| There is
not a doubt in my mind that 2006 was a truly exceptional year at
the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce! In January, I presented a
vision that I had for this organization, and wondered where it
would be in three, five, even 10 years. I felt it was (and is)
important for all of us to look beyond the recurring
year-to-year Chamber activities and begin to sow seeds for new
programs and strategies that will define what this organization
is in the future. |
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Our 2006 strategy
began at the staff level. Continuity of image and direction at the
Chamber has always been a difficult task because Board Chairs, and Board
Members come and go-staff is consistent over time. Recognizing this, we
made the decision to have our President, Janet Toppenberg, henceforth
become the official spokesperson for our organization. This year,
numerous articles in the newspaper and magazines interviewed and/or
quoted Janet, and she represented the Chamber at City Council and
Planning Commission meetings, and attended the Cap-to-Cap trip to
Washington, D.C. Leaders outside of our organization recognize Janet as
our spokesperson - she is to be commended for her activities on behalf
of our Chamber in 2006. Thanks to Paula, Patricia, Brookelea, and our
new team member Amber for their support of our Board, our membership and
our programs throughout the year as well.
I also need to tell you about the incredible Board members I have had
the honor and pleasure of serving with this year! From our very first
meeting at retreat in December 2005, it became apparent that the Board
was enthused about the journey we were about to embark upon to morph
this Chamber into a better organization. We all knew this would be a
year of transition and strategy, and we were all charged up knowing we
had a unique opportunity to be the architects of change in this
organization. Many Board members volunteered to head up committees,
run/participate in events, sit on our PAC Board and commit to the
numerous and lengthy meetings and research that needed to occur as part
of our strategy in the areas of economic development, membership,
political action, events and programs, member benefits and marketing.
I am truly humbled to have had the chance to work with so many leaders
-- their talent, insight, experience, energy, professionalism, and
commitment amazed me this year!
Following is a
summary of our notable accomplishments in 2006:
·
New
Chamber Logo (Evy Smith, Nancy McGinnis)
·
Member-to-Member Discount Program Enhancement (Linda Keylon)
·
IRT
Meetings- Grant Line (Curtis Miller)
·
PAC -
Formation, Events, Interviews and Endorsements (Mike Wortell)
·
Economic Development (Ken Allred)
1)
Forum
with Barbara Hayes, Roger Valine on what attracts busines
2)
Economic Development Corporation, research and formation
·
Programs - RWB, Business Expo, Golf Tournament, Shop Elk Grove (Chris
Harris)
·
Education-Brown Bag Luncheons (Francisco Rodriguez)
·
Ambassadors- grew to 40 members, 45 Ribbon Cuttings (Wittich)
·
Trip
to China (Paula Schroeder)
·
New
attendance records for Mixers, Luncheons
Now that it is time
to hand off the baton to our new Chair, Francisco Rodriguez, I am
confident the strategies we started this year will be implemented as we
march forward into 2007 and beyond. Our strategy this year was to make
our Chamber more effective, more visible and more relevant to our
members and the business community. I am proud and appreciative of the
time and effort of our volunteer leaders, our members and our staff this
year, and know that with continued strategic planning this organization
will continue to grow and prosper.
Here’s hoping each of you has a prosperous new year! If you are not
currently active in the Chamber, consider becoming more involved and
lend your talents to the future of this organization. Take it from me,
the rewards are immeasurable!
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