Business Plan

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DODGE CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008

STRATEGIC PLAN

Supporting

Membership benefits/services

Leadership

Public affairs

Communityy development

Organizational Resources/Priorities

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2008 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 members.

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.

ORGANIZATION CORE VALUES

IS THE LEADING BUSINESS ADVOCATE

(a united voice for business)

DEMONSTRATES INTEGRITY

(through words and actions)

FOCUSES ON VALUE

(member resources demonstrate a return on investment)

EDUCATES

(how business is good for community)

IS CUSTOMER FOCUSED

(we are here to serve our members)

ENCOURAGES CITIZEN ADVOCACY

(citizen participation to build a better Dodge City)

FACILITATES LEADERSHIP

(training ground for future leaders)

IS TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED

(increase value to all members)

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

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.

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.

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.

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 image campaign, Dodge City Days and the Multi-Cultural Task Force.

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

Ken Strobel, Vice Chairman

AMBASSADORS: Chris Boys, 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.

Assist staff with surveying members to determine new ideas, trends, needs and perception of the membership towards programs/services.
Help in the coordination and implementation of a membership event.
Attend ground breakings, grand openings and ribbon cuttings as official Chamber representatives.
Improve networking opportunities such as Second Tuesday Coffee to support member retention.
Serve as Master of Ceremonies at monthly breakfasts and other activities.
Create and implement a mentoring system for new members to establish a healthy and long relationship with the Chamber and improve retention.
Assist in delivery of new member plaques, membership directories, etc.
Organize the Annual Ambassador Fund-Raising Golf Tournament.
Assist with special events such as Dodge City Days (including pin blitz), Annual Banquet, etc.
Recognize the Ambassador of the Year.

MEMBER VISITATION COMMITTEE:

Purpose: To assist staff in making personal contact with as many Chamber members as possible.

Strive to visit all active members in 2008
Thank members for continued support and participation
Gain feedback on Chamber services, programs and projects
Encourage participation in Chamber activities and events

Other Membership Activities:

Plan Room

Chamber Network Mailing

Newsletter

Feature Business of the Month

Website

Monthly Breakfasts

Second Tuesday Coffees

Annual Banquet

-Research the implementation of a member gift certificate program and a member to member discount program to add value to chamber membership.

-Investigate the implementation of a Young Professionals group.

LEADERSHIP

Aaron Kite, Vice Chairman

DODGE CITY 21^ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP: Karen Ackerman & Marg Yaroslaski, Co-Chairs

Purpose: The mission of the Dodge City 21^st Century Leadership Program is to foster, renew and sustain vital and diverse leadership in Dodge City and Ford County.

Organize the leadership program and select up to 15 individuals to participate. Design curriculum formats that stimulate thought and encourage discussion and debate.
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.
Analyze other opportunities and strategies to develop and encourage future political leadership in Dodge City/Ford County.
Formalize a plan to develop future leadership in Chamber committees/task forces.
Encourage class participation in forming a class project.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Aaron Kite, Vice Chairman

LEGISLATION AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Jeff Hiers, 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.

-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.

-Monitor agriculture related issues that may affect area businesses.

-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

Ken Strobel, Vice Chairman

Dodge City Days: Dan Harris, 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 25-August 3^rd, 2008 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

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.

-Assist in the coordination of a Mexican Independence Day celebration.

Invest In Dodge: Mike Weece & Greg Goff, Co-Chairmen

Purpose: To develop an awareness campaign of the Dodge City Area Chamber aimed at educating residents and business owners about the impact of making investments locally. The initiative emphasizes the importance of buying locally because a strong tax base builds a stronger community for us to enjoy.

Other Community Development Activities:

Assist the Development Corporation with the continued implementation of the "Why Not Dodge" projects

Continue the Operation Crime Alert Network

Distribute Newcomer Packets

Co-sponsor Business Appreciation Week with the Development Corporation

ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES/PRIORITIES

Aaron Kite, Vice Chairman

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Casey Pennington, Chairman

Purpose: To maintain strong, efficient internal operations of the Chamber and oversee the financial well being of the organization.

Ensure organizational resource capacity to meet future needs of the Chamber
Ensure a volunteer and staff organizational structure to support strategic initiatives
Review and initiate governance policy change to improve the organization
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
Organize the annual planning retreat to help develop a business plan
Evaluate mission statement of the Chamber to ensure relevancy for membership

6. MEASUREMENTS

Measurements for success will be based on the results of the annual Business Plan. Each Business Plan initiative will provide our members with a barometer for the success of the overall Strategic Plan. It is to be re-evaluated by the Chamber leadership annually and make adjustments to the plan as dictated by community and business needs.

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