First, Fix the Signs

When the consultants' report is completed, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce will need to determine priorities. In our view the most important task is to revamp the signage that does not include all the businesses presently available to visitors. A revamped program can achieve two important objectives:

1. Enable visitors to find what they are looking for and direct them to business they might not know exist.

2. Involve all businesses in collaboration to make the community more cohesive and, in the process, strengthen the chamber.

Yes, there are some businesses that initially won't want to participate. They may if “encouraged.” Recently I heard a fitting motto: “Pressure, but don't destroy.”

There are some signs that might make visitors wonder what kind of place Birch Bay is. One couple with two businesses recently, on their own, hand lettered their locations on the existing sign. They might be labeled scofflaws, but put yourself in their situation. With an existing system allowing additions, their businesses could have been included efficiently. (A factor is that these people have made significant contributions to the chamber and the community.)

This is going to be a challenge for the Chamber that in previous years has been hard pressed to maintain existing events. The new officers and board inspire hope. They are a cohesive team that has attracted more volunteers and they are changing the previous view that a “non-profit” should not make any money. Fortunately, that attitude is gone and incentives to increase revenue are being added, such as sponsorships of events.

Nonetheless, for an organization that is “on budget” with a balance of four thousand dollars, funding new signs will not be easy. Perhaps the solution would be an assessment on businesses in a way that will make participation desirable. (Pressure, not destruction.)

Another need may be a special listing of lodgings. One comment reported by the consultants was about too many condos. In my view, time shares, rentable condos and cottages are an asset, RV parks less so. But RV parks in Birch Bay are a fact of life. However, they could be dressed up with better signs and entrances.

A related thought is that, along with multi-business listing signs, attractive individual signs should be rewarded. Here is my nominee for this year's ribbon.

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