Published March 2002

Sky Valley group’s membership,
boundaries grow

By Kimberly Hilden
Herald Business Journal Assistant Editor

The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce doesn’t stand on ceremony, but it does get the job done.

At a recent general membership meeting, for example, there was no American flag present in which to pledge allegiance. Chamber President Ramona Quesinberry looked around the meeting venue — Skillets Diner in Sultan — saw two crayon drawings of Old Glory hanging from a door frame, and the problem was solved.

Not fancy, but it got the job done, as more than two dozen members and guests put their hands over their hearts and recited the pledge.

And when Quesinberry, now in her second year as chamber head, launched into announcements, it was without the aid of a microphone. Still, her message — that she was talking to other chambers about insurance programs — was heard.

“Hopefully, in the next couple of months I should have information to give to you,” she told the group. “Because I know that’s a big issue in town.”

And not just in the town of Sultan.

The chamber, formerly the Sultan Chamber of Commerce, extended its boundaries last summer when it changed its name to Sky Valley. It now serves Sultan, Index and points east, Quesinberry said.

Over the past few years, membership has been on the rise, she said. The chamber had as many as 85 members at the end of 2001, and with the larger service area, that number could get bigger.

Funded primarily by dues and an annual dinner auction — slated for March 17 this year — the chamber leadership is made up of volunteers. Some time down the road, there may be paid staff, Quesinberry said. For now, it’s not in the budget.

Along with the dinner auction, the chamber’s calendar includes the Sky Valley Community Awards and Random Acts of Kindness Night, a community lip sync contest, a community cleanup day, the Sultan Summer Shindig, which the chamber co-sponsors with the city, and the Winter Fest and Christmas Lighting Contest.

The chamber holds general membership meetings at noon on the first Wednesday of the month. Meeting places vary, as does the format, Quesinberry said.

At some meetings, the chamber invites new businesses to introduce themselves; at others, there’s a scheduled speaker. Sometimes there’s an “open-floor forum” to discuss issues that the chamber would be involved in.

For more information, write to P.O. Box 46, Sultan, WA 98294 or call 360-793-0983.

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