To entice more area nonprofits to join the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, a new nonprofit membership tier will be launched. Under this new tier nonprofits will be able to join the chamber for $85 a year or join at a higher level of membership for additional benefits. Board members approved the new tier at their regular meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3.

While on the topic of membership packages, Executive Director Tammy Cotton added that prior to 2016 she would like board members to reexamine the current membership packages, in order to update them.

Additionally, chamber board members approved the creation of Syracuse maps by SpectraPrint. The maps will target tourists and showcase activities and shopping opportunities around the community; it will also contain detailed listings that area businesses can purchase.

Board member Kathy Boyts noted that this summer she found herself constantly having to draw maps for visitors to the area. She said the maps would come in handy, especially with the large number of people being drawn to the community by Groupon.

Chip Erwin, board member, agreed stating that Groupon is drawing a lot of people from Chicago who are getting special deals to stay at Oakwood.

By going with SpectraPrint, the chamber stands to end rebates for listings sold. The maps will be distributed to local businesses — like hotels and retail spots — and rest stops within Indiana.

Events task force chair Chad Jonsson shared in his report that the task force has finalized plans for the Oct. 11 Harvest Festival. The festival will be held at Lakeside Park this year since it’s outgrown Veteran’s Memorial Park. Up to 40 regular farmer’s market vendors, food vendors, a bluegrass band, cloggers, petting zoo and pig races will participate; additionally, there will be a variety of kids games and activities.

The task force has also discussed a possible winter carnival that could potentially include snowmobile races, a polar plunge, ice or snow sculptures, a 5K run and ice skating, in addition to activities that don’t require ice on Syracuse Lake.

In other chamber news:

• Board members will be looking at increasing its level of membership with ChamberMaster, in order to potentially provide chamber members with more benefits.

• Four new members were approved: Beyond Landscaping Inc, Milford; Babes & Combs, Syracuse; SRP Custom Graphics LLC, Goshen; and Fireside Tap and Grill, Edwardsburg, Mich. The chamber now has about 233 members.

• Charlie Haffner with the Lions Club gave a presentation about the club’s foreign exchange student program, noting next summer there will be four Finnish students in the community. He stated the club is still looking for people to house them.

• Cotton spoke with Tina Harlan about launching Coffee Connections, a networking event. The first one will be in November at Cool Beans.

• Approval was given to rent out a small office within the main chamber office for use as the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail’s new executive director’s office.

• The annual chamber dinner is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Next chamber board meeting will be at noon Oct. 6 in the chamber office.