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Oxford, MS— The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce recently graduated 10 students from its Junior Leadership Program and recognized a Leadership Award Recipient at a graduation ceremony held on April 2 at the Oxford Conference Center.

Graduating members from Oxford High School were: Mary-Randall Ivy, Isabella Moak, Calton Roberson, and Sophie Semmes.

Those graduating members from Lafayette High School were: Kaitlyn Bishop, Rachael Flowers, Alisha Hickinbottom, Jacob Roberts, and Ashlynd Smith.

Also from the North Delta School, William Rayburn.

The Junior Leadership Program combines group study sessions with a community project that requires the use and development of leadership skills. Students participated in training sessions geared toward promoting team building, goal setting, community awareness, volunteerism, and communication skills.

“We were so very lucky to have such a great group of young adults in this class,” Pam Swain, Vice-President of the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce said.  “Through the program, they have been able to see some facets of the community they may not normally come in contact with, and we feel they can walk away from the program more enriched about what goes on in the Oxford-Lafayette County area,” Swain added.

At the end of the six-week program, the class chooses a Leadership Award recipient from among their fellow classmates. It awarded to a program participant who has shown great leadership skills throughout the course of this program, as well as excellent community service. Voted the recipient by his peers, this year’s Leadership Award recipient was Jacob Roberts of Lafayette High School.

Roberts is the 17 year old son of Darren and Ann Roberts.  Throughout his high school career he has received several awards including the Accelerated Biology Award, Geometry award, and Scholar Athlete.  He is a member of several clubs including Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, and is a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His future plans are to apply to military academies or to Vanderbilt to study Criminal Justice.

This year’s class worked on two projects very important community projects. They volunteered with More than a Meal and assisted in the coordination of a regional blood drive with Mississippi Blood Services.

“We are so pleased with the outcome of this year’s class and the contributions they have made to our community through their volunteer time,” said Swain.

Nearly 340 high school sophomores have graduated from the Junior Leadership program since its inception in 1998.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area.  With over 550 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.  These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.

For more information on the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce or the Junior Leadership program, call 662-234-4651, or go to www.oxfordms.com.

Photo: Left to right, Lolita Gregory, Junior Leadership program Chair; Jacob Roberts, 2012 Leadership Award Recipient; and Peyton Warrington, Chamber Chairman of the Board.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for 2012 Citizen of the Year for the Oxford/Lafayette County/University community.

Each year since 1972, the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce has sought to recognize individuals who have made positive contributions toOxford,LafayetteCountyand theUniversityofMississippias its Citizen of the Year.

If you know of someone who has benefited our community through volunteer service, please help to recognize them by submitting their name as a nominee for 41st Annual Citizen of the Year.  A completed nomination form, a typewritten biography of the individual and three nomination letters are required for each nomination.

Last year’s honoree for Citizen of the Year was Jean Shaw.  For a complete list of part recipients go to www.oxfordms.com.

Candidates will be judged on the basis of the following criteria:  1) Positive contributions to the Oxford/Lafayette/University community; 2) Contributions above and beyond those normally expected in an elective or appointive office, or above and beyond mere success in a business or profession; and 3) Perception as a role model for good citizenship and volunteerism in a non-paid capacity.

No candidate shall be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, age, sex or national origin.  Consideration of candidates shall be in strict confidence and no announcement of the successful candidate will be made prior to the Chamber/EDF Annual Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

To get more information, view guidelines, and a nomination form click here, or call the Chamber at 662-234.4651 or log on to www.oxfordms.com.

Deadline for nominations is 4 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012.

—Early Registration Deadline is April 15th

Oxford, Miss. – Participants can now register online for the 17^th Annual Double Decker Spring Run, organized by the Oxford Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce. The event is set to take place Saturday, April 28, 2012.

The Double Decker Spring Run is proud to announce Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi will once again be their presenting sponsor.  Baptist has been a presenting sponsor for this race since it started 17 years ago.

Double Decker Spring Run has grown to nearly 1,000 racers coming to Oxford from all around the region.  Organizers with the Chamber expect the number to continue to climb this year thanks to a new partnership with Start2Finish (S2F) for this year’s race.  S2F is the Mid-South’s premier health-oriented event management company. S2F takes pride in producing events that allow Mid-South residents and area visitors the opportunity to challenge themselves, achieve goals and most importantly have fun! With their assistance, and a ready team of local volunteers, this year’s Double Decker Spring Run is sure to be fun for the whole family.

