The mission of the Ames Chamber of Commerce is to provide our members services that strengthen the economic vitality in Ames and enhance the quality of life in our community.

Chamber UpdateOCTOBER 2017

Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market wraps up a successful season at end of October

If you haven’t experienced a Satur-day at the Ames Main Street Farm-ers’ Market yet this season, you’ve missed out. The good news is that

you still have a month to stop down and experience all the local food, produce, music, and family fun the Market has to offer!

The past five months of the market season welcomed beautiful weather, lots of fun, and exceptional attendance every

week. As the air becomes crisp and the leaves continue to change, visitors can look forward to local vendors sharing seasonal favorites such as peppers, car-rots, melons and pumpkins, along with many of their other signature offerings. Don’t miss the homemade pies, caramel apples, baked goods and fall flavors!

In October, the Market will begin one hour later and will be open from 9:00a.m.-12:30p.m.

Weekly entertainment including music and kid’s activities will continue in Octo-ber. The Hovick Petting Zoo will be at the Market October 14th and Joyful Col-orz will provide free face painting on the 7th. The Chili Cook Off contest will also be held October 7th. Music in Octo-ber includes Virginia Creeper, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Mississippi Jake, Ace Jones and Ryan Sheeler. So be sure to stop down to Main Street sometime in Octo-ber - There is always something for the entire family to enjoy at the Market!

The Market is grateful to the follow-ing sponsors who have made this past season possible: Iowa State University, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ames Ford Lincoln, Wells Fargo Bank, Con-verse Conditioned Air, Barilla and Stol-tze & Stoltze Family Denistry. The mar-ket is also supported by the Ames Con-vention & Visitors Bureau Community Grant Program.

To keep up to date on weekly ven-dors, kids’ activities and special events at the Market please bookmark www.AmesMainStreetFarmersMarket.com and become a fan on Facebook (Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market) or follow the Market on Twitter (AmesFarmersMkt).

October Market Hours: Saturdays

9:00a.m.-12:30p.m.

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Chamber Update newsletter is published by the Ames Chamber of Commerce304 Main Street, Ames, IA, 50010;

phone: (515) 232-2310; fax: (515) 233-3203www.ameschamber.com.

Vanessa Baker-Latimer, City of AmesBret Bartholomew, Bartholomew ChiropracticLindsey Beecher, Gilbert Community School DistrictScott Blum, Accord Architecture/Henkel ConstructionNathan Buss - YPA Past President, VisionBankMatt Converse, Converse Conditioned AirLawrence Cunningham, Iowa State Daily Media GroupStacy Dreyer, First National BankNate Easter, ISU Research ParkSara Hunter, Vermeer CorporationLuke Jensen, Real Estate Service Group, Inc.Casey Johnson, Ames Ford LincolnDr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom, Stoltze and Stoltze Family DentistryAndrew Perry, McFarland Clinic, PCCliff Smith - MSCD Past President, Global-VetLinkJason Schwenneker, Renewable Energy GroupTrevin Ward - CAA President Elect, WorkivaJill Wellman, Danfoss

Dave Tucker, Workiva

BOARD MEMBERS

CASEY JOHNSON, Chair of Board of Directors Ames Ford LincolnLUKE JENSEN, Vice Chair Real Estate Service Group, Inc.ANDREW PERRY, 2nd Vice Chair McFarland Clinic, PCSCOTT BLUM, Divisional Chair, Community Development Accord Architecture / HenkelSTACY DREYER, Divisional Chair, Government Affairs & Treasurer First National BankNATE EASTER, Divisional Chair, Membership Iowa State University Research ParkDAVE TUCKER, Immediate Past Chair WorkivaDAN CULHANE, President / CEO Ames Chamber & Economic Development Commission

An inspirational evening w/ musician + founder of The Giving Keys

Caitlin Crosby

Be inspired by her story of growing up in Hollywood, touring and then creating a business that employs

and empowers people transitioning out of homelessness.

Wednesday, Oct. 11th4:30 - 6:30 pm

$40at the Gateway Hotel Garden Room

*includes appetizers, inspiration from a nationally recognized speaker and a free gift!

