New Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce Member Directory
COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
Admittedly, I have been critical of the new Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce’s practice of mass mailing unsolicited invoices in hopes of recruiting new members. Founded by Charlie Wilson, Mark Mucher and Dan Stump, the new “Chamber,” which purports to represent the interests of Vero Beach businesses, has created more than a little confusions by mailing invoices to businesses that are not members, and that have not expressed a willingness to join. (See: What is the meaning of “joined”? and What is the meaning of “member”?)
At least in the mind of Wilson, acting president of the new “Chamber,” the difference between invoicing existing customers and soliciting for new business appears to remain elusive. Just last night, for example, Wilson sent me an email with an attachment of an invoice from the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce to the North County Republican Club. “Any comment?,” he asked.
I had no comment, other than to explain that without more information, a picture of an invoice says nothing. I asked Wilson whether the North County Republican Club is an existing member of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, or if the group received the invoice after agreeing to join. Or, had the invoice for dues been sent to by the Sebastian Chamber to the Republican Club unsolicited, as Wilson’s chamber has done?
The answers to these questions seemed irrelevant to Wilson. He simply replied, “Once again you are never just wrong. Sad, really sad.” I few minutes later, the founder of the new Vero Beach “Chamber of Commerce” accentuated his frustration with me. “No problem. Forget it. You are beyond repair,” he wrote.
Wilson’s comments are in keeping with his practice of attacking the messenger when he cannot discredit the message.
Beth Mitchell, the executive director of the Sebastian Chamber, confirmed today the invoice issued to the North County Republican Club was for the renewal of the group’s membership. The North County Republican Club, Mitchell said, joined the Sebastian Chamber last year.
The new “Chamber,” which Wilson had hoped would attract at least 100 members by the end of March, currently lists 71 members on its website: Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce members. Officers and directors include: Dan Stump, Chairman, Charlie Wilson, Acting President, Mark Mucher, Treasurer, Georgann Shreiber, Secretary, and directors, Shannon Banitt, Jane Burton, Nichole Menz, Laurie Eastwood and Matt Willis.
Indian River Guardian 
I can’t possibly count the number of unsolicited invoices received in the mail each year for memberships or magazine subscriptions. Some of them I’ve actually requested at one time but no longer wish to continue. Sometimes an email is received, indicating I’ve been tentatively selected to be included in a book of (fill in the blank) individuals. It would only cost X number of dollars. I am surprised Mr. Wilson’s method of soliciting members hasn’t been questioned by USPS Federal Regulations. Perhaps “Know what you’re paying for” is the best any of us can ever expect. If any community theaters in our area decide to produce “The Music Man”, I suggest Charlie as the main character. He’d be perfect, complete with vague promises.
And, a lot of us know of the connection between the founders of the Charlie Wilson Chamber and the North County Republican Club so I agree….what was the purpose of Charlie Wilson sending you the statement from the Sebastian Chamber? I guess that because you had no comment that will be reason for him to continue to call your publication Inside Scandal as he did at the microphone at the last City Council meeting.
I continues to wonder why Wilson and his kind are allowed more than their allotment of time to put on their clown shows meeting after meeting. It is not as if they have special knowledge to impart, just a superior willingness to make fools of themselves. If Wilson referred to Inside Vero as “Inside Scandal,” I would only say that we are what we see in others. Could jot be be that, deep down, Wilson sees himself as “scandalous”?
You can’t even get your insults right. I nicknamed it “inside slander”. Oh and what was all about the growing inside Vero newspaper. The Tourist Development meeting announced that you were now a monthly. What happened to the weekly claim?
Correction accepted. It was reported to me that you used the word “scandal.” Admittedly, though, I was out of town last week and missed your clown act. My larger point remains. If you hear slander, then perhaps you are acquainted with its use. The irony, of course, is that slander is spoken, not written.