News

Remembering Jimmie Adair

Norman lost a very special person on July 14 with the passing of Jimmie Adair, longtime realtor, builder, developer and civic leader. Jimmie’s professional accomplishments include serving as president of the Chamber board (1973-74), as president of the Norman Board of Realtors and as a director of City National Bank, now First Fidelity Bank, for 48 years.

Moving to Norman in 1940, he joined his stepfather, Lee M. Biggs in the construction business until 1943 when he entered the Army. He served in the Army until 1946 at which time he returned to Norman and entered the home building business with his stepfather. Incorporating as Biggs and Son, which later became Adair & Associates Real Estate, they built hundreds of homes. In 1949, he and Mr. Biggs formed A&B Lumber Company and operated it until it was destroyed by fire in 1970. His first developments included Garver, Comanche and Eufaula Streets east of Berry Road. He also built the first urbanized house west of Berry Road.

Jimmie Adair was very active in the First Baptist Church where he was a deacon and treasurer 25 years. Another Chamber past president Harold Heiple recalls a time when the church wanted to close a section of Comanche street in order to expand. Harold said, “I told Jimmie I had a client who instructed me to fight it all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary.” Jimmie replied, "Harold, I understand. You are simply representing a client. I just don't know if the Lord will be as understanding." Harold added, “Jimmie was a treasure!”

Jimmie’s son Jim noted that in the last few months of his life his father celebrated his 90th birthday, his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Von, and the birth of his great grandson Hayden Garner.
Jimmie remained involved in Adair & Associates until his death, completing in excess of 50 developments and numerous commercial projects in the Norman area. Operation of the business will be continued by Jim and his children Zach Adair and Ashley Adair-Garner.

RESOLUTION
Of the Board of Directors of the Norman Chamber of Commerce
In Support of the Proposed Sanitation Rate and Water Rate Increases

WHEREAS, the Norman Chamber of Commerce cultivates, promotes, and supports economic opportunities and community enrichment by providing leadership and services to its members and the community; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Directors of the Norman Chamber of Commerce believe that the City of Norman must have fiscally sound sanitation and water utilities funds in order to maintain the community's economic vitality; and

WHEREAS, sanitation rates have not increased since 2004; and,

WHEREAS, since that time the cost of providing sanitation services to Norman customers has increased due to higher costs and fees. For example, the price of gas has risen 41%; Diesel 55%, and landfill tipping fees 25%; and

WHEREAS, water rates have not increased since 2006; and

WHEREAS, since that time the cost of supplying water to Norman’s customers has increased significantly. For example, the price of chemicals used to treat the water has risen 90.1%; and

WHEREAS, approving the fee increases is fiscally prudent to maintain the City of Norman’s ability to provide water and sanitation services to the citizens of Norman and to provide for a sustainable water supply; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Norman will be given the opportunity to approve these propositions on August 24, 2010,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Norman Chamber of Commerce supports the proposed sanitation and water rate increases and encourages Norman citizens to vote "yes" on Propositions I and II on August 24, 2010.

Approved this twelfth day of July, Two Thousand and Ten.
                              
Tom Sherman, President
Norman Chamber of Commerce

ATTEST:
Jim Adair, Secretary-Treasurer
Norman Chamber of Commerce                                               

The Business and Education committee is in the process of revitalizing the Partners in Education Program for the 2010-11 school year.  The committee’s goal – To create and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships between schools and businesses – aims to provide Norman Public Schools with extra support needed to fill gaps created by budget cuts. The committee will help match the identified needs of each school with a chamber business partner to assist with things such as mentoring, judging spelling bees or serving as test proctors. While financial contributions are always appreciated, the goal of the Partners program is to provide quality personal interaction with the schools. Partnerships benefit businesses by providing an opportunity for employees to become involved in the community through the schools.

A kick-off event will be held Friday, August 13 at Embassy Suites. This event will provide an opportunity for school representatives to meet with business representatives and become Partners for the upcoming school year.

Many Norman Chamber businesses are already strong partners with local schools.  The committee aims to increase program awareness so that all schools can benefit from the vast resources in the Norman business community.   There is no cost to attend the event, but reservations are required. If you are interested in attending or becoming a Partner in Education, please contact Katie Merrick at 321-7260, or katie.merrick@normanchamber.com.

