We all know when we have received great customer service but it is sometimes difficult to know how to give it out.  In our Northern Michigan economy great customer service can mean the difference between a business with a long successful history or a one season flash in the pan.  To help Cheboygan businesses have some of the best customer service in the north this year, we are thrilled to have Mark O'Brien, Vice President of Lodging at Boyne Mountain come to Cheboygan to give a special workshop on Outstanding Customer Service and the Power of Team Work.  O'Brien has 20 years' experience in operating full-service, luxury and boutique hotels as a General Manager, and is accredited as a Certified Hotel Administrator. As a Michigan State University graduate, O'Brien launched his career as a front desk supervisor at the New York Hilton, advancing to Assistant Director of Front Office Operations. He continued his growth serving as Director of Rooms Revenue Maximization and Front Office Manager at Waldorf-Astoria, then earned his first General Manager role in 1996 at Hotel Wales. He has also led operations for The Maritime Hotel, Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, and most recently for The H Hotel in Midland, a Four Diamond Hotel, under the Wyndham Hotel Group. O'Brien serves on the Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association Appointed Board of Directors, as well as Northwood University Hospitality School's Board of Directors.  He is an experienced and trained expert in customer service and team work.  This special workshop will be on Tuesday May 22nd at 9:00am at the Cheboygan Carnegie Building at 400 West Elm Street.  

 

"Wow, we can do that?" That is a statement that we hear many times from Members. It usually comes after we, as Chamber Staff, help them solve a problem they are having in their business, by offering them a solution through one of our Member Advantages. That is why a Chamber of Commerce exists, to help Members solve problems. We do that through a whole list of Member Advantages or some people call them Member Benefits. These are tools, programs, resources and strategies that are designed to help give a business a competitive advantage or just make life easier. And they are exclusively available to Chamber Members. That is why businesses pay dues to be a Member of the Chamber of Commerce. That annual dues payment gives them access to all those Advantages. But it is a pretty big list and different parts of it can be forgotten. To help members keep these advantages fresh in their mind we are once again holding a "Make the Most of Your Membership" session a couple times during the year.

Our next sessions will be on Wednesday May 23 at 8:00am and Noon.

8:00 am Class - Click here to register

12:00 pm Class - Click here to register

Click here to read the full article with more information about this valuable program....

Stop by The Coop Floral Shop & Gifts for their Grand Opening, open house & ribbon cutting!
Enjoy dinner, refreshments, door prizes, check out the new look of The Coop & tour "The Hayloft" (formerly the Gildner Gallery)

The Coop Floral Shop & Gifts, 216 S. Main St., Downtown Cheboygan.  Date/Time Information: Friday May 18, 3 pm to 7 pm  (ribbon cutting at 5:30 pm)

The staff and residents at Pinecrest Village are planning a party!  Saturday, May 19th from 10am-2pm they will host an Open House with food and refreshments. Charlie Reager will provide entertainment. They will have a few apartments staged to show what can be done with them when someone moves in.   Representatives from McLaren and Legacy will be available to answer questions and meet people.   Stop in and say hello! This is a free event hosted by Pinecrest Village At Mackinaw.   450 S Nicolet Ave,  Mackinaw City, MI 49701,  231-635-1174

Cheboygan hockey players Evan Jewell and Tyler Kiper presented Cynthia Biggings, McLaren Home Care & Hospice Community Nurse Liaison with a $336.20 check for the Cheboygan Hospice House. Tyler lost his grandmother to cancer last year and dedicated a game to those who have been affected by cancer. The money raised was donated to the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation to help community members who may need financial assistance to stay at the Cheboygan Hospice House. Thank you to Tyler, his teammates, and his classmates for their generosity.