LEADERSHIPS E R I E S

Attend. Get a Key. Embrace it. Pass it on.

To REGISTER, visit www.ameschamber.com or call 515.232.2310

Thank you to the 2017 Leadership Series Sponsor

CAPSTONE E V E N T

Announcing Our FINAL Leadership Series Event

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

Ames Chamber and Affiliate staff• Dan Culhane, President and CEO

• Sarah Buss, Director, Sponsorship and Membership Events

• Karin Chitty, Campustown Action Association Executive Director

• Edana Delagardelle, Event Coordinator, Main

Street Cultural District

• Brenda Dryer, Director, Workforce Solutions

• John Hall, Director, Business Development & Marketing

• Ron Hallenbeck, Executive Vice President

•Andrea Hammes Dodge, Director, Public Relations

• Cindy Hicks, Main Street Cultural District Executive Director

• Amy Howard, Vice President, Finance & Operations

• Drew Kamp, Director, Business Retention/Expansion

& Government Relations

• Brandon Mumm, Director, External Business Relations

•Lojean Petersen, Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Manager

Vote your Voice: The 2017 City Election is hereGOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Absentee voting for the Novem-ber 7th City Election has yet to begin, but registered voters can request an absentee ballot

at any time, and one will be sent as soon as the Absentee Voting Period begins in late September. Throughout the absentee voting period, voters can also vote at the Auditor’s Office, located at 900 6th Street in Nevada, during their regular business hours of 8:00am-5:00pm. On Election Day (November 7th), the Auditor’s Office will be open from 8:00am-11:00am for registered voters residing in areas where polling site do not open until noon.

For those wishing to submit an absen-tee ballot, an electronic copy of the Absen-tee Ballot Request Form is available via: http://www.storycountyiowa.gov/Docu-mentCenter/View/265. Additional infor-mation on the absentee voting process can be found at: http://www.storycountyiowa.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=42 and https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absentee-info.html. Once submitted, Absentee Bal-lots can be tracked via: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/search.aspx.

Those hoping to submit their bal-lot while serving in the military or over-seas can do so by completing the follow-ing form: https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/fpca2013.pdf. Additional information on the Federal Voting Assis-tance Program is available via: https://www.fvap.gov/.

As of the drafting of this article, polling places for the City Election have yet to be released, but check the Ames Chamber of Commerce website and Weekly Updates for up-to-date listings.

Though absentee ballots are not yet available for the November 7th City Elec-tion, voters can request an absentee bal-lot for the City Election at any time. Once the ballots are ready and available, they will be sent to all individuals who have

requested one, along with instructions for completing the ballot and returning it to the County Auditor.

The final day to request an absen-tee ballot for the City Election is Friday, November 3rd. Absentee ballots received in the mail can be returned by the follow-ing methods:

By mail: the ballot will need to be mailed to the Auditor in the envelope pro-vided with a postmark no later than Mon-day, September 11th for the School Elec-tion and Monday, November 6th for the City Election.

In person: ballots may be delivered to the Auditor’s Office until 8:00pm on either Election Day.

By designee: an individual may des-

ignate someone to mail or deliver their ballot. The instructions included in the Absentee Ballot packet include a receipt for this method. Designees must adhere to the same requirements listed above for returning the ballot by mail or in person.

Those needing to register to vote will need to fill out and submit a Voter Regis-tration Form: http://www.storycountyio-wa.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/270 and return it via mail or direct delivery to the Story County Auditor at 900 Sixth Street, Nevada, IA 50201.

Iowa residents can also register to vote/change their registration online via the fol-lowing link: https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fVoterRegistration.

The registration deadline for the City Election is 5:00pm on Friday, October 27th. Iowa residents can also register to vote on Election Day at their respective polling place via Iowa’s Same Day Regis-tration Law. Registrants will be required to show proof of residence and identity prior to registering. Additional information on Election Day Voting is available via: http://www.storycountyiowa.gov/DocumentCen-ter/Home/View/1393 and https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html.

As engaged and informed residents of Ames and Story County, please take the time to participate in this year’s School and City Elections and empower yourself by voting your voice.

