Councils & Committees
2007 Plan of Action

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIVISION           CHAIR – JOE MEREDITH
Business Advocacy Task Force                     Chair – Robert Parks
Purpose: Work as a partner with new, emerging and expanding businesses to streamline development processes and educate existing businesses on issues of importance to them.

2007 Goals:
o Continue dialogue with and between inspectors and contractors
o Further develop “business friendly” permitting processes in all municipalities
o Publish “How to” guide for contractors and business owners.

Higher Learning Initiative                               Chair – Terri Mitchell
Purpose: Increase communication and interaction with Virginia Tech, Radford University, New River Community College and the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

2007 Goals:
o Identify key areas of interest for the Chamber within each entity.
o Establish key contacts at each higher learning education venue.
o Open lines of communication with those institutes that do not currently exist and strengthen existing relationships.

Transportation Committee                                    Chair – Ray Alcorn
Purpose: Assess the long and short term needs for improving air,rail and public transportation in the region. Encourage and promote the importance of alternative transportation venues.

2007 Goals:
o Conduct an assessment of what members need and want in transportation.
o Research the status of development in air, rail and public transportation systems.
o Host a summit meeting – featuring a panel discussion with company representatives, VDOT and local politicians.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION       CHAIR – JIM MCALISTER
Legislative Committee                                           Chair – John Tutle
Purpose: Monitor the proceedings of local, state and federal governing bodies on issues important to the Chamber and keep the membership informed regarding these issues. Work in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations to advance free enterprise principles; recommend to the Board of Directors the adoption of an official statement of position on appropriate issues; provide recommendations to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors on legislative issues.

2007 Goals:
o Strengthen our relationships with Local, State and Federal representatives
o Develop a legislative agenda pooled from other Chamber committees and present to local, state and federal legislative delegations with staff coordination and Board approval.

Media Relations Task Force                                 Chair – Lori Preston
Purpose: Increase awareness and responsiveness of positive business and community news through media outlets. Recognize positive coverage of activities and programs.

2007 Goals:
o Develop point of contact representative list for each media venue. Especially focused on media representatives that are responsive to positive community press.
o Become a clearinghouse for press releases and positive public interest stories.
o Provide input for the creation of a printed Chamber newsletter.
o Increase intentional and collateral advertising of Chamber brand.

2007 Programs/Events

o Jazzburg – Possible date change in 2007
o Wilderness Trail Festival
 

MEMBERSHIP DIVISION                                        CHAIR – BILL KING
Ambassadors                                                          Chair – Allison Mease
Purpose: To promote the Chamber through visible participation in Chamber sponsored events and to assist in recruitment and retention efforts.

2007 Goals:
o Provide personal contact to retain existing members and increase new memberships
o Participate in Chamber member Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings.
o Provide assistance with ongoing Chamber events such as Business After Hours, Wilderness Trail Festival, Annual Auction, etc...
o Assist/participate in Operation Thank You.

Voice of the Chamber Initiative                           Chair – Jonathon Reid
Purpose: Increase awareness and recognition of small businesses within the Chamber. Increase responsiveness to small business needs. To facilitate brand awareness and recognition to the membership and the public.

2007 Goals:
o Conduct survey through “face to face” activities such as Business After Hours, Business Before Breakfast and other chamber events, incorporating phone polling as well. Information gathered should determine the perception of the Chamber by members and non-members. Review and recommend action steps from results.
o Strive to create more “tangible” Chamber benefits. Especially those that enhance and increase business for the members.
o Recruit small business owners to participate on the Chamber Board of Directors.
o Promote member identification. Encourage displays of membership and promotion.
o Conduct follow up survey within 6 months – a year to determine effectiveness of efforts.

2007 Programs/Events

o Annual Dinner/Auction
o Building Task Force
o Business Expo/Career Fair
o Golf Tournament



WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION                 CHAIR – RAY WILLIAMS
Quality Schools Initiative                                                    Chair – Tammy Costigan
Purpose: Allows businesses and individuals the opportunity to become involved with the school system and become an advocate on behalf of those schools through visible support.

2007 Goals:
o Discover plans for future school structure and projected number of students from School Board.
o Investigate projected Montgomery County spending on education.
o Lobby for high impact educational spending in both capital improvements and instruction.
o Report findings to the Board of Directors, the Towns of Blacksburg & Christiansburg, Montgomery County and the School Board.
o Facilitate “Town Hall on Education” event to inform the membership and the public.
o Foster strong relationship with the New River Community College
o Continue “Tools for Teachers” Appreciation Event.


Workforce Development Committee                                 Chair – Brad Ball
Purpose: Facilitate the retention, recruitment and training of a skilled labor force in our area.

2007 Goals:
o Implement marketing strategies, developed in 2006, that will keep young professionals graduating from our higher learning facilities and attract skilled workers to our area.
o Design and launch website as outlined in 2006.
o Research venues and costs for advertising our message and develop funding sources for that advertising.
o Lobby school system and universities for extended curriculum in work ethics and life skills courses.
o Make contact and lobby for participation in Career Fair/Business Expo with VT, RU, NRCC and the local School Board.
o Encourage participation in Morning Matters, Business Before Breakfast and Business After Hours events designed to train and facilitate networking with young professionals.


2007 Additional Programs and Events

Accreditation
Purpose: Validate the Chamber’s programs and activities through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Accreditation Program.

2007 Goals:
o Examine all aspects of the Chamber (9 core areas).
o Complete and submit application by August 2007.
o Host visit from U.S. Chamber of Commerce to finalize process.

Association/Society Formation Assistance
Purpose: Encourage the development of professional associations and societies that advance the growth of business in our area.

2007 Goals:
o Identify key interests groups.
o Develop resource directory for distribution.
o Provide input for the design of web pages designed to attract and promote professional associations.
o Use Chamber events/programs to get the information out.
o Facilitate discussion groups focused on particular segments of the business community using unique methods such as listservs and web conferencing.

Leadership New River Valley
Purpose: Assist in the development of community leaders by providing participants from diverse backgrounds with an understanding of the problems, opportunities and issues facing the community. Foster the development of leadership skills and techniques in an environment that encourages the establishment of new relationships and communication networks between the participants.

2007 Goals:
o Recruit and maximize number of class participants
o Secure sponsors for 2007-08 Program

Past Presidents & Chairs Council
Purpose: To recognize and appreciate those leaders who have directly contributed to the Chamber’s success and to receive input from those leaders on the Chamber’s progress.

Tourism Development Council
Purpose: Increase tourism (visitors) in our area to diversify the economy, create jobs, increase the tax base, support/increase business, create a sense of pride in our communities and foster preservation of natural, cultural and historical assets.

2007 Goals:
o Oversee branding/marketing efforts
o Educate residents and the business community on tourism’s positive impact
o Encourage launch of tourism specific website
o Ensure that Visitors Guide is published
o Identify, initiate and support projects that positively affect tourism