Leadership Norman Applications Available

Applications are now available for the 2011 Leadership Norman class. Leadership Norman, a program of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, offers participants an opportunity to be part of a distinct leadership group. The program, for residents and area professionals, will accept applications through Friday, August 20. A selection committee will review the applications and select the 30-person class in late August.

Leadership Norman is open to anyone who either works or lives in Norman. Co-chaired by Dr. Roger Brown, Norman Public Schools, and Jeanette Capshaw, Moore Norman Technology Center, the class consists of 15 interactive sessions, spanning a six-month period, ending with graduation in April. Orientation is scheduled for late September. Most sessions will be held on Thursday nights from 5:30- 9:00 p.m. and include a meal.

Throughout the course of the program participants attend a variety of sessions focused on community history, current community issues, leadership, and self-discovery. Class members will also serve three months as an “intern” on a local nonprofit’s board of directors. Leadership Norman is a great way to learn more about your community and build your own personal network.

Applications are available at www.normanchamber.com, or by contacting Katie Merrick at 321-7260 or katie.merrick@normanchamber.com.

Exciting New Advertising Opportunity!

The Chamber is excited to announce a new advertising opportunity: an interactive map of Norman! This on-line map features local services, points of interest, schools and could feature your business as well!

To see the map, visit the Chamber website at normanchamber.com. Click on the Interactive Map ad on the right-hand side of the Home Page. Three tabs at the top of the map link you to different categories. After you click on one of the tabs, scroll over one of the icons and an ad pops up. The icon on the map will be your logo! A directory of advertisers can be found in alphabetical order or searched for by category using the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner.

Your ad will feature your business logo and/or artwork, list contact information and link directly to your site. Two ad sizes are available; a large 5” X 5” ad for $750 per year or a small 5” X 2.5” ad for $500 per year. If you have more than one business location in town, extra listings are just $100 each. Contact Lisa Allen at 321-7260 or lisa.allen@normanchamber.com today for more information. Once your artwork is submitted, your business will be on-line in a few weeks!

“THIS IS IT!” The 2010 Norman Chamber Membership Drive

The 2010 Chamber Membership Drive will take place during the entire month of September.

“Joining the Chamber is a THRILL!”, says King of Pep Sean Rieger.  

“Do you WANNA BE STARTING SOMETHING?” continues Rieger.  Then join a team and come to the Team Kick-Off Reception, Thursday, September 2, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Chamber Building, 115 E. Gray St. This event will replace Thursday After Hours for September.

Teams will compete live, Tuesday through Thursday, September 14-16, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Teams will be assigned to a morning or afternoon session for one of these three days.

“DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH” New Chamber Members! Each team will have a goal of at least 10 new members. New Membership forms with checks, credit cards or ACH payments will be accepted through Thursday, September 30 for Team Credit.

Just “BEAT IT;” Your team goal that is. Set a personal best team goal and “Beat It.”

For more information on becoming a team member contact Lisa Allen at 321-7260 or by e-mail at lisa.allen@normanchamber.com.

The Norman Chamber brings you news about a new business service!

The Norman Chamber has partnered with the Moore and Noble Chambers to bring news to our area businesses about a new FREE service from the Central OK Workforce Investment Board (COWIB).
Do you have a Job Opening? How do you let job seekers know about it? Don't have a job posting URL?
Now there is a solution:  Pathway Connect

The Pathway Connect Workforce System platform will consolidate your job openings and local jobseekers in one no-fee, easy-to-use location. This new service will reduce your time to hire the right person and increase placement and retention.
 
You are invited to attend the introduction of this new service, Thursday, August 12, 2010, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Sarkeys Foundation.
Register now to learn more about how Pathway Connect ...

• reduces your time to hire the "right person"
• automatically posts jobs listed on your website or lets you post your job openings at no cost
• notifies you when a job candidate registers who meets your pre-defined skill set
• connects you with Oklahoma's jobseekers and with high school and college graduates 
• reduces turnover by finding the best employer/employee hard- and soft-skill match  
• provides business area statistics and information to make data-driven decisions

Click here to learn more and register to attend! or type  http://tinyurl.com/PathwayConnect3 in your browser

Lean and Green – Free Green Job Skills Training for Oklahoma Businesses

The University of Oklahoma Lean Institute will be officially launching its new Lean and Green training program for Oklahoma businesses in Fall 2010.  Lean and Green teaches organizations how to identify and eliminate environmental waste from their own operations through three intensive days of training spread over 10-12 weeks.  Between class sessions, participants work on a real world improvement project at their business, under the guidance of the instructor. By the end of the training, participants not only have enhanced green job skills and a certificate from OU, but they have also made measurable improvements in their business.  