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 INNER CIRCLE SPONSORS

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Chamber to host Coffee with the CityCandidates

Please join your fellow Ames Chamber of Commerce members for an infor-mal, open conversation with Ames Mayor and City Council candidates

from 7:30am-8:30am at the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Details for each event can be found on the Ames Chamber of Commerce website, www.AmesChamber.com. Pastries and coffee will be available free of charge.

The schedule for these events is:

Tuesday, October 10th Ames Mayoral Candidate John Haila

Thursday, October 12th Ames City Council Ward 3 Candidate Rob

Bowers

Wednesday, October 18th Ames City Council At-Large Candidate

Amber Corrieri

Thursday, October 19th Ames City Council Ward 3 Candidate

David Martin

Tuesday, October 31stAmes City Council Ward 1 Candidate Glo-

ria Betcher

Thursday, November 2nd Ames Mayoral Candidate Victoria Szopin-

ski

Ames Mayor and City Council Candidate Forum to be held Oct. 6

On Friday, October 6th from 11:30am-2:00pm at the City Church of Ames-Des Moines, located at 2400 Oakwood

Road, Ames Mayoral Candidates John Haila and Victoria Szopinski, and City Council Candidates Gloria Betcher, Amber Corrieri, Rob Bowers, and David Martin will be featured at the Ames Mayor and City Council Candidate Forum. The Forum will be hosted by KASI, the Ames Tribune, and the Iowa State Daily and presented by the Ames Chamber of Commerce. The event will be broadcast live on 1430 KASI with KASI News Director Trent Rice, Ames Tribune Publisher Scott Anderson, and Iowa State Daily Editor Emily Barske serving as moderators.

As the November 7th City Elec-tion inches closer, this event will provide the candidates an opportunity to address attendees, KASI listeners, and Ames Tri-bune and Iowa State Daily readers in an open forum. It will also be an excellent way to inform voters of their campaign plat-forms and vision for the City of Ames.

The Forum is open to Chamber mem-bers and their guest. The cost of attendance is $10.00 and includes lunch.

If you wish to attend or have any ques-tions regarding the Forum, please contact Drew Kamp at 515-817-6311 or by email at drew@ameschamber.com. If you wish to submit a question, please send it to Drew at the contact information listed above to ensure it is asked at the event.

Finally, the Ames Chamber of Commerce would like to thank to our generous 2017 sponsors:

Taking Leadership Legislative Sponsors

Converse Conditioned AirDes Moines Area Community Col-

legeFirst National BankMidland Power CooperativeRenewable Energy GroupLegislative Lunch SponsorsGreater Iowa Credit UnionHarold Pike ConstructionRoseland, Mackey, Harris Archi-

tectsVenuWorksWorkiva

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

October calendar

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

AEDC: Ames Economic Development Commission • BAH: Business After Hours • CAA: Campustown Action Association • C: Chamber Office • FAW: Friday After Work • L&L: Lunch & Learn • R/C: Ribbon Cutting • YPA: Young Professionals of Ames • YLA: Youth Leadership Ames

Halloween

Columbus Day

11:30 a.m.: Mayor and Council Candidate Forum

7:30 a.m.: Coffee with the Candidate - John Haila (C)

4:30 p.m.: Loya’s Little House Bed & Breakfast (R/C)

AMES

FARMERS’MARKETMAIN STREET

MAIN STREET SATURDAYS FREE FAMILY FUN LIVE MUSIC COOKING DEMOS LOCAL PRODUCE

LASTMONTH OF

THE SEASON!

