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Program| Online Application| List of Champions| Chamber Champion of the Quarter|

SYLVESTER-WORTH COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHAMBER CHAMPIONS TEAM

The Chamber Champions Team members are the Chamber’s special volunteers who act as ambassadors for the Chamber and work as liaisons between the Chamber and the business community. As a Champion, you have the opportunity to participate regularly in Chamber activities and be an important part of the Chamber's growth.

A Champion needs to be a responsible person who is committed to business development in the Worth County area and who wants to be an active participant of the Sylvester -Worth County Chamber of Commerce. The role of a Champion allows for many opportunities to enhance your own business relations and meet other fellow Chamber members.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHAMPION

Motivation to be successful: Simply put, a volunteer must want to be a successful Champion and should exhibit a sincere willingness to help in any capacity. A positive attitude is a must.
Communication skills: Are a must. Although not a requirement, previous sales and marketing experience and associated communication skills are a benefit to the volunteer.
Tenure: Sufficient tenure with one’s company generally provides the volunteer with a base of job security from which to step most effectively into volunteer responsibilities.
Volunteer Involvement: Although not a requirement, previous volunteer involvement demonstrates an inclination towards success as a Champion.
Character: Individuals should represent the Champions in such a way that others will form a favorable opinion of the team and the Chamber.

BENEFITS OF INVOLVEMENT

Benefits to a Champion:

Recognition – Letters to your employer and recognition at Chamber functions.
Business contacts.
Affiliation with a prestigious organization.
Free admittance to Business After Hours.
Publicity: Chamber Newsletter
Champion of the Year Awards
Membership Directory

Benefits to companies providing a Champion:

Recognition at meetings of the Board of Directors and other Chamber functions.
Recognition in Chamber publications.
Recognition throughout the Worth County area.
New business contacts.
Help to raise and maintain new membership income to fund the Chamber’s Strategic Plan, which will improve the overall community development of the Worth County area.
Development of business leadership skills.

AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT

Champions take an active role in the following areas:

NEW MEMBER DEVLOPMENT

Primary function of a Champion is to seek new members and encourage participation in Chamber activities.

MEMBER RELATIONS

HOST/HOSTESS OPPORTUNITIES

Act as a representative of the Chamber at activities such as Business After Hours.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Work directly with the Chamber staff and board concerning activities and programs to assist with the future direction of the Champions and Chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

The following is a description of the approved Champion activities that are to be reported on the Champion Point Sheet:

Recruit New Members: The primary function of a Champion is to recruit new members and to encourage participation in Chamber programs and activities (10 points = 1 new member).

Goodwill Visits: Personally visit with new members (as assigned) to thank them for joining and encourage them to become involved. When problems are encountered, helps to facilitate communication between the member and the Chamber (5 points = 1 visit).

Goodwill Tracking Calls: Once a Goodwill visit is completed and turned in, that member’s information is retained by the Champion and follow-up calls are made periodically to remind the member of events and activities and encourage participation. Goodwill Tracking Calls may be counted for points up to 6 months after the Goodwill Visit is made (2 points = 1 phone call).

Member Orientation Attendance: Champions help new members feel welcome and facilitate networking (5 points = 1 attendance).

Champion Meeting Attendance: Meetings are held in the Chamber boardroom (1 point = 1 attendance).

Registration Support at Community Job Fair: Work the registration table to greet guests and prepare nametags (5 points = job fair participation).

Business After Hours Attendance: After hours networking opportunity. Champions help newcomers feel welcome and facilitate networking. Shows support of sponsoring business (5 points = 1 Business After Hours participation).

Attendance at Ribbon Cuttings/Grand Openings: Attend the announced events of members (3 points = 1 attendance).

Bring a Potential New Member to Business After Hours: Helps to introduce a potential new member to existing members and allows them to experience participation firsthand (3 points = 1 potential member).

Recruit a New Champion: Volunteer participation is critical to the achievement of the Chamber’s goals. A strong and active Champion Team is vital to success (3 points = 1 new recruit).

