by Kirby Lindsay, posted 2 December 2011
On Wednesday, December 7th, from 5p – 7p at Fremont Studios, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce will host a gathering that officially wraps up their calendar year – and figuratively condenses everything the Chamber stands for into a two-hour celebration. This is the Fremont Chamber Holiday Party.
A More Mellow Approach
Through the year, the Fremont Chamber hosts meetings, a Street Fair, Oktoberfest, and assorted other social/networking/information gatherings (including a raucous ride on a D.U.C.K. in August.)
In addition, nearly every year over its 29 year history, the Chamber has organized a year-end party. Somewhat surprisingly, for an organization populated by people who live, breathe and (hopefully) enjoy their work, at this party most attendees will take a step away from relentless career-building networking. This is where they will bring children and/or significant others and introduce them to their work-week friends. This is also where attendees (not me, of course) imbibe adult beverages, and kick-back in a more relaxed atmosphere than a Board meeting or Speed Networking event provides.
Not Created Equal
This year, the Chamber Holiday Party has a stronger theme of community than usual, with hors d’oeuvres by PCC Natural Markets, wines by Fremont’s own 509 Wines, and ales from Fremont Brewing Company (and, maybe, Fremont Mischief will be persuaded to offer bring over some spirits to sample.)
The party always has focused on community, but sometimes with more laser-brilliance than others. Among past parties, a few were transformed into fundraising auctions. More often than not these were held to help out B.F. Day Elementary School. One year, however, the party raised funds to help pay a $350,000 debt incurred by the Empty Space Theatre – and did an impressive job, although not enough to keep the theater in Fremont.
These efforts have given the party form – and function – but they also sorely depleted volunteer energy, and altruism often overrode opportunities for fellowship. As a witness of two decades of Chamber Holiday Parties, I’d say the parties recalled most fondly contained the largest, loudest crowds – not the largest donation raised.
Two memorable gatherings were held, coincidentally, at chocolate factories (first CBM Chocolates, and later Theo Chocolate Factory.) Each was crowded, overheated and ran out of wine – and featured little entertainment beyond a strolling accordion player (at Theo) and tours of the factory. Yet, each provided opportunities for chatter and laughter.
Acknowledgements, Awards and Acclaim
On the other hand, the draw of the Holiday Party may reside entirely with the distribution of the annual awards. Certainly since the spacious and always elegant Fremont Studios began hosting the party in 2008, the awards presentation has grown larger and more elaborate.
Each year the Chamber Board of Directors selects a dozen or more Fremonsters (or adopted Fremonsters) who have acted in ways deserving of acclaim. Review of the list – kept in secret until the party – actually illustrates the values of this organization better than its mission statement. So does the broad variety of the recipients – among them residents, artists, bureaucrats and businesses.
A majority of the awards consist of one-time-only, unique certificates given for a specific act. In 2010, among others the Chamber acknowledged organizers of Zombie Walk and Outdoor Cinema, the staff of B.F. Day Elementary School for their arts program, Leslie Zenz and Mylinda Sneed for the Solstice Parade, and Eugene Wasserman, of the North Seattle Industrial Association, for his fight to get street lights repaired on the Fremont Bridge.
A minority of the awards, about half-a-dozen, come with unique, creative statuettes to be passed on from year to year. These reward specific qualities, including perseverance, service, determination, fun and quality business practices.
The awards reflect the organization, and the values of its membership. The Holiday Party adds to this presentation an atmosphere of fellowship that exists as the bedrock on which the Fremont Chamber was founded.
To join the party, on Wednesday, December 7th from 5p – 7p, contact the Chamber Executive Director Jessica Vets about reservations and tickets ($25 each.) Come for good eats, lovely drinks, and to be first to know who will win an award this year – or simply to smile, socialize and celebrate with fellow Fremonsters!
See you there!
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.