9am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400

9am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

9am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

9am: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market (300 & 400 blocks Main Street)

4:30 p.m.: Leadership Series Capstone Event

4:30 p.m.: Windsor Oaks Senior Living (R/C)

4:30 p.m.: First Na-tional Bank (BAH)

1 p.m.: Crafts & Draughts (CAA)

7:30 a.m.: Coffee with the Candidate - Rob Bowers (C)

7:30 a.m.: Coffee with the Candidate - Amber Corrieri (C)

7:30 a.m.: Coffee with the Candidate - David Martin (C)

7:30 a.m.: Coffee with the Candi-date - Gloria Betcher (C)

Chamber Board AEDC Board

4:30 p.m.: Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites (C)

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

Coe’s Floral and Gifts 2619 Northridge Pkwy

"

Celebrate with a ribbon cutting

Green Hills Retirement Community 2200 Hamilton Drive #100

If your business has completed a major remodeling project, moved to a new location, changed ownership, or reached a milestone, you need to take advantage of the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting service that brings members and the media to you.

With each Ribbon Cutting, your business will be exposed to the Ames community and Story County. Event photos of your Rib-bon Cutting will be published in the Chamber’s Weekly E-mail Update and the Ames Business Monthly. A Ribbon Cutting is a great way to invite people to your location and showcase your business.

Not only does this opportunity get people to your place of busi-ness, but it offers a unique net-working environment in addition to some great marketing. So what are you waiting for? Contact Brandon Mumm at Brandon@ameschamber.com or call 232-2310, to schedule your Ribbon Cutting today!

RIBBON CUTTINGS

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

Integrity Construction Services 623 E. Lincoln Way

Iowa State Center - Kitchen Remodel 102 Scheman Building

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMBASSADORS

Cindy Albin, Hunziker & Associates

Tess Ashley, Global State Mortgage

Alli Azbill, Global State Mortgage

Don Borcherding, Greater Iowa Credit Union

Steve Bock, RE/MAX Real Estate Center

Bonnie Brown, Global State Mortgage

Adam Brungardt, Americann & County Suites/Ames

Nathan Buss, VisionBank

John Coder, VisionBank

Lisa Downs, EXIT Realty

Stacy Dreyer, First National Bank

Marci Ferguson, Re/MAX Real Estate

Pam Fleener, First National Bank

Teresa Garman, Individual Member Leslie Ginder, ISU LAS Career Services

Shelley Goecke, McFarland Clinic

Colette Gunhus, Keeling Wealth Advisors

Tom Haggas, Cheshire Moon Films

Jeff Harrison, Midwest Heritage Bank

Sherry Hosteng, RE/MAX Real Estate

Ashley Howe, Xpanxion

Sharon Johnson, RE/MAX Real Estate

Michelle King, The Krell Institute

Matt Koehler, Greater Iowa Credit Union

Tony LaRosa, Individual Member

Paul Livingston, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors

Danielle Minde, EXIT Realty

Amanda Moorman, Morgan Stanley

David Orth, Spirited Giving

Matthew Pacha, Hy-Vee Lincoln Center

Mike Peckis, Sam’s Club

Sarah Powers, RE/MAX Real Estate

Tom Randall, Tom Randall Real Estate Team

Tim Rasmussen, Flooring America

Matt Roghair, Exchange State Bank

Dorothy Schumer, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tim Tryon, First National Bank

Daryle Vegge, Ames Morning Rotary

Allyson Walter, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau

Cherie Wandling, Wilson Toyota of Ames

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

Join the Chamber.

Make new con-nections, promote your business, take advantage of profes-sional development programs and more when you join the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Contact Brandon Mumm at (515) 232-2310 for more information on how you or your orga-nization can become a Chamber member.

When you join, here are some of the many benefits you can take advantage of right away.

•Postcouponson our Web site for FREE.

•AttendmonthlyBusiness After Hours, First Shot Sessions, Legislative Luncheons and more for FREE.

•Takeadvantageof reasonably priced ways to promote your business such as ribbon cuttings and mailing labels, just to name a few.

•DiscountedYoungProfessionals of Ames membership (ages 21 to 40).

Welcome, new Ames Chamber members

Thank you to the following members who have donated 10

percent more than their annual dues for Chamber projects:

Because of contributions from mem-bers like these, the Ames Chamber

can maintain a level of excellence in the services we provide. Please note: This represents only a portion of the Chamber’s Gold members. All Gold

members will be listed one time during the year.

M E M B E R S

C H A M B E R

3M

Bethany Life

Converse Conditioned Air

Fast Signs

Iowa State University

Kasperbauer Cleaners Inc.

