At the beginning of each new year, the Allen Chamber of Commerce Board meets in a retreat setting to map out goals and plans for the coming year.  This year's retreat was held in December and the board took a careful look at all of our projects and programs, making recommendations, offering suggestions and coming up with goals and plans to be implemented during the year.
 
Earlier in 2002, the Chamber's Long Range Planning Committee developed a survey that went out to all board members, committee chairs, ambassadors, staff and others familiar with the operation of the Chamber.  Survey participants were asked to evaluate all of our projects and programs in terms of how closely the activity fit our mission statement, its financial impact and the amount of time required by staff and volunteers to carry it out.  The long range planning committee then developed a scoring system that was weighted to place more emphasis on mission statement, followed by financial impact, staff time and volunteer time.  Each activity then received a numerical score based on the survey results so that all activities could be compared one with another.  The results of the survey and several recommendations were then presented to the board in 2002.
 
The Long Range Planning Committee's job is to look two to five years into the future and the job of the annual board retreat is to look at plans for the next year.  So as we began our board retreat in December, we started with the work done by the long range planning committee and the results of the 2002 survey.  The output from the retreat is now being transcribed and will be presented at the January board meeting.  Once the board approves that document, we will have a plan of work for 2003.  We will provide you with the details in our next newsletter. 
 
A lot of hard work has gone into our action plan for this year and I am confident you will be excited when you see what all is in store for 2003.  The Board and I are looking forward to another great year for the Allen Chamber.  Thank you for your membership and your support.  If you are reading this and you are not a member, then perhaps you should consider becoming a part of this great organization.  Give us a call at the Chamber office.  Membership applications are available.
 
I wish the very best for you and your business.  May it be a happy and prosperous new year.
 
Robert S. Rothe, CFP