PHENIX CITY-RUSSELL COUNTY

Chamber of Commerce

On the Banks of the Chattahoochee River

January 2012

2012 Programs,

Committees, Departments, Task Forces

and Member Services

Mission Statement

To form a connection among business, industry, and education that fosters the cultural, economic and educational development of our community

Vision

As the Voice of Business for Phenix City and Russell County, the Chamber works to ensure the region is a vibrant and prosperous place to carry on business. We seek to maintain and enhance a strong socially responsible business climate based on the principles of free enterprise system. We are committed to advancing existing business and attracting new businesses to our region. We value the region’s historical character, culture and diversity while embracing economic prosperity and innovation as key components to the quality of life we enjoy. We consistently work to add value for our members.

Values

We will focus on the needs of our members and find ways to provide programs, services and benefits that are cost-effective, beneficial and convenient. We will provide responsive, proactive leadership for our region.

Return on your investment

Weekly Networking Meetings

Membership Directory Listings

Business Listing on the Internet

Referrals from the Chamber Office

Seminars and Workshops

Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Active Committees/Task Forces

Counseling for Business Owners

Internet Access

Chamber Newsletter

Access to Area Demographic Info.

Columbus & the Valley Magazine

Membership Decal

Chamber Annual Dinner

Business After Hours

Annual Golf Outing

Programs

January Annual Dinner 1/26/12

Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Networking Meetings

Leadership Day

February Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Networking Meetings

Leadership Day

March Business After Hours

Lunch Sponsor Civilian Military Council

Leadership Program

Networking Meetings

April Youth Achievement Breakfast

Networking Meetings

Leadership Day & Graduation

May Teacher Appreciation Recognition

Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Networking Meetings

June Business After Hours

Wine Women, Chocolate & Shoes

Networking Meetings

July Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Networking Meetings

Wine, Women, Chocolate & Shoes

August Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Networking Meetings

Leadership Reception

September Business After Hours

Leadership Day

Leadership Ft. Benning

Networking Meetings

October Biscuits and Business Breakfast

Help the Hooch Clean-Up Effort

Leadership Day

Networking Meetings

Annual Golf Tournament

November Farm City Week Breakfast

Leadership Day

Networking Meetings

December Business After Hours

Christmas Displays

Leadership Day

Networking Meetings

Committees/Programs

Membership

This committee works to encourage area businesses, industries, professionals and individuals to join the Chamber.

· Hold Weekly Networking Program Meetings

· Seek to retain a minimum 96% of our 2012 membership income

· Hold the Annual Membership Golf Tournament

· Hold Bi-Annual Wine, Women & Shoes Event

Chamber Member Networking Group

This is a group of Chamber members who meet every week to discuss their Businesses and work together to grow their Businesses by helping each other find good leads and new clients.

· Continue meeting each week to enhance member's education, awareness, marketing and business opportunities

· Refer area businesses or potential businesses to the Auburn University SBDC and the University of Georgia SBDC for counseling and assistance and work closely with the SBA

Phenix City-Russell County Chamber Leadership Program

This program is designed to seek out future leaders for Phenix City and Russell County. It is a yearlong program that focuses on many Leadership areas throughout the year. Classes meet one day per month and the curriculum is focused on the following areas: Government, Business/Family & Community, Public Safety, Economic Development, Military, Health & Human Services, and Education. An Orientation held in August and Graduation held in April is part of the program. The Program is chaired by David Hay

Emerging Leaders

The Phenix City Emerging Leaders program was started this year to provide networking and education opportunities to the young professionals of the Phenix City-Russell County area. One of the primary goals of Emerging Leaders is to retain the younger generation of professionals in the Phenix City area. Many times, we lose our young leaders when they move for college or job advancement. If they can get involved in events in their hometown, they are more likely to stay and help the community grow. Another purpose is to educate young people on topics important to personal and professional growth. Often there are issues, such as finance, home ownership, or professional etiquette that are difficult to find information on. We hope to provide resources for our members to help simplify these matters.

Once a quarter, we are holding a Learning Lunch. These are sponsored by member organizations and host a speaker who is an expert in his/her field. We are also hosting social invents approximately once a quarter. These events are family friendly and informal. We have learned through talking to our members that they enjoy spending time with their spouses and children at professional events. The Emerging Leaders program has a goal of providing an atmosphere where all ages are welcomed and feel comfortable.

Part of being involved in the community is helping with volunteer projects. The Emerging Leaders have a plan to be involved in one major community service effort every year. Many ideas have been discussed for ways the young leaders of Phenix City-Russell County can make this a cleaner, safer area to live.

