A group of teens have taken it upon themselves to assist local businesses through a recently formed Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Sportsman’s Holiday Queen Amanda Russell led the creation of the organization, together with Andrea Culy, executive manager of the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce.
“Amanda was volunteering here,” Culy said. “She was helping with Microsoft Publisher, fliers, the Timbergram, things like that.”
They saw an item in the “From Our Files” column in The New Era that referred to the Junior Chamber that existed 50 years ago, and they started discussing the idea of starting a new version of the group.
The original Jaycees were people ages 18 to 40, but Culy and Russell decided to set up a group that would operate like the Sweet Home City Council’s Youth Advisory Council, a committee of youths who act as advisers to the council on youth issues.
It is not affiliated with the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, which still exists as a program for 18- to 40-year-olds.
The two started developing a committee modeled on the chamber board and working out a purpose, Culy said. Most of the members are also on staff at The Huskian, the Sweet Home High School student newspaper. Some are also members of the city’s YAC, the Future Business Leaders of America, Amnesty International and the Watershed Restoration Team. Several are active in sports and church.
The Junior Chamber includes Russell, board president; Vice President Olivia Johnson, Executive Manager Taylar Rodgers, Treasurer Mitchell Garcia; and directors Chris Thompson, Chancee Fuessler, David Rinehardt, Gavin Redick and Jasmine Morris.
One of their main functions is to help out with Photoshop and other publication software, Culy said, but they also are helping to build awareness of local businesses among other young people and promote shopping locally.
Group members wear Junior Chamber T-shirts, each showing a sponsor, while at chamber activities and community events, Culy said. They made their T-shirts with the help of Carla Claasen, former chamber manager who operates Pol E. Wog Graphics.
“What we do is meet every week, 6 o’clock on Mondays,” Culy said. As volunteers, group members are also involved with Chamber and Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort events.
The Sportsman’s Holiday Court attends most of the chamber after-hours events, but the Junior Chamber filled in for the after-hours Welcoming the Holidays event at Foster Lake Campground last month.
With SHARE, the teens were involved in the Warm and Cozy Tour and the bridge lighting on Dec. 19.
Committee members were appointed by chamber president Dave Bauer after applications were reviewed by Bauer, Culy, Sweet Home Junior High Vice Principal Dave Goetz and SHHS PE teacher Chris Hiaasen.
Hiaasen, who has taught business at SHHS, is the Junior Chamber’s high school adviser, Culy said. Bauer is leaving the chamber board, but he will continue working with the Junior Chamber.
“These guys have been seriously high-energy,” Culey said. “They go to everything, and they’ve been involved. The kids have all different ideas. They’re talking about this as a way to do all kinds of events in Sweet Home.”
For more information about the Junior Chamber, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 367-6186.