Special Events: Champions will be assigned to participate in special events (5 points = 1 special event).

Other Activities: Champions will also participate in securing sponsorships or donations for Chamber activities such as door prizes for events, as assigned.

STRUCTURE OF THE CHAMPION PROGRAM

Participants receive direction from the Chamber President and Champion Program Chairman (Board member). The Chamber provides staff support.

CHAIRMAN RESPONSIBILITIES

Personally meet and orient each new Champion and insure that they have a thorough understanding of the program and their responsibilities.
Insure that each new Champion is thoroughly knowledgeable about the Chamber.
Distribute minutes and other pertinent information to Champions.
Hold meetings to update Champion Team on new member prospects and Chamber activities, provide training and information about point earning opportunities.
Recognize the Champion of the Year at the Chamber Annual Meeting/Installation Banquet.

CHAMBER STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist Chair and/or Co-chair with completing responsibilities.
Recognize the Champion of the Year at the Board of Directors Annual Dinner.
Act as liaison between the Champion Team and the Chamber Board of Directors by reporting on Champion activities.
Schedule sales and other necessary training as needed.
Monitor progress of the Champion Team toward attaining yearly goals.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

A Champion is a representative of the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce and their own business, and is expected to act professionally. A Champion’s conduct should be based on sound business judgment with high ethical standards. A Champion is to respect the honor system and is expected to turn in points only for approved activities that are within the spirit of the Champion program.

Champions are to become knowledgeable about the Chamber and its programs, services and activities. In all communications and dealings with fellow Chamber members, a Champion is expected to follow all Chamber guidelines.

The Champions are an important part of the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce and each Champion should take their participation seriously with a commitment to work toward continued economic development of the Worth County business community.

Any issues that may arise will be handled by a Champion Review Committee. The Committee will be comprised of the Chamber President, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Champion Chairman.

RULES OF PARTICIPATION

A Champion must be a retiree or an employee of a Chamber member firm in good standing. Should the company drop its membership, the Champion will become inactive. When the company renews its membership, the Champion will become re-activated with employer approval.
Employer endorsement is required prior to acceptance. If a Champion changes employers to another Chamber member, endorsement by the new employer is required.
At least one Champion or other Chamber board member must sponsor and provide endorsement prior to acceptance.
Champion applications are to be approved by the Chamber President.
Champions are expected to accumulate an average of 15 points per quarter. Periodically, activity will be reviewed and if activity level is low, the Champion will be asked to reevaluate their commitment.
Points must be submitted by the last working day of each month to be valid.
It is not a requirement, but each Champion is encouraged to bring in at least 2 new members each year.

CHAMPION OF THE YEAR SELECTION CRITERIA

The Champion of the Year will be the Champion who earns the most points from January through November. The winner will be announced and recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner, will also receive a plaque, recognition in the Chamber newsletter, and on the Chamber's website.

A Champion may not receive the Champion of the Year designation more than once within a 3 year period.

CHAMPION NAME BADGE

The purpose of the Champion badge, which displays each individual’s name and company, is to identify those who are active in the program. It helps promote Champions’ companies and facilitates recognition as official representatives of the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce.

Champion badges are earned after 10 points are accumulated. Badges must be worn for admission to Business After Hours. If a badge is lost, or if a Champion changes place of employment to another Chamber member, a replacement badge will be given to you.

CHAMPION AWARDS

In recognition of activities performed, Champions earn points toward awards. A point form is included in these guidelines. New Champions work first to earn 10 points to earn a name badge. After earning a badge, points begin at zero (0). Points carry over from a previous year only towards earning a badge. For Champion of the Year, see above.
10 points: Champion badge (New Champions only)
25 points: Lunch at a Chamber member restaurant
75 points: $15 gift certificate to a Chamber member business
125 points: T-shirt
175 points: $25 Gift Certificate to a Chamber member business
250 points: $50 Gift Certificate to a Chamber member business