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The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce's Program of Work guides the actions of the Chamber and is determined by the Board of Directors. Please peruse the 2008 Program of Work and get involved.


 

 

 

 

Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce
2008 Program of Work

 

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Presented to the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors November 15, 2007
Approved December 20, 2007

 


Organization Improvement

 

Organization

Goal: To review and improve the organization’s internal systems and governance structure 

  • Review and update personnel policies of the Chamber
  • Establish a Chamber Foundation as a 501c3 to facilitate grant dollars received by the Chamber and the community
  • Review internal controls for financial operations
  • Maintain necessary technology upgrades for the Chamber
Chamber Promotions

Goal: To promote the Chamber and its activities, the services of Chamber members and keep members informed of Chamber activities.

  • Keep the public informed of Chamber activities through news releases and press conferences with the local media
  • Write weekly articles via “The Valley View” in The Daily Herald regarding Chamber programs and activities
  • Develop the potential of the website
  • Develop marketing flyers for our members to mail to one another for a fee
  • Survey members routinely to get feedback on needed member services




Economic Development
 
Existing Business and Industry

Goal: To promote and assist existing business and industry.

  • Publicize available economic development incentives and financing for existing organizations
  • Offer seminars/training programs for management, supervisors, and other personnel based on surveyed needs of Chamber members
Business Development

Goal: To continue development of programs geared to the economic growth of the Roanoke Valley.

  • Work with local economic development commissions and organizations in an effort to attract new businesses and industries to the Roanoke Valley
  • Visit other communities with similar demographics to see what effective initiatives they employ to help their communities grow
  • Support revitalization of area towns by providing input at various meetings
  • Continue board-level participation in and staff support of Halifax Horizons
  • Provide updated materials to area residents and newcomers to assist with the recruitment of new employees
Workforce Development

Goal: To promote, encourage, and support workforce development through the partnership with the Halifax County Department of Social Services for the Work First Program.

Work First

  • Continue to contact local businesses to provide information about the Work First program and solicit job openings and opportunities for the Work First population
  • Co-host quarterly meetings of the JSEC/Personnel Managers’ Committee to discuss topics concerning employee/employer relations
  • Team with JobLink at the Employment Security Commission and Halifax Community College to locate and share job opportunities with the Work
    First population and serve them with direct referrals to jobs
  • Share job information and local labor trends with the Halifax County Department of Social Services
  • Co-host at least one area job fair in the Roanoke Valley with Halifax and Northampton Departments of Social Services
  • Host Fall/Christmas Season Job Fair with area retailers, restaurants, and other business partners
  • Continue mini-job fairs as needed with local employers
  • Attend employee trainings at various business sites to have a better understanding of the skill-sets needed for success with our Roanoke Valley employers
  • Work directly with some of our hard-to-place Work First clients to prep them individually on resume, interview, and application skills and to encourage them to follow-through on any training needs they may have to make them more employable.
Leadership Roanoke Valley

Goal: To develop business leaders into community leaders for the Roanoke Valley.

  • Coordinate and co-sponsor the Leadership Roanoke Valley program
  • Form a LRV Alumni Association and promote participation in area boards, commissions and civic clubs
Public Affairs
 
Legislative Services


Goal: To promote the interests of the local business community as they relate to federal, state, and local legislation and regulations.

  • Work with the Public Affairs Committee to study pending and existing legislation and regulations as to the effect on the local business community
  • Promote business participation on boards and commissions
  • Host a State of Our Community luncheon to educate the community about current issues and initiatives
  • Plan a legislative trip to Raleigh to visit with elected officials
  • Plan a legislative trip to Washington to visit with elected officials
  • Develop a legislative agenda for the Chamber
  • Host an elected officials reception
  • Conduct a “who knows who” campaign
  • Develop an elected officials directory on the website

 

Education

Goal: To promote, encourage, and support workforce development through the Business Education Partnership with the area school systems.

  • Coordinate and provide a strong incentive program with the local business community for the recruitment and retention of quality teachers to the area
  • Continue to serve as a liaison between the Roanoke Valley business community and the four area school systems and Halifax Community College
  • Continue to work with the Business-Education Advisory Committee to enhance the Partnership
  • Encourage and work with area civic clubs and businesses to adopt a school within our four school systems, and within that school build programs that will better prepare children to enter the workforce
  • Continue to build on the business community’s involvement in the established programs – Pathways Youth Leadership, Job Shadowing, Groundhog Day, Interview Days, Summer Internship, and other work-based learning experiences
  • In partnership with the area school systems, host a career fair for all high school juniors
  • Research the possibility of sponsoring a 21st Century Classroom fund-raising initiative in all 4 school systems using the Henrico County Schools, VA as a model
  • Research and develop an ethics life skills training module in all school systems
  • Investigate the procurement of grants by the Chamber to help underwrite education initiatives
  • Organize meetings with state and federal officials to focus on business-education partnership issues

 

Small Business Services

 
Existing Small Business

Goal: To encourage, promote, and support area small businesses.