“ We are so excited about partnering with S2F and hope to grow this healthy community lifestyle,” Oxford- Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Vice President Pam Swain said.

The Spring Run features a 10K run, 5K run and a Kids run/walk. There will not be a separate 5K walk, but participants in the 5K are welcome to walk if they would like. Anyone with strollers and dogs on short leashes are allowed, but these participants are asked to keep to the rear of the group.

The race was re-certified last year, the course was slightly rerouted taking racers through the beautiful backstreets of Oxford. Most of the rout has stayed the same but you can find a map of the rout online at www.doubledeckerspringrun.com

The 10K will begin and end at the Baptist HealthPlex, located at 703 North Lamar Blv. starting at 7:30a.m.. The 5K starting at 7:45 a.m. from the same lactation will meander through campus and around Oxford. The Kids Fun Run will start at 9 a.m. with a police escort around the square.  Strollers and dogs on leashed are welcome.

Participants are encouraged to sign up early online at www.doubledeckerspringrun.com.  Early registration is through April 15^th. Participants will save $10 by going online and registering early for $25. The price goes up to $30 if registering after April 15^th and then up to $35 dollars on race day. Race day registration begins at 6:15 a.m. and closes at 7:15 a.m..  All pre- registered participants are guaranteed an official Double Decker Spring Run t-shirt along with a swag bag of special coupons and offers from the sponsors.

The overall first, second and third place male and female will be awarded in both races. First place male and female will receive $200; second and third place will be recognized and awarded with a one of a kind pottery piece. First place honors will also be awarded for male and female in both races in the following age groups: masters (40-49) and grand masters (50 and up) and awarded one of a kind pottery pieces.

Double Decker Spring Run will use Start2Finish’s State of the Art Jaguar Timing System. Each participant will receive a race number bib with a timing chip included on the bib. Please wear your bib number on the front of your body and do NOT remove chip from the back of your bib number. Participants in the Kids Fun Run will not wear timing chips.

Participants are encouraged to come early. All races will start at their scheduled start time. Awards will be presented by 9:30 a.m.

The Double Decker Spring Run is made possible by Allcare Mississippi Medical Clinic, Belles and Beaus, Bullseye 95.5, CambinoTech, Cannon Motors, First National Bank of Oxford, FNC Inc., GE Aviation, Grantham Construction, Humana, Indoor ADvantage, Mechanics Bank, Nathan Bass-Attorney at Law, Nella, Office Depot, Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau, Papa John’s Pizza, Q 93.7, Renasant Bank, Stash, Tummies, and University Weight Management Clinic.

For more information on the Oxford –Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce or further race information, go to www.doubledeckerspringrun.com or call (662) 234-4651.

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About Oxford –Lafayette Chamber of Commerce:

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area. With over 550 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conductive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County. These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.

Lawmakers eye more incentives

Oxford, MS – A select group of sophomores from area high schools have been active this Spring volunteering their time with More than a Meal and assisting in the coordination of a regional blood drive as part of their involvement in the 2012 Junior Leadership class, a program sponsored by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.

“The program attempts to identify young leaders in the Oxford and Lafayette County schools, as well as home schooled and local private schools,” saidPam Swain, vice president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, and program administrator. “Through the program, efforts are made to motivate them and assist them in sharpening their leadership skills, in the hope that they will exert a strong, positive influence on the future of Oxford and Lafayette County.”

Participants in this year’s class from Lafayette High School include: Kaitlyn Bishop, Rachael Flowers, Alisha Hickinbottom, Jacob Roberts, and Ashlynd Smith.

Participants from Oxford High School include: Mary-Randall Ivy, Isabella Moak, Calton Roberson, and Sophie Semmes.

Also, participating this year from North Delta School is William Rayburn.

The program combines group community leadership sessions with a community project that requires the use and development of leadership skills, Swain said. Students will participate in training sessions geared toward promoting team building, goal setting, community awareness, volunteerism, and communication skills.

The Junior Leadership program began the first week of February with the assignment of group volunteer projects. Throughout the course of the program, students will have the opportunity to meet and talk to medical professionals, government leaders, University professionals, and leadership speakers. The program will wrap up the first week of April with a dinner for the participants and their parents; at this time, the participants will make oral presentations, putting their leadership skills to good use, Swain said.

The program started in 1998 and has successfully graduated over 327 participants.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area.  With over 550 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.  These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.

