also have a strong connection with the City . Board Chair Rich Firato and I meet monthly with Mayor Tate and City Manager Christina Turner . The collaboration between local government and community organizations over the last year has grown exponentially .”
Horner noted that while the Chamber is about 90 percent small businesses ( less than 50 employees ), the majority of the City ’ s large businesses are also members . Roughly 50 percent of operating funds come from member dues and advertising revenues , and the balance comes from annual events .
Horner is also Board Vice Chair of the Silicon Valley Chamber Coalition , which represents 18 chambers from San Francisco to Hollister that meet bimonthly to share information and best practices regarding issues of education , housing , land use , regulatory environment and transportation .
“ It ’ s good for South County to be aware and have a voice in what ’ s happening up north and throughout our region ,” Horner said .
Honoring Community Servants
Last month , the Chamber hosted its 60th Annual Celebrate Morgan Hill event at the Britton Middle School gym . Attendees filled the gym decked out in their “ Prom Night ” finery in a nod to the event ’ s theme .
“ It ’ s the longest-running awards program in Morgan Hill ,” Horner said . “ The community-at-large nominates the candidates , and winners from the past five years make the final selections . Our city has amazing people who go above and beyond , year after year . This year we honored Kathy and Brian Sullivan as Woman and Man of the Year ; our first married couple to capture the well-deserved honors .”
Tapping Into Talent
The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is guided by a 14-member board representing large and small business , education , local agencies , and the hospitality industry .
According to Firato , “ As a board , we don ’ t want to waste anyone ’ s time . Everyone is busy . We leverage our individual talents and passions . This is what makes serving on the board enjoyable and motivates people to do their best .”
“ So , for example , Mark Phillips brings his professional expertise in the resorts and tourism industry ,” Firato said . “ Diana Wood used her skill as a motivational speaker and executive development coach in co-chairing Rock the Mock this year . Ken Murray ’ s putting his tech industry background to work in leading our government relations committee .”
Firato has been involved with the Chamber since 2009 , and he led the decision to hire John Horner as President and CEO .
“ John is passionate about education . He spearheaded the Rock the Mock program which has been a huge success in preparing students for the job interview experience .”
Firato ’ s passion for music is the driving force behind the Friday Night Music series , which regularly attracts some 2,000 visitors into downtown Morgan Hill for live music , dancing , refreshments and lots of socializing .
“ It ’ s become like a ‘ little Shoreline Amphitheater ,’” Firato said . “ There ’ s no other venue like our Downtown Amphitheater in South County . Regional bands can play for their fans . Local vendors can promote their goods . Kiwanis donates proceeds from food sales to our schools . Leadership Morgan Hill installed the amphitheater lights . Volunteers love to come and pour wine . Everyone gets involved .”
Board member Sunday Minnich serves as the organizer for the Annual Taste of Morgan Hill and Car Show , held the last weekend in September . It is now in its 29th year .
Networking and New Ideas
The Chamber ’ s Member and Community Relations Director is Brittney Sherman . As a former sales director for Marriott Hotels , she not only brings a strong hospitality industry background to her role , but she ’ s a savvy communicator and marketer . She also worked for Frank Léal during his renovation of the Granada Theater .
“ We ’ re fortunate that Morgan Hill is a very sharing community ,” Sherman said . “ Our long-time members show up to our mixers and ribbon cuttings . They know new members really need to network . We help small companies with resources and referrals . Large companies like to send their new employees to Chamber meetings and encourage them to volunteer at our events . It ’ s a great way to help them connect with our local community .”
Keen to attract more Millennials to community engagement , Sherman spearheaded a joint effort of the Morgan Hill and Gilroy Chambers of Commerce to launch the South County Young Professionals Network ( SCYP ’ N ).
“ SCYP ’ N took hold quickly ,” Sherman said . “ We have members from Morgan Hill , Gilroy and Hollister so there ’ s a regional focus now and we ’ re getting involved in a variety of activities .”
Sherman sits on a working committee to support the Amgen Tour of California ’ s one-day event in Morgan Hill .
“ We ’ re exploring lots of opportunities for the entire community to engage with this event . Things like Bike to Work and Bike to School activities , a ‘ Specialized Village ’ in the Downtown Amphitheater , a movie night , and a bike ride through our local wine country .”
Last August , Sherman joined City Councilwoman Caitlin Robinett Jachimowicz , community leader Cecelia Ponzini , and others in launching , Women ’ s Week . The six-day event highlighted the work of women in our community and honored their accomplishments .
“ We had a film screening , a panel of women leaders , and other activities each day ,” Sherman said . “ It was so well received we decided to make it an annual tradition , and the city declared August 21-27 annual Women ’ s Week in Morgan Hill .”
Mellea McLaughlin is Director of Publications at the Morgan Hill Chamber . She manages the Chamber website , newsletter , social media and helps with event organization .
In 1996 , McLaughlin , a native of Texas and former U . S . Army Sergeant , moved to Morgan Hill with her husband where she focused on raising their four children and got involved volunteering at the Chamber ’ s Friday Night Music Series .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN APRIL / MAY 2018 gmhtoday . com
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