Ambassadors

The Chamber’s Ambassador Program is comprised of business professionals who support the Chamber’s mission. Ambassadors act as voluntary liaisons between the Chamber and its membership (i.e. ribbon cuttings, etc).

Those interested in joining the Ambassador program should fill out the membership application on the right side of this page. Applications are forwarded to Aimee Thurner. If you have any questions regarding your application, contact Aimee Thurner at [email protected] or 608-313-1367.

Content Index:

• 2017 Officers
• A Brief History
• Ambassador Club Purpose & Structure
• Membership Requirements
• Ambassador Committee Descriptions
• Past / Present Ambassador’s of the Year
• Past & Present Officers – Merged Ambassadors

2017 Officers

Chair	Nikkie Chadwick
Past Chair	Jim Spude
Vice Chair	Michelle Matthys
Secretary	Nancy Heidt
Treasurer	Greg Behl
At Large	Cathy Winford
At Large	Brooke Virgin

2014 Ambassador of the Year

Marcy Berner Reedy

 As a lifelong Beloiter, seems I have always been a “cheerleader” for this community, and as such, being involved with Ambassadors was a chance to fulfill that role for the Chamber. I began as a member of the Diplomats (female sector of the Chamber), Chaired that organization, and along with Al Bach, (Ambassador Supreme at that time) we successfully worked for the merging of both groups.

Serving as the Executive Director of the Beloit Meals On Wheels program for 25 years, I also had the opportunity to serve as President of the state organization, and currently serve on the Meals On Wheels Association national board.

Locally, it has been my pleasure to serve on the Crimestoppers Board (chair), Red Cross Board, Friends of the Riverfront Board (president), and the Zonta Club of Beloit as well as volunteering for Girls Who Rock.

Currently, I am supporting the United Way Blackhawk Region as a member of the Campaign Cabinet.

I am married to husband, Don, and we have 2 adult children and their spouses, and two adorable grandchildren!

A Brief History

The Ambassadors Action Club was started in 1967 and was the brain child of Chamber executive Art Swindell. Art felt that a way was needed to show business people that their presence was appreciated. Larry Raymer was handed the task of organizing the club and recruiting like-minded friends to wear the red blazer and be cheerleaders for the good happenings in the business community. The Ambassadors Action Club was an all male, informal affiliate of the Chamber. The club held monthly meetings at the former Rocco’s Supper Club on Gardner Street in South Beloit. Meetings were held at this location for 31 years. Faithful and long-time Ambassador Roy Barraco named the meeting place the Ambassador Room which included assorted club memorabilia.

In 1972 three energetic women decided that the men should not have all of the fun and glory of being a red coat. Marge Van Galder, Marie Babler and Christie Thomsen formed the Diplomats which was the all-female counterpart to the Ambassadors Action Club. The Diplomats worked on beautification projects, organized Rural Urban Days, cooperated with Rock County Homemakers and conducted orientation festivities for new teachers in the community in cooperation with Beloit College.

The Chamber affiliation of both groups was informal. It was felt the groups should be an “arm” of the Chamber and to effectively accomplish this a merger of the two groups was necessary. After “gentle persuasion” failed, the Chamber leadership decided that the merger was not optional. A joint committee rewrote bylaws and set a time table for the merger.

The new club was formed in 1999 and took the name the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club as it is known today. The purpose of the new Ambassador Club is to communicate and promote the mission, goals and programs of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce to area businesses and professional people and to help in the planning and hosting of Chamber events.

(Historical information in this booklet was made possible from BDN archives and several Ambassador members. Thanks to all.)

Ambassador Club Purpose & Structure

The purpose of the Ambassador Club is to communicate and promote the mission, goals and programs of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce to area business and professional people. The organization is part of the structure of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, securing its authority for operation from the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Membership Requirements

To become an Ambassador a candidate must be affiliated with a Chamber member organization. Prospective members must submit a Membership Application Form to the Club’s Secretary. The prospective member will be voted on at the Club’s monthly meeting.

There are two levels of membership, active and sustaining. All new members begin in the active category and must remain in the active category for three consecutive years.

Active – An “Active” member shall regularly attend monthly meetings and serve on committees as requested and attend 50% of designatedAmbassador Club and Chamber sponsored events such as Business After Hours and Legislative Breakfasts. As a requirement for continued Active status, members must participate in ribbon cutting and ground breaking events as their schedule permits.

Membership in the “Active” category may be terminated when an Ambassador misses three (3) consecutive meetings, or an aggregate of five(5) monthly meetings in a year; fails to serve on at least one (1) committee, or fails to attend 50% of designated Ambassador Club and Chamber sponsored events such as Business After Hours and Legislative Breakfasts. Reasons for a member missing meetings shall be evaluated by the officers,who are to notify any member whose “Active” status is terminated. Such member may make a direct appeal for reinstatement to the Ambassador Executive committee, with reinstatement requiring a majority vote of the membership.

