The Chattanooga Chamber’s 12 area councils are the backbone of the Chamber’s volunteer presence – supporting businesses within specific geographic areas of our community.

Area councils provide opportunities for Chamber members to get involved in solving problems, discussing solutions, and supporting civic projects to benefit businesses, schools and other constituencies within each council’s footprint. At monthly meetings, members enjoy networking opportunities and stimulating speakers. Each council serves the unique needs of its membership with its own board, strategic plan, annual budget, programs and initiatives.

Our Chamber’s 12 area councils have accomplished great things over the past fiscal year. The North Chattanooga Council hosted several successful networking events so members could connect. Our International Business Council thrived, engaging members by hosting informative networking meetings that featured some of Chattanooga’s senior leaders and subject-matter experts. The North Hamilton County Council fulfilled all of their board-established goals for the year and hosted their most successful fundraising auction yet to support schools within their footprint.

This year the Ooltewah Collegedale Chamber Council was honored with the coveted “Council of the Year Award.” They created a robust educational sponsorship program to raise over $4,500 for local schools in their footprint. Their board also remained committed to growing successful networking events, offering their members an opportunity to support the council while marketing their companies to other like-minded businesses.

Finally, the council partnered with the Collegedale Public Library to design a survey that would identify the greatest challenges to growing more businesses within their area. This survey found that most small businesses and entrepreneurs needed access to free or low-cost workspaces as well as training programs to develop employees’ soft skills. The Ooltewah Collegedale Council continues to work with the library to develop programs to meet these needs for their member businesses in the near-term.

Walter Lindsay, CEO of Unity One East and the Ooltewah Collegedale Council President, commented on this commendation.

Walter Lindsay, President of the Chamber’s Ooltewah Collegedale area council

TREND: How does it feel to have been named Council of the Year?

Lindsay: It’s a great feeling; it’s an honor to have our team recognized for the hard work and dedication we’ve shown over the past year.

TREND: What does this achievement mean for your community?

Lindsay: Our community has always shown support for our area Chamber council; we believe this achievement will prompt even more business leaders from around the community to join us in our efforts.

TREND: What’s next for the Ooltewah Collegedale council?

Lindsay: We will continue to faithfully serve our great community.

Learn more at ChattanoogaChamber.com/Councils.