Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce board members retreated last week to Southern Cross Ranch for a day, to discuss their plan of work for the upcoming year.

In addition to welcoming new board members Mike Torino, of Amici Restaurant; Jim Rogers, of SeaChem; Jerry Caldwell, of Madison; and Sherry Terrell-Alexander, of Realty World, at least two new programs were unveiled.

“We’re going to begin a new “Chamber Ambassadorâ€� program,â€� said Director Marguerite Copelan in a telephone interview last Tuesday. “It’s a new membership program…participants will help the Chamber with public functions such as ribbon cuttings, meet-and-greet functions, things like that.â€�Â

Board members also instigated a Hospital Advocacy Committee, the primary function of which will be to determine ways to support the local healthcare industry.

“We want to create a stronger bond with our local hospital,â€� said Copelan. “A hospital is so important to the lifestyle and quality of life in any small townâ€"our local industry relies on the hospital.â€