  • Hold Small Business Appreciation Event in conjunction with the annual Business Expo
  • Survey Chamber members regarding the services they provide and share information with the membership as a whole
  • In conjunction with economic development organizations, work to recruit retail, tourist, service, and other businesses to the Roanoke Valley
  • Expand the Small Business Co-Op of the Chamber to include more small businesses
  • Research different business and/or franchises possibilities and promote to local entrepreneurs through the Daily Herald.
Travel and Promotions

Goal: To promote the Roanoke Valley to area residents and as a tourist destination

  • Publish a comprehensive map of the region
  • Promote the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce Gift Check Program guaranteeing use with Chamber members
  • Develop a comprehensive Shop at Home campaign
  • Continue to partner with the City and HCTDA to offer a summer concert series
Agri-business Concerns

Goal: To highlight the importance of the agri-business community to area residents

  • Work with agricultural agencies in the Roanoke Valley to develop a role for the Chamber to play in promoting the importance of agri-business in the community and a possible Ag Expo in 2009.
Membership Services
 
New Membership Development

Goal: Increase the Chamber’s membership.

  • Conduct an orientation of new Chamber Board members
  • Work to recruit 40 new members to the Chamber
  • Continue to work on further inclusion of the southern end of Halifax County in the Chamber by conducting at least two (2) Coffee Talks to be held during the breakfast hour at locations across the region
Membership Retention

Goal: To retain Chamber members and inform them of on-going activities and events.

  • Facilitate the Ambassadors and assign visits to members throughout the year
  • Target inactive members for personal calls and visits by members of the Board
  • Perform exit interviews for members that resign from the Chamber
  • Conduct a minimum of six social events for the general membership, as well as prospective members
  • Create a Past Chairmen’s Club to gain valuable insight from former Board Chairmen
Annual Meeting

Goal: To host the 57th Annual Meeting of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce.

  • Plan and arrange the Annual Meeting in the first two months of 2008
  • Feature installation of new officers and directors, as well as a summary of the Chamber's accomplishments in 2007.
Fundraising

Goal: To raise non-dues income to support the Chamber’s various programs.

  • Secure sponsors, organize, and conduct a Car Party in the Fall
  • Host the 15th annual Ducky Derby in Weldon
  • Host Valleyfest
  • Host a Professional Women’s Conference

2008 Board of Directors                                         
D. N. Beale, City of Roanoke Rapids
Ronnie Bell, The Daily Herald
Dr. Eli Bracy, Weldon City Schools
David Burke, Flambeau
Anitra Collins, KapStone Kraft Paper
Evelyn Dawson, Britesmilz
Kenny Deloatch, Citizens Community Bank
Chris Fromal, Halifax Motors
Charles Guerry, Halifax Electric Membership Corporation
Gavin Gutterson, Schoollink/Party Town
Al Hartley, Four Seasons Electric Boats
Paul Heaton, Heaton Construction
Wayne Horn, Horn Chiropractic, Chair
Ed Jackson, First Citizens Bank
Gwen Jones, Rainbow Realty
Will Mahone, Halifax Regional Medical Center
Pete Mann, Express Signs
Preston McElheney, Halifax Linen
RJ, Myrick, Roanoke Valley Insurance & Financial Services
Keith Oliver, Maddrey Insurance
Mickey Parker, Super Wal-Mart
Debbie Pittman, Debbie's Cleaning Service
Allen Purser, Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce
Glynn Rollins, Rollins & Rollins
Dennis Sawyer, RR Graded School District
Sam Turner, Jr., Farm Bureau Insurance
Curtis Wynn, Roanoke Electric Cooperative


Ex Offico Members
Ron Baker, Halifax Development Commission
Lori Medlin, Halifax County Toursim
Dick McCormick, HCC Small Business Center Director
Tony Brown, Halifax County                  

 

Staff

Allen Purser                                       President/CEO                    
Mary Ann Gasko                              Leadership Roanoke Valley Manager               
Robin L. Coleman                            Work First Manager                                                
Patsy Ferguson                                 Business-Education Manager                               
Terry Harris                                         Membership/Events            Manager
Frances Guerry                                Bookkeeper             

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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