2008 PROGRAM OF WORK
Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce
The business of the Chamber is business. The Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer, member supported organization working fulltime to preserve, enhance and expand the opportunities for orderly growth of the business, professional, military, and industrial communities. The Chamber is the vehicle through which its members may work to promote and improve the entire community, thereby improving the environment within which free enterprise may be established and within which it may flourish.
In support of our Mission Statement and also consistent with our By Laws, the Chamber's Board of Directors has developed and adopted this Program of Work for 2008.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Purpose: To work with the Worth County Economic Development Authority to enhance economic development in Worth County to include new industries, existing industries and small businesses; To recognize and support the business community and its employees.
1. SMALL BUSINESS RECOGNITION: We will continue the Small Business of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding examples of business and professional achievement and also as a means of demonstrating the importance of small business and professional entrepreneurs to the area's overall economy.
2. JOB FAIR: In an effort to further promote the business community and its resources the Chamber of Commerce will host a job fair in 2008.
3. SMALL BUSINESS SEMINARS: In an effort to further support the business community the Chamber will conduct three seminars focusing on topics relevant to Small Business concerns.
4. WORTH COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: In a supportive partnership role with other community and/or governmental agencies, the Chamber will continue to assist the Worth County Economic Development Authority in its efforts to selectively recruit new industry and to develop and maintain industrial diversity for our community.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
Purpose: To initiate, coordinate, supervise and provide continuity of those activities of the Chamber, the primary objectives of which are of broad general interest to the membership-at-large and/or the public-at-large.
1. COMMUNICATIONS: The Chamber views as essential to its continued success the widest possible knowledge and understanding of its many various activities among its members and the general public. To facilitate that knowledge and understanding, the Chamber will:
a. publish a quarterly newsletter for distribution to all members and, as appropriate, others;
b. develop a website
c. distribute membership directories
2. BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: The Chamber will continue its Business After Hours program (quarterly) as a principal means of member-business networking and social contact. We will also be attentive to ways in which the program may be improved.
3. EARLY BIRD BREAKFASTS: The Chamber will host Early Bird Breakfast meetings in April and September as a means of bringing together the membership to discuss topics of interest and importance to the business community.
4. LEADERSHIP WORTH: The Chamber will continue to sponsor and conduct the Leadership Worth program, training and informational program for emerging business and community leaders.
5. PEANUT FESTIVAL AND PARADE: The third Saturday in October, the Chamber will sponsor the Georgia Peanut Festival and the Peter Pan Peanut Butter Parade. To the fullest extent possible, the Chamber will seek the involvement of area individuals, religious and civic organizations, businesses, and others.
6. FARMER’S APPRECIATION: The Chamber will continue to sponsor a dinner every year in honor of Worth County farmers.
7. CHRISTMAS CLEARINGHOUSE: The Chamber will continue to sponsor the Christmas Clearinghouse every year to aid Worth County families in providing gifts for children.
8. RELAY FOR LIFE: The Chamber will continue to support and work with the Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
9. EVENTS: The Chamber will host a variety of events for the community (Administrative Assistant Lunch, Concerts, and Golf Tournament are possibilities).
10. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: The Chamber will continue to support and work with the Downtown Development Authority and downtown merchants.
11. POSSUM POKE: The Chamber will continue to work towards the development of Possum Poke as a tourist attraction.
12. ARTS AND CULTURE: The Chamber recognizes the important role quality arts and cultural events play as a quality of life issue for members of the community at large and supports the efforts of organizations endeavoring to effect positive change in this area. The Chamber will be involved with the Arts Council of Worth County.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Purpose: To build and maintain productive relationships between the Chamber and local, state, and federal governments and their various agencies; to promote an open flow of communications between the Chamber and governments; to support or oppose, as appropriate, legislation, regulations and programs that affect the free enterprise system.
1. CITY OF SYLVESTER: The Chamber will continue to work with the Mayor and City Council of Sylvester in a friendly and cooperative manner on all items which affect the business community.
2. CITY OF POULAN: The Chamber will continue to work with the Mayor and City Council of Poulan in a friendly and cooperative manner on all items which affect the business community.
3. TOWN OF SUMNER: The Chamber will continue to work with the Mayor and Council of Sumner in a friendly and cooperative manner on all items which affect the business community.
4. CITY OF WARWICK: The Chamber will continue to work with the Mayor and City Council of Warwick in a friendly and cooperative manner on all items which affect the business community.
5. WORTH COUNTY: The Chamber will continue to work with the Worth County Board of Commissioners in a friendly and cooperative manner on all items which affect the business community.
6. HEADS OF WORTH: The Chamber will continue to hold meetings for the “Heads of Worth” to foster an environment conducive to open discussion between the leaders of our community.
7. POLITICAL FORUM: The Chamber will host a political forum when appropriate in order to share important political information with the community and improve voter awareness.
8. STATE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: The Chamber will continue to work with State Government and its various departments and agencies on matters of local interest. Additionally, the Chamber will work with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in addressing matters of statewide concern to the business community.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Purpose: To provide for the effective organization and structure of the Chamber to include its membership, its volunteer manpower, its real property and equipment and its paid staff.
1. ACCREDITATION: The Chamber will strive to meet the requirements of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation Program.
2. TECHNOLOGY: The Chamber shall strive for maximum efficiency in all areas of Chamber operations through the use of technology.
3. ANNUAL MEETING: The Chamber will conduct its Annual Meeting in January.
4. CHAMBER CHAMPIONS TEAM: The Chamber's will continue the Chamber Champions program for 2008 to encourage event participation among members.
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS
Purpose: To initiate, coordinate, supervise and provide continuity of those education support activities of the Chamber, the primary objectives of which are to ensure that all primary and secondary school students complete their public education fully qualified to (a) enter and successfully complete a college/university program, (b) enter and successfully complete a technical/vocational training program, or (c) enter directly into the work force as a productive employee. Also, to enhance the availability of college/university level educational opportunities within Worth County.
1. WORTH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION: The Chamber will continue to work with the Worth County Board of Education in a friendly and cooperative manner to improve the educational process at all levels.
2. COLLEGES/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS: The Chamber will work with colleges and technical schools in surrounding areas to promote classes/seminars offered and to ensure continued growth and progress.
3. TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD: The Chamber will continue to recognize the Teacher of the Year, as selected by the Worth County Board of Education, with a donation to the program.
SUMMARY
This 2008 Program of Work is ambitious and challenging. It is consistent with the Chamber's continued desire to "do what we've done before, but improve...and also to branch out into new program areas!" This year, the Chamber's Board of Directors has carefully assessed its past activities in light of present and future needs, and it has attempted, through refinements and additions, to increase the scope of our work.
Your Executive Committee and Board of Directors are proud to present this, our 2008 Program of Work. It is a bold, aggressive and visionary plan, describing courses of action and activities that are designed to move our community more confidently into the 21st Century. We recommend this Program of Work as our pathway to continued success during exciting, challenging times.
As always, the ultimate success of the 2008 agenda will depend upon the commitment of our members. They must view the future as it could be...as it should be...and resolve to provide the resources to ensure that it will be! Every member of the Chamber can justifiably lay claim to this robust program of action. It is the Chamber’s hope that each member will also assume a sense of personal responsibility for its success, for it is only through the unified application of individual commitment that we will succeed. Each will contribute their share of the financial resources and many will be able to find the time to serve on one or more of our committees. In the end, it will be as it has always been...the Chamber's success, now and in the future, will depend on YOU!