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The Martin Business Association, (MBA) was an idea from Mayor Randy Brundige which originated in 2007. He discussed it with others who became enthused and they in turn asked others who were active within the community and they not only were duly enthused, they picked up the idea and literally ran with it. These volunteers put together a brochure to describe the ideas behind the Martin Business Association, and included a registration form. From this simple brochure, a Membership Drive was launched with Roger Donaldson heading it up. Roger immediately began visiting Martin Businesses and presenting the ideas and hasn’t stopped since.
The purpose of the MBA is simple,
Building a Better Martin,
one customer,
one business,
one experience,
at a time.
The bylaws committee produced a simple set of rules to guide the organization. These were approved by the members attending the second organized meeting. Later at the next meeting, officers were elected and an official organization was in place.
During the beginning months of MBA, meetings were held at 5:30 pm at various businesses such as MTD, UTM and Volunteer General Hospital. Then based on the suggestions of those in attendance; the meeting time and place was changed to a 7:30 am meeting, still on the second Tuesday of the month and using the City Hall Court working and meetings continue to be held there. Meetings are from 7:30-8:30 am and a continental breakfast is furnished for each meeting. After reports on the MBA activities, new businesses and MBA member businesses are introduced and given a few minutes to let others know more about the services they provide. In fact, much of the community happenings were first heard here, at the MBA meetings.
One of the goals was to produce a Membership Directory of all the Martin Businesses. How can the public spend their monies in Martin unless they know where to go to purchase the items or services they need. As the membership grew, Nan Rountree began the process of developing a directory of members and also the important index of items and services provided by these members. Nan has made the directory available through hardcopy as well as on-line and is available for members as well as newcomers to the Martin area.
As the number of Martin Business Association members continued to grow, a plan for a MBA web site was needed. The web site, www.martinbusinessassociation.com officially launched April 1, 2008. This is a full website, not only including the membership directory, but information about the MBA as well as an opportunity to download the membership application. One can also access the calendar of community events, media pictures, the city map, as well as news and events!
In effort to bring attention to the Martin Business Association, the MBA has been involved in many events since it began. The MBA sponsored its first annual Party in the Park in 2007. During this fall event, the MBA featured an 80’s band and children enjoyed face painting as well as Space Walk inflatables. During the holiday season, the MBA worked with Santa’s Village, the Kiwanis Christmas parade as well as Martin businesses in effort to kickoff the season. The Kiwanis Christmas parade began the week of activities. A Christmas tree was erected in Festival Park and Santa arrived and fun and holiday spirits were shared by all. In April of 2008, the MBA sponsored the Rodeo Roundup Street Dance with the “Country Grammar” band. Some of the upcoming activities for the future include, working with the City of Martin during the Soybean Festival to further promote the MBA, getting out welcome bags to newcomers to the area, a 2nd Party in the Park, as well as ideas for Freshman Day. Another way to spread the word about Martin businesses is having weekly featured articles in the Weakley County Press. In doing this, each Martin Business Association member has the opportunity to submit an article about their business FREE of charge to be published in the Press. You may access more information about this on the Martin Business Association website as well as email Julie Donaldson at julie1donaldson@yahoo.com.
The MBA is concentrating on getting the word out to all of Martin. It is the goal of the MBA to have every business, profit as well as non-profit, in Martin as a member, listed in the directory and participating in the activities of Martin. Pure and simple, this is the whole purpose of the organization. The MBA also wants to promote, through their calendar and e-mail member notices, the activities in the community. Martin Business Association wants all the businesses (profit and non-profit), churches, schools, professional offices, civic organizations all to have a place to share their messages with the community of Martin.
Joining the MBA provides many benefits such as 1) FREE membership, 2) business and business information are listed in both the printed and online directories, 3) the opportunity to be featured in an article of the business with a picture in the Weakley County Press as well as on the MBA website, 4) business information (brochure, giveaways, etc) will be placed in welcome bags that go to all newcomers in the community, 5) notation of your business on the website city map, 6) business listed on the MBA Membership brochure 7) the opportunity to purchase ads on the MBA website homepage. 8) MBA door sticker for their store front 9) framed membership certificate, and10) receive email updates on MBA meetings and Martin events. Being an MBA member is a wonderful networking opportunity, members not only get the opportunity to meet people from other Martin businesses but also have the opportunity to provide their input in helping Martin to become a better place to live.
To join, just fill out the membership form, its available on line at www.martinbusinessassociation.com or from any member of the committee (see names and phone numbers below).
Your Martin Friends,
Audrey Roberts, Chairman 587-6327
Kris Moore, Vice Chair, Julie Donaldson, Secretary and Public Relations Chairman; Sharis Diggs-Chandler, Assistant Secretary and Public Relation Assistant 588-5627; Katrina Cobb, Treasurer 881-7561; Board Members: Sam Lewallen 587 9561, Nan Rountree 588-0383, Steve Westenhofer 587-4261, Richard Kelly 587-3102, Roger Donaldson, 587-2575, Jack Reese, 587-4221, Todd Hampton, 587-3160
or Kimberly Craddock at Martin City Hall.
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