BAINBRIDGE-DECATUR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROGRAM OF WORK FOR 2009

2011 PROGRAM OF WORK

AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

MISSION:  To assist the agriculture community, both farmers and agriculture-related businesses, in increasing the awareness of the community as to the economic impact of agriculture on Bainbridge and Decatur County.

1. Host Annual Ag Appreciation Luncheon (Consider changing the event date)
2. Continue building the agriculture scholarship program.
3. Add sponsorship of Decatur County Livestock Show as “added value” to Ag Lunch Sponsorships.
4. Consider adding additional level of membership for farmers who do not own a retail agri-business.   Promote involvement of farmers.

 BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE

MISSION:  Assess, preserve and maintain the Chamber buildings and grounds in an economical and professional manner.

1. Implement a preventative maintenance program.
2. Continue to fund designated Building & Grounds savings account with additional revenues as available.

 CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL

MISSION:  To create non-dues revenue for the Chamber and oversee nomination process for seating of new directors/officers. 

1. Chair Decatur County Fall Festival & Fair Committee with emphasis on providing revenue for the chamber while creating quality entertainment for the community.
2. Chair Nominating Committee for nomination of new board directors and officers.

 COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

MISSION: Ensure open communications concerning Chamber programs, services and activities for the benefit of business and commerce.

1. Utilize free local media sources (City of Bainbridge cable channel, calendar of events publications, etc.) to promote membership benefits and chamber events.
2. Organize the Chamber’s Annual Meeting
3. Help secure sponsorships for monthly Breakfast Meetings, Business-After-Hours, and Newsletters.

 EDUCATION COMMITTEE

MISSION:  To support and enhance quality education and recognize accomplishments of educators and students and work collaboratively with educational institutions and service organizations within the community.

1. Support and act as Board of Directors for Decatur County Certified Literate Community Program (LIFE).
2. Establish a Speakers Bureau list along with a list of subject matter experts the schools could call on for presentations.
3. Sponsor the following programs: Star Student/Teacher, Youth Leadership Program, Leadership Decatur County & the Bill Reynolds Scholarship fund.
4. Continue to support, assist & promote the GED achievement, Family Connections, and Mentoring Program.
5. Consider a Senior Leadership program.

 EXISTING INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE

MISSION:  To assist and promote existing Decatur County industries through Chamber resources and shared efforts of the Development Authority.

1. Host annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon in April with focus placed on attendance, promote roundtable meetings, build on luncheon to include door prizes, etc.
2. Sponsor & coordinate annual Job Shadowing Day for High School juniors and/or seniors.  Include wrap up luncheon for student participants to discuss experience.
3. Promote and facilitate industry and government roundtable meetings.

 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

MISSION:  To advise and inform the membership on governmental issues and to coordinate with the public officials to support the Chamber’s mission.

1. Meet during Legislative Session and communicate important issues to the membership via email.
2. Network with our State & Federal elected officials
3. Investigate means of hosting a Legislative Breakfast if warranted during the 2011 election year.

 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

MISSION:  To attract and retain membership by providing support and services.

1. Host annual Membership Mingle (send invitation to home addresses, invite prospects, plan around other community events)
2. Recognize home-based business members with some type of non-store front type feature/photo in newsletter
3. Get more people involved in the recruiting process by creating a “What is the Chamber” fact sheet or pocket info card for distribution to prospects.
4. Promote associate memberships to existing members by adding additional reps to their business memberships.
5. During Chamber events, ask members to help us ‘Share Your Chamber’ when they meet non-members in the community and then refer them to the membership manager for follow up.

 RIVER TOWN DAYS FESTIVAL

MISSION:  To provide revenue to the Chamber of Commerce and create a quality entertainment event for the community.

1.  Continue to develop solid programs/activities for the public to enjoy.

2.  Explore new kids attractions, river attractions and educational opportunities.

3.  Fine tune sponsorship programs / sponsor parties

4.  Research ideas for more regional/tourism participation.

5.  Investigate ways to diversify vendors

 SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE

MISSION:  To promote and enhance the retail climate in Bainbridge and Decatur County.

1. Restructure the selection process for the Small Business of the Year Award and announce the winner at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Ceremony in January.  
2. Continue to spotlight business members in the monthly newsletter but restructure the format by: providing all business renewals (not just small business members) an opportunity to be included in the spotlight; ask business members to submit spotlight information in advance if they would like to be included in the drawing during their renewal month; promote as a member renewal benefit; and be more informative about the business spotlight benefit at each breakfast when the drawing is held. 
3. Market and promote the Bainbridge Bucks program, encourage year-round usage, and educate retailers about how to use them.
4. Host quarterly Lunch & Learn Seminars to benefit businesses.  Improve lunch menu.
5. Support and enhance entrepreneurship in Bainbridge & Decatur County through educational programs and resources.

 TOURISM COUNCIL

MISSION:  Promote activities, events, and natural resources that attract visitors to Bainbridge and Decatur County.

1. Work with the CVB to promote tourism.