Chair Chat

by David Collin, Busy Bees Embroidery

Chamber Chair's Dream (maybe a musing)
Did you ever have a recurring dream about something or someone you are really fond of?

I have had this one dream for years now, maybe 5 or 6 years. I dream that we came up with a philanthropist; we'll call "P" as in short for Philanthropist. Never saw the face; could have been man or woman.

In this daydream, this wonderful person knocks on Jim Wright's door and says, "Jim, I know this is the best and most vibrant chamber in this whole area. You really try to help people get in business, stay in business and do business with other chamber members and other business owners outside the chamber. I know you and your board are trying to help commercial realtors find tenants or new owners for the vacant buildings and storefronts in Kirkwood and Des Peres.

"I know you have a small business week coming up that's got 2 more chambers involved. What an opportunity for everybody involved!

"I know you have more educational programs for your business members than I've ever heard of and more networking opportunities than I could shake a stick at."

Knowing this philanthropist by reputation as a powerful and wealthy businessman and not as a philanthropist, Jim asks, "But how can our Chamber help you?"

"See what I mean?" says "P." "You are always trying to help the people who come through this door."

"You can help me by telling me how I can make a tax free gift with only one string attached. You don't have to name anything after me, I don't want that. But I want the Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce to have its own building, with enough space to lease out and bring in enough money to pay for the physical plant so all members' dues payments can go for member benefits. That would be sweet! And the name across the front of the building would be big and bold, "thechamber.us." And under that; "Kirkwood-Des Peres Area."

Jim smiles and tells him about donations to the Kirkwood Business Development Corporation (KBDC), a community non-profit business development corporation created by the Chamber, and how contributions to the KBDC could be used to purchase a building to house both organizations. "P" hands Jim a check and asks if all those zeroes would cover it.

I don't get Jim's response, because I wake up; The Chamber is still paying rent but we're still the best and most vibrant chamber in the whole area.

If you happen to know who that person might be, please send "P" to Jim's office. Maybe we can live our dream some day.