|
Get Involved!
Learn business information, support Chamber projects and meet with prospective and current customers by being involved in a Chamber committee or council. Any employee of a Chamber member's business or organization is welcome. Click here to download a "Committe Preference Sheet" to join a committee.
Download a copy of the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business Plan.
Weatherford Chamber of Commerce
2009 Business Plan
Administration Division
Mission: Review, improve, and promote sound business practices including Chamber by-laws, governance and personnel policies and procedures.
Employee Manual and By-laws: Review current Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce employee manual and by-laws in order to effectively guide staff and volunteers to sound business principles and practices.
- Orient staff and board to the employee manual and policy and procedures manual.
- Support a President of the Board of Directors appointed volunteer committee to review, suggest changes and ensure our by-laws are up-to-date and reflective of actual operating procedures.
Governance Policy: Develop a Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Governance Policy to ensure validity and currency.
Membership Investments: Review the current Membership Investment schedule to ensure the financial integrity of the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce is maintained.
Strategic Planning: Implement the results of the 2008 Board Retreat. Plan future vision and develop strategies to achieve Weatherford Chamber of Commerce goals and objectives. Schedule Board and staff planning retreat for August 2009.
Business Development Division
Mission: Address issues impacting the agribusiness and small business communities.
Agri-Business Committee: Tim Lowry, Andy McPherson, Radonna Sawatzky - 1st Thursday—7:00 pm - Active during the first quarter of the year with the meeting in January. This committee is responsible for the planning and implementation of the stock show in February and the horse show in April and in representing Weatherford at the Custer Country Premium Sale.
Basketball Classic: Rouben Tourian - In conjunction with Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), the Chamber is committee to bringing a new form of entertainment, revenue, potential students and area fans to Weatherford for the first annual classic to be held on the campus of SWOSU. The basketball classic will be held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving.
Business/Workforce Development Committee: Continue to support small business owners in the Weatherford area by developing networking and educational programs. Partner with the various small business support agencies in the Weatherford area and the state, to identify topics of interest which both inform and enhance small business operations and provide seminars or programs which address the identified areas.
- Work with Weatherford economic development entities in the strategic planning process for Weatherford.
- Facilitate coordination and planning when possible with regional chambers in order to develop items of mutual interest.
- Conduct business seminars as the opportunity arises based on identified areas.
- Conduct breakfast/luncheon meetings, as needed, to inform and enhance awareness of Chamber members in local, regional, and national business and economic development activities.
Education: Audie Corning - Responsible for the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce relationships with all educational Weatherford entities. Works to create and maintain an atmosphere which creates a quality educational experience for Weatherford and southwest Oklahoma residents.
- Supports educational appreciation events
- Supports the Oklahoma Regional Universities Coalition comprised of Chambers of Commerce with regional universities in their service area.
Health Education: Brandi Gilliand -Main focus of the committee is the development and implementation of the Chamber’s Wellness Expo, which is designed to provide information about health issues to Weatherford area residents. Date – September 26, 2009. Also works with the medical community to attract quality medical professional to Weatherford
Heartland Cruise: Tom Nabors - 3rd Tuesday—7:00 pm - Held every year on Father’s Day weekend, the planning and conducting of the Heartland Cruise and Car Show is the responsibility of this committee. The committee will work with such Chamber committees as the Tourism Committee to gain the greatest amount of publicity and advertising possible for the event.
Retail Trades – Linda Bartel and Colleen Schmitz - 1st Tuesday—8:00 am - Primary focus is the planning and implementation of the annual holiday promotion. The promotion is designed to increase an awareness and excitement of shopping Weatherford.
Tourism – Jim Lovell - 3rd Thursday—2:30 pm— Responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Weatherford Area Chamber’s of Commerce promotional efforts. Efforts in this area will included
- Advertising – all forms
- Work with a media buyer to
- Monitor and expand the broadcasting of Weatherford’s TV commercials
- Explore print media opportunities as they are presented and develop others
- Work with SWOSU athletics, youth baseball and softball
- Oklahoma Today – continue to evaluate
- Tourism Organizations –
- Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department - participate in their programs, activities and events which will help promote Weatherford and its tourists’ attractions.
- Great Plains Country - participate in their programs, activities and events which will help promote Weatherford and its tourists’ attractions.
- Route 66 Association
- Group Travel – continue to work with and expand the number of tour groups. The ultimate goal is to book these groups for overnight stays in Weatherford. Continue to provide guided tours of the wind farms through the Heartland Museum and step on guides for all tours as requested.
- Travel Center – Weatherford Day at Erick Travel Center
Weatherford Design Alliance: - Rick Dahlgren and Mark Yearwood - 3rd Wednesday—9:00 am—The Cup - Continue to support and develop projects and activities designed to enhance the appearance of Weatherford’s retail districts.
- Complete the DesignWorks application. DesignWorks is Continue to promote and oversee the “Façade Improvement Program” designed to provide funds for Weatherford area business to improve the façade of their businesses.
- Work with the City as appropriate of beautification projects such as the planter program.
- Continue to explore funding methods to support projects.
Leadership Division
Mission: Serve as a catalyst to identify and coordinate business, education, and community resources to enhance the quality of business leadership in Weatherford and the general knowledge of our community.
Leadership Weatherford: Linda Hays - 3rd Wednesday—4:00 pmContinue to plan and conduct this leadership and community orientation program for selected Chamber business leaders. Leadership Weatherford participants receive necessary community information/orientation and leadership skills. Class involves 9 all day sessions.
Leadership Weatherford Alumni: Provide opportunities for Leadership Weatherford graduates to use lessons, values, and education gained from the program to make Weatherford a better place to live, work and enjoy life. The Leadership Weatherford Alumni Association provides graduates with networking, educational opportunities, awards, scholarships to allow more individuals to experience Leadership Weatherford, serve as mentors to Leadership Weatherford and honors a Distinguished Alumnus each year.
Communications/Marketing Division
Mission: To inform, communicate and market the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce events and issues facing the business community to Chamber members and the general public. Create a unified look and feel throughout all communications documents.
Communications: Continuously monitor, evaluate and improve the content and format of membership communications tools. Provide professional, timely and accurate, publications and media items.
Communication Tools:Publications:
- Weekly email notice
- Chamber newsletter – provide both a printed and electronic version.
- Membership Directory
- Marketing Guide: Enhance understanding of Chamber products and sponsorship opportunities to maximize Chamber members’ investments and non-dues income.
Website:
- Weatherfordchamber.com – Improve the Chamber web site to make it of increased valued to both the membership and viewing public.
- Weatherfodbusinessvotes.com – Add this web site to the Chamber thereby providing Chamber members access to grass roots advocacy initiatives, elected officials ad issues impacting the Weatherford business community.
Media:
- Improve the appearance and conduct of Chamber media advisories, news release, and news conference. Continue to make Chamber members available for the Community Corner radio show (every other Wednesdays).
Legislative Affairs Division
Mission: Represent Weatherford Area businesses in government activities at all levels and serve as the pro-business advocate in local, state, and national arenas. Help shape Weatherford’s and the surrounding area’s transportation infrastructure now and for the future.
Public Affairs Committee: Jeff Berrong – Responsible for all areas relating to the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce relationships with governmental entities at all levels.
- With input from various policy work sessions, prepare and coordinate our State legislative agenda for the Weatherford area business community. Review and take appropriate action on statewide business issues. Plan and prepare for a State Legislator send-off event prior to the 2009 Legislative session.
- Host periodic candidate forums allowing members to meet and hear candidates as well as participate in impact issues of direct interest to the business community.
- Monitor Chamber’s legislative package and identify issues that may impact Weatherford Area businesses. Use surveying tools to identify and gauge members’ responses.
- Coordinate with the City of Weatherford and Southwestern Oklahoma State University to ensure the Weatherford community is well represented with our legislators.
- Prepare and coordinate the federal legislative agenda for the Weatherford area business community. Plan and coordinate the Washington DC Fly-In and schedule sessions with US Senators and Representatives as well as staffs to discuss the Chamber’s pro-business legislative agenda.
- Federal Legislator Breakfast/Luncheon
- Help maintain and promote Weatherfordbusinessvotes.com
- Work with The State Chamber of Commerce and Industry in aspects beneficial to Weatherford
- Plan and conduct City’s Appreciation Event
Membership Division
Mission:To retain existing members and bring in new members to sustain and grow the Chamber, while creating interest and awareness in the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ambassadors - Jennifer Dickey and Barbara Jones - 4th Thursday—4:00 pm - To serve as the host and hostess for the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce at various functions
- Conduct ribbon cuttings, open houses, and grand openings as required
- Conduct “Operation Thank You” an appreciation event for Chamber members
Banquet: Responsible for planning and conducting the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet and meeting. Includes overseeing the nomination process for the
- Hall of Fame Award
- Roots and Wings Award
Membership – Bruce VonTunglen – Oversees all aspects of attracting new and retaining existing member.
Committee Chair Council: Prior to the start of each year meet with the Chamber Chairmen as a group to discuss their roles and responsibilities. Discussion also includes the Chamber’s role and responsibilities in support of the committees.
Past President Council: On a quarterly basis, meet with all past Weatherford Area presidents and to interact with them as advisory group.
Membership Meetings: On no less than a quarterly basis, conduct membership meetings designed to update and inform Chamber members and seek their input on issues facing Weatherford and the Chamber.
|
|
Polls
Email Marketing you can trust
|
