Tulsa Regional Chamber Reaches 2016 Goal
HOLDING THE NUMBERS: Tulsa Regional Chamber staff members and volunteers proudly hold up the total amount raised in the 2016 campaign. From left are Phil Albert, Bill Masterson, Mike Neal, Tom Biolchini, Janet Selser, Matt Newman, Stacey Roggendorff, Aaron Fulkerson, Karen Humphrey, Justin McLaughlin and Jeff Dunn.
Courtesy Tulsa Regional Chamber
More than 120 Tulsa Regional Chamber volunteers raised a significant amount of resources to fund core services for the organization during its 22nd-annual Resource Campaign, which concluded in June.
The 2016 campaign, which supports 30 percent of the chamber’s annual budget, generated $3.62 million, exceeding the goal of $3.3 million and last year’s campaign total of $3.61 million, chamber leaders announced at a victory celebration at the Renaissance Square Event Center. This is the chamber’s third consecutive campaign to exceed the $3.6 million mark.
The campaign consists of more than 120 volunteers who work in corporate teams over 10 weeks to sell sponsorships to the chamber’s programs, meetings, events and publications.
“We congratulate Campaign Chairman Bill Masterson; Chamber Chairman Jeff Dunn; the campaign leadership team; Campaign Executive Director Karen Humphrey; our volunteers for the tremendous work they have put in; Chamber Chair-elect and 2015 Campaign Chair Phil Albert for his continued leadership; and the member companies who continually support the chamber’s mission through sponsorship participation,” said Mike Neal, president and of the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
Jeff Dunn, president of Mill Creek Lumber and Supply Co. and 2016 chamber chairman said, “The funds raised in the Resource Campaign are vital to the programming of the chamber, and the funds are poured back into our region through initiatives dedicated to advancing economic prosperity in northeastern Oklahoma.”
Dunn adds, “Our board members and volunteers have been extraordinary. Despite a very challenging local economy, the results of this campaign speak volumes about the commitment and support from area businesses toward the future growth of our regional economy.”
Revenue generated through the campaign underwrites the chamber’s program of work in the areas of small business and entrepreneurship, education, workforce attraction, advocacy, and member services such as referrals and networking events. It also helps fund the contributions the chamber makes to its regional economic development program, Tulsa’s Future, and to its regional tourism development program, VisitTulsa.
“I would like to thank our amazing volunteers for all of their hard work,” said Bill Masterson, campaign chair and president and publisher of Tulsa World Media Company. “Their dedication is truly remarkable, and because of their effort, the chamber can continue its mission of improving the quality of life in our region.”
The chamber’s fundraising goal of $3.3 million goal was exceeded under the leadership of Masterson, co-chair Tom Biolchini of Valley National Bank, and vice chairs Aaron Fulkerson of Schnake Turnbo Frank, Matt Newman of Covanta Tulsa Renewable Energy, Stacey Roggendorff of Propeller Communications and Janet Selser of Selser Schaefer Architects.
The top producing teams were The Daily Patriot, with team captains Lynda Wingo and Jerry Holder; Jules Newsies, with team captain Julee March; Shirls World – Breaking News, with team captain Shirley Bailey; The Headliners, with team captain Amy Henry; and Extra Extra Read All About It, with team captain Julie Rethmeyer. Top cash producing individuals were Shirley Bailey, John Benjamin, Gary Broom, Ron Brown, Tony Heaberlin, and David Lamb. The overall top cash producer was Mark Poole, president of First National Bank of Broken Arrow.
The Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Resource Campaign is considered a model program by chamber peers and continues to be the second-largest campaign of its kind in the nation, second only to the Chamber of Commerce in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Updated 06-28-2016
READER COMMENTS
