Woodstone Country Club - Member of the Day

Written by Mike Keller, Director of Media Communications & Technology for The Chamber

A little over a week ago I had the chance to golf at Woodstone Country Club in Danielsville, an 18-hole championship golf course with 2 award-winning PGA Professionals and a newly renovated driving range. I received an invitation from Judy Parrey, Woodstone's Director of Sales & Marketing, also letting me know about their Membership Drive. I hadn't been out much at all this season (only twice actually, both times at Bethlehem Muni) so naturally I was a bit anxious and excited to play a long course. Woodstone has 7,091 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 75.5 and it has a slope rating of 141 on Bent grass.

It turned out to be a near perfect morning, exactly what I like to consider 'golf weather' - foggy, somewhat cool, dew on the ground and not too much sun in the sky. I went out with my colleague Frank Facchiano and we tried to scramble and 'beat the course.' It actually worked out quite well in the morning; since there was a bit of dew on the greens, we were able to see the lines that our putts took and base the next putt off of that. By the back 9 the sun had come out, the greens picked up speed, and we had to rework our game plan. We ended up hitting 7 over par as we alternated shots throughout the day.

I don't get out nearly as much as I'd like to, but I think I could get used to playing at Woodstone. It was a long and challenging course (for me, at least!) and the food at the Oaks Restuarant afterwards was delicious after a round of golf. I had the burger of the day with mushroom and swiss. Side note- if a place ever has a burger (or soup) of the day, get it. You can probably bet it's delicious.

It’s a great time to join the Woodstone Country Club in nearby Danielsville. The pricing seems very reasonable, and if I had the time I think I'd go for it myself. Through their New Membership Drive they are inviting you to play now but pay no initiation fee and no dues until June 2014! How many tee times can you get in this year?  Go to www.woodstonegolf.com for more info.

Click here for a quick video about Woodstone.





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Growing Your Business in 2013 - Free Frenzy

Guest blog from Carol Ritter of CarolTalks.com.

Someone very special in my life makes me laugh a lot.  One of his favorite lines is ,“If it’s free, it’s for me!”  Let’s go surfing on the internet to see what we can get for free.  If you have a Facebook account, almost daily a ‘free’ page shows up.  Today it was Unlimited Free Stuff.  I just had to try it.  Bob Evans is giving away a free cup of “BOLD” coffee.  You just click and click again and a coupon shows up good till the end of the month.  We are definitely missing out on free stuff when we don’t investigate this awesome opportunity.  I clicked for free corn chips and guac at Chili’s, I clicked for free Ritz Crackers, and I’m going to click more later today.  We all love free stuff so why don’t we, as business owners, know that?   If it’s free, it’s for all your customers.  It’s time to leverage the “FREE FRENZY”

Carol’s FREE FRENZY Ideas

Facebook - the best opportunity in the world to promote your business or event.  Build a page - it takes about 15 minutes.  Begin with pictures, questions, and then promotions, FREE FRENZY

1.  Join the Lehigh Valley Chamber, the membership dues are low and the value is high, $5,000 high.  Yes, you can leverage $5,000 in value by joining the chamber.  Start today with a FREE Sunday ad in the Morning Call, tomorrow put your company in their monthly magazine - FREE, or go on the radio this Friday on WAEB. FREE FRENZY

2.  Send out press releases for your events, giveaways etc - FREE FRENZY

3.  Purchase a magnetic sign for your car or a car wrap with your website, phone number and email, it’s not free in the beginning but you will get back the cost in business and then it will turn into a FREE FRENZY for years to come

4.  Many times Vista Print offers free business cards (don’t store them, give them away) - FREE FRENZY

5.  Educate people, position yourself as a expert and give away free information - FREE FRENZY

6.  Utilize LinkedIn to promote your business and expertise, make sure it’s up to date and packed full of useful information to appeal to future customers

7.  Last, but certainly not least, build your word of mouth epidemic, share your mission with everyone, invite your customers to write testimonials, throw them up on your website - FREE FRENZY

I clicked again!  This time I’m getting free tea, free vitamins, free detergent and free dog food. Now that’s a FREE FRENZY, try it!

