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

PROGRAM OF WORK, 2010

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 (Items to discuss: How to get more farmers involved, should we change time of year to winter, add outstanding Ag Youth of Year)

2.       Continue to find creative ways to promote & educate the public on agriculture (Art contests)

3.       Continue building the agriculture scholarship program.

4.       Work with the Governmental Affairs Committee on important issues affecting our ag

        community, i.e., water, navigation, and the environment. 

5.       Promote Chamber membership with agricultural community by mailing pertinent member benefits card to farmers along with invitation to luncheon.

BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE

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

       1.  Develop a long term improvement plan

       2.  Implement a preventative maintenance program.

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL

MISSION:  To provide additional revenue to the Chamber.  (NOTE:  The Chairman’s Council oversees the Decatur County Fall Festival & Fair and other Special Revenue projects as well as Chamber Accreditation.)

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

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

1.       Utilize city access channel to get member benefits publicized

2.       Host the Chamber’s Annual Meeting

3.       Support & promote Chamber events via local media.

4.       Research need for new magazine program for 2010

5.       Help secure sponsors for the monthly Breakfast meetings (possibly alternating months or alternate with Business-After-Hours events or lunches.)

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. Strengthen Business and Industry involvement.

·         Invite someone from the business community to co-chair committee

·         Assist and support the GA Work Ready Certificate Program.

·         Continue bi-annual School Leader for a day program.

·         Career Day Speakers Bureau-Establish a list of subject matter experts the schools could call on for presentations.

2. Sponsor the following programs:

·         Star Student/Teacher, GOAL Program, Youth Leadership Program,   Leadership Decatur County & the Bill Reynolds Scholarship fund.

3. Support, Assist & Promote the following Programs:

·         GED  achievement and Adult Education ;continue literacy work with volunteers; BHS 21^st Century Program; Family Connection & Mentor Program

4. Continue to sponsor Teacher Appreciation basket program.
5. Fundraiser to sponsor GED scholarship program
6. STEM program.  Offer support with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics initiative through the state of Georgia.

EXISTING INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE

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

1. Support the Georgia Work Ready Certificate program and encourage chamber members to participate.
2. Host annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon in April with focus placed on attendance, promote roundtable meetings, build on luncheon to include door prizes, etc.
3. Sponsor & Coordinate annual Job Shadowing Day (investigate offering to High School students in addition to or in lieu of middle school students, either Seniors or combination of Juniors and Seniors; include luncheon with all student participants to discuss experience)
4. Facilitate an industry and government roundtable promoting networking, attendance. (Offer each member to bring a peer)

FAIR COMMITTEE

MISSION:  Provide revenue to the Chamber of Commerce and quality entertainment to the community with the Decatur County Fall Festival and Fair.

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 to communicate important issues to the membership.
2. Focus on developing a survey to be sent to membership via email encouraging input on legislative issues
3. Network with our State & Federal elected officials

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

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

1.       Recruit/Retain members through use of:  Membership Mingle (open invitation to 1 guest prospect), promote use of leads, use testimonials, maintain member benefits list, include benefits brochure with dues renewal statement.

2.       Establish a  Virtual Ribbon Cutting policy

3.       Utilize Ambassador Program to assist with retention & recruitment plans.

4.       Utilize Adult Leadership graduates (offer one year free chamber membership upon graduation from program)

5.       Assist with annual membership mingle

RIVER TOWN DAYS FESTIVAL / DUCK RACE

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

2.  Explore new kids attractions, river attractions and new advertising tools

3.  Fine tune sponsorship program (further developing sponsor parties)

4.  Research ideas for more regional/tourism participation.

5.  Increase and better manage duck ticket sales

6.  Investigate ways to increase vendor revenue

SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE

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

1.       Host annual Appreciation event “Membership Mingle” to spotlight Small Businesses.

2.       Continue the small business spotlight in the monthly newsletter (incorporate email correspondence.)  Allow winner to do short presentation at following breakfast.

3.       Market and promote the Bainbridge Bucks program and encourage year-round usage (Discuss with retailers their interest in providing Bucks as prizes during events.) More advertising around holidays.

4.       Assist with Holiday Open House including Downtown/Main St. but incorporate other outlying businesses.

5.       Host Lunch and Learn Seminars to benefit small businesses.

**ENTREPRENEUR COMMITTEE (new sub-committee of Small Business Comm.)

MISSION:  To support and enhance entrepreneurship in Bainbridge & Decatur Co. through educational programs and resources.       

1. Create public awareness of programs and services offered
2. Coordinate with local educational institutions to notify of resources available

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.