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Membership Services
Vice Chair - Mike Long, Mike Long Insurance Agency
Volunteers: Lucille Brock-Thomas, Rick Peel
 
Objective: Promote the value of Chamber membership.
 
Member Retention
Committee Chair: Lori Rozier
Goal: Increase retention rate of current Chamber membership to 95%.
Promote new programs and services to membership to ensure continued interest and involvement in the Chamber.
  • Business After Hours Sub-Committee Chair: Mary Jo Nickodem
    Committee: Carol Keith, Carmen Jones, Shawn Oliver, Kelli Lamb, Tracy Murphy
    Enhance networking opportunities for members by promoting interest & participation in BAH.
Member Recruitment
Committee Chair: Tracy Murphy
Goal: Increase membership by 20%.
 
Publicize the value of Chamber membership by creating new marketing materials that promote new membership levels and enhanced member benefits.
 
Ambassador Program
Committee Chair: Catherine Martinez
Goal: Recruit a minimum of 10 new Chamber Ambassadors.
  • Make personal visits to Chamber members to encourage their participation
  • Reach out to prospective members to educate them about the value of chamber membership
  • Adopt a reward / incentive program for Ambassadors to encourage them to help meet member retention & recruitment goals
  • Establish criteria for an “Ambassador of the Year” Award
Annual Meeting
Committee Chair: Brenda Davidson
Goal: Plan and conduct Annual Meeting with a minimum of 200 in attendance. 
  • Awards Sub-Committee Chair: ____________________
    Committee: John Benner, Alan Jones, Chad NeSmith, Mike Long, Tina Hinson...
    Coordinate the nominations and selection process for the annual business awards. Establish criteria for Small Business of the Year Award.
  • Sponsorship Sub-Committee Chair: ____________________
    Secure $ 4,000 in sponsorships to help underwrite the event.

Business Development
Vice Chair – Alan Jones, Jones Healthcare
Volunteers: Rick Peel, Alvin & Beverly Leaphart
 
Objective: Advance the education & skills of the businesses in our community.
 
Business Education
Goal: Conduct programs that enhance business community’s education and knowledge of how to make their business thrive. 
  • Lunch & Learn Sub Committee Chair: Robyn Brockington
    Committee: Karen Harris, Brenda Davidson, Antonia Harris, Matt Hubbard
    Conduct nine (9) (Sept. – May) that will provide practical tips and suggestions to help business owners and their staffs.
  • Maximum Money Class
    Plan and conduct class offered by the Small Business Administration and funded by a grant through the Entrepreneur Friendly program.
  • Business News Sub Committee: Page Dent
    Committee: Robert Brantley, Debbie Graham
    Implement a monthly section in the Press-Sentinel that will provide business tips and insight, advertise Lunch & Learn and provide information on how the Chamber can help business. Also, create plan to utilize radio and television.
GA Work Ready Certificate
Committee Chair: Hank Martin
Goal: Work in conjunction with ATC to help Wayne County obtain the “Georgia Work Ready Certificate” by 12/31/2009.
 
Business Retention & Expansion
Committee Chair: Bill Freeman
Goal: Provide assistance and support to the Industrial Development Authority in implementing the plans already established for an “Existing Industry Council”.
  • Coordinate a regular meeting schedule and help them establish a forum that will allow existing industry to discuss successes, problems and concerns they are encountering. 
     
  • Government Affairs
    Vice Chair – Jimbo Boykin, Boykin Erectors
    Volunteers: Vi Bennett, Robert Brantley, Will Murphy, Fonda Davis, Elaine Rentz, Alvin Leaphart, Tim Taylor
  • Objective: To monitor pending legislation at the local, state and national levels and inform the membership about the potential implications to business and to coordinate governmental affairs forums and events.

     

    • Legislative Action Agenda
    Committee Chair:     Nick Harris 
    Goal: Work with chamber members, local elected officials and other community groups to prepare a Legislative Action Agenda representing the interests of the business community and Wayne County.
     
    Governmental Affairs Events
    Goal: Coordinate and encourage participation in certain events related to government affairs to increase the interest and knowledge of Chamber Members in legislative action.
    • Eggs & Issues Sub Committee Chair: Eric Denty
      Committee: Mark Williams, Chad NeSmith
      Plan and coordinate this annual event, normally held in January, which provides a forum for Wayne County’s state legislative delegation to report on issues during the General Assembly.
      • Day for Wayne Sub Committee Chair: Gave to Tourism - Heather Altman/John Benner
      Help plan this annual event, normally held in November, for invited guests to learn more about Wayne County. Maintain focus on attendance from important state level dignitaries.
    • Okefenokee Occasion / Georgia Chamber Annual Meeting / Eggs & Issues Sub Committee Chair: Mike Burch
  • Coordinate Wayne County’s participation in Okefenokee Occasion, a multi-county legislative event held in Atlanta during the Georgia General Assembly. Also, coordinate Wayne County’s participation in the GA Chamber’s legislative events.
    • “Washington Fly-In”
      Coordinate the Chamber’s participation in this trip to Washington coordinated by the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) and the Georgia Chamber.
     
    Membership Survey
    Goal: Implement an Opinion Survey tool for the purpose of surveying all Chamber Members on governmental issues.
     
    Community Development
    Vice Chair – Chad NeSmith, NeSmith-Walker Chevrolet
    Volunteers:     Joseph Atkins, Fonda Davis, Elaine Rentz, Dr. John Weaver
     
    Objective: To spur Economic Development and enhance the quality of life for our community.

    Buy Local Campaign
    Committee Chair: Chad NeSmith
    Goal: Promote “buying local” for the purpose of keeping businesses open and growing and to help stimulate the Wayne County sales tax. 
    • Develop a “Shop at Home” campaign in time for the Holiday Open House in November.

    Christmas Parade
    Committee Chair: Adrienne Lawhorne

    Goal: Coordinate the annual Christmas Parade held on the first Saturday in December for the purpose of drawing shoppers from the surrounding areas to Wayne County and our downtown and also to promote pride in our community.
    Committee: Shawn Oliver
     
    Agri-Business
    Committee Chair:     Randy Franks
    Goal: Help promote activities coordinated by the County Extension Office to highlight agriculture and its economic impact on our community.
     
    Education
    Committee Chair:     John Riddle
    Goal: Work to build awareness about the importance of quality public education to our community and to our member businesses.  
    • Establish a Business Education Support Team (B.E.S.T.) that will seek to keep the business community informed and provide feedback about educational issues facing our community
    • Work to continue the positive working relationship between the Chamber of Commerce, the new Superintendent of Schools and the Wayne County Board of Education
    • Host a “Meet & Greet” for Chamber Members to meet the new Superintendant
    • PIE Appointments: Chamber - 5 slots, BOE - 5 slots, 7 more slots available