Allen Chamber of Commerce

2003 Program of Work



CHAMBER MISSION
The Allen Chamber’s main objective is to provide services to our member businesses. Our adopted Mission Statement clearly focuses our resources toward this central goal:

The Mission of the Allen Chamber of Commerce is to support our members through programs that promote business development and encourage economic growth, education excellence and legislative advocacy.
The primary purpose of the Chamber is to improve the local business climate through the encouragement of economic growth and effective representation of business interests before governmental and regulatory bodies.

In practice, our Mission translates into the following critical services:


- To represent the interests of Allen’s business community before legislative, administrative and governmental bodies.

- To sponsor conferences, seminars, meetings and workshops for the purpose of studying business issues and exchanging information about business trends and policy issues important to business.

- To publish a Chamber e-newsletter and utilize our email and fax database as the primary means of improving communication with our membership.

- To promote constructive, cooperative relationships among the Allen business community, Allen Independent School District, City of Allen, Collin County Community College District, the Allen Economic Development Corporation and other Collin County cities and chambers.

- To address important public policy issues that impact Allen’s business environment.

- To aggressively promote responsible economic growth.

- To encourage business involvement and membership in the Chamber.

- To encourage business involvement, participation, and leadership in community, civic and cultural activities.

- To encourage the practice of free enterprise principles and the adherence to high ethical standards by the Allen business community.
These services represent the heart of the Chamber’s operations. In providing these services, the Chamber staff strives to adhere to a set of organizational values, without which our services would be mere words and the worth of Chamber membership slight. These organizational values include the following:

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

- We will treat every member with courtesy and respect, never forgetting that those individuals represent the base from which all Chamber operations grow. In short, we will not forget that companies become members because they desire to, not because they are required to.
- We will not lose sight of the fact that we hold positions of public trust. Our members have placed their confidence and trust in us and we will live up to that trust.

- We will work cooperatively together as a team, always remembering that service to our members is what counts – concern for recognition or organizational power simply gets in the way.

- We will take the initiative to anticipate problems and issues and recommend solutions for the Board’s consideration.

- We will use the Chamber’s resources purposefully and efficiently, never forgetting that most of our resources come from the pockets and potential profits of our members.
KEY CHALLENGES
The following is a list of issues that must be forthrightly addressed by Staff and the Board during the coming year if we are to continue toward organizational excellence and economic progress.


- Balance staff work load. Remain organizationally focused.

- Enhance financial stewardship and strength of Chamber through the prudent use of resources, careful study of service needs, exploration of alternative revenue sources and continued implementation of choice of service investment schedule.

2003 WORK PROGRAM INITITATIVES
As a result of the annual Board Retreat, the following goals and objectives for each of the standing committees of the Allen Chamber were developed. Included in our planning was a reassessment of our mission and a reassertion of our desire to work cooperatively with the City of Allen, the Allen EDC and the Allen ISD as well as an acknowledgement of our responsibilities in serving as the unofficial Convention Visitors Bureau for Allen. These goals and objectives are as follows:

Allen International Business Coalition
Chris Ryan, Chair
Xtera




Utilize AIBC as steering committee to identify relevant needs of the major employers in Allen and forward to the appropriate subcommittee as follows:
* Facility Managers Group
* Human Resource Managers
* Emergency Preparedness Network
* Investigate formation of IT Security Support group


Building Oversight
Sonia Malone, Chair
Allen Premium Outlets

* Provide leadership in leasing and negotiating lease rates for new and renewing tenants, and any issues associated with tenant relations; and
* Assist in determining appropriate action relative to building improvements and/or major repairs.

Governmental Affairs Committee
Randy Sandifer, Chair
Sandifer Law Offices

* Host annual City Council and AISD candidates' forum;
* Present quarterly Eggs Issues Breakfast meetings;
* Closely monitor legislation that affects Allen’s business community; and
* Recommend Chamber action or position to Board of Directors for further action.

Leadership Allen
Josie Zendejas, Chair
Allen Economic Development Corporation

* Encourage Allen's business community to participate in Leadership Allen classes or to provide funding and time for employees to participate;
* Oversee the progress of current Leadership Allen class;
* Participate in the selection of 2003-2004 class; and
* Aide in the development of program/curriculum for participants.

