Our Plan of Work
Richmond Wayne County Indiana
Chamber of Commerce
Our 2008 Theme
“Committed To Excellence
In Everything We Do!”
“We recognize our absolute need for excellence in order for our community to be a great place to live, learn, and do business.
We hereby commit as a Chamber and as a Community to the pursuit and achievement of excellence in everything we do…”
………….
2008 Plan of Work
The following general classifications are applied to committees and task forces of the Chamber for the purpose of planning work and carrying out strategic objectives for 2008.
Continue As Is
- Continue As Is
- Slight Shift
- Major Change
- New
- Pending
The Chairman of the Board will continue to appoint chairs of the respective committees and task forces of the Chamber and, whenever possible, task force and committee chairs will be Members of the Chamber Board of Directors…
The following are Task Forces of the Chamber for 2008 and their respective areas of primary focus and work:
The Chamber Center efor Excellence:Implementing Task Force (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: John McBride
Chamber Staffing: Chamber President
Classification: NewThe Chamber Center for Excellence with take off in 08 and it is believed the Center holds tremendous possibilities for Chamber and our entire community. The newly created supporting 501c3 organization will bring new resources to the community in support of multiple projects consistent with the mission of the Chamber. Our fist area of grant and resource exploration, based on outcomes from the 2007 Chamber Board Retreat will be in the area of education. Multiple other areas of potential application for this new and existing Center have already been identified, especially those areas corresponding to the chamber's Task Forces, Committees, and Plan of Work. The Chamber Center for Excellence can e seen in the context of our highest aspirations.
New Member Recruitment Task Force (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair:
Chamber Staffing: Chamber President
Classification: Slight ShiftThis task force, formerly a new committee, can be seen in the context of our most basic aspiration for the Chamber and that is Chamber membership. We do not currently have a sales professional on staff working to recruit new members every day. The staff, as a team, being focused on the importance and work of memberships has managed to stop the membership loss, but the path to growth has yet to be determined. Success involving the Chamber Board in new member recruitment has been spotty. This task force will be comprised of Board members and others and will either take on the role of membership recruitment with the staff or examine and recommend alternatives.
Life Sciences Task Force (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Dr. David Fulton
Chamber Staffing: Chamber President
Classification: Slight ShiftA portion of the stated purpose of the task force will be to support the scope of work of the EDC’s Life Science Coordinator. The Life Sciences Coordinator’s scope of work is defined by the President and CEO of the EDC. The Task Force is seen as a resource and supporting community resource for economic development efforts. The Task Force will additionally serve as a think tank, a research arm, and a facilitating group of skilled volunteers who inquire and explore, enable and transform life sciences possibilities into life sciences opportunities. The chair, or his designee, will regularly report to the Richmond Wayne County Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to provide information and receive direction.
*The focus of this task force reaches beyond the boundaries of Wayne County and may require consultation and collaboration with local, regional, state, and national life sciences experts.
Public Policy Issues Task Force (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Bob Bever
Chamber Staffing: Chamber President
Classification: Continue As isThe membership and focus of this group varies. Groups are formed and reformed during the course of each year to address various public and political issues and events, including but not limited to, political debates, state legislative forums, emerging public issues and subsequent positions the Chamber investigates via the Community Leadership Council, member surveys, and other means that may or may not result in Chamber recommendations and advocacy.
Health Insurance/Health Care Task Force (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Garry Kleer
Chamber Staffing: Chamber President
Classification: Major ShiftAn educational health forum is currently being planned through Congressman Pence’s Office for 08 and the planning of a series of health screening events in partnership with Reid is planned for 08.
*The focus of this task force reaches beyond the boundaries of Wayne County and may require consultation and collaboration with local, regional, state, and national health insurance and health care experts.
Young Adult Professionals Task Force (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair:
Chamber Staffing: Chamber President
Classification: PendingThe Chamber and the Young Adult Professionals (Y.A.P.) are in discussions regarding the importance of the future of the YAP organization and efforts regarding recruitment and retention of young adult professionals. The Chamber may assist in identifying resources for YAP to start their own organization, should they decide to do so, or the Chamber may partner with YAP in some way to incorporate a portion or all of the YAP mission and strategic objectives into the Chamber's plan of work. Discussions are ongoing.