Kevin Kimle - Individual

Members 1st Credit Union

Renewable Energy Group

Tasteful Dinners / Tasteful Catering

The Grove at Ames

Century 21 Signature Real Estate, located at 1615 Golden As-pen Dr, #104, is driven by the goal to be the most admired real estate company in central Iowa for our exceptional client services, unrivaled professionalism, and world class marketing innovations. For more information, please visit www.iowa21.com or call 515.233.2623

Towne Place Suites by Marriott Ames, located at 1532 S Dayton, is an extended stay hotel where you can balance work and life with the comfort, flexibility and affordability you require. Relax and feel at home with a fully equipped kitchen and high-speed Internet access. Stop in anytime or call 515.232.5500 when seeking your next overnight room or meeting space needs.

Neighbors Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, provides heating, cooling, plumbing, geothermal & radon testing and mitigation for their clients. For over 25 years, they’ve provided the highest quality of products, along with professionally trained expert service technicians to deliver great value. Visit them at 2700 Graham St., www.neighborscom-fort.com, or call 515.232.7777 for more information.

Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa, has been serving central Iowa communities since 1955. Serving 22 counties and 19 retail stores, they improve the quality of life for all individuals by providing skills training and assist those needing employment. Goodwill reinvests .88 of every dollar back into programs & training. For more information, visit them at 3718 Lincoln Way or call 515.292.8454.

Shelly Billings, Individual Member

Gina McAndrews, Individual Member

Brandi Nelson, Individual Member

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

IowaWORKS 2017 Story County Career Fair

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS

IowaWORKS Central Iowa is holding a Career Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the

Ames Public Library.

IowaWORKS 2017 Story County Career Fair

Wednesday, Sept. 27

10 a.m. to NoonAmes Public Library515 Douglas Ave, Ames

More than 20 top employers represent-ing a wide variety of industries will be available to meet with job seekers to dis-cuss current job openings in fields such as

health care, finance, education and manu-facturing.

Job seekers should bring copies of their resume and be prepared to meet a future employer.

Prior to attending the career fair, job seekers interested in receiving free resume and interviewing help should contact the

IowaWORKS office at 515-725-3611. The office is located at 430 E. Grand Ave. in Des Moines.

Employers interested in participating in the career fair should call IowaWORKS at 515-664-9254 or email the career fair coor-dinator at asgdish.fellake@iwd.iowa.gov.

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

Young Professionals of Ames

Get involved with Young Professionals of Ames for opportunities to build and foster relationships though:

•Leadership development•Professional development•Community Outreach•Cultural and social opportunities

Visit www.ypames.com to learn more

and join us!

2017 YPA Board

Thank you to our 2017 YPA sponsors

Ames Ford LincolnFirst National BankGlobal Reach Internet ProductionsHunziker & Associates,

RealtorsISU MBAKingland SystemsMary Greeley Medical CenterMunn LumberNorth Grand MallStory ConstructionVisionBankHy-VeeConverse Conditioned Air

Connect with YPAVisit www.ypames.com for upcom-

ing events, committee openings and volunteer opportunities.

Jessica Mortvedt, President, Haverkamp Properties

Nathan Buss, Past-President, VisionBank

Taylor Hopper, President-Elect, Fox Engineering

Charmian Stewart, Hilton Gar-den Inn

Heather Johnson, Octagon Cen-ter for the Arts

Nikki Mesenbrink, Friendship Ark Homes & Community Services

Jason Mortvedt, Kinzler Con-struction

Bri Anderson, Ames Public Library

Justin Moorman, Moorman Clothiers

Melissa Muschick, Heuss PrintingMegan Filipi, Ames Convention &

Visitors BureauChamber Liaison/Staff: Sarah

Buss, Ames Chamber of Commerce

Young Professionals of Ames has partnered with The United Way of Story County for the backpack program! This program provides food and hygiene prod-ucts to 252 elementary children in need throughout the Story County area. Every month the YPA will collect enough travel sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodor-ant, tooth paste, and toothbrushes to pro-vide these children with these necessities.

