Former mayor and current mayoral candidate Nelda Martinez will lead a new revenue-generating initiative for the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. The Total Resource Campaign kicked off Feb. 21 and will continue until April 26. During that time, volunteers will be busy approaching every business in the city to present everything the chamber has to offer. 
“The Total Resource Campaign is a model that has been used in chambers around the country for the last 40 years,” said Annette Medlin, chamber president and CEO. “It allows the chamber to roll out its entire book of business for a 12-month period during a short 10-week timeframe, once a year. It lets us make one ask and then not come back again for a whole year.” 
From 80-100 volunteers are being trained to canvass city businesses sharing sponsorship, marketing and advertising opportunities available through chamber resources. Martinez heads the committee, putting the fundraising and information drive together. 
Other committee members are Ed Bacak, American Bank; Mike Carrell, Frost Bank; Mary Jane Garza, Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi; Ken Griffin, AEP Texas; and C. Michelle Unda, NuStar Logistics, Central West Region. 
The overall goal is to raise $350,000. Sponsorships are being offered to all of the chamber’s fundraising events throughout the year, including the Salute to the Military, State of the Port, Picnickin’ and Politickin’, Bizzy Awards, Diez y Seiz Festival and Mercado, Small Business Mercado and more. 
Including small businesses is a vital part of the initiative. 
“It broadens the levels of participation in a way that is considerate of the small business budget,” Medlin said. “It is a win on so many levels, and we are excited about the opportunity to create a sustainable business model for our chamber that will increase our capacity to bring the best tools, resources and programs to our members and to the community.”