Anderson is new Othello chamber president

OTHELLO — Janelle Anderson is the new president of the Othello Chamber of Commerce

“I love Othello,” is her frequent refrain.

It is “because Othello deserves something nice” that Anderson opened her own business  — Anytime Fitness — in the first place.

Anderson has been a chamber member for about a year, but she’s been noticeable. Her business is thriving. She has developed ideas for promoting her business and the community. She wrote a couple of programs for Christmas in Othello last year.

When Anderson was approached half a year ago by the president and manager of the chamber about making herself available for the presidency, she was flabbergasted. Surely, she thought, the chamber had long-standing members who could do the job.

“I hadn’t even been on the board. I didn’t know the inner workings of the chamber,” Anderson said.

But the idea intrigued Anderson, and she appreciated the invitation. She believes she could do the job. As the discussion moved forward, she started to formulate ideas and plans for the chamber’s future.

“My theory is give it 100 percent. Go big or go home,” Anderson said.

Anderson said she will work to improve the membership and financial condition of the chamber. She said the chamber board of directors expressed dissatisfaction with both.

Accepting the position of president, Anderson laid out her ideas and plans and she thanked the Chamber board for electing her.

“I am honored,” she said.

Anderson noted she and her husband Michael chose Othello as their home 26 years ago. He is a row crop farmer in the area. She had a home-based business before opening a brick-and-mortar business two years ago.

“I think Othello is a great village, in which to not only raise our children, but to run a business,” she told the Chamber. “I pledge to do my best to help all business in this great village to not only thrive, but to improve and grow.”

Anderson said she and the board have several new ideas for 2010. She said some of them were launched last year. One was Christmas in Othello, a prize-driven program to encourage shopping.

For every $50 a person spent in Othello during the program’s run, he or she was given a ticket to a drawing. Drawing winners were given prizes donated by the participating businesses.

A new promotion for this year will be The Othello Amazing Race. It is a scavenger hunt designed to make residents aware of the shopping that is available in Othello.

There will be a Business of the Month, chosen by referral. Participating businesses will display information pertaining to the Business of the Month. The idea is to encourage unity and support among businesses.

There is a plan for informational seminars for businesses. The goal is to educate business owners and employees on successful business practices.

Another plan for 2010 is a revamping of the Fourth of July celebration. Anderson wants it to better reflect the community’s patriotism. The plan calls for a new name and a new structure.

“We would like to invite all businesses to join the chamber and help us grow and become strong,” Anderson said. “In these economic times we need to be bonding together to help businesses in our great town to not only survive but to thrive.”