Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
When Colleen Polk moved to Sweet Home in 2005, she knew where she was going.
“After living in Ventura County (Calif.) all my life, I wanted a change,” she said.
She spent several months pulling up chamber of commerce sites on the Internet, researching communities “from Texas to North Carolina.” The one she ended up being drawn to was Sweet Home.
“I knew this is where I wanted to be, no question about it,” Polk said. “I fell in love with this city the moment I drove through town and I wanted to be part of the community.”
Polk, 48, has been hired as member representative, responsible for recruiting new members to the chamber. She’ll work about 20 hours a month.
Polk started at the chamber, shortly after she arrived, as a volunteer for about 10 months, she said. She had to leave Sweet Home to care for a friend who was ill, but was ready to “take part in the community again” when she returned.
In her first two weeks she has signed up three businesses to join the organization, she said.
“I’m so happy to be back at the Chamber of Commerce and I’m extremely excited to work with (Chamber Director) Carlene Erickson,” Polk said.”
Lerena Ruby, a chamber board member and owner of the Seamingly Creative fabric store, said the board decided to hire someone to help Erickson because Ruby, who chaired the Membership Committee, didn’t have the time to recruit new members, since she works full-time in her store.
She said Polk gives the chamber a face in the community that Erickson, who staffs the office, along with help from volunteers, can’t provide.
“The chamber has a physical presence with her out there,” Ruby said. “She’s not in the office all the time. She’s out so people can see her and know the chamber is here. People are saying things like ‘Oh, is there a chamber? Who’s Carlee (Erickson)?
“I think the physical presence is important. And she hasn’t even been there a month and she’s already brought in several new members.”
Polk said her goal is to “bring the business leaders of our community and our sister city, Lebanon, together, because we do most of our shopping and other errands there.”
She said she’s “excited” about the new businesses that have sprung up recently.
Polk is unmarried and has a son, Ryan, who lives in the Seattle area.
“I’m an empty-nester,” she said.