If you would like to contribute travel sized toiletries, please drop off any of the items to the following locations through end of October:

The Ames Chamber of Commerce 304 Main Street Ames, IA 50010

Haverkamp Properties4720 Mortensen road Suite 105Ames, IA 50014Friendship Ark Homes & Community

Services130 S. Sheldon ave.Ames, Iowa 50014

Backpack Program

Young Professionals of Ames packaged 71 bags of toiletry items during month of August to be delivered to local elementa-ry students in need.

Totally Rad 80’s Prom Gone Bad: A Night of Mullets and Mystery

Date: Friday October 13thLocation: Hilton Garden Inn, AmesMembers will enjoy a night of Mullets

and Mystery.For more information please visit the

YP Ames website at www.ypames.com and go to the events page.

Totally Rad 80’s Prom Gone Bad!!

Get Involved!

Lunch and Learns: Young Professionals of Ames has a long-standing history of quality lunch and learn sessions for members to take part in. Combining networking time with a topic of interest means members can maximize their lunch hour.In July, Terry Stark, Owner of Chocolaterie Stam Ames spoke to Young Professionals of Ames for our July Lunch & Learn about how to create winning teams. Terry shared how he trains and organizes teams for success. And of course, he shared some amazing chocolates for us to eat!

Thursday After Work events: or ThAWs are YPA socials held monthly at a Chamber business where members and non-members can meet each other and network, as well as enjoy some free appetizers! We will hold a prize drawing at every ThAW this year for those in attendance. Are you feeling lucky?

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

MAIN STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT

Ames tech company uses volunteerism to build positive workplace culture and benefit community

A small tech company in Ames has found a way to create a positive workplace culture that not only retains the best employees, but

also benefits the entire community. It’s done through volunteerism and is a con-cept that starts with the top management.

Leading by example is one way Cliff Smith, CEO of GlobalVetLINK (GVL) and past president of the Main Street Cul-tural District (MSCD), creates the type of workplace culture which helps his com-pany keep employees happy. Smith, rec-ognized in September with the Iowa Gov-ernor’s Volunteer Award, knows happy employees are engaged employees, and engaged employees are essential to the success of GVL.

Smith was nominated for the Gover-nor’s Volunteer Award for his work with the MSCD. He has dedicated over 100 hours a year, for the past three years, serv-ing the nationally-accredited program ded-icated to economic development, historic preservation, and beautification of down-town Ames.

“Cliff has demonstrated significant leadership for the local program and down-town revitalization effort,” said Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa State Coordina-tor. “I specifically thought of Cliff for the

award for his leadership and personal and professional investment of his time, tal-ents, and resources.”

For fifteen years Smith has donated his skills and experiences to help others start and grow their own business. But it isn’t about money, it’s about the impact a new business can have on a community.

“It is about creating opportunities for people to impact the lives of others either economically through job creation, or socially through a new experience,” Smith said.

By helping create a better community, Smith feels he helps create a better place for his employees to live, work, and play.

In 2014, GVL established a “Cultur-al Committee” consisting of employees wanting to help improve the moral and culture of GVL. Initially, this group’s focus was on organizing team-building events and social events like bowling and a day at a minor league baseball game.

But it wasn’t long before the commit-tee proposed that employees be organized in to teams that would spend half to a full work day volunteering outside the office, at local charities. It was an idea quickly embraced by the management.

“We discovered that we had an affinity to want to help and that doing this together

enabled us to form bonds we weren’t able to form at the bowling alley or in the office working together,” said Smith. “Today the employees encourage each other to get involved in a number of ways.”

The time spent volunteering can be in large or small blocks of time, but the teams are encouraged to do the volunteer activity together. Volunteer activities ranged from Habitat for Humanity and toy drives to making blankets at the office to donate to Blank Children’s Hospital.

“It just seems that the kind of peo-ple who choose to work at GVL have a desire to help,” said Smith. “This desire is engrained in our culture and core values.”

Research confirms what GVL has seen first-hand: A work atmosphere with good culture and employee “happiness,” is linked to an increase in employee engage-ment and retention, and as a result, an increase in profits.