This program is funded as part of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s “Oklahoma Green Project,” making it free to participating businesses, and is applicable to businesses from all fields.  There will be training locations set up as needed at locations across the state.

The Lean Institute conducted a test of the Lean and Green curriculum in partnership with the City of Norman in Spring 2010.  Six students drawn from the operating staff of the City's water treatment and wastewater plants produced projects outlining cost effective ways that they could eliminate roughly $105,000 annually in energy waste, chemical usage, and excess material transportation from their operations with very reasonable ROIs.  Their projects are now being implemented at their facilities. 

This training is a great tool to not only make Oklahoma businesses greener, but to make them stronger and more competitive as well.  The Lean Institute is currently recruiting businesses from across the state who would like to take part in this program over the next three years.  To learn more or sign up to participate in this program, visit www.lean.ou.edu or contact Dr. Marc Jensen at 405-325-9135 or marc.jensen@ou.edu

Participate in Norman Sooner Kickoff 2010!

Each year the University of Oklahoma and the Norman Chamber of Commerce work together to sponsor Norman Sooner Kickoff, an event designed to welcome new students to the University and Norman communities. With more than 3,500 new students coming to OU this year, Norman Sooner Kickoff provides the perfect opportunity for local businesses to introduce their services and products to Norman’s newest residents. Participants can distribute coupons, samples, and promotional materials.

This year’s kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 20. The deadline to sign up to participate is Monday, August 16. Cost for Chamber members is $100 and $200 for non-members. The Application-Agreement-Waiver of Liability forms are available on the Chamber website. You MUST have all three forms filled out and a check made out to The University of Oklahoma before your spot can be reserved. Spots are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis! For more information, please contact Angie Drury at 321-7260 or angie.drury@normanchamber.com.

ConnectForLunch Offers Networking Opportunity

ConnectForLunch, a new service for Norman Chamber of Commerce members, brings together business people for the purpose of building business relationships with other business people.

For a monthly fee, Chamber members enrolled in ConnectForLunch dine at local restaurants with three or four representatives from different businesses. ConnectForLunch matches the business people together, makes the restaurant reservations, and e-mails the pertinent details to people attending. All the chamber member has to do is show up at the restaurant.

Listen to what Chamber members have to say about the program.

"ConnectForLunch is excellent! I'm a new Chamber member and I'm glad to meet people in a more intimate setting. Everyone has been so upbeat and positive!"

Sheila Person, Manager
Elite Trophies

"ConnectForLunch has been great! My last lunch was with an interior designer; another Chamber member at the table and I are both going to use her."

Michelle Linnemann, Accountant
Don W. Armstrong CPA, Inc.

I just attended my first ConnectForLunch. It was great to meet the other participants over a casual lunch, and visit about their backgrounds and businesses. I will certainly participate again.

Patricia Welch, Owner
Hardware Expressions

Founded two years ago, ConnectForLunch has so far brought its program for building business relationships to many chambers across the U.S. The program is open to chamber of commerce members only. Chambers agree to work with ConnectForLunch because the program helps recruit and retain members.

“A major reason business people join a chamber of commerce is to meet other chamber members,” Lisa Allen, Director of Member Services and Sales says. “In fact, we’ve heard from several other Chambers using ConnectForLunch that business people are joining the Chamber specifically so that they can participate in ConnectForLunch.”

The charges for ConnectForLunch are only $9.95 for two lunches a month and only $17.95 for four lunch meetings per month. Members who are interested in trying out the program can go to lunch four times during a free introductory trial period that the Chamber is offering. The cost of the meals is not included.

Only restaurants that are members of the chamber are used as meeting places.

ConnectForLunch has offices in Santa Fe, N.M., and in the San Francisco area. For more information, go to the company's Web site at www.ConnectForLunch.com/normanok.