Education

Chair/Contact: Marette Fair

The Education Committee works with the Twiggs County Board of Education and Family Connections to foster good parent support, community support and any other support where the Chamber of Commerce can assist with education of our children. In addition to public education, the committee also supports activities at Twiggs Academy throughout the year including sports, literary and educational events.

Leadership Twiggs

Chair/Contact: Marette Fair

Classes are held every other year starting in June and ending the next May at the completion of a post-class project. The class has an opening orientation at the Chamber's June meeting followed by a June and July field trip to area businesses. Starting in August, classes are held weekly at 6pm Mondays in the Boardroom of the Chamber's office at 31-B Magnolia St. As a part of the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia, the curriculum covers topics such as Economic Development, Collaboration, Team Building, County Socio-demographics, County Government, Problem Solving & Decision Making, Understanding Leadership and Community Growth. A post-class project and trip are also part of the annual class activities. The next class begins in June 2011. Call 478-945-3486 for information.

Infrastructure and Economic Development

Chair/Contact: Virginia Villatoro

This committee works with local church and civic organizations to develop an Adopt-A-Road program by soliciting groups to volunteer to keep trash cleaned on assigned roads, having groups adopt certain numbers of miles and identify areas with markers, and awarding Beautification awards annually to groups meeting goals.

Another major project is the Annual Davis-Fair Memorial Golf Tournament held in October each year at Waterford Golf Course on Hwy 96. As one of the main fundraising activities for the Chamber, the tournament also honors the memory of two very special past members, Mrs. Connie Davis and Mr. Richard Fair, both of whom gave many hours to help start the Chamber's organizational group called Partners for Progress.

The final project of this committee along with the entire Board is the annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon. Held each year on the 3rd Wednesday of April (Administrative Professionals Day), the luncheon is co-sponsored by the Twiggs County Chamber of Commerce and Oconee EMC. All administrative professionals from the county's offices and area businesses are invited along with their managers. A guest speaker and a catered lunch are followed by an assortment of door prizes and other gifts. An estimated 100 people attended the most recent event.

Public Safety

Chair/Contact: Maj. Jamie McDaniel

The Public Safety Committee works to increase Fire and Rescue personnel, promote the importance of volunteers, works to equip each district with its own team and leaders, focuses on the young adults by making them feel important and needed in this county and established a program to recognize volunteers' dedication to protecting our area. In addition, the committee works with the Sheriff's Department to establish a Neighborhood Watch program by contacting local churches and civic groups to recruit coordinators and helpers, spearheading the program and establishing guidelines and procedures to follow and identify problems. As a goal, the committee will ask each neighborhood or community to establish a personal property database with identification and serial numbers or Social Security numbers and to keep this information in a safe, secure location. Finally, the Committee is working with the county administration, economic development director and the Medical Center to bring local ambulance service to the county.

Recreation

Chair/Contact: Brian Wynne

Long-range plans for this committee include the purchase of land for a recreation park and the hiring of a full-time recreation director. During 2010, we will move toward that goal while continuing the successful football and soccer programs now in place. We will also investigate the possibility of travel ball teams who could be based in Twiggs County.

Pioneer Days in Twiggs County, Georgia

Chair/Contact: Sherri Wood

Founded December 14, 1809, Twiggs County, GA recently celebrated 200 years of history. Twiggs Pioneer Days, rapidly becoming a regional festival, was created to commemorate the rich history of the county as well as the strong potential of the future. The festival, now an annual event, is held the third weekend of September on Friday and Saturday. With one of the strongest entertainment lineups you'll find at a countywide event, the festival's activities also include arts and crafts, food, re-enactors, antique cars and motorcycles, children's fishing competition, playground vendors for children and so much more. Please join us as a vendor, entertainer, food provider, re-enactor, volunteer or guest as we celebrate our county's heritage with wholesome family fun and rich history. For more information, visit the festival page.