Dear Chamber Supporters,
Makayla and I left town last Friday at the perfect time with lousy weather in Ottawa and much of eastern Kansas/western Missouri. We slid right by the storms with only a few minutes of sprinkles along the way. That was followed up by a lineup of beautiful days while in Branson, Missouri, this past week. We treated ourselves to some shopping, dining, and of course, a round of minigolf while in town. Along with some must-visit places in Branson like Dick’s 5&10, we also always spend a few hours at a hole-in-the-wall board game café, where I get to read up on all the instructions of a new game before attempting to relay it all to Makayla before we play together. We always have such a good time together while we’re away, but always end up getting a little homesick on the tail end of every trip. I’ll share more about my conferences out of town this week, but something that happens each year I’ve had the opportunity to do activities out of town/state is how much I love living and working in our town/county. As I speak with other communities of all sizes, demographics, and amenities, I still look forward to coming back home―something special about little ol’ Ottawa!
Lessons from MAKO Chamber Conference
The real reason we were in Branson was that I got to participate in a four-state-wide conference with chamber leaders from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma (MAKO) on Monday-Wednesday of this past week. This is an excellent opportunity to come alongside other cities in Kansas and learn from each other in more ways than one―with people who really understand the nature of Chamber work (picture of us Kansans here). I always walk away with a few nuggets of beneficial information. Whether it’s useful right now or an idea I can pocket for the future, there is so much wisdom in the room at any given point that it’s impossible not to learn something through the three days.
It can also bring quite a bit of perspective as we talk through challenges we all face and ways we’ve addressed issues related to our organizations―or community-wide issues that the Chamber plays a part in solving with other community leaders. I had many conversations with Chambers much larger than our own; often, they have a bigger tax base, more citizens, more members, and more staff, which does not equate to fewer problems. But even with the size difference, the things that they are working on often correlate to things that our community is addressing in just a slightly different way.
The joy of networking always makes me wish we did more events with surrounding communities, as there is so much strength in numbers. One event that we have participated in historically, happens to be right around the corner. There will be a multi-chamber gathering that Ottawa Chamber members are invited to on June 4th at the Hillsdale Lake Marina. I’ll have more details soon, but it looks like six or seven other Chambers in the Miami, Johnson, and Franklin County communities coming together for an informal evening at the lake. With no real agenda other than connecting people across our counties who might not otherwise interact with one another. There will be drinks, food, and some prizes for those in attendance. It should be great fun; I hope you’ll reserve that weeknight if you can!
Wrapping up Healthy Change – Pathways Grant
After returning Wednesday evening, I had the privilege to attend the last day of another conference in Lawrence with our Kansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Grant Coalition group, led by Sheila Robertson. This gathering coincides with the end of the four-year grant program that our community and many others in the state received. These funds directly impact our area and have been able to make a real difference. This funding locally was used to create initiatives towards healthy eating, address food deserts, and make bikes available on OU’s campus, to name a few. I shared a few months ago in this column about the funds that the Chamber received from this grant program that will go directly to further leadership development and sustainability. The Chamber’s mission to improve the overall quality of life in our region pairs up with the work that is done through these opportunities―I’m proud to be included in the coalition! It’s been a very successful programming phase, and all of these initiatives are still moving forward even after funding ceases at the end of this year (which is often the hardest part). I am anxious to see if Franklin County will be able to be a recipient for the upcoming phase, expanding on our previous success.
Sheila Robertson and Donald Anderson were able to sit on a panel for this conference, discussing the programs implemented on Ottawa University's campus (pictures here). Healthy transportation through biking and healthy food options are only possible through the collaboration between this opportunity and the staff at the university. This partnership and many others are great examples of how working together can create resounding results. It also is great to be recognized at this level for the success that has been seen. Good job you two!
Academic Achievements and Alums
Last night, I was able to gather with other OU alums on campus, along with over two hundred soon-to-be grads (pictures here). This Saturday, the most recent wave of students, both undergraduate and graduate degrees will walk across the stage, celebrating their academic accomplishments. This reception had several purposes; it gave OU staff a chance to hand out pertinent information to those graduating on Saturday, and professional headshots were available for those needing one. From an alum standpoint, those in attendance could reunite with one another but also mingle with soon-to-be alums. This was the first go around for an evening like this, and I think it went splendidly. I had great conversations with students whose aspirations varied; some looked forward to continuing with more education, while others had jobs lined up across the region.
It's hard to believe that five years ago I was in their shoes (for the first time around anyways). Time has gone so fast! I look forward to more opportunities to get the Chamber and Ottawa community incorporated into student life. I have high hopes that we can continue to build on the current momentum and connect this educated workforce with employers in our area―once they graduate, but also while they’re still in school. Congrats to all those graduating and all OU employees who have earned their summer break!
Meet Tiffany Luapula - Great Southern Bank
This morning, we welcomed the new Banking Center Manager for Great Southern Bank, Tiffany Luapula (pictures here). Tiffany joins our community from southwest Missouri, where she has lived and worked for much of her life, having done several roles but most recently moving up through the banking chain of command. Having started as a Teller for Great Southern Bank, she has since been promoted three times, now having the opportunity to lead our branch here in Ottawa. She and her husband moved to Baldwin just last week and are jumping into the community with full force. She said that she looks forward to being exposed to events, other businesses, and organizations in town to see how Great Southern Bank can partner. As a company, Great Southern has 91 locations in total and has just hit their 100-year anniversary. Having started this branch in 07, they have a history of helping groups with their banking needs for some time. We’re lucky to have such great banking partners throughout our community, and Tiffany is a super addition to that list.
I commend her bravery in moving to a new area for this opportunity and I look forward to seeing how the Chamber can support her and her institution. After our Coffee this morning, I was able to chat with Tiffany briefly, and I feel compelled to share what she told me. I’ll preface by saying that I’m not one to take the spotlight from our members, but I’ve been given permission to share, and I want to share because I was genuinely touched.
Tiffany mentioned that she was pretty nervous about moving to this area because she was leaving all of her family behind in southwest Missouri. She didn’t know anyone before coming to town and starting this role, which was intimidating. But the Chamber has relieved those anxieties. Through conversations with Chamber staff (Ryland and Sherri) and other Chamber members, she’s felt so welcomed―and feels like she’s been able to just hop right in and be accepted.
This is an incredibly kind thing to say, and it makes me proud that our organization helps others. It also highlights the culture of our business community, which is made up of you! I appreciate Tiffany sharing, as this means a whole lot to me and our organization. It’s amazing what a group of community-minded individuals can do together.
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This weekend is city-wide garage sale days in Ottawa. Big shoutout to the Ottawa Recreation Commission for putting together this great map of participating households in town (view that here). Also, another reminder that OU graduation means many new families will be in town, with busier roads, busier wait times for dinner, and any other marginal inconveniences―I hope we can all be great hosts and share why our community is so grand!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