For more information about the Oxford-Lafayette County Junior Leadership program or about the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, call 662-234-4651 or go to www.oxfordms.com.

Oxford, MS - Ever wonder what to do with your old cell phone or computer when you buy a new one? In celebration of Earth Day, local businesses CambinoTech Computer Consulting and The Green Door Company have teamed with the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce to solve this common problem in an eco-friendly fashion.

Deemed the Earth Day Technology Initiative, this technology recycling program is the brainchild of two Oxford business owners who turned the common goal of green living into an unlikely partnership. Now through April 21, local residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted technology items at The Green Door Company, a distinctive furniture store located at North Lamar and Molly Barr Road. CambinoTech Computer Consulting will collect the donations and salvage any usable items and parts that can be recycled into functioning technology. Unwanted cell phones will be recycled, and refurbished computers will be donated to the Oxford and Lafayette County school districts for classroom use in the Fall 2012 school year.

“Oftentimes computers or printers that are no longer working have salvageable parts, or can even be restored to function properly once again,” explains CambinoTech Computer Consulting owner and Oxford native Cameron Wilson. “We’ve all gotten a new cell phone at one point or another and asked ourselves ‘Now, what do I do with my old one?’  Our hope is that this program will encourage people to bring us their old computers, printers and cell phones when they’re doing their ‘spring cleaning’ this year.”

“This initiative makes so much sense for The Green Door Company, seeing as most of our inventory is crafted from reclaimed materials,” says co-owner Missy Hopkins. “It supports our eco-conscious business stance – ‘Be Green with The Green Door Company’ – and will hopefully produce some technology that can benefit local schools. Really it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with these two member businesses to promote the Earth Day Technology Initiative. “The Chamber asks that local residents, students and businesses take a moment to drop their unwanted phones, computers and printers by The Green Door Company to support this wonderful program,” say Chamber vice president Pam Swain. “This is a perfect example of how our community is championing eco-friendly living.”

The Green Door Company is accepting items now through April 21, 2012. They are located in the green brick building at the intersection of North Lamar and Molly Barr Road and are open from 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday. Please contact The Green Door Company at (662) 380-5074 or CambinoTech Computer Consulting at (901) 282-7676 for more information on the Earth Day Technology Initiative.

Oxford has been recognized by SmartMoney.com as a preferred retirement haven.  Follow the link below to read the article:

http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/planning/retire-here-not-there-mississippi-1329440210818/?link=SM_mostemailed

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/egim45eehm/15-oxford-ms/

(Oxford, MS) – The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that sales for its upcoming community guide and membership directory are now underway. The 6,000 guides are on target to print this fall, and will be distributed in and around the Chamber service area.

The forthcoming Oxford community guide and membership directory will act as an ideal community reference guide with the ability to serve as an informational relocation publication and exceptional Chamber membership recruitment tool. This customized publication will feature a refreshing writing style, coupled with eye-popping design and colorful pictures – grasping the distinct character of the community. In addition to the profile portion, the publication will include a complete Chamber membership directory and comprehensive buyer’s guide (category listing).

Advertising in the Oxford community guide and membership directory has unrivaled advantages. The multi-platform advertising bundle goes beyond the traditional print publication to include: a community website and downloadable NewView eBook®, which converts the publication’s editorial, pictures and design elements into a digital format; on-the-go wireless access via various web-enabled devices; and the searchable vpMobile.us® Business Directory Portal, featuring the Chamber’s entire membership directory, available wirelessly, 24/7. Since 1996, the Village Profile® website has seen over 250,000,000 hits from Internet locales around the world and from all manners of users. This considerable traffic will prove beneficial to the entire Oxford-LaFayette County Chamber of Commerce community. The vpmobile.us site totaled 8,187,392 hits in 2010. The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce site has registered 196,135 hits.

In addition, a custom chamber, user-friendly Smartphone app is now available–accessible via the iPhone and Android–an extension of Village Profile’s enhanced connectivity not offered anywhere else in the Chamber publishing industry. All of these elements come together to offer the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, participating advertisers and the community valuable added exposure to a global audience.

This technologically advanced, royalty-generating publication is produced at NO COST to the Chamber.

This leading-edge publishing program is made possible through a partnership between the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and innovative Chamber publisher Village Profile®.

For publication and advertising information or to reserve ad space now, contact the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce Sales Representative Samera St. Claire at (251) 923-6006 or Samiam324@gulftel.com.