Carol serves as a featured writer for the Home News and the Lehigh Valley Chamber Blog.Carol is an accomplished professional speaker, coach and educational consultant specializing in innovative leadership, outrageous fundraising, million dollar marketing, and building organizational alliances throughout the country.  Carol’s creative  leadership with bullet proof ideas for recruiting MORE MEMBERS, MORE MONEY AND TER LEADERS. www.caroltalks.com 610-442-4545 tellkids@aol.com  Like Carol on  Facebook at Caroltalks and CarolCoaches!  Carol S. Ritter, Immediate Past President, National Speakers Association Philadelphia

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Job Opening - Membership and Communications Director at Brookside Country Club

Brookside Country Club is a thriving family-oriented country club located in the western portion of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, one of the fastest growing areas in the Mid-Atlantic. Founded in 1929, BCC is a full service country club with an 18 hole championship golf course and full practice facilities, an Olympic size swimming pool, 6 tennis courts (2 year-round), fitness center and extensive dining and meeting facilities.  Brookside’s mission is to create a sense of community among its members by providing the highest quality services and facilities in a long-term fiscally responsible manner. 

Brookside is looking for a results-oriented Membership and Communications Director to represent the Club in its membership growth, retention and relationships with members and guests.  In addition, this person will be responsible for communications through the monthly newsletter, club website and emails to keep the members current on events and information pertaining to their Club. 

This position reports to the General Manager and works with the Membership Committee to achieve the goals, objectives and strategic plans of Brookside Country Club.

Membership and Communications DirectorResponsibilities: 

I.  Planning:

• Plans and implements strategies to meet Club membership goals working in conjunction with the General Manager and the Membership Chairperson.
• Conducts trend analysis and offers recommendations and programs accordingly.
• Follows up on telemarketing efforts, member referrals, leads from staff, newspaper articles, neighborhood developments, mailing lists, etc.
• Determines which markets should be canvassed for qualified individuals to complete and maintain prospective member database in conjunction with the General Manager and Membership Chairperson.
• Researches the need for on-going sales efforts in regard to changes in demographics, increased competition and fluctuations in membership levels.
• Tracks the success of all membership recruitment activities.
• Helps develop departmental budget for membership and entertainment.  Takes corrective action when necessary to meet budgetary goals. 

II. Membership

• Produces membership information packets for distribution to potential qualified candidates.
• Hosts prospective member functions and presents membership information at those functions.
• Conducts tours for prospective members.
• Conducts orientation programs for new members.
• Processes all requests for membership.
• Assists prospective members in fulfilling application requirements.
• Develops and assures that established procedures for processing prospective member’s applications are consistently followed.
• Maintains the Club’s database of member files.
• Maintains past and potential membership candidate files.
• Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all member information. 

III. Committees

• Serves on the Membership Committee, develops reports and provides other information as needed to the committee.
• Interacts with the local community through the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and other community organizations to market and network the Club.
• Attends management and staff meetings as scheduled.

IV. Communication

• Coordinates the development and production of the Club’s newsletter.
• Maintains the Club’s website and mobile website.
• Maintains Clubs member bulletin boards.
• Maintains Clubs recognition plaques.
• Undertakes special projects as requested by the General Manager.
• Posts pictures of events on website and around Club.
• Other job duties as assigned by management. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience preferred
• Professional, enthusiastic, outgoing and engaging personality
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to deal effectively with all levels of management, co-workers, members and prospects.
• Strong computer skills.
• Exceptional creativity and organizational skills
• Ability to multi task and meet guidelines
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule
• Be self-motivated

Position available immediately.

Please email all inquiries, cover letters and resumes to:

 Robert H. Anen, CCM- General Manager at ranen@bcc1929.org

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