The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce held their first Past President’s All Chamber Picnic at East Park.

Chamber members, as well as family, gathered at the park in Tuesday’s humid evening air, reuniting former members and introducing new ones.

The Red Devils catered the event, grilling bratwurst, hot dogs and hamburgers.

As members mingled, shared in a few laughs and filled their plates, Jeffrey Black, executive vice president, gathered past chamber presidents to speak on why the get-together was planned.

“We want to set a Past Presidents meeting annually,” said Black. “We’re looking for direction and advice.”

Black went on to explain this particular event’s purpose was to organize future meetings.

Past presidents and chamber members are planning to meet twice a year, possibly during a lunch get-together.

Each meeting would be more than one hour in length and would provide a sounding board environment for community issues and events.

Black suggested holding another event in October to further progress on issues and concerns.

“The past presidents have a lot of knowledge to draw on,” said Tony Allison, past president.

The members want the meetings to be a collective effort allowing past members to contribute and recognizing that they are still a crucial part of the community.

Brainstorming and flexibility are key factors in a community’s evolution.

“Lending advice and using past presidents as a resource is the intention,” said Allison.

The members plan to bounce around ideas and allow for former members to suggest ways of solving problems and increasing efficiency.

Shirley Patton passed out 2008 Chamber membership directories to everyone as the table of past presidents and current members brainstormed and shared some chuckles.

“I think this is great,” said Bebe Thomas, past president.

The chamber plans for yearly events to get together and hopes the brainstorming will spur evolution in problem solving and efficiency.