Dec.2004- An idea was birthed of uniting the “holistic minded” people in the greater Spokane area. At a discussion at the Metaphysical Research Society Charles Lightwalker suggested that, like the Metaphysical Research Society, there needed to be an organization that would unite those that are holistic minded, so we could share are visions of a more holistic Spokane. The Metaphysical Research Society suggested that Charles take this idea to the holistic health care providers and others that were associated with that field.

Charles discussed this with Bob King former Vice President of the Metaphysical Research Society and a healer/hypnotherapist. Bob thought is was a good idea. Charles had heard through a friend that a Washington State Holistic Chamber of Commerce existed in the Seattle area on the west side of the state, further research (via the internet) provided several other holistic Chamber of Commerce's that existed in various parts of the USA.

2005- Charles Lightwalker contacted the President of the Washington State Holistic Chamber of Commerce, joined the organization, and was told that if he could recruit 2 more members from his region that a Chapter could be created. The organization had 3 chapters in the Greater Seattle area. Charles mentioned this to Bob King who join the State organization, Charles recruited a friend and colleague Pam Albee, who operates Share Transitions and is a professional Hypnotherapist/healer. Pam joined the State Organization and a Spokane Chapter was formed.

Pam and Charles decided to seek advice on creating this organization within the Spokane community, and had a meeting with Ben Cabildo, Executive Director of AHANA - a local minority business association. Ben encouraged them to hold a public meeting and seek members. He said he would announce the formation of the Spokane group at his associations board meeting next month. Invitations are sent out to local holistic minded professionals, asking for their input on the creation of such an organization.

2006- Pam, Bob and Charles met and discussed plans to hold a public meeting- inviting holistic minded business leaders. The meeting was held at Pam’s office, Shared Transitions. 25 people attend the first meeting of the Spokane Chapter of the Washington State Holistic Chamber of Commerce and a steering committee is formed to oversee the Chapter. Charles is asked to serve a Chairman of the Chapter and Pam as Vice Chair of the committee. At that time Dr. Pat Doughtery, Dr. Elizabeth Hesse, Dr. Tricia Kamerer, and others join the Chapter and regular meetings are formed once a month on the third Thursday of the month. The first eight months worth of meeting were held at Rock Point Towers Conference room then the Chamber meeting moved to the Healing Center on 29^th & Grand Blvd where the first Christmas party was also held and attended by 40 people.

A meeting of the Board of Directors of AHANA and SHCC was convened to discus working together.

2007- Dr Pat Doughtery suggests that the organization hold a “Holistic Body-Mind-Spirit Fair” and the idea is brought before the membership which endorses the idea with great enthusiasm. The first Fair date is set and a place is found that is free- the Community Bldg.. The fair is a huge success and more are planned. The fair is mentioned to the Board of Directors of the Washington State Holistic Chamber of Commerce who decides that the Spokane Chapter is moving too quickly and should not have Fairs at this time.  The membership requests that the Chapter have educational events to share with the Spokane community the “holistic viewpoint” and to allow members to share their skills with the community through this event.

After much discussion, the Spokane Chapter decides that they must create their own organization in order to move forward with many of the ideas suggested by the membership. The choice of remaining a Chapter or to create our own organization is put to the vote of its membership, now 40 people, who decides overwhelmingly to create it’s own organization-the Spokane Holistic Chamber of Commerce.

2008- A New Board is elected into office to oversee the Spokane Holistic Chamber of Commerce, with Charles Lightwalker elected President, Dr. Pat Doughtery as Vice President, Valerie Lipestein as Treasurer, Linda Christine as Secretary and Samuel Baker board member at large. Two Fairs are staged in Spokane for the members and the public. SHCC is asked to coordinate the Health Fair section of Unity in the Community event in August. SHCC has booth at Perry Street Fair. SHCC starts meeting in the conference room sponsored by the  AHANA business Association at 25 W. Main street, 3^rd floor. Two Christmas parties were held at this location in 2008- 65 people attending. Also the Holistic Awards was create to honor the leaders in the community, voted on by the members in such categories as Holistic Business Leader, Holistic Business, Holistic Non-Profit, Holistic Teacher, Holistic Body-worker.

2009-A luncheon meeting was created to serve the membership who could not make the evening meetings at One World Spokane, organic kitchen, and the decision was made to do 3 "Holistic Fairs"  per year to serve its membership and educate the community. A Fair Committee was set up to oversee the operations of the Fairs. Standing rules were also adopted to serve as operating guides lines to run the chambers business. Also, Unity Church was selected to host the “holistic fairs” as the other venues had been outgrown in attendance and space for vendors. The Board decided to honor it’s membership by each month selecting a member/business to be spotlighted on the web site as business of the month. Again SHCC coordinated the Health section of Unity in the Community event in August. At the Christmas party holistic Awards were once again given out to leaders in the holistic community and 76 people attended.

2010- Change came to the board of Directors, as V.P. Pat Doughtery decides to step down, as well as Valerie Lipstein, our Treasurer. Kaleah LaRoach was appointed as V.P. and served for 6 months before resigning for health reasons. Stacia Zadra was appointed V.P. and Bettina Torres was appointed Treasurer. The board of directors decides to set up a speaker’s bureau to provide speakers to the community on holistic living, healthcare and holistic knowledge. Once again the SHCC was asked to coordinate the Health Fair section of Unity in the Community event in August. SHCC was one of the sponsors of Sustainable September Spokane. The Board enters in agreement with Women Club of Spokane to cosponsor Women Health Fair in 2011. The 2010 Christmas party was held at 35 W. Main Street sponsored by the Land Council. Eighty five people attend the celebration, and the giving out of “Holistic Awards”.

2011- The current board of directors is Charles Lightwalker-  President, Stacia Zadra - Vice President, Linda Christine- Sectretary, Bettina Torres- Treasurer, and Harvey Caine- board member at large. Monthly meetings are moved to Compass Rose, A Holistic Healing Center, Inc. Chamber is co-sponsoring a Women's Health Fair with the Women Club of Spokane Feb 26^th. In January SHCC has a booth at the Martin Luther Kings Day event at Riverpark Square Jan 17^th and a booth at Sunpeople- natural health fair Jan 24^th.