Volunteer Opportunities
Be a leader in our community by volunteering for the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the year, the Chamber has a variety of volunteer opportunities available, from serving on the Board of Directors or a committee to helping at one of our community events.
Active volunteer opportunities will be listed below as they become available. To share your interest in volunteering contact us at info@palosareachamber.org or 708-480-3025 to be added to our volunteer contact list.
Join a Committee
Chamber committees are a great way to take your involvement with the chamber to the next level. Opportunities and time commitments vary by committee.
Chamber members take a hands-on role in the formation of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce. Through coordinating events, connecting with the leaders of tomorrow, and networking with various organizations, our members work to shape the community at large. Committees have provided vital insight and management during their work with the Board of Directors, and membership businesses.
Golf Outing Committee
Committee members assist in planning the annual golf outing held in the summer. The all-day events feature tournament, lunch, scholarships awarded to local high school golf students, auction, and more. For more information, please contact Todd Probasco, Chair of the Golf Outing and Vice President of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce at t.probasco@lakesidebank.com.
Farmer’s Market Committee
Encourage Chamber members to promote their business at the Farmer’s Market. The Palos Area Chamber has a table and can share it with a Chamber member that reserves it at $15/day. For more information, contact Debbie George, Chair of the Farmer’s Market Committee, and Secretary of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce at smdebbie@yahoo.com.
Marketing Committee
Execute a marketing strategy clearly communicating and promoting Palos Area Chamber of Commerce and its members. Photograph projects, special events, proof-read outing marketing material, and other projects on an on‐going basis providing a steady stream of pictures for newsletters, email blasts, marketing materials, social networking sites, and the website. Continuously update Chamber’s social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Patch, and LinkedIn) to reach a broad audience. Contact local reporters and secure coverage on the Chamber in local newspapers. Post news, event reminders and success stories. Upload pictures, photos, and compelling stories to spike user interest, feedback, and participation. Be creative and knowledgeable of marketing research and strategies. For more information contact Tricia Trendle-Marker, Chair of the Marketing Committee and a Palos Area Chamber Board of Director, at ttrendle@homeinstead.com.
4th of July in Palos Heights Parade Committee
Responsible for planning and organizing the event to represent the Palos Area Chamber at the Palos Heights 4th of July parade. It is a FUN experience and great opportunity to provide a service to the residents of Palos Heights that leaves smiles on everyone’s faces and promotes a unifying community spirit. Committee calls Chamber members to secure their marketing devices to be placed in goodie bags (purpose is to promote shopping local) that are handed out to the bystanders at the parade, secure a classic car or any vehicle that will help the Palos Area Chamber stand out, secure volunteers to help walk during the parade to hand out candy and the goodie bags, and fundraise to cover the cost of candy. For more information, contact Debbie George, Chair of the 4th July Committee, and Secretary of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce at smdebbie@yahoo.com.
Autumn in the Park Committee - Sept 17, 2022
Responsible for planning and organizing the event to represent the Palos Area Chamber at the Autumn in the Park parade in Palos Park. Like the 4th of July Parade, Autumn in the Park is a FUN experience and great opportunity to provide a service to the residents of Palos Park that leaves smiles on everyone’s faces and promotes a unifying community spirit. Committee calls Chamber members to secure their marketing devices to be placed in goodie bags that are handed out to the bystanders at the parade (to promote support for local businesses), secure a classic car or any vehicle that will help the Palos Area Chamber stand out, secure volunteers to help walk during the parade to hand out candy and the goodie bags, and fundraise to cover the cost of candy. For more information, contact Debbie George, Chair of the 4th July Committee, and Secretary of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce at smdebbie@yahoo.com.
Back to School Committee
Committee members secure special discounts from local businesses for families who have children returning to school from pre-school through college. The purpose is to promote shopping local in Palos Heights and Palos Park for school items. For more information, please contact Todd Probasco, Chair of the Back to School Committee and Vice President of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce at t.probasco@lakesidebank.com.
Pub Crawl Committee - Sept 29, 2022
Organize a Pub Crawl throughout Palos Heights and Palos Park to support Palos Area small business bars, restaurants, and pubs! Secure funding to giveaway free t-shirts to participants and arrange for businesses to offer a few drink specials. For more information, contact Yvonne Bustos, Co-Chair of Membership Committee at ybustos@villahc.com.
Christmas Party Committee – Dec 8, 2022
Help create one of the most anticipated events of the year- the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party! Secure sponsorships to help cover the cost of the event, create an event that brings forth the much-loved tradition of the Christmas Spirit by selecting nonprofit Chamber members and local nonprofits in Palos Heights and Palos Park to benefit from the event. For more information, contact Yvonne Bustos, Chair of the Christmas Party Committee at ybustos@villahc.com.
Kris Kringle Committee
Support local businesses by drawing in people to the annual Kris Kringle. Secure sponsorships to raise money for the Beautification Committee and the Palos Area Chamber. Help get volunteers for the event and to represent the Chamber at our table. For more information, contact Veronica Studnicka, President of the Palos Area Chamber and Chamber Representative on the Kris Kringle Committee, at info@palosareachamber.org.
The Great Majestic Race Committee - 5K & 10 MILE
Help plan and organize a 5k and 10-mile race that invites folks to support the Palos Area Chamber in partnership with Run to the Pub. Secure sponsorships to cover cost of the race and raise funds for the Palos Area Chamber to better serve its local business members and the Palos Area residents. For more information, contact Debbie George, Chair of The Great Majestic Race, and Secretary of the Palos Area Chamber, at smdebbie@yahoo.com.
Installation Formal Event Committee
Organize a memorable and exciting installation dinner that welcomes the new President of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors, all of whom are important community leaders and stewards of the Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Veronica Studnicka, Chair of the Installation Committee and President of the Chamber, at info@palosareachamber.org.
Luncheons & Business After Hours Committee
Bring together Chamber members, prospective Chamber members, and community residents to socialize and network at these monthly events that are hosted by Chamber members. For more information, contact Angel Malone, Co-Chair of the Luncheons and Business After Hours, and Board of Director for the Palos Area Chamber, at amalone.chamberbus@gmail.com.
By-laws Committee
Along with the Chair of the Committee, make recommendations on the development of by-laws that will establish for the Chamber to effectively execute its mission, hold meetings, fiduciary oversight, selection of board of directors, voting, etc. For more information, contact Todd Probasco, Chair of the By-Laws Committee and Vice President of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce at t.probasco@lakesidebank.com.
Classic Car Show Committee
Assist the Chamber in representing Chamber members at the event, recruit volunteers to help at the event, and support the Beautification Committee in rolling out the event. For more information, contact Veronica Studnicka, Chair of the Committee and President of the Chamber, at info@palosareachamber.org.
Membership Committee
Join members in playing a vital role by welcoming new members and strengthening relations with Members as well as the larger Palos Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chair reports to the Board of Directors regarding ways the Chamber can work to improve the overall Member experience. For more information, contact Yvonne Bustos, Co-Chair of the Membership Committee at ybustos@villahc.com or Rojean Gager Co-Chair of the Membership Committee at rkope24@gmail.com.