CHAMBER  

11 Goals for 2011…

(Note:  Goals are not listed in priority order.)

• Follow Through on the effort begun in 2010 to gather local economic development partners, with the intention of developing a plan to increase the creation and retention of jobs in York County;

• Work closely with newly-elected and re-elected officials, many of whom campaigned in 2010 on the pledge to assist business and grow jobs;

• Refocus the organization’s membership communication efforts through more direct personal contact with members and more effective electronic marketing in an effort to help member understand and appreciate the value of chamber membership, thus improving the satisfaction and retention of members;

• Strengthen the availability of the Chamber to serve as a resource for assisting members with their business issues, especially related to existing or proposed government ordinances, regulations, etc.  (e.g. signage issues affecting small businesses);

• Rightsize the number of Chamber programs and events, while focusing on the quality of the remaining activities (especially from the standpoint of attendance/participation);

• Maintain the Chamber’s focus on a prioritized and manageable number of legislative issues (e.g. redistricting, school choice, education funding/tax reform);

• Further strengthen the success of the Chamber’s Small Business Council, in serving the needs of small business members;

• Expand the “Buy Into It” local campaign from the holiday campaign to a sustained year-round effort;

• Strongly support a public awareness campaign to achieve the passage of the 2011 “Pennies For Progress” referendum in June;

• Reach the number of signatures necessary to dictate a 2012 countywide referendum allowing local citizens the ability to vote on purchasing beer or wine in stores seven days a week; and

• Continue to nurture existing partnerships and organizational relationships, including the Council of Chambers, Junior Achievement, Nation Ford Land Trust, Professional and Business Women’s Association, Arrowood Business Association, SC Chamber Diversity Forum, Minority Scholarship Board, United Way, as well as other key local and regional economic development and educational entities.