Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber Of Commerce
Program Of Work For 2006

To improve the quality of life and enhance the well being of our community.

Agriculture Committee
Mission: To assist the agriculture community, both farmers and agriculture-related businesses, in increasing the awareness of the community as to the economic impact of agriculture on Bainbridge and Decatur County.

• Host Annual Ag Appreciation Luncheon.
• Sponsor Spring forum to meet candidates for Agriculture Commissioner.
• Public Relations Campaign to educate the community on agriculture.
  (ie - Newspaper and Newsletter Articles spotlighting local growers)
• Study opportunities to offer or assist with more agricultural education.
  (ie - Virtual Field Trips, Science project, etc.)
• Actively assist and support the agricultural community on important issues , i.e., water, navigation, and the environment.

Auction Committee
Mission: To provide revenue to the Chamber of Commerce and quality entertainment for the membership.

Chairman's Council
Mission: To provide additional revenue to the Chamber. (NOTE: The Chairman's Council oversees the Decatur County Fall Festival & Fair, the annual Membership Auction, and other Special Revenue projects as well as Chamber Accreditation.)

Communications Committee
Mission: Ensure open communications concerning Chamber programs, services and activities.

• Go live with new website.
• Evaluate opportunities to offer better communications to the membership and the community. (ie - radio spots, email newsletter and survey members on newsletter interest)
• Assist with planning and execution of Annual Meeting.
• Support monthly Breakfast meetings and the Business After Hours program and help find sponsorships when needed.
• Enhance weekly newspaper articles and assist with schedule. Catalog all articles for reference.

Education Committee
Mission: To support and enhance quality education and recognize accomplishments of educators and students.

• Strengthen Business and Industry involvement.
• Re-evaluate the Business/Education Partnerships.
• Sponsor the annual School Leader for a day program.
• Assist and support the new "Math Extreme" program.
• Sponsor Star Student/Teacher program and the GOAL program.
• Acknowledge, support and promote scholarship opportunities for Bainbridge College and Bainbridge High School.
• Co-Sponsor with the Library the Annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.
• Assist and support the new Mentor Program, the Decatur County Youth Leadership program, and the Leadership Decatur County program.
• Support the L.I.F.E. program and help with annual Graduation.
• Support and assist BHS with the new Reinventing High School program.

Existing Industries Committee
Mission: To assist and promote existing Decatur County industries through Chamber resources and shared efforts of the Development Authority.

• Develop new Entrepreneurial Program.
• Re-evaluate annual Industry Appreciation Week. (Date, Activities, etc.)
• Sponsor annual Job Shadowing Day for middle school students.
• Work with Education Committee to re-evaluate the Industry/Education Partnership program.
• Sponsor two industry luncheons.

Fair Committee
Mission: Provide revenue to the Chamber of Commerce and quality entertainment to the community with the Decatur County Fall Festival and Fair.

Government Affairs Committee
Mission: To advise and inform the membership on governmental issues and to coordinate with the public officials to support the Chamber's mission.

• Meet as often as necessary during the Legislative Session and communicate important issues to the membership.
• Enhance relationships with local and state elected officials.
• Evaluate need for annual Legislative Breakfast & Community Retreat.

House & Grounds Committee
Mission: Assess, preserve and maintain the Chamber buildings and grounds in an economical and professional manner.

• Assess and prioritize specific facility needs to help plan for budget and liability issues.
• Consider capital building campaign.

Membership Committee
Mission: To attract and retain membership by providing support and services.

• Increase membership by 10%.
• Evaluate Ambassadors program and determine ways to better utilize their services.
• Encourage Board members to recruit at least one new Chamber member this year.
• Develop "talking points" for soliciting new members.
• Evaluate opportunities that are available for gaining more members.
• Evaluate retention programs and protocol and make suggestions on how to improve.

River Town Days Festival

• Create mission statement for new Festival.
• Develop solid programs/activities for the community to enjoy.
• Research ideas for more regional/tourism participation.
• Build sponsorship program.

Small Business Committee
Mission: To promote and enhance the retail climate in Bainbridge and Decatur County.

• Re-write mission to reflect the new committee name.
• Assist the Existing Industries Committee with the Entrepreneurial program.
• Host annual Retail Appreciation event "Membership Mingle" to spotlight Small Businesses. Sponsor and honor Small Business of the Year recipient.
• Expand the "Bainbridge Bucks" program to include year-round promotions.
• Research a Chamber of Commerce comment card program and a mystery shopper program.
• Assist Main Street with their Annual Holiday Open House.

Tourism Council
Mission: Promote activities, events, and natural resources that attract visitors to Bainbridge and Decatur County.

• Implement the Tourism and Marketing Plan developed in 2003 for Bainbridge and Decatur County.
• Assist with the Annual River Town Days Festival.
• Participate in regional tourism shows and enhance community tourism efforts.
• Develop Tour Bus opportunities.
• Work with the City on collaboration efforts.