What's ahead for Hays, America

Being who I am, I immediately think of Psalm 33: 1-3 and 15: “From heaven the Lord looks down and observes the whole human race … He is the One who fashioned the hearts of them all and knows their works.” God sees 2005 in its entirety and in every detail. We unfold it, one day at a time, one hour at a time here in this great community of Hays, and of course we ask for his blessing.

As chamber chair this year, I look forward to a dynamic year. Why? We fashioned a strategic plan that ends in 2006. We are serious about prospering the businesses of Hays and its neighbors. How?

nÀBeing a leading voice in the business community.

nÀOffering business advocacy.

nÀCreating financial stability.

nÀCelebrating success.

nÀIncreasing diversity in our membership.

nÀBeing more responsive to the needs of our members.

nÀUnderscoring and improving Chamber benefits and services.

nÀCooperating with the city, the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, office of economic development and the downtown development groups in moving to a beautiful, functional new building and site at 27th and Vine.

We have learned some significant lessons of success from the leadership of the Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University in recent years. They have been great mentors in these ways:

Lesson I: A board that is bold, courageous and willing to take risks.

Lesson II: Think big and get your clientel to buy into your big dream.

Lesson III: Engage this wonderful community of Hays into your dream as well. Steve Unruh once said that this is the kind of leadership that will pull the Hays community into the 21st century. He was and is so right!

With our chamber ear to the ground, we can even pick up positive challenges from the two-edged comments of Patrick Lowry.

While he is right about not being able to please a group of 500 at a banquet, regardless of the speaker, we can take a creative, bold approach to the “message giver” at these events. And yes, more time spent on our award-winning chamber community members would be appropriate. And yes, we can control the time better. Come back next year, Patrick, and see how we answer your challenge. Then let's see your pithy comments.

Every chamber board member feels called and privileged to serve our community. We invite you to help us serve you better.

Jean Ross is board chairman of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce