Board of Directors and Standing Committees

2008 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Chairman
Melva Hill
Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas

Chairman Elect
Denise Taylor
American National Bank

Treasurer
Jason Decker
L-3 Communications Integrated Systems

Immediate Past Chair
David Renshaw, Esq.
Law Offices of Renshaw, Davis & Ferguson, LLP

Tourism/Special Events Division
Jacque Murley
Bankers Financial Mortgage Group, Ltd.

Business Development Division
Amy Tarpley Wade
The Tarpley Agencies/Tarpley Realtors

Chamber Enhancement Division
Mike Kubacak
State Farm Insurance

Chamber President & CEO
Sally Bird

Board Members

Terry Blankenship
First Baptist Church of Greenville

Frances Dalbey
Staples

Julie Degelia
Alliance Bank

Luanne Dickens
Greenville Floral & Gifts

Terry Driggers
Flying D Auction Services

Holly Gotcher
Morgan and Gotcher, Attorneys at Law

Jeffrey Jaxkson
Cytec Engineered Materials

Hitesh Patgel
Economy Inn

Danny Rawls
Nissand of Greenville

Harold Roseberry, Chief
Greenville Police Department

John Spridling
Paris Junior College-Greenville Center

Bonnie Stewart
Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville

Ex Officio Board Members

Richard Carter
Administrator/CEO
Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville

Lisa Chappell
Publisher
Herald Banner Publications

Lloyd Graham
Superintendent
Greenville Independent School District

John Horn
County Judge
Hunt County Offices

Tom Oliver
Mayor
City of Greenville

Professional Staff

President/CEO
Sally Bird

Office Manager
Stacey Blasingame

Communications & Member Services
Milton Babb

Administrative Assistant
Darla Baker

2008 Program of Action

Click here to volunteer to participate in any of the following committees.

The primary goal of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau is to serve its membership.

• Because that membership is diverse, the programs and benefits we offer are diverse.
• Because the programs and benefits are diverse, opportunities to participate in and utilize them are increased.

Proposed Plan for 2008

• Continue ongoing events
• Consider adding new events
• Continue current committees
• Consider adding new committees
• Continue successful strategies
• Introduce new strategies
• Utilize existing resources
• Develop new resources
• Strengthen current relationships/partnerships
• Develop new relationships/partnerships

The 2008 Program of Action is based on the two primary components to business success, which also happen to be the major components of our mission-strengthen local economy and enhancing livability.

Obviously an oversimplified breakdown of what businesses look for in an area, this small chart does, however, serve to highlight the coordinating factors chambers care about and work to influence.

In 2008, a renewed focus will be placed on research, analysis, and information dissemination of issues important to our member businesses.

In 2008, a new government issues committee and our education committee will be the primary vehicles for determining what is most important to our local economy and what role the Greenville Chamber should play in addressing those issues.

In 2008, a new benefits committee will focus on the opportunities we offer our members for networking, exposure, and bottom-line friendly benefits.

Education Initiatives

Providing a skilled workforce with a well rounded education for local employers will be the
ultimate goal of the Chamber's Education Committee. This goal goes hand-in-hand with the
economic development efforts which are a major part of our mission.

Strategy

o Restructure the existing committee in early 2008
o Develop specific mission and goals
o Consider and develop sub-committees for various projects
o Consider additional committee

Action Steps

o Schedule regular monthly year-round meeting
o Develop progress report on past activities
o Determine needs and agendas for current programs
o Investigate potential new programs

• Hold brainstorming sessions
• Research national programs
• Work with other local organizations and chambers

o Interact with area employers

• Survey area employers
• Develop inventory of current area job skills needed
• Project future needs
• Consider establishing a human resource managers group
• Work closely with Greenville Board of Development
• Set up pilot program series devoted to current workforce training

o Interact with Government Issues Committee

• Consider position(s) on proposed legislation
• Develop white paper(s) as appropriate
• Information Dissemination

o Add an education column to the monthly newsletter
o Post information on website
o Share positions/major accomplishments with media

• Evaluation and Review

o Maintain file of committee activities
o Invite input from membership regarding those activities
o Self-evaluate at year end

The Greenville/Hunt County Leadership Program

The Greenville Leadership Program will continue its efforts to address community challenges through a nine-month series of unique and informative monthly programs.

o Class of 2009

• Set schedule
• Disseminate Marketing information
• Invite Hunt County Chamber members to participate

o Alumni

• Establish regular meeting times
• Develop program of activities

Government Issues

Taxes, regulatory issues, infrastructure, and workforce are the primary issues concerning businesses.
A newly formed Government Issues Committee will address these concerns in a variety of ways.

Strategy

o Form a Government Issues committee in early 2008 open to all Chamber members
o Interact with representatives at all levels of government
o Develop specific mission and goals

Action Steps

o Research past activities of the Chamber
o Determine issues of greatest importance to local businesses

• Seek input from member businesses through survey
• Monitor issues addressed by state and U.S. Chambers

o Set up response mechanism for members to let their voices be heard

• Invite interested members to be notified when specific issues need immediate business community support
• Notify those members by email when they should communicate with elected officials or regulatory agencies

o Determine when an official Chamber position should be adopted

• Develop white paper(s) as applicable
• Obtain board approval
• Disseminate to appropriate venue:
  Public officials and media

o Research possibility of government internship with higher educations institutions in the area

Information Dissemination

o Schedule "Wake Up to the Issues" breakfasts

This quarterly breakfast meeting will provide an opportunity to keep current with governmental issues, from infrastructure to candidate debates. Each quarter, a speaker, panel or roundtable discussion will address issues affecting your bottom line.

o Add an "Issues" column to the monthly newsletter
o Post current "hot" issues on Chamber website

Evaluation and Review

o Maintain file of committee activities
o Invite input from membership regarding those activities
o Self-evaluate at year end

Bottom-Line-Friendly Benefits

Because we are a membership organization, we are constantly seeking new avenues for
saving our members' money through inexpensive and exclusive promotions and
varied programs. All programs will include an evaluation and review process.

Advertising

o Review Current Advertising Opportunities

• Membership Directory
• Review current contract
• Increase benefit to advertisers
• Spring Marketing Campaign
• Consider unbundling
• Review for appropriateness

o Research Additional Opportunities

• Website
• Group Advertising
• Event Programs

Members-Only Opportunities

o Research and consider Affinity Programs

• Pooled groups for healthcare insurance
• Pooled groups for other insurances
• Others

o Consider creating a benefits committee

• Research and review opportunities
• Meet with providers

o Survey the Membership

• Ongoing-through new Ambassador Program
• Establish direct communication link through website
• Consider monthly "question" in newsletter
• Provide feedback to membership

Networking

Because the primary reason the majority of businesses join a chamber of commerce
is to network, the networking opportunities offered by the Greenville Chamber
are of prime importance to our membership.

Continue Monthly Networking Mixers

o Business After Hours.
   Continue on the third Thursday of the month from 5-7 p.m.
o Offer new opportunities:

• Morning (7:30-9:30) Business Before Hours will be held on a Tuesday or Wednesday in the first, second, or fourth week
• Non-Profit Sponsorships to partner for a mixer and promote both.
• Co-sponsorships with another member business.

Continue Membership Luncheons

Held the first Friday of March, June, September and the first Friday in December, members get an update on the work of the Chamber, hear a speaker, or enjoy entertainment-while networking.

o Review format and agenda of luncheons.
o Develop schedule for full year

Launch Chamber 101 - Quarterly

This new program alternate morning and afternoon time slots. It has been designed to acquaint new members, new managers at current member businesses, management level employees who would like to know more about the Chamber, and potential members about the work of the organization and how best to take advantage of the benefits of their membership.

Exposure through Participation

Participation in and sponsorship of Chamber events provide your company a significant opportunity for exposure of your company to potential customers. All programs will include an evaluation and review process.

Continue established events

o Annual Auction - May 5

This event features great auction items, an entertaining auctioneer, excellent food and an opportunity to contribute to the education of children in local schools through the Chamber's 501(c)(3) Foundation teacher grants.

o Annual Banquet - January 18

The Annual Banquet brings together those who have made the previous year's success a priority in their professional lives and those who will continue that course of action. It recognizes the leadership of two organizations.

o Business Expo - November

The purpose of the event is to provide a scenario for business to showcase their products and/or services to other businesses as well as to the general public. It connects suppliers and consumers within our county in order to promote a more vibrant local economy.

o Rally Round Greenville - September

This event combines the Cotton Patch Classic Bