2015 Plan Program of Work

2015 Program Plan of Work

Mission Statement The Mission of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce is to be the advocate for business, economic development, and education in Clayton, North Carolina and its surrounding communities.

2015 Program of Work This Program of Work is a blueprint for action which sets the goals toward which the Chamber strives in meeting community needs and realizing community goals.

Business Development The Business Development area of the Chamber is responsible to the Board of Directors and the Membership for activities and projects designed to improve the total economy, specifically directed towards tourism, transportation, and commercial and retail development while supporting industrial development. The Chamber will establish the following goals to enhance the success of the Business Development area: 1) Continue our efforts to establish a Clayton Area Manufacturing Association. 2) Celebrate Small Business Week – May 18th – 24th, 2015. Host a small business roundtable with Town officials to discuss ways to better facilitate early, two-way communication with proposed, new small businesses. 3) Conduct the Clayton Expo –Set for May 19, 2015 at The Clayton Center. 4) Offer and encourage ribbon cuttings for New Chamber Members. 5) Fully cooperate with the Clayton Downtown Development Association in their efforts to promote and enhance the economy of Clayton within its mission of supporting Downtown business activities. 6) Promote the Small Business and Workforce Development Centers at Johnston Community College by publicizing the numerous workshops/seminars designed to benefit the entire Chamber membership and their employees.

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2015 Program Plan of Work

Community Development The Community Development area of Chamber is responsible to the Board of Directors and Membership for activities and projects which will lead toward improvement of the education and environmental elements of the community so that it will become a better and more attractive place in which to live, work, shop and invest. The Chamber will establish the following goals to enhance the success of the Community Development area: 1) Continue to operate the Clayton Crime Stoppers and encourage our members to support this organization. 2) The Education Committee will conduct or sponsor the following events/projects: a) “Fill the Bus” campaign during the first weekend in August. b) Continue with the Super Star Awards Program which recognizes outstanding teachers in each of the schools in the Clayton area. Conduct a separate fundraiser in conjunction with our Annual Meeting for a designated school’s specific need. c) Secure the necessary sponsorships for the Flame for Learning program. d) Continue to support Clayton area school career days. e) Continue to support, strengthen and expand the Mentoring Program at Clayton area schools. 3) Facilitate and promote three Blood Drives in conjunction with Matthews Motors.

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2015 Program Plan of Work

Membership Development & Retention The Membership Development area of the Chamber is responsible to the Board of Directors and Membership for activities and projects which will increase the Chamber’s membership and retain its present membership. The Chamber will establish the following goals to enhance the success of the Membership Development area: 1) The Ambassador’s Club will continue to serve as the liaisons between the membership and the Chamber Board of Directors. The key focus this year will be assisting the Chamber in the retention of our new members. 2) Conduct seven Business after Hours events. 3) Conduct two New Member Orientation events. 4) Conduct ten Coffee & Conversation. 5) Conduct four Eggs and Issues Breakfasts with a governmental official as speaker. 6) “A Night of Networking” – to be held four times a year in order to showcase our Chamber Champions and provide an opportunity to meet with the members of the Clayton Town Council and Town officials. 7) Distribute an electronic newsletter weekly to the entire membership. 8) In conjunction with the Clayton News-Star, continue our “Chamber Page” that will appear in the newspaper once a month. 9) Conduct four Business before Hours events.

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2015 Program Plan of Work

Special Projects The area of Special Projects is responsible to the Board of Directors and the Membership for activities and special projects that generate non-dues income for the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, these activities give Chamber members an opportunity to network with other members and make valuable new business contacts. The Chamber will conduct the following Special Projects: 1) Annual Meeting to be held on January 27, 2015 at the Clayton Center. 2) Administrative Professional’s Day luncheon to be held on April 22, 2015 in cooperation with the WIN organization. 3) Golf Tournament to be held on April 24, 2015 at Pine Hollow Golf Course. 4) Harvest Festival to be held September 16-20, 2015 in downtown Clayton. 5) “Squealin’ on the Square” to be held on October 9-10, 2015 in conjunction with the Shindig concert that is sponsored by the Clayton Mid-Day Rotary Club. 6) Participate in the downtown Children’s Halloween Parade to be held October 30, 2015. 7) Christmas Parade to be held on December 12, 2015 in downtown Clayton in partnership with the Clayton Rotary Club. 8) Christmas Open House at the Chamber to be held on December 15, 2015.

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2015 Program Plan of Work

Johnston County Association of Chambers of Commerce JCACC is an association of the seven Chambers of Commerce in Johnston County. The organization meets quarterly and works together on projects that are countywide in nature. The following events and projects will continue to be supported by our Chamber of Commerce: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Economic Development Update Luncheon Legislative Update breakfast Flame for Learning Leadership Johnston

Organization Development The area of Organizational Development is responsible to the Board of Directors and the Membership for activities in the areas of technology, long range planning and to ensure that the Clayton Chamber of Commerce is financially stable for the future. The Chamber will establish the following goals to enhance the success of this area: 1) Continue to build and execute the Five Year Long Range Plan for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce as approved by the Board of Directors. 2) Marketing Committee will continue to ascertain new technology initiatives and maximize our existing educational opportunities regarding services that will benefit our members. 3) Conduct a Board orientation session for new Board members in January of 2015. 4) Complete 2016 budget by October, 2015 for board approval/review at the November/December 2015 board meeting. Fully approve budget by year end and amend only if needed as determined by the board during the 2016 annual board retreat.

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2015 Program Plan of Work

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