Brooklyn's Progress
July 2003

By Khadija Batuta

The Brooklyn Chamber’s 2003 membership acquisition efforts were jump-started with the Annual Membership Drive/Phone Campaign, which was held on May 20-21.  This event was a way to get Members focused on the Brooklyn Chamber’s ongoing goal of strengthening the organization through the acquisition of new Members and increasing their participation.

There were several changes made with this year’s Phone Campaign, including a shorter schedule to support busy volunteers who participated off-site, as well as marketing tools developed by the Brooklyn Chamber.

“We have had a positive experience with this year’s acquisition efforts.  I sought to provide our volunteers with enhanced tools to meet the task at hand,” explained Cheryl Mann, director of membership for the Brooklyn Chamber.  “And, we are looking to our Members – both new and long-standing – to work with the Brooklyn Chamber as we all strive to make the Drive a continued success.”

This year’s volunteers participated through teams from Independence Community Bank and Citibank plus individuals from HSBC, COJO and other groups.

This year Independence Community Bank came out ahead as the winner of the Team Grand Prize with a total of 19 new members, as well as the Individual Grand Prize going to Dianne Gartelman.  Ms. Gartelman helped to bring in 16 new Members for her team.  She will be heading off to sunny Las Vegas, for 12 days accompanied by her college-bound son to celebrate both of their achievements.
 
Ms. Gartelman is a 26-year veteran and Vice President/ Branch Manager for Independence Community Bank’s branch at 86th Street in Bensonhurst.

“I’m really glad that as a team we were able to do as well as we did. I found it to be a lot of fun and easier than I thought it would be.  I was really happy to help out,” Ms. Gartelman said.  She is already strategizing for next year and believes that preparation is key to success.

“I signed up new Members as I was doing my courtesy business calls.  I would say about 99 percent of the new Members I signed up were customers of mine.  Next year I think I would want to start preparing earlier,” Ms. Gartelman said.

Other front-runners were V.R. Small of Small Industries/BEBWA with six new Members and Loretta Mathushek of HSBC who signed up five new Members.

Several Members supported the Phone Campaign by graciously donating prizes and gifts for those who participated on-site.  Volunteers signed up new Members using the fun and colorful pens donated by Ralph Gellman of Harvey Products. 

Carole O'Donnell and Lois Colin of Astroland Park, rated one of the top Thrill Parks in the world, donated free admission tickets that were awarded to volunteers of the Independence Community Bank for being the first team to arrive on opening day.

Sidra Berman and Kathleen Nelson, of the Independence team, shared a beautiful mixed fruit basket from Chamber Member Joan Boragi of Flowers by Boragi.

For their efforts, the Brooklyn Chamber  staff enjoyed a gift basket of delectable goodies from Fred and Tara Powell of Barbara’s Flower Shop. 

Grand Prize Winner Dianne Gartelman received a Verizon Bonus Certificate for two to the New York Comedy Club, in addition to an amazing towering mixed fruit basket donated by John Boutsis of Orchid Florist, for bringing in the most new Members on the phones on opening day. 

And, of course, many thanks go to KeySpan Corporation for hosting the event at their headquarters at One Metrotech.

The Brooklyn Chamber thanks all the volunteers who participated in various ways in this year’s Membership Drive/Phone Campaign. 

“It is this type of concerted group effort from our Members that will help us to reach our goal of over 500 new Members in 2003,” Cheryl said.  “I invite all interested Members, new and venerable, to join our Membership Committee or to contact me directly with your ideas on how you can help us continue to build this great organization,” she added.

The new Members, who represent various types of businesses from across the borough, are excited and full of enthusiasm.  The Brooklyn Chamber staff always looks forward to meeting them at monthly Business After Hours events, as well as other Brooklyn Chamber activities.