Clearly the past year has been a challenge for many of our 700 members. Despite great pressure on our regional economy in many forms, The Chamber was true to its mission to create jobs, promote business development and address local, state and national issues that affect small business.
MEMBERSHIP / MEMBER RELATIONS
Membership has always been Job One at The Chamber, and our efforts in 2009 made sure that our members' needs never took a back seat. In May, we brought together dozens of volunteers, many of whom were Past Chairman, to call on prospects.
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Despite tough going, we still netted some 50 new members, while making our presence known throughout the community with a vibrant Cinquo de Mayo theme. As always, VP of Membership, Julia Farmer, led the charge and directed our 2009 new member and member retention program.
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In 2009, we also made great strides in the acquisition and development of new membership software. This state-of-the-art system has greatly enhanced access to member data information and will be valuable as a membership tool for staff and members alike.
Special thanks are given to Chairman John Kincheloe who has directed the implementation of this software over an extended period of time. . . and last but not least, Office Manager Linda Mann and Accountant Lisa Lewis who were charged with mastering the systems.
COMMUNICATIONS
Citing improved communications as a major goal for 2009, Chairman John Kincheloe made sure that our overall "look" was more professional and more distinctive. Our new four-color Chamber Business Review and classy and informative E-News bulletins have set the stage for communications effort that will be second to none.
Our new website is also a value-added vehicle for all members for years to come. Special thanks go to Allison Sikes (Strategy Performance) who has directed our communications re-birth and who will assume an even greater role this year and beyond.
SMALL BUSINESS / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Member surveys, educational programs and continued support of this vital sector of our membership was directed by a spirited and innovative committee led by Lige Daughtride (Daughtridge Sales Company).
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From sold-out events (Annual Meeting, Small Business Banquet and Expo to name a few) to the introduction of the Small Business of the Month program, this division enhanced the value of The Chamber membership throughout the year.
Kudos, as always, goes to COO Sherry Johnson for her guidance,
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experience and expertise. And of course, Member Relations Director Bobbi Booth for event support and directing our successful sponsorship campaigns.
PUBLIC POLICY
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Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Batts (Batts, Batts & Bell) was a workhorse throughout 2009 making sure that our members interests were top priority from City Hall through Jones Street and onto the Capital steps.
Card check, property taxes and protection of member rights made for an active year, one which put us back into the game of public policy.
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With uncertainty for small business for 2010 and beyond, we have set the stage for an active, successful division.
EDUCATION
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Much attention has been paid to early childhood education during the past year.
Working closely with the Down East Partnership's Ready Schools initiative, The Chamber has learned that multiple problems of middle school children can be addressed before a child is three years of age.
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Many thanks to Vice-Chair Tom Rogers and Board Member Kim Bayless (Poyner-Spruill) for their leadership.
We also have continued to work with area businesses to discuss workforce needs in preparation for a major education Summit planned for 2010.
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT
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This division, ably directed by staff VP Alan Matthews, had another banner year despite a slowdown in development locally and across the U.S. In 2009, we announced the addition of over 600 new jobs in the retail, service and professional sectors with a Capital investment in excess of $30 million.
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Significantly, several longtime "eyesores" that have dotted our landscape have been replaced by new enterprise including several projects on Raleigh Road. More development is on the way for this year including new restaurants and other retail investment.
CORPORATE AND INDUSTRY
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For several years, we have worked to meet the needs of our corporate and industrial members through a series of presentations by industry leaders from the national stage as well as best practices programs from experts right here in our own backyard.
Again under the leadership of Vice-Chair Wayne Ripberger (Rocky Mount Engine Plant) and his associate
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Gloria Wiggins-Hicks, this year's programs brought record attendance and real time value for our members.
A presentation on the Toyota Method of "Driving Improvement and Communication" drew over 200 attendees while a recent Best Practices Forum featured timely topics for the workplace from our own experts.