Membership

Ambassadors

·          Provide “official goodwill” on behalf of the Chamber at B.A.S.H.’s, grand openings & other events.

·         Develop 1-page business plan

·         Coordinate Operation Thank you

·         Conduct personal visits to Chamber members to deliver the annual directory and    conduct membership surveys

Huda Baak

Business Links

·         Offer valuable networking opportunities through the exchange of business leads

Moderators, as selected each 6 months

B.A.S.H. – Business and Social Hour

·         Offer members & guests the chance to network with business & civic leaders

Staff/ various business hosts

Monthly

Member Orientation Reception

·         Familiarize business representatives with the Chamber’s programs and benefits

Staff

Monthly

Membership Recruitment Task Force

·         Create membership department

·         Develop 1 page business plan

·         Develop creative ways to increase Chamber membership, e.g.

o        Offer an incentive to join (gift basket, discount card, free or reduced advertising, etc.)

o        Develop Membership User’s Guide

o        Work with Dues Re-evaluation Task Force for dues-related incentives

Business Services/Marketing Task Force

·         Develop plan to use the web site to market business to each other and the community

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Jim Etherington

Trade Faires

·         Provide members with an opportunity to promote their products and services

Staff

Twice a year – February and September

Communications

Communication Committee

·         Develop appropriate content ideas for

o        newsletter

o        annual directory

o        website

·         Review chamber publications as required

·         Explore writing chamber articles for the Nutshell

·         Continue article in Walnut Creek magazine

·         Try to get more publicity in Contra Costa Times

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Barney Fonzi

Quarterly meetings

E-mail blasts

·         Write and e-mail Insider Report

·         Use e-mail blast to notify members of upcoming programs and events

Jay Hoyer

Bi-weekly

Map

·         Produce annual map

Staff

Annual

Survey

·         Conduct periodic business surveys

·         Create online polling

Staff

Ongoing as needed

Website

·         Maintain state-of-the-art website

·         Ensure that website  links to other appropriate websites

·         Train all staff to use features

Staff

Ongoing

Advocacy

Civic Affairs

√      Monitor local government issues

√      Coordinate appropriate Chamber action

√      Invite key legislative representatives to address the group.

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Ron Brown

Monthly

Education

·         Partner with business, education and civic leaders to support workforce development

·         Sponsor bi-annual job shadowing

·         Host annual Teachers’ Appreciation event

·         Support Career Days

·         Produce Job Guide for students

·         Consider other ideas, e.g.

o        Teacher workshop with stipend paid by business

o        Career Day for middle schools

o        Leadership program for high school students

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Marnie McLeod

Monthly

Education Foundation

·         Activate foundation trustees to develop a mission statement, action plan and funding plan

Jay Chafetz

WALPAC, a political action committee

·         Support pro-business city council candidates and issues facing the business community. 

·         Begin annual fundraising.

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Events/Programs

Art & Wine Festival

·         Plan and implement the 22^nd annual Art & Wine Festival

·         Develop 1-page business plan for 23^rd annual Art  & Wine Festival

Jacque Salas

Job Forum: community series

·         Assist people in their job search by offering free evening sessions with human resource experts

Staff

State of the City Forum

·         Coordinate with City to develop program that provides overview of city and business activities for the upcoming year from the Mayor/City Manager and Chamber perspectives

Harriette Heibel/ Jay Hoyer

January, 2004

Installation Luncheon

·         Install Board Chair and Directors

Staff/Lu Bible

March, 2004

Leadership Contra Costasm

·         Complete 2002-2003 program

·         Recruit for 2003-2004 class

·         Work with Leadership graduates to conduct 2003-2004 program

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Marcie Hochhauser

Ongoing

Leadership Contra Costa Alumni

·         Develop an alumni program

·         Promote the community’s use of graduates

·         Consider development of a “leadership boot camp” that provides information on how to get more involved with city commissions, council, etc.

·         Develop 1-page business plan

Patty Friesen

·          

Technology

·         Guide the Chamber office into becoming technologically secure and efficient in communication with members and the business community

·         Support Think Security First program

Lu Bible

Monthly or more often as needed

Think Security First

·         Inform community members of the need for Internet security

·         Provide the community with the means and training to become cyber secure

·         Offer a “best practices” program to other chambers around the United States.

·         Refer to 1 page business plan

Neal O’Farrell

As needed; refer to schedule in marketing plan

Organization Development

Finance Committee

·         Recommend an annual budget to the Board

·         Review Chamber finances quarterly

Rick Wise

Dues Re-evaluation Task Force

·         Re-evaluate Chamber’s dues structure; consider:

o        Scaled contributions if you pay early

o        Scaled contributions for paying for multiple years

·         Work with Membership Recruitment Task Force for dues-related incentives

·         Make recommendations to Board of Directors for implementation

Rick Wise

Dan White

Revenue Enhancement Task Force

·         Form Task Force to look at how to increase revenue from sources other than dues. e.g.

o        Sponsor joint events with other organizations.

o        Rent and/or sell Chamber membership list.

o        Sell merchandise with Walnut Creek logo.

o        Sponsor Welcome Neighbor Program…sell opportunity to sponsors.

o        Have Chamber discount card (for events, retail, etc.)

o        Sell advertising in Chamber newsletter.

o        Purchase building and lease extra space to non-profits.

o        Package events (Art & Wine w/restaurant, w/hotel).

o        Sponsor Iron Chef competition.

o        Sponsor A Taste of Walnut Creek.  Publish a cookbook after the event.

Carol Hanrahan

Volunteer Recruitment Task Force

·         Provide more recognition for volunteers; work with Communication Committee to ensure recognition is included in Chamber’s various media

·         Include business of the month or volunteer of the month in the newsletter

·         Recognize board members, Ambassadors, and other volunteers at BASH/events

·         Promote volunteer opportunities at New Member Receptions

·         Include an Invitation to volunteer on the dues renewal notice

·         Recognize Ambassadors and other committee chairs in the Directory

Sherry Bennett

Strategic Partnerships Task Force

·         Attend various events sponsored by the DRA (sponsorship funds)

·         Have the city write an article for Business Focus.

·         Write an article for the Walnut Creek Nutshell.

·         Ask city to donate venues for Chamber sponsored events (Heather Farm Park; Regional Center for the Arts.

·         Have a Chamber liaison with the city

·         Link to City website from ours.

·         Create alliances with other organizations. 

·         Have Chamber liaison for regional government organizations and attend their events (ABAG, etc.)

Lisa Hotchkiss