DODGE CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2010
STRATEGIC PLAN
Supporting
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Membership benefits/services
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Leadership
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Public affairs
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Community development
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Organizational
Resources/Priorities
1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2010 Strategic Plan for the Dodge City
Area Chamber of Commerce is designed as a useful framework for the entire year.
While the Chamber may address other local or regional issues, the objectives and
strategies in this plan have been determined as the highest priorities.
All things change….people, situations and
organizations. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce is no exception. To
ensure that we create an environment for business success that enhances the
quality of life in our region, our volunteers, staff and Board members have
concentrated on exploring and documenting the process required to assist
management in charting the future direction of the Chamber.
The plan focuses on the opportunities and
challenges that lie ahead. It is focused on organizational development to better
serve our diverse membership. The directions of the plan are intended to be
strategic in nature and to direct the Board and staff resources toward achieving
certain broad areas of impact for private sector businesses.
Each year’s plan will set forth activities
to be accomplished. These actions and activities will be selected based on the
needs of the members and to serve the member
2.
MISSION
The mission of the Dodge City Area
Chamber of Commerce is to enhance the business climate and improve the quality
of life in Dodge City and the surrounding area for our members.
3.
ORGANIZATION CORE VALUES
- IS THE
LEADING BUSINESS ADVOCATE
(a united voice for business)
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DEMONSTRATES INTEGRITY
(through words and actions)
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FOCUSES ON VALUE
(member resources demonstrate a return on investment)
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EDUCATES
(how business is good for community)
- IS
CUSTOMER FOCUSED
(we are here to serve our members)
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ENCOURAGES CITIZEN ADVOCACY
(citizen participation to build a better Dodge City)
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FACILITATES LEADERSHIP
(training ground for future leaders)
- IS
TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED
(increase value to all members)
4. STRATEGIC
DIRECTIONS
A.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS/SERVICES
Objective: Develop programs that help
Chamber business members prosper. Continue as the premier organization through
which business people meet and interact with each other. Maintain reputation for
meeting the needs of and providing services to all businesses.
Action:
The Chamber will develop promotional
activities, educational programming, networking events and direct benefit
programs.
B.
LEADERSHIP
Objective: Promote, facilitate and
develop initiatives to strengthen business leadership in our region.
Action:
The Chamber must enhance strong
community leadership by positioning itself to be the source for business
leadership training and development.
C.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Objective: Be the recognized voice
for business issues at the local, state and federal levels. Be pro-active in
securing the best business climate in the region. Provide leadership in planning
Dodge City’s future as it relates to our mission.
Action:
The Chamber will be involved in all
public areas that directly impact business decisions. A viable business climate
can help create a better community.
D.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Create and implement
activities that will promote the development and diversification of the region.
Action:
Continue current programs that focus
on community development such as the Dodge City Young Professionals, Dodge City
Days and the Multi-Cultural Task Force.
E.
ORGANIZATIONAL
RESOURCES/PRIORITIES
Objective: Develop and implement annual goals, which
ensure organizational governance with adequate resource allocation and financial
stability to meet the Chamber's mission.
Action:
The Chamber recognizes that it must
exercise good business practices so that it can be effective in meeting its
business plan. The Chamber must ensure that proper volunteer, staff and
financial resources are in place to support existing and future program
opportunities.
5.
STRATEGIES
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS/SERVICES
AMBASSADORS:
Noel Gaucin, Chairman
Purpose:
Serve as the Goodwill group and the welcoming arm of the Chamber. Assist with
retention and recruitment efforts as well as other activities.
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Help in the coordination and
implementation of a membership event.
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Attend ground breakings, grand
openings and ribbon cuttings as official Chamber representatives.
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Recognize the
Ambassador of the month, of the Year, as
well as other Ambassadors for outstanding service to the chamber.
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Serve as Master of Ceremonies at
monthly luncheons and other activities.
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Create and implement a mentoring
system for new members to establish a healthy and long relationship with the
Chamber and improve retention.
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Assist in delivery of new member
plaques, membership directories, etc.
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Organize the Annual Ambassador
Fund-Raising Golf Tournament.
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Assist with special events such as
Dodge City Days (including pin blitz), Annual Banquet, etc.
- Organize
and conduct visits to all active members in 2010 and thank them for their
continued support and participation. Included
in the visits will be a “thank you” item from the Chamber sponsored by various
members.
Other
Membership Activities:
Plan Room
Chamber
Network Mailing
Newsletter
Feature
Business of the Month
Website
Monthly
Luncheons
Annual
Banquet
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Research the implementation of a new Chamber
community gift certificate/gift card to promote shopping locally.