“Happy employees tend to be better performers and have higher productiv-ity than less happy employees,” said Dr. Melissa Chamberlin, Assistant Professor of Management, Iowa State University. “They are more likely to engage in cre-ative thinking and apply a broader range of ideas or solutions to issues that arise in the workplace.”

Dr. Chamberlin also says happy employees help companies they work for stay novel, relevant and adaptive within their respective industries. A 2017 Gal-lup Poll, State of the American Workplace, backs this up, finding happy workers are absent from work 41 percent less and are 17 percent more productive. The survey showed businesses that did the best job of engaging employees and keeping them happy had 21 percent greater profitability and 20 percent higher sales.

The Gallup Poll also shows businesses that operate like GVL have an easier time keeping employees, with 59 percent less turnover.

“Employee engagement makes it less likely that employees will quit their jobs, reducing the costs associated with recruit-ing, hiring, and training new employees,” Dr. Chamberlin said.

And while 51 percent of American companies have this problem, it is almost non-existent for GVL. The company has very little turnover, which Smith attributes, in part, to the company’s “people” philoso-phy. His employees agree.

“GVL is very involved in the well-being of their employees, and always do right by people,” said Christian Hempen, GVL employee. “Personal development goals are of the utmost importance, and achievement of those goals is celebrated. GVL gives you all the tools that you need to be successful.”

Other employees use words like “col-laborative” and “passionate” to describe the culture at GVL. They work hard, they have fun, and the result has spilled over into the community of Ames through the volunteerism of GVL employees. Some promote events like a blood drive and ask for volunteers, some get involved with programs like Leadership Ames or Main Street Cultural District, while others cre-ate teams to participate in charitable events like Race for the Cure. GVL also allows employees to use its meeting facilities to host leadership, planning, and commit-tee meetings for community, religious and charitable causes.

“It is all about the people,” Smith said. “We provide people an opportunity to do what they love and love what they do.”

Global VetLINK employees at Young Professionals of Ames event Cliff Smith, CEO of GlobalVetLINK

AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OCTOBER 2017

CAMPUSTOWN ACTION ASSOCIATION

ART CLASSES

PAINT YOUR OWN POTTERY

WALK-IN CRAFTS

event calendar @ workspace.mu.iastate.eduopen to everyone

find us in the east basement

Campustown Gets Crafty

The second annual Crafts & Draughts in Campustown is sched-uled for Saturday, October 7th from 1-6PM. The event will fea-

ture crafting projects led by staff from The Workspace. “We are so lucky to have Leti-tia and her group leading the crafts. “This is what they love to do…and it shows.” said Karin Chitty, director of the Campus-town Action Association. The Workspace, located in the Iowa State Memorial Union, offers classes to students, faculty and staff at ISU as well as members of the communi-ty over the age of 16. Their art studios have something for everyone and they feature a new walk-in craft every month. There will be a variety of crafting projects for all ages at this year’s Crafts & Draughts.

The event will take place in the 200 block of Welch Avenue in Campustown Ames. There will also be live music

throughout the afternoon. Jason Walsmith will play from 1-3PM and Brian Congdon will take the stage from 3-6PM. Both art-ists have a big following in Ames and the surrounding communities. This is a great chance to hear them for free. Campustown food vendors will have delicious eats avail-able for purchase. You might even find a few free samples if you get there early on. A beer garden featuring local craft brews will round out the offerings at this year’s event.

“Last year’s event was very well received”, states Chitty. “We will be bring-ing back a few favorites, but we’ve also tried to incorporate new ideas. We think Crafts & Draughts 2017 will be even bet-ter.”

The event is free and open to the public. Watch the Campustown Action Associa-tion Facebook page for updates and sneak peeks.

SSMID Informational Meeting September 28th

There will be an informational meeting regarding the proposed Campustown SSMID (Self Supported Municipal Improvement District) held on Thursday, September 28th at 4PM in the Campustown Action Association’s office, located at 119 Stanton #602. The meeting is open to the public and all Campustown property owners are encouraged to attend. Contact Karin Chitty at director@amescampustown.com for more information.