April 2007 Message from the President

MEMBERSHIP. As we close the first quarter of 2007 it certainly is a topic that continues to spring up in our meetings and board discussions. One of our greatest assets is the resources, energy and brotherhood of our members. We appreciate your participation and support of the Chamber and look forward to continuing to build it. Membership applications and renewals continue to pour in, and as our numbers increase, so does our strength as an organization.

In strategic alliances we can be a stronger voice and bigger presence when seeking opportunity. Our corporate partners, tribal resources and municipality alliances watch this growth and become more engaged as we become bigger and more powerful.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Reservation Economic Summit presented by the National Center for American Indian enterprise Development (NCAIED). There were more than 2,000 people there including significant corporations. NCAIED works hard for its Native businesses and in turn can leverage it’s size and reach with corporate diversity programs and federal aid programs.

Let’s continue to look at strength in numbers. I believe it will bring us opportunity and possibility. We are currently in the process of planning our next mixer. Watch for those details soon.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our Chamber and your commitment to Native American business opportunities. Together we will develop value, partnership and growth.

President of the Board, AICC
Patty Dimitriou