Strategic Planning Committee
Sheila McKinney, Chair
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen

* Study Chamber resources including facility, staff, membership and non-dues revenue, programs and services and recommend enhancements to address the growth of the Chamber for the next 3 years.

Membership Development Services
Maxine Sweet, Chair
Experian

* Provide leadership and assistance in planning, implementing and reaching goal of 600 members through ongoing recruitment;
* Maintain retention rate of 90% or above;
* Continue quarterly New Member Orientations to familiarize members with the opportunities provided through chamber membership;
* Increase number of major investors through the formation of a Membership Acquisition Retention Team (MART);
* Utilize VIP (Very Important Prospect) Coffees for small independent business recruitment efforts; and
* Develop effective means of recognizing sustaining members, committee members and board at functions.


Ambassador Club

* Serve as official representatives of the Allen Chamber of Commerce;
* Provide volunteer resources for non-dues revenue generating projects;
* Participate in Member Appreciation, recruitment and retention activities;
* Continue providing ribbon cutting, ground breaking and grand opening activities for new members and businesses.

Networking

* Continue highly successful Tuesday Morning Live! weekly networking meetings;
* Monthly SOHO Café for Home-based businesses;
* Membership Luncheons;
* Nothing But Networking Luncheons; and
* Business After Hours events.

Small Business Task ForceSSmall Business Task Force (SBTF)
Griff Moore, Chair
Atrium Financial Services

* Continue Business for Breakfast seminar series providing programs that add value to the member’s membership and using Chamber members as presenters, when possible;
* Work with Chamber staff to present Business Appreciation Week and related activities;
* Survey the business community to determine specific business needs; i.e.
* Education/Training;
* Small business and personal marketing strategies;
* Customer Service issues;
* Assistance in procuring Small Business funding; and
* Work with other Chamber committees to develop programs to meet these needs.
* Continue to explore value-added services to small business membership such as discounted Health Insurance;
* Encourage members to do business with fellow chamber members through the Member Buy Member discount program;
* Emphasize the need for the business community to adopt an attitude of purchasing services and products locally through the development of a “Buy Allen@ program; and
* Support activities of Economic Development Corporation that improve business climate and quality of life in Allen.

Special Event Task Forces Utilize Task Forces to organize, staff and promote the following special events:

Business Appreciation Week and EXPO
Proposed event designed to provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding businesses, large and small, within Allen byproviding:

* Week-long emphasis on Allen’s business community through promotion in Inside Collin County Business specialsupplement;
* Millennium Awards Luncheon sponsored by the AEDC; and
* One-day Business Expo designed to showcase Chamber members’ services and products; and
* Provide expanded networking opportunities at the annual BAW Business After Hours.

Celebrate Allen! Annual Awards Banquet Auction
Andy Stewart, Co-chair
Compliments L.L.C.

* Celebrate Allen provides the Chamber an opportunity to recognize individuals who have contributed their time, talent and financial resources to the Chamber and City through the presentation of the Pacesetter, Spirit of Allen and Business Partner awards.
* Celebrate Allen also provide financial resources that are shared equally and contribute to the programs of the Allen Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Foundation for Allen Schools.

Chamber Golf Tournament Bill Nethery, Chair
American National Bank
* The Chamber Golf Tournament is the Chamber’s largest non-dues revenue producing event. Held annually, the event incorporates business networking, excellent golf and prizes for participating golfers.
* Golfer welcome bags containing promotional products and information help promote the Allen Chamber member businesses.

World’s Wackiest Waiter Dinner
Izzie Waller, Chair
RCL Enterprises, Inc.
* New in 2003, this event is designed to be a fun fundraiser utilizing community and chamber leaders in the role of waiter.

Women in Business Luncheon Series Andy Stewart, Chair
Compliments L.L.C.
* Also new in 2003, the WIB series is designed to provide luncheon programs of specific interest to businesswomen in Allen and surrounding areas.

Home for the Holidays
* Encourage more Allen Chamber retail members to participate in this annual event organized to promote local holiday shopping through cooperative advertising opportunities in local newspapers and publications.

Visitor Information Center

* Provide information to prospective residents and businesses through the distribution of relocation packets and the Chamber's Membership Directory and Business Guide; and
* Assist through promotion and participation in all visitor-related special events.