Making Social Media Skills Attainable

The old proverb says, “Give a man a fish and he won't starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won't starve for his entire life” and that’s how the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce feels about helping local businesses. In today’s world, it is easy to rely on consultants and service oriented businesses to assist where you may lack the expertise or time. However, social media is one way you can take control of your business and the Chamber is ready to show you how.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce their Social Media Workshops, sponsored by Holiday Inn and Suites, are ready and set for business professionals and owners. Whether you are the business owner or you send your manager, these workshops will make it easier for consumers to find your business, increase brand recognition, create brand ambassadors, show you care about your business by being there and being ready to have meaningful conversations with consumers about your brand and their needs and expectations. With half of the world’s population under 30 years old and technology and social media being engrained in their everyday functions, it is necessary for businesses to embrace and take social media serious.

The Chamber’s workshops were created to help your social media strategy on every level. These workshops will be 100% interactive where participants will be asked to bring their laptop with various materials ready go on it so specific tasks can be accomplished during the workshops. Also, to help the participants get the most out of the workshops they will be kept to a 12 person maximum so personalized help will be achieved.

Introduction to Facebook For Your Business is the first class which will help business set up their business page or resurrect a neglected page. The Intro class will explain the new Timeline pages and teach the basic how-tos of Facebook Pages: settings and permissions you should set up on your page, Facebook etiquette, apps that could make your page interesting and effective for business and how to promote your page to get likes. Intro classes are going to be held Thursday, May 31, from 8:30AM-11AM and Friday, June 1, from Noon-2:30PM. 

Register Here Intro Facebook- 5/31

Register Here Intro Facebook- 6/1 

Intermediate: Facebook For your Business is the class for businesses who have grasped the basics, understand how to use Facebook and much of its features but are looking for a leg up on marketing. This workshop will focus on the Insights and Analytics of your audience and what that means. Also, we will look at how to implement apps on a Facebook Page and use their ad feature to increase awareness on a budget. This class is scheduled for Thursday, June 7^th, from 8:30AM-11AM. 

Register Here Intermediate Facebook 6/7

LinkedIn for Business Professionals and Your Business is a wonderful class for all business owners and business professionals looking to increase sales leads and clients, recruiting employees and getting referrals. This workshop will start at the baseline view of how to set up an account and how to use your account before getting into the in-depth functions of referrals, leads and recruiting employees. This class is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20^th, from 8:30AM-11AM.

Register Here LinkedIn 6/20

Cost of each workshop is $35 for Chamber Members and $40 for Non-Chamber Members. All classes are held in the Meeting Room of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites located next to Sweet Lou’s in Ponderay, 477326 U.S. 95. If one class fills up and you are not able to register, please contact the Chamber and more classes will be held until the community’s needs are satisfied. If you are interested in others like YouTube, Twitter, Foursquare and Pinterest, please contact the Chamber so they know what they should plan for the future. For more information or to register for these workshops, please call the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at 263-2161 or visit them online at www.sandpointchamber.com.

Cruise to Benefit the Clark Fork Coalition

Summer is right around the corner and what better way to enjoy this rite of passage than cruising on the Shawnodese. And on Saturday, June 2nd, Lake Pend Oreille Cruises is offering  their  popular Clark Fork Cruise from 12 to 3 pm that will benefit  the Clark Fork Coalition.   Linda Mitchell, First Mate and co-owner of Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, says  “Of the many beautiful places we visit while cruising on Lake Pend Oreille, the Clark Fork Delta is my absolute favorite for its stunning scenery, wildlife, and aura of mystery.” 

Cost of the cruise is $38 per person and $36 for seniors 60 and over. Later in the afternoon from 3:30 to 5 pm, you can take an Island & Eagle Watching Tour for just $22/$20 per person. 10% of all proceeds on Saturday from ticket sales and food & beverage sales will go to benefit the Clark Fork Coalition.   

This organization is made up of concerned citizens of North Idaho and Western Montana who have been working to protect and restore the Clark Fork watershed since 1985. 90% of the water that feeds Lake Pend Oreille comes from the Clark Fork River, so its health directly affects the health of our lake. 

The Clark Fork Delta Cruise offers spectacular views and cruises through a diverse wetland ecosystem. A history and geology talk are included and lunch is offered from $3 to $7 per plate. Linda and her husband, Captain Curtis Pearson, plan to dedicate one cruise day each month to a local charity where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a worthy cause.   

For further information or to make a reservation, please call Lake Pend Oreille Cruises at 208-255-5253.

Chamber Honors Coffelt Funeral Service

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Coffelt Funeral Service as May’s Business of the Month. Founded in 1922 as Moon Funeral Home, Dale Coffelt started to work for Bud Moon in 1967 and established Coffelt Funeral Service in 1970. Dale has also operated the Pinecrest Memorial Park cemetery since 1970, which was also established in 1923 by the Moon Family.

Dale’s background and experience is extensive. He grew up and graduated from Emmett High School in Emmett, Idaho, Boise Junior College before going on to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He continued education classes through the University of Washington and FBI Academy in many different specialty courses, including death investigation classes.

Dale was appointed County Coroner in 1972 and was elected and re-elected until finally resigning in 2003. Also, he was a past president of Sandpoint Rotary Club, which he is a 45 year member, Idaho State Funeral Directors Association and Idaho State Coroners Association. He was also the past secretary and treasurer of the National Selected Morticians.

Passing on the legacy and heading into a well-deserved retirement, Dale Coffelt is training his grandson, Dale McCall, to take over the business in the future.

“I have always appreciated Bonner County, Sandpoint and the area,” said Dale. He then added, “I feel very fortunate that I have been able to be a part of this community I have raised my family here and this is my home.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Coffelt Funeral Service for their success and thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information, visit them at 109 N Division or call them at 208-263-3133.

In Photo: Dale Coffelt accepts the award with his wife and grandson at the Chamber’s May General Membership Luncheon.