*The focus of this task force will reach beyond the boundaries of Wayne County and requires consultation and collaboration with research, high tech, and other specialized professions commonly weighted with young adult professionals and will require local, regional, state, and national communication and consultation.
The following are Committees of the Chamber for 2008 and their respective areas of primary focus and work:
Agribusiness Committee (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Joe Meyer
Chamber Staffing: Chamber Vice President
Classification: Slight ShiftThe agribusiness committee has a new strategy and new members that will carry energy and expanded purpose into 08. Hosting forums on topics of interest to the agribusiness community will continue to enhance the role of this committee. The committee will continue to assist the Chamber staff in planning the annual agribusiness farm tour. The committee also supports Chamber efforts to assist with the annual Rural Urban Banquet as well as collaborations with EDC.
*The focus of this task force will potentially reach beyond the boundaries of Wayne County and require consultation and collaboration with local, regional, national, and international experts.
Business Education Committee
Chair:
Chamber Staffing: Chamber Vice President
Classification: Major ChangeThe Committee’s first charge for 2008 is to assist with a re-examination and definition the purpose and objectives of the Chamber’s Business Education Liaison Program (B.E.L.P.). This vital program requires clearly established goals and strategic objectives reflective of identified needs and existing other community organizations and resources in light of those needs.
Two initiatives of the B.E.L.P., Career Days and the recently established Information and Referral Service, will continue at least through 2008 and beyond 2008 depending upon the recommendation of the committee and the subsequent action of the Chamber Board.
The committee may also assist with planning and implementing forums and seminars in 2008. A sustainability grant has been accepted by the Chamber and is pending development and implementation. The Chamber is also in discussion with SBDC in regards to a possible partnership to hold and promote small business development seminars.
*The focus of this task force will potentially reach beyond the boundaries of Wayne County and require consultation and collaboration with local, regional, and state experts and service providers.
Existing Business and Industry (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Rhett Baumgartner
Chamber Staffing: Chamber Vice President
Classification: Continue As isThis committee, Chamber and EDC staff, are functioning well in surveying area businesses. The 2008 plan to survey 100 Chamber member businesses will identify and address chamber member needs and also be an opportunity to identify perceptions about the Chamber itself by a select sample of chamber members. The committee may require recruitment of additional members to continue successfully survey area businesses and address issues identified.
Buy Local Committee (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Dave Strycker
Chamber Staffing: Director of Finance and Technology
Classification: Slight ShiftThe committee will promote the Chamber member businesses and service providers and the high quality retail and professional services available to consumers locally.
This committee, in 2008, will facilitate (1) promotion of local Chamber member businesses nd service providers in positive ways, (2) generate upbeat communications about the may positive economic consequences of buying and securing services locally, (3) in effect serve as the Chamber's retail business committee, and (4) assist the Chamber staff in establishing and carrying out program linkages (such as the successful gift certificate program) between consumers and Chamber member local businesses and service providers.
Community Development Committee (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Tracie Robinson
Chamber Staffing: Events Coordinator
Classification: Slight ChangeThe committee assists the Chamber staff with community beautification efforts such as Spring Clean-up and beautification awards during the year. The committee assists the Chamber staff with the annual Community Improvement Awards Luncheon. the Adopt-a-Street Program (a partnership between the Chamber and the City of Richmond) will be re-instituted in 2008.
Chamber Action Team (Committed To Excellence In Everything We Do!)
Chair: Don Bates
Chamber Staffing: Events Coordinator
Classification: Slight ShiftThe Chamber Action Team, the most visible army of Chamber volunteers, has undergone significant recruitment and reinvigoration efforts in 07. Member recruitment will continue in 2008 with recruitment of professionals to represent the Chamber of Commerce at Chamber sponsored events as well as new business openings, existing business expansions, and other community celebrations. This committee will continue to supply valued support for the Chamber’s Annual Dinner planning and Spring Golf event in 2008.
Additional members of this valuable resource group will enable added participation by the C.A.T. with monthly chamber events such as Chamber Network Nights, Forums, and Seminars.
*Denotes regional, state, national, and/or international focus…
