From the Chairman  
As you may already know, the Allen Chamber successfully completed the steps toward and was awarded by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce a three-star accreditation.  This process provided the opportunity for a large number of volunteers to review and evaluate our current programs and operations.  The accreditation packet sent to the U.S. Chamber documented our strengths and our challenges.  We will use this document to assist us in upgrading our operations throughout the coming year.
 
Last year the Board’s emphasis was on recruitment and retention of members as well as the enhancement of services to our business community.  Circumstances somewhat dictated the success of that initiative – especially in light of the country’s economic condition and we, at the Chamber, feel fortunate to have ended the year in a positive financial state.  Our Membership Committee, chaired by Maxine Sweet, is considering the formation of a Membership Acquisition & Retention Team to help us attract and keep Allen business members.  Our Board recommends greater visibility for our Ambassador Club by asking them to act as official hosts and greeters at all Chamber events.  They will continue participating in ribbon cutting, grand openings and ground
breaking events.
 
The long-range planning committee, chaired by Sheila McKinney with Presbyterian Hospital, will continue analyzing our situation and visualize where we hope to be in the future.  As always, our Mission Statement will drive our program of work.  If it fits the mission, it fits the Chamber!
 
One of our goals is to be more than an information source by communicating with our members to determine exactly how the past two years have affected their business and how we can assist them in recovering and increasing their bottom line.  A customer satisfaction questionnaire is currently under development.  A Communications Committee, chaired by Josie Zendejas, will provide recommendations for upgrading our e-communication methods and the Chamber website, making it more interactive and user-friendly.  Upgrades will include an online membership application and registration forms for Chamber events.
 
Our Small Business Task Force will continue the evaluation of proposals from companies offering benefits to our memberships.  In addition, the 4-series Business & Breakfast Forum will address survival strategies, persuasive communications, cash flow management and consultative selling.  Mark Langford of the Small Business Development Center at CCCC will coordinate the seminar series.  The SBTF has spent the majority of 2002 reviewing and negotiating through a third party discounted health, dental and long-term care insurance for Chamber members.  The process is almost complete and they hope to introduce the program to members within the first quarter of this year.
 
The Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Randy Sandifer, will plan and host quarterly Eggs & Issues breakfast meetings inviting speakers that can provide information about issues on the local, state and national levels.  In addition, they will once again co-host the April Candidates Forum with the noon Rotary Club.
 
The Allen International Business Coalition will meet semi-annually to review Allen’s economic outlook and growth and to meet with City officials regarding issues relative to their presence in our community.   In addition, the AIBC will act as an advisory board for the Human Resource Directors Group, Facilities Managers and the Emergency Preparedness Network.
 
As always, our membership investments fall short of providing enough revenue to run our Chamber.  We will continue to present a number of special events to offset those deficits including the annual Celebrate Allen Awards Dinner & Auction as well as our Annual Golf Classic.  In addition, we are adding a new event – World’s Wackiest Waiter Dinner – that promises to be very entertaining.
 
 We look forward to continuing our relationships with the City of Allen and the AISD and appreciate the commitment that each make to our programs.  We’re excited about our Chamber and where we are going in 2003 and beyond!