SALISBURY — Sure, the 1960s were about peace symbols, tie-dye colors, beaded curtains, sleeping in VW vans, listening to music with a message and maybe even funny-tasting brownies.

But the decade also trumpeted the messages of diversity and inclusivity.

During the 1960s-themed kickoff to the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Total Resource Campaign on Monday evening, Nicole Matangira asked her chamber colleagues to embrace the inclusiveness and diversity of the 1960s as the organization addresses the issues of today.

Matangira, who is campaign chairwoman and chairwoman-elect for 2019, said Monday the local chamber is “all about representing the needs of the entire business community.”

The organization represents men, women, young professionals and minorities, Matangira stressed, and she sent campaign teams with marching orders to bring in new members, retain current ones and raise extra money for the chamber’s work.

“There is power in numbers, when you come together as one,” Matangira said. “Our campaign starts right now.”

Monday night’s campaign kickoff was held in connection with one of the chamber’s Business After Hours mixers at Trinity Oaks.

“Trinity Oaks always kicks off our campaign with a bang,” said chamber Chairwoman Janet Spriggs, who like Matangira was dressed in more classic 1960s clothing. Picture the “Mad Men” series on television.

But many others, including team captains for the upcoming campaign, went a more love-child, psychedelic route, throwing around all the time-honored ’60s expressions.

“Is everybody feeling groovy?” chamber President Elaine Spalding asked the crowd.

And Donnas Groce’s  words of encouragement to her fellow team captains were, “It’s just all about love, man.”

Here are goals for the Total Resource Campaign:

• 50 new chamber members.

• A 90 percent retention of first-year renewals.

• 10 percent tiered benefit members for 2018 investments.

• $5,000 in nondues revenue.

Team captains include Bill Easterling of Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, Elia Gegorek of Gegorek & Associates Realty, Groce of Trinity Oaks, Carrie Hanneman of F&M Bank, Dr. Nicole Sherrill-Corry of NSC Behavioral Health Concepts, Spriggs of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and Louanne Stanton, an Independence Insurance agent.

Each team captain has recruited 10 people to assist him or her. The campaign volunteers will participate in sales training sessions at 4-5 p.m. today or 8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Both sessions are at The Gateway Building, 204 E. Innes St.

“There are some great prizes,” Spalding promised all the participants. Businesses that join early in the campaign will be part of an advertising campaign in the Salisbury Post, radio spots and social media.

“There’s no better time to join or say yes today,” Spalding said.

Russ Gavitt, owner of Custom Photography and Maps, joined Monday night and received a bottle of wine — and a kiss from Groce — as prizes.

The top producer for the campaign will receive a vacation package valued at more than $2,500.

The campaign runs through Sept. 14, with prizes being awarded at the chamber’s Sept. 17 board meeting.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.