Sustaining – A “Sustaining” member shall have served three (3) years as an “Active” Ambassador Club member, but no longer chooses to be in the “Active” category and commits to less than 50% activity and/or participation.

Dues – Membership dues are set annually and payable by January 31st. The membership dues are $25.

Attire – Ambassadors are required to wear the Club’s jacket, polo shirt or other red attire as deemed appropriate by the club when attending Ambassador or Chamber events or when representing either organization. These events are referred to as “red coat” events.

Monthly Meetings – Monthly lunch meetings are held at various locations in the area. Active members are expected to attend all monthly meetings. Sustaining members are encouraged to attend but have no attendance requirement.

Your charge as an Ambassador is to:

A. Help retain existing Chamber members and recruiting new members for the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce.

B. Assist the Chamber staff in planning and hosting Chamber functions.

C. Participate in 50% of designated Ambassador Club and Chamber sponsored events.

D.  Serve on at least one Ambassador Club Committee.

Ambassador Committee Descriptions

• Ambassador Recruitment Committee: The Ambassador Recruitment Committee is expected to assist the Ambassador Club in the recruitment of new members. The Chamber staff will also assist in Ambassador Club recruitment.

• Ambassador of the Year Committee: This committee shall determine the recipient of the Ambassador of the Year award. Membership in this committee is open to all past recipients of the award.

• Annual Dinner Committee: The Ambassador Annual Dinner Committee is a sub-committee of the Chamber Special Events Committee. Ambassadors are expected to attend committee meetings as requested and assist the day of the event.

• Executive Committee: This committee consists of all officers and two “Active” members-at-large. Members-at-large are appointed by the Chair of the Ambassador Club.

• Chamber Membership Committee: This committee works directly with the Chamber staff to help retain existing Chamber members and recruit new members for the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce.

• Golf Classic Committee: The Golf Classic Committee is a sub-committee of the Chamber special events committee. The Chamber Golf Classic is held annually in September and Ambassadors on the committee are expected to attend committee meetings as requested and assist the day of the outing. Duties on the day of the outing include: hole spotting, registration, assisting at “betting” holes and any other duties as determined by Chamber staff. This event can be a half day or full day commitment.

• Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee is a selection committee for the next year’s slate of officers.

• Scholarship Committee: The Ambassador Scholarship Committee determines the recipients of the Chamber Scholarship Award given to area High School Seniors. Requirements include participation in any committee meetings scheduled by the Chamber and selection of the recipient.

Past / Present Ambassadors of the Year

Date	Ambassador of the Year
2013	Shannon Ahrens
2012	Nicole Morgan
2011	Lois Howe
2010	Cheri Adair
2009	Aileen Maeltzer
2008	Steve Kinkade
2007	Paulette Christensen
2006	Terry Meyers
2005	Marilyn Showmen
2004	Dave Peltier
2003	Joe Kobylka
2002	Jere Crouse
2001	Sue Drevdahl
2000	Glenda Baker
1999	Rick Nelson & Dee Nyre
1998
1997	Jerry Elliot
1996	Dick Gerhard
1995	Dr. Daniel Green
1994	Jere Crouse
1987	Walter Knight

Past & Present Officers – Merged Ambassadors

Date	Chair	Vice Chair	Secretary	Treasurer
2015	Jeff Vohs	Erin Patch	Trisha Rose	Michelle Matthys
2014	Jeff Vohs	Erin Patch	Linda Lock	Sara Burns
2013	Shannon Ahrens	Jeff Vohs	Linda Lock	Sara Burns
2012	Aileen Maeltzer	Cheri Adair	Nicole Morgan	Will Parker
2011	Dave Peltier	Aileen Maeltzer	Nicole Morgan	Will Parker
2010	Terry Meyers	Dave Peltier	Aileen Maeltzer	Paulette Christensen
2009	Nancy Heidt	Terry Meyers	Aileen Maeltzer	Paulette Christensen
2008	Michelle Matthys	Nancy Heidt	P. Christensen	Terry Meyers
2007	Steve Mitchell	Michelle Matthys	Marilyn Showen	Terry Meyers
2006	P. Christensen	Steve Mitchell	Beth Grabowski	Dave Peltier
2005	Linda Lock	P. Christensen	Nancy Heidt	Dave Peltier
2004	Mike Duffy	Linda Lock	Joe Kobylka	Marilyn Showen
2003	Steve Kinkade	Mike Duffy	Joe Kobylka	Marilyn Showen
2002	Jan Ruster	Steve Kinkade	Joe Kobylka	Jere Crouse
2001	Sue Drevdahl	Jan Ruster	Joe Kobylka	Jere Crouse
2000	Glenda Baker	Sue Drevdahl	Joe Kobylka	Jere Crouse
1999	Rick Nelson & Dee Nyre	Glenda Baker	Joe Kobylka	Jere Crouse