Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce launched a Total Resource Campaign Thursday to raise $100,000 for sponsorships of chamber events through July 2014, as well as increase membership.

Under the theme of “Let the Magic Begin,” teams of volunteers fanned out in the business districts to solicit financial support from business owners for chamber-sponsored events such as Depot Days, Leadership Hartselle and the Cotton Pickin’ BBQ Cook-Off.

“The businesses that sponsored events last year will be the first contacted,” said Susan Hines, chamber president. “We want them to have the first opportunity to sign on as a repeat sponsor. After that, the field is open and hopefully team members will be able to make contact with every business in our area within a six-weeks campaign period.”

“They are also going to use this opportunity to recruit new members,” she added.

A Mini Resource Campaign was conducted last year and received a lot of positive feedback from business sponsors, according to Hines.

“What this does is concentrate fundraising over a short period of time and allows our staff the time it needs to take care of other responsibilities,” Hines pointed out. “At the same time, the business owner is able to exercise better control over his or her marketing and advertising budget while gaining more exposure for their business through Chamber programs.”

Hines said the Chamber’s staff and directors will be directly involved in the campaign, with some of them serving either as team captains or team members.

“Volunteers on loan from various businesses will play an important role in the campaign,” Hines pointed out. “Without their generosity we wouldn’t be able to undertake a project like this.”

Each team will have a captain and three to five members. Luncheon meetings will be conducted Thursdays of each week for progress updates and rewards. Cash awards will be made based on sales during the preceding week.

The campaign will conclude Sept. 5 with major awards going to the three team members having the highest cumulative sales. First place prize for total sales of $20,000 or more is a Disney cruise for two; second place, $15,000 or more, is a cruise for one guest; and third place, $10,000 or more, is a cruise for one.