A final facet of the program is a Junior Leadership program. This would be a program for juniors and/or seniors in the local high schools to get involved in the community and the Chamber of Commerce. There would be an application along with an interview process to ensure deserving and committed individuals are involved. Our plan is to have a pilot program with Central High School next year. If it is a success, we will expand to Russell County High School and Glenwood in the 2013-2014 school year.

Military Affairs

This committee works with Fort Benning to promote a better understanding of and more community interest in Fort Benning’s vast economic impact on our region.

· Work with Fort Benning and Columbus to further the excellent relationship in the

Chattahoochee Valley Region

· Work closely with Ft. Benning, the Ft. Benning Futures Partnership and the Valley Partnership on the regional impact of Ft. Benning

· Promote activities and events which are held at Fort Benning and in the surrounding communities

· Recognize the soldier of the month at each Biscuits and Business Breakfast meeting

· Participate in the Leadership Benning program in 2012

Ambassadors

This committee is a group of selected volunteers who represent the Chamber at various functions throughout the year. Wearing the Ambassador uniform, they participate in Ribbon Cuttings, Groundbreakings, Special Receptions, and the Annual Dinner.

· Represent the Chamber at Grand Openings, Ribbon Cuttings, Groundbreakings, Special Receptions and the Annual Dinner

· Assist with Membership retention and development

Departments

Economic Development

This Department works to provide programs favorable to private enterprise, high quality of life and cooperative business-government actions resulting in an enhanced economic development climate attractive to both new and existing businesses for Phenix City and Russell County.

· Continue our efforts to recruit businesses and industry to Phenix City and Russell County and work closely with state and federal representatives to keep Phenix City and Russell County on their minds for future growth and development

· Facilitate bringing into focus a consistent, cooperative marketing message of our Economic Development assets and projected county image

· Encourage public and private developers and decision-makers to place priority on developing and attracting businesses that offer - at a minimum - wages sufficient to sustain a family.

· Participate in cooperative programs to encourage retention and expansion of existing value-added businesses

Tourism

This department handles Tourism efforts for Russell County. We work very closely with the City of Phenix City Parks and Recreation Department, the Russell County recreation program as well as with the Columbus Conventions and Visitors Bureau and the Columbus Sports and Events Council, Phenix City Sports & Events Council and the Phenix City Art Council.

· Promote our area using our Tourism/Quality of Life DVD which is updated yearly

· Increase efforts to market Whitewater Rafting in Phenix City

· Assist the City of Phenix City if needed with Amphitheater events

· Promote and continue the Project Riverway efforts

· Assist Russell County with promotion of County events and activities

· Make improvements to Chamber website to better promote the area

· Remodel the right section of our building to create a Convention & Visitors Bureau

· Work closely with the Columbus Sports and Events Council, the Phenix City Sports & Events Council and Phenix City Parks and Recreation to assist them in the recruiting of area Tournaments and events and participate as a sponsor of certain events

· Assist the City of Phenix City with the cost of the Fireworks for the Night of Lights event

· Be a sponsor for the Annual Thunder on the Hooch program

· Promote area Art Council events

· Be a sponsor for the Annual Aflac Outdoor Games

· Assist Ft. Mitchell Visitors Center with the publication of their brochure

· Promote and sponsor other Tourism events that will bring Tourism dollars to Russell County

Task Forces

Education

This committee works to support and improve the existing education systems in the area as well as emphasizing workforce development.

· Continue the annual Youth Achievement Recognition

· Continue teacher recognition during Teacher Appreciation Week

· Assist local school systems as needed

Beautification

This task force works with the City of Phenix City and the County as well as other groups to promote a litter free community and encourage area beautification and community pride. The task force also works with the Annual Help the Hooch Clean-up Effort.

· Work with the City of Phenix City, Russell County, Keep Phenix City Beautiful and the state, as well as other groups to clean and beautify Phenix City and Russell County

· Pinpoint areas of highway entrances that require beautification

· Assist with the purchase of new signage at entrances to Phenix City and Russell County

Agri-Business

This group works with the Farmers’ Federation to hold the annual Farm City Breakfast in November of each year.

· Hold the annual Farm City Breakfast in November

· Assist in the promotion of the activities of the Russell County Extension Service

· Assist in the preparation and execution of the Farm City Tours as needed

Chamber Staff:

Victor W. Cross, President

Kelli Roberts, Director of Finance & Tourism

James McGill, Special Projects Director

Miranda O’Brien, Administrative Assistant