Members of the Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce gathered for their monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday, August 13, at the Lake Taneycomo Elks Lodge, with Elks members also catering a delicious meal.
Members arriving were greeted by an opportunity to “Kiss the Canines,” as the Chamber partnered with Branson Humane Society to bring Micah, a one-year-old Lab mix, for everyone to pet and admire. Micah’s friendly good manners paid off as he found a new forever home!
Featured speaker was Dr. Robert Griffith, President of the Table Rock Campus of Ozarks Technical Community College, now known simply as Ozarks Tech. Dr. Griffith shared the college mission of “accessible and affordable,” along with an overview of the for-credit and workforce development programs serving 7,000-plus students in Springfield and an average 20,000 students per year online and in person at several campuses across the area.
The flexibility of these programs helps break the cycle of generational poverty that affects many students in Taney and Stone County. Dr. Griffith shared how OTC meets the challenge of balancing tuition as a revenue source vs. affordability. Ozarks Tech has many participants in the state’s A+ program, with a shout out to the great high school A+ program coordinators around the area. Dr. Griffith also wants to combat the image some people hold of college students as irresponsible or wasting time, saying OTC students are hard workers with a plan for going forward; most hold one or more part-time jobs while attending classes in areas of General Education, Health Sciences, Technical and Workforce Development.
Dr. Griffith also shared about the great partnerships that help students succeed. In addition to area four-year universities and colleges, where OTC transfer students tend to excel, partnerships are in progress with Table Rock Career Center in Reeds Spring, to create paths into health careers. Other local partnerships help students address practical challenges such as car repairs, basic healthcare and mental health resources, and childcare.
Following Dr. Griffith’s presentation, a representative for dessert sponsor Patriot Heat & Air spoke highly of their OTC-trained employees, with HVAC and computer tech education being a primary focus at the Table Rock campus.
Wrapping up the meeting were reminders of several coming events. Sponsorships and vendor tables are still available for the Harvest Moon Festival on Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shoals Bend Park. As Forsyth’s largest weekend event of the year, Harvest Moon will include a car/motorcycle show, dog show, Little Miss Ozarks, the Scottish Highland Games, and more, with entertainment, raffles and great food/drink/craft vendors available all day.
Also plan to support some good causes around the area this fall:
· Christian Action Ministries will host the Fishing 4 Possibilities tournament on Saturday, September 14, at K-Dock Marina; contact 417-334-2880 or 417-231-7371 for registration ($50 per boat), raffle donations and sponsorships.
· The American Cancer Society will host a golf tournament on Saturday, October 19, at Holiday Hills in Branson; for sponsorship and registration information, call 417-334-4840.
Visit https://www.forsythmissouri.org for more event details, sponsor and registration forms, and to get involved in a great Chamber and community!
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