            The North Central Michigan College Library announced today that Frank Boles, author of Sailing into History: Great Lakes Bulk Carriers of the Twentieth Century and the Crews Who Sailed Them, will pay a special visit to the Library on Wednesday, June 6 at noon for an hour of first-rate storytelling, a book signing, question-and-answer time with guests and light refreshments. This event is free and open to the public.  Please RSVP to library@ncmich.edu or call 231-439-6315 for information.  Boles is visiting the North Central Library as part of the Library of Michigan's 2018 "Michigan Notable Authors Tour." This year, 22 authors whose engaging works were chosen as 2018 Michigan Notable Books selections will visit 50 libraries throughout the state.  "It's a literary treat to have Frank Boles in our community, sharing his captivating work with our friends and neighbors in such an open, accessible way," said Stephanie Davis, North Central Librarian. "Michigan is home to some of the best stories and storytellers found anywhere in the country. An author of Mr. Boles' caliber here, in our library, will make it an afternoon to remember." "This year's Michigan Notable Books delve into wonderfully diverse topics and offer something of interest for just about everyone," said State Librarian Randy Riley. "The tour offers the opportunity for book enthusiasts in many corners of the state to join in the conversation about what constitutes 'great writing' and to hear from some of the Great Lakes region's most beloved authors."

David A. Woods has joined Citizens National Bank (CNB) as the senior loan officer and senior vice president. President and CEO Matthew Keene said "Dave is well-known and respected in the banking industry and community, having held similar positions in Petoskey. His thirty years of banking experience will enhance CNB's lending and senior management teams."

 

 

Immediate openings for a Marine Technician and Boat Yard Staff person.  Vocational or technical training preferred but will provide professional training on all equipment.  Mercury Certification also available for Marine Techs.  We are looking for motivated people to join our team in a friendly, fast-paced environment on the water. We provide competitive wages, a SIMPLE retirement plan with an employer match, a flexible 7 day schedule, and excellent customer service.  Apply online, fax 231-627-3677 or stop in and fill out an application.  Click here to download the flyer with more information. 

When approaching retirement, health care planning becomes a higher priority. It can also become a common area of confusion. McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, in partnership with Encore Financial Group, is sponsoring a free informational seminar that will cover the basics of Medicare. Topics include:

-  How Medicare enrollment periods work

-  How to avoid costly mistakes that lead to higher premiums

-          How to plan for higher health care costs in retirement - including the possibility of needing long-term care.   This free event will be offered from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29 at the McLaren Northern Michigan Cheboygan Campus third floor conference room, located at 740 S. Main Street in Cheboygan. Speakers will include Daryl Hesselink and Linda Moline with Encore Financial Group.

 

The Straits Area Community Foundation (SACF) is accepting grant applications for the 2018 Straits Area Health Care Grant. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2018.

These grants are for projects and programs providing general health care services and activities for residents of Cheboygan County and/or Mackinaw City. Any non-profit medical facility or other nonprofit organization providing general health care services for the residents of Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City are eligible to apply for up to $2,000 in funding. (No grants are made to individuals.) Grant applications are available on the Community Foundation's website at www.sacf.net .  Those with questions regarding eligibility or who need assistance in completing the application should contact Kara Bauer LeMonds at the Community Foundation office at kbauerlemonds@cfnem.org or 877-354-6881.

There is no denying that the delivery of health care has changed in Cheboygan.  In 2012, McLaren Health Care and McLaren Northern Michigan reestablished health care in our community with the purchase of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, now known as McLaren Northern Michigan Cheboygan Campus.  Our challenge was establishing a care delivery model that would meet the critical health care needs of the community while maintaining high quality and financial viability.  To achieve this, the hospital was redesigned as an outpatient care facility.  Little did we know this new care delivery model would become a growing trend across the country.  Health care reform, changes in technology and evidence based care is causing decline in the need for inpatient services while outpatient services are trending upwards. 

The Cheboygan Economic Development Group is a private sector organization of Cheboygan County business people, community leaders, and volunteers who care deeply about helping create economic growth and educational opportunities for our citizens in this unique and wonderful corner of northern Michigan.

Helping to build sustainable economic growth is our mission. A future of good paying jobs for residents of all ages is our passion.   Click here to visit their web site.

Michigan Chamber members receive an exclusive weekly review of legislative & political news in its Michigan News & Capitol Report e-newsletter. This newsletter is FREE to Chamber members.

To Read This Week's Capitol Report Click On The Following Link (Or Load Into Your Web Browser Address Window):

www.michamber.com/mirs-weekly-report