LEADERSHIP
21ST
CENTURY LEADERSHIP DODGE: Karen Ackerman & Marg Yaroslaski, Co-Chairs
Purpose:
The mission of the 21st
Century Leadership Dodge program is to foster, renew and sustain vital and
diverse leadership in Dodge City and Ford County.
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Organize the leadership program and
select up to 15 individuals to participate. Design curriculum formats that
stimulate thought and encourage discussion and debate.
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Create a communications plan to
promote participation in the leadership program and encourage community
involvement in boards at the city, county, state and federal levels.
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Analyze other opportunities and
strategies to develop and encourage future political leadership in Dodge
City/Ford County.
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Formalize a plan to develop future
leadership in Chamber committees/task forces.
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Encourage class participation in
forming a class project.
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Applicants not selected in 2010
will be considered first in 2011.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
LEGISLATION AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:
Dave Wetmore, Chairman
Purpose:
To increase the Chamber’s influence in the
development of public policy concerning issues of critical importance to the
future of Dodge City and its area businesses.
-Prepare specific legislative policies and
position reports.
- Keep abreast of both state and federal
legislation and encourage that which is pro- business and conducive to
economic and community development by being pro-active and taking positions.
- Work closely with the Kansas Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regarding issues
affecting business.
-Continue participating in the all new
Southwest Kansas Chamber of Commerce which is designed to combine strengths of
the local Chambers of Commerce in Southwest Kansas, to provide a positive impact
on growth and development of Southwest Kansas by addressing regional issues,
legislative concerns and internal issues within individual Chambers while
maintaining the individuality of the local Chambers.
-Coordinate Legislative Report Coffees, candidate
forums, state and national elected officials and the like, for the benefit of
the business community.
- Initiate at least one trip to Washington DC,
particularly the annual visitation and reception for congressional staff,
co-hosted with other area Chambers and private businesses.
-Annually coordinate and sponsor a State of the
City and State of the County address.
-Continue a strong working coalition with the
elected city and county commissioners and the members of the USD 443 Board and
Dodge City Community College Trustees.
-Participate in the Dodge City Night in Topeka.
-Monitor the overall transportation systems in
Dodge City and Southwest Kansas to assure maintained adequate rail and air
service. Encourage business people and the community at-large to utilize local
air service.
-Explore the practicality of consolidating
government services.
-Research the possibility of a five-member county
commission.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Dodge City Days:
John Bogner, Chairman
Purpose:
To provide the community with an annual event to
celebrate its western heritage that brings notoriety and exposure nation-wide.
-Oversee the entire operation of the July
30-August 8th, 2010 celebration.
-Explore additional methods of fund-raising to
expand Dodge City Days.
-Research new events to be added to the
celebration.
-Assist other groups with their events in getting
them established.
Multi-Cultural
Task Force, Omar Lopez, Chairman
Purpose:
Strive to promote participation from the entire
minority business community in the Chamber, its committees and projects.
-Plan and organize a monthly gathering and
invite multi-cultural business owners to discuss business issues and Chamber
assistance.
-Implement a marketing program to promote Chamber
services to multi-cultural businesses to include Chamber materials, newsletter
and advertising.
-Assist the Dodge City Days Committee with the
Fiesta event.
DODGE CITY AREA YOUNG
PROFESSIONALS (dcyp)
“The mission of Dodge City
Area Young Professionals is to promote the development, recruitment, and
retention of young professionals in the Dodge City area; to build a bond between
the business community and young professionals; and to help make the Dodge City
area the best place to live, serve, work and play.”
-A core group will meet
monthly to plan networking events for area young professionals.
-Research
the following: Create themed topics for discussion at the socials; Develop a
core hospitality group (welcoming group) for other young professionals;
transition from a social outlet to an informational resource to the community.
Other Community Development Activities:
-Meet
regularly with other community leaders to expand inter-cooperation efforts
-Work with other community
organizations to research a new and appropriate
‘Branding’ for Dodge City
-Support and assist as
necessary the current efforts of revitalizing the Downtown area
-Continue efforts to
acclimate and welcome new professionals in the community
-Co-sponsor Business Appreciation Week with the
Development Corporation
-Continue the Operation Crime Alert Network
-Distribute Newcomer Packets
ORGANIZATIONAL
RESOURCES/PRIORITIES
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Joe Peters,
Chairman
Purpose:
To maintain strong, efficient internal
operations of the Chamber and oversee the financial well being of the
organization.
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Ensure organizational resource
capacity to meet future needs of the Chamber
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Ensure a volunteer and staff
organizational structure to support strategic initiatives
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Review and initiate governance
policy change to improve the organization
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Assure financial solvency of the
Chamber by preparing the annual budget for board, approval and monitor the
fiscal performance as it relates to the budget and recommend policies that
enhance the Chamber’s financial status
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Organize the annual planning
retreat to help develop a business plan
