The Chamber's First Six Months of 2011 in Review

Jan. 4 was the first working day of 2011 and the Chamber of Commerce hit the ground with a very clear and concise strategic plan.

Jan. 4 was the first working day of 2011 and the Chamber of Commerce hit the ground with a very clear and concise strategic plan. As the Chamber now enters the year's third quarter, it would be best to look back on our plan and progress. This has been the year we challenged ourselves to stop doing things "because we have always done them that way," and began doing things differently to meet the new and current needs of our members.

We have been able to implement some exciting changes as well as adding some exceptional member benefits. The plan touches on these six key objectives:

• Partnerships

-- Improve Chamber relevance and leadership

-- Develop emerging leaders in the business community

-- Strengthen economic development focus of like-minded organizations

• Government Affairs

-- Improved focus on local issues

-- Renew commitment to partnership with city

-- Establish lobbyist agenda and funding

-- Reformation of PAC

• Education

-- Establish open and often communication with K-12 and13-14 levels

-- Determine clear focus on shared positions

• Finance

-- Manage balanced budget

-- Build reserves

-- Establish a cash reporting system

• Membership

-- Develop and execute member survey

-- Establish member compensation program

-- Evaluate all events and programs for friends, money or relevance

• Communications

-- Improved communications across Chamber leadership, members and board

-- Establish stronger social media presence

-- Rebranding (logo, marketing, signage and website)

The following is an overview of how we have been able to meet the key objectives of our strategic plan during the first two quarters of 2011:

Partnerships

We have developed a list of common focuses and identified events to collaborate with to bring the Chamber together with local entities like VIA, SCVEDC, College of the Canyons and VICA.

We have also developed a working relationship with the Jaycee's who now have a presence on our board.

Government Affairs

The Chamber has taken an active role at city council meetings representing business interests as well as strengthening our outreach and communication with local city officials.

Recent successes of government affairs and advocacy include ongoing Enterprise Zone lobbying that has included two trips to Sacramento to meet with legislatures, and successful testimony at California Citizen's Redistricting Commission meetings to keep the Santa Clarita Valley whole.

Education

We have established the Ian Gelig Memorial Scholarship fund to assist returning veterans in going back to school. We have awarded our first scholarship to Stevenson Ranch-resident Nicolas Flores.

Finance

The Chamber has successfully managed to cut expenses this year and work within the budget designed by the 2010 Chamber board of directors. By cutting expenses we have also been able to consistently build our reserve in small increments.

By making some simple adjustments to the accounting system, the Chamber has been able to better track membership renewals and forecast cash requirements.

Membership

In January, we surveyed our members to identify gaps in service and member satisfaction. Due to the survey's outcomes we have made several enhancements to our member benefits.

The Good Morning SCV Networking Breakfast moved from its 16-year home at Hometown Buffet to Embassy Suites Valencia. The program has also been changed to rotating a speaker one month, and a new program called Table Talk the next. By doing this we have already seen an increase in attendance and member satisfaction.

The Chamber currently has a roundtable series of meetings to help business owners connect on a higher level, including Meet the President, Business Owners Roundtable and Women's Professional Network.

The Chamber has also established a 4-for-1 program to encourage members to recruit their peers and earn a free renewal.

Communication

The Chamber has established a monthly reporting system to keep the board apprised on how the event committees are doing.

We have a new website with enhancements that include video, photos and more member information. There is even a blog page where members can submit articles to post. If you have an article you wish to submit, please send it to tcrain@scvchamber.com.

We have also increased usage of social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to increase attendance at events and additional member exposure.

We are looking forward to the rest of the year and eagerly welcome feedback from all our members. For more information about the Chamber and its upcoming programs feel free to contact (661) 702-6977 or email tcrain@scvchamber.com. And don't forget: the Chamber will continue to host Meet the President where you can share your thoughts and ideas face to face on the last Tuesday of every month.