Pittsburg Chamber replaces president for a day

It was one simple order, but it was probably one of the most popular executive orders in the history of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
"By my order, we had a long, extended lunch," said Steve Sloan, the Midwest Minerals president who served as the Chamber's "President for a Day" on Wednesday.
During this year's Mt. Carmel Foundation Gala, Sloan was the high bidder on a chance to "take over" for actual Chamber president Blake Benson for a day this summer. However, Sloan, a former Chamber board member, used some executive privilege to ensure that his work day quickly turned into half of a work day.
"I was there about four hours," Sloan said. "We had a shortened day.  I guess when you get to call the shots, that's what happens."
But while it was short, his day was not unproductive. After presiding over a ribbon cutting ceremony at Wimmer Vision Care, Sloan and the Chamber staff reviewed outstanding memberships and took notes on invoices.
"We talked a lot about memberships," Sloan said. "We were trying to get some renewals going."
"Steve probably got done in three hours what most people could do in a whole day," Benson said.
Meantime, the real president sat up front in the secretary's desk.
"Blake was a good sport," Sloan said. "He watched the phones the whole time."
The silent auction at the gala served as a fund-raiser for the hospital foundation. Similar job-for-a-day options were Mt. Carmel CEO, Pittsburg State University president and television news reporter.
"The best part of it is it raises money for a good cause," Benson said. "But it's also a fun way for people in the community to get an inside look at our organizations and what happens from day to day."
Sloan said he enjoyed working with the Chamber, adding that it was his way of saying "thank you" for all that organization does for the community.
"It killed two birds with one stone," he said. "It raised some money and it also gave a Chamber member like me, who is very appreciative of what the Chamber does, an opportunity to meet the staff and get to know them a little more. It's a way of showing appreciation. Sometimes, in these days of tight budgets, we don't do that enough."
It was one simple order, but it was probably one of the most popular executive orders in the history of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
"By my order, we had a long, extended lunch," said Steve Sloan, the Midwest Minerals president who served as the Chamber's "President for a Day" on Wednesday.
During this year's Mt. Carmel Foundation Gala, Sloan was the high bidder on a chance to "take over" for actual Chamber president Blake Benson for a day this summer. However, Sloan, a former Chamber board member, used some executive privilege to ensure that his work day quickly turned into half of a work day.
"I was there about four hours," Sloan said. "We had a shortened day.  I guess when you get to call the shots, that's what happens."
But while it was short, his day was not unproductive. After presiding over a ribbon cutting ceremony at Wimmer Vision Care, Sloan and the Chamber staff reviewed outstanding memberships and took notes on invoices.
"We talked a lot about memberships," Sloan said. "We were trying to get some renewals going."
"Steve probably got done in three hours what most people could do in a whole day," Benson said.
Meantime, the real president sat up front in the secretary's desk.
"Blake was a good sport," Sloan said. "He watched the phones the whole time."
The silent auction at the gala served as a fund-raiser for the hospital foundation. Similar job-for-a-day options were Mt. Carmel CEO, Pittsburg State University president and television news reporter.
"The best part of it is it raises money for a good cause," Benson said. "But it's also a fun way for people in the community to get an inside look at our organizations and what happens from day to day."
Sloan said he enjoyed working with the Chamber, adding that it was his way of saying "thank you" for all that organization does for the community.
"It killed two birds with one stone," he said. "It raised some money and it also gave a Chamber member like me, who is very appreciative of what the Chamber does, an opportunity to meet the staff and get to know them a little more. It's a way of showing appreciation. Sometimes, in these days of tight budgets, we don't do that enough."