Chamber exceeds $3 million in Resource Campaign

6.17.2011
Sponsorships and memberships sold to support Chamber initiatives and programs

Chamber staff gathered with campaign volunteers and sponsors Thursday night at the Tulsa Country Club to celebrate the end of its 10-week Resource Campaign and announce the final total- over $3 million dollars. 

Twenty-nine corporate teams consisting of 180 volunteers sold 1,264 sponsorships to the Chamber’s programs, meetings, events and publications- raising $3,071,238 to support 25 percent of the Chamber’s annual budget.

“Each year, the campaign reports significant revenue growth--all of which is returned to the Chamber’s members and the community in the form of economy-building initiatives,” said Becky J. Frank, chairman and CEO of Schnake Turnbo Frank PR, campaign chair and chair-elect of the Chamber. “Now in its 17th year, the continued growth of the campaign is sustained directly through the positive return on member’s investments and dedicated volunteers.”

The revenue generated 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 funds the contributions the Chamber makes to its regional economic development program, Tulsa’s Future, and to its regional tourism development program, VisitTulsa.

“Investment in the chamber’s program of work remains high,” said Dr. Gerard Clancy, president of OU-Tulsa and chair of the Chamber. “As the economy continues to grow, no one is expecting the chamber to do less, but in fact the chamber is seeking ways to do more.”

The chamber’s 3,100 members include businesses and organizations from 72 communities throughout the 10-county metropolitan area and the state of Oklahoma. Tulsa is a chamber industry-leader with an 82 percent member retention rate and is ranked among the top 15 chambers in the nation.

Matt Pivarnik, executive vice president of the Chamber, says the campaign is considered a top model program by chamber peers and is among the top five in the nation- further proving its ability to make a change in the Tulsa metro.

“What volunteers accomplished this year means the chamber can provide more programs and services to help business, or lobby for a greater return on tax dollars, or do more to improve the quality of life for our families,” said Pivarnik.

The Chamber’s Resource Campaign remains the second largest of its kind in the nation. The Charlotte, NC, Chamber is the largest.

“We are overwhelmed by the response and support from this regional business community,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Chamber. “This is obviously an enormous vote of confidence in the chamber’s strategic direction established by our board of directors and the extraordinary work being conducted by the professional staff and civic volunteers. This financial support provides the opportunity to examine new and better ways to continue to support the growth and development of this community.”

The original $2.6 million goal was clearly surpassed, much in thanks to the wonderful leadership, including co-chair Mike Thornbrugh, manger of government and public affairs of QuikTrip Corp. and vice chairs Wade Edmundson, Summit Bank; Shane Fernandez, Crafton Tull; Kirk Hayes, Arvest; and Bruce Heine, Magellan Midstream Partners.

“The volunteers were rock stars, especially our top cash producer, Shirley Bailey of Bama Companies and Lynda Wingo of Miss Helen’s Private School, our top overall producer,” said Karen Humphrey, director of the resource campaign and affinity programs for the Chamber. “A big thanks goes to everyone involved, it was an incredible 10 weeks. The Tulsa Rocks Gold Record Campaign was a wonderful success, now it’s time to relax in Barbados.”

For more information on the campaign or to get involved for next year’s campaign, please contact Karen at karenhumphrey@tulsachamber.com or 918.560.0250.


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