The School District of Washington and St. Francis Borgia High School are committed to providing exceptional learning experiences for students at all levels. Through "Blue Friday”, we hope to create a strong sense of community and encourage positive school spirit that resonates throughout the community.
This initiative embodies the idea that education is a collaborative endeavor where students, teachers, parents, and the wider community all play essential roles. By wearing blue every Friday, we show our young learners that we are steadfast in our support for their aspirations, achievements, and dreams regardless of the institution they attend.
Mayor Doug Hagedorn expressed enthusiasm for the "Blue Friday" initiative, stating, “I wholly support this wonderful initiative that aims to unite Washington in supporting local students and schools, fostering a strong sense of pride and commitment to both parochial and public education and sends a powerful message of solidarity and support for the young minds in our community. By doing so, we are expressing our unwavering dedication to the success of students in both their academic and extracurricular pursuits.”
Parents, teachers, and community members can help spread the word about "Blue Friday" through social media using the hashtag #BlueFridayWashMO, sharing stories of how education has impacted their lives, and photos of themselves donning blue attire each Friday.
We invite all members of the community to join us in making "Blue Friday" a resounding success. Together, let us celebrate and uplift our Washington students, demonstrating that we stand behind them every step of the way.

All but a few raindrops stayed away and we enjoyed a great day at Wolf Hollow Golf Club with 27 teams on Friday, May 12!  Thank you to our golfers and volunteers for supporting the event, to Grey Eagle Distributors and Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of New Haven for donating raffle prizes, and to Hoffmann-Hillermann Nursery & Florist and National Fire Suppression for providing the attendance prizes.

Flight 1
1st place:  Sam Unnerstall, Ben Hotz, Brad Carpenter, Jake Brandt (Bank of Washington)
2nd place:  Derek Schriewer, Scott Sullivan, David Schriewer, Rick Marquart (Janie Schriewer & Associates)
3rd place:  Jordan Faerber, Blake Kluesner, Brady Schwarts, Spencer Nothum (GenFinity Wealth Management)

Flight 2
1st Place:  Mike See, Jason Fitzgerald, Kelly Kureger, Chad Carter (Pepsi)
2nd Place:  Dylan Brocato, Jake Jinkerson, Casey Harting, Missy Maune (First State Community Bank)
3rd Place:  Luke Meyer, Kyle Wolfe, Dave Engelbrecht, Donna Klott (Citizens Bank)

Skins Tournament Winner
Jordan Faerber, Blake Kluesner, Brady Schwarts, Spencer Nothum (GenFinity Wealth Management)

Closest to the Pin Winners
Joe Ballmann
Becky Buhr
John McCormack
Cathy Roberson

Thanks again to our sponsors!
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Ask the Expert columns are written by members with helpful information relevant to other member businesses and/or the general public.
Member Features highlight big accomplishments or newsworthy items from our members. Features generally cover things like major anniversaries/milestones, new locations/expansions, awards, etc.

"Ask the Expert" columns and Member Features are published on the blog, shared on the Chamber' Facebook Page, and linked in the Update email to members.

Timeline: Ongoing
To Participate: E-mail content and photos to Amanda.

After the 2023 Chamber Education Series was announced, a number of businesses expresses interest in giving presentations to increase awareness of the ways they were able to help business owners and managers, and the idea of the Business Resource Fair was born!
The event is being organized by the CAPS students, in partnership with the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Washington, and Downtown Washington, Inc.
The Business Resource Fair will feature an exhibit space to showcase resources for current and prospective business owners, as well as break-out sessions with presentations and workshops.
*A Business Resource Guide will be created featuring participants and will be published on the Chamber website.
Additional details will be published when available, and CAPS students will follow up with interested exhibitors and presenters.

Timeline: First Come, First Served. Deadline to Register April 15.
To Participate: Sign Up Here!

Nine lunchtime education sessions have been planned for the coming year.  Space at each event is limited, so interested participants should RSVP in advance to Cheryl (63-239-2715 x102) or visit the Education Series page for online registration links.  

Cost for each event is $20 and includes lunch. 

​Special Thanks to our Education Series sponsors:  Bank of Franklin County and Bank of Washington.  Click Here for a printable schedule for 2023.

The series kicks off with "Delegate Like a Boss," presented by Erin Joy, on January 24.  For more details on the January event, view this flyer.
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The Washington Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Shelley Vollmer (Wimpy's Sandwich Shop) to the Board of Directors.  She was chosen through a membership-wide ballot that included three nominees, selected by a committee or past board chairs.

"Shelley will make a wonderful addition to our board," said Chamber President, Jennifer Giesike.  "She embodies the volunteerism that our area is known for and brings many years of business experience."  Board members typically serve two, 3-year terms on the board, although if selected by fellow directors to the Executive Board, additional years can be served.  Vollmer replaces Paul Brune, (MFA, Inc.), whose term ended on December 31, 2022.

Shelley Vollmer is a lifelong Washington resident who for the past 23 years has been the owner of Wimpy's Sandwich Shop on Jefferson Street.
Shelley is a graduate of Washington High School, East Central College, and Missouri Baptist University.  For the past 10 years, she has been on the Board of Public Water District #1 and she is active in the day to day operation of American Legion Post 218, serving as bookkeeper.  She has been responsible for the management of the Main Lunchstand at the Washington Town & Country Fair for the past 2 years and serves on the planning committee for the annual GoFund Charity Golf Classic.  Shelley has two sons, Colton and Connor, with her late husband, Joe.  In their free time, they enjoy all outdoor activities, especially camping and vacationing.
  
Vollmer will join 15 others on the 2023 Board of Directors.
 
Executive Board

• Jay Nowak (Bank of Washington) – Chairman
• Steve Strubberg (Horn Architects)  – 1st Vice Chair
• Tanya McCormack (Washington Hearing Center) - 2nd Vice Chair
• Luke Meyer (Citizens Bank )
• Karen Timpe (Empac Group, Inc.)
• Andy Robinson – Ex-Officio

Board of Directors

• Josh Brinker (Bank of Franklin County)
• Joyce Couch (Past Fair Chairman)
• Becky Cox (Four Rivers Family YMCA)
• Don Grahl (The Creek Grill & Sports Bar)
• Scott Hillermann (Hoffmann-Hillermann Nursery & Florist)
• Joe Maniaci (Empac Group, Inc.)
• Scott Mentz (Mentz Foundations)
• Tricia Piontek (The Magnet Group)
• Kevin Richardson (Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson, P.C.)

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