the past 15 years the chamber has striven to be true to those goals.

The chamber was the vision of four Andale citizens in the mid-nineties. Those visionaries were Lenita Moore, Jim Peltzer, Norbert Robbin, and Paul Temaat.

Presidents of the chamber were: Terry Jones 1996-1997; Tammy Martin 1998; Bert Riedel 1999; Rick Regan 2000; Buck Hein 2001; Keith Temaat 2002; Matt May 2003; Doug Maxwell 2004;  Paul Temaat 2005; Ron Dolbow; Suzen Williams; Margo Schenck 2010; and current President Sheri Barnes 2011.

Projects of the Chamber have included: recognition of business’s in the area with membership plaques; Andale City promotion brochure; Area Business Directory; Chamber website; Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony; Welcome to Andale Sign; State Champions sign; Support for playground equipment at the city park; Golf Tournament; City Wide Garage Sale; Tree planting at the new Football field; purchase of High School Flags for recognition of school activities; Support of the Andale District Library; Santa’s Visit to Andale. Pillow and afghan sales; SummerFest; and basket auctions.

The SummerFest project has been a major project for the past several years. Its form has evolved in many ways. Originally a City police department function, the chamber took it over in the late 90’s. The event occurs on the first Saturday of August. SummerFest is funded in large part by a Fireworks sale, which has been run the past few years by Janet Hintz. The most recent evolution has been the development of a separate committee to oversee the event. Phyllis McFadden has chaired that committee in recent years.

The chamber continues to be involved in many public service projects. The latest and most extensive is the watershed project. Funded by both state and federal grants, this project is addressing both water quality and flood control issues. This is an ongoing project and promises to have a major impact on central Kansas for many years in the future. This project is headed by Matt May.

Another annual event is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. This event has been chaired by Paul Temaat. After the Tree is lit, there is a community carol sing followed by refreshments. The past two years the 4-H club has helped a lot with the refreshment portion of the event.

The capstone of the year’s activities is the annual banquet, which takes place in the spring of each year. At this meeting the year’s activities and accomplishments are given. A catered meal is served and new officers are elected. Each year the President’s Award is given to individuals that have made a real impact on the community. The entertainment is excellent and varied. Speakers have included television personalities, local performing groups as well as area professional groups.

While the chamber is led by an able group of people, the strength of the group is the involvement by a large number of community members. None of the events would be successful without their hard work and dedication.

Here’s to the future and growth of the Andale Area Chamber of Commerce!