2012 Business Plan

Chamber Resources

Vice-Chair John Paul Croom

Ambassadors                                                                                                                

Goal:      Serve as the liaison between the chamber board and membership

 

These volunteer leaders representing member businesses help promote a positive community image, assist in welcoming new Chamber members through ribbon cuttings and provide leadership for Chamber events and retention efforts. The committee is limited to 25 members, but a waiting list is available at all times.

Membership Development                                                                                    

Goal:      Improve Membership Retention, Recruitment & Benefits Programs

 

This group reviews the member benefits and works on strategies for retention and recruitment.   Through a coordinated effort with staff, this committee distributes packets in the spring and fall to all members.  This committee helps to coordinate monthly and quarterly membership events and oversees our Referral Groups.

 

Marketing & Communications                                                                            

Goal:      Increase awareness of the Chamber, its events, benefits and activities

 

This committee will meet monthly to review the chamber on-line and printed marketing strategies and goals.  Marketing and communication efforts include but are not limited to:  Web-Site(s), E-News, Face Book, Twitter, You Tube, Blogging.  Committee will work with Special Events for marketing materials and promotional calendar.

Special Events Task Force                                                                                      

Goal:      Raise Non-Dues Revenue through fundraising while providing

networking opportunities for the members

 

Annual Dinner Banquet                                Casino Night & Auction

Golf Tournament                               Business & Community Expo Event

The event task force groups meet to plan, execute and evaluate each event and members can choose to serve on one or multiple event planning groups.  We will also research a Barbeque Cook-Off Event and Christmas Party.

                               

Chamber Operations Task Force                                                                       

Goal:      Maintain and implement guidelines for an efficient chamber

 

This group meets as need to review operational items including but not limited to bylaws, policies and procedures manual, applications for designations for Walton County and the Chamber.

Community Development

Vice-Chair Ted Callaway

Education Committee:                                                                                             

Goal:      Support Public and Private High Schools as well as Higher Education

 

This group plans and implements the annual County-Wide Career & College Day for Highs School Juniors and the Annual STAR Banquet.  In addition, this group helps to match Business Partners with Walton Schools.  The committee will review the Certified Literate Community Initiative and make board recommendations.

Governmental Affairs Committee                                                                     

Goal:      Build strong relationships with city, county, state and federal officials

 

This group plans Legislative Day held annually in November and hosts political candidate forums for city, county, state and federal elections.  The group organizes participants for the State Chamber D.C. fly-in event.  A new initiative for the county will be our first Candidate Workshop for those interested in learning more about running for office.

 

Leadership Walton: Adult Program                                                               

Goal:      To develop new and talented leaders for Walton County

 

Community members must be nominated and selected to be part of this group which meets for nine sessions to explore Walton County, building better leaders for our community.  The maximum class size is twenty (20) annually.

One Walton                                                                                                                    

Goal:      Implementation of Walton Brand and Community Cooperation

 

In 2011, the County received a new brand- STRETCH OUT.  This committee will work to promote this new brand, locally and outside of Walton County.  For implementation dollars, the group will host a Road Race Series, monthly Stretch out and Dine locally, Stretch Your Dollars Days Events and more!

Youth Leadership Walton Program                                                

Goal:      To improve student awareness of Walton County and build leaders

for tomorrow

 

This program is run by Leadership Walton Alumni members and is modeled from the adult Leadership Walton program.  The program is county-wide with participation from high school juniors and seniors from all Walton County schools.

 

Economic Development

Vice-Chair Hal Breedlove

 

Business Council                                                                                                        

Goal:      Promotion of members to maximize their business growth

 

This committee meets monthly and works to promote our member companies through the monthly Member of the Month nomination, selection, and presentation.  This group organizes seminars and workshops for the membership.  Also, the group coordinates our Buy Local Campaign.

Existing Industry Council                                                                                     

Goal:      To bring focus and awareness to our local existing industries

 

In an effort to bring more community awareness to our local industries, we host a minimum of one Industry Tour annually, inviting elected officials and chamber members to attend.  In addition, this group offers training opportunities on specific industry topics as needed or requested.

Tourism Council                                                                                                         

Goal:      Promote Walton County as a tourism designation

 

This committee meets monthly to work on tourism promotions for Walton County and its tourist attractions, including researching areas of interest and promotion county-wide.  This committee more specifically works to promote the county-wide tournaments hosted in Walton as well as promotions at the State Welcome Centers.  In 2012, the committee will work on formation of an Antiques Coalition for Walton.

 

Work Ready Initiative                                                                                              

Goal:      Continue promotions as a Certified Work Ready Community

 

This group works to bring awareness to Walton companies on the many benefits of hiring Certified Work Ready employees and profiling current company jobs as well as promoting the program to citizens of the county to become Certified Work Ready.

Ad-Hoc Task Force Groups:

Business Advocacy Task Force                                                                           

Goal:      Be an advocate for business members on community issues

 

Retail Recruitment Task Force                                                                           

Goal:      Recruit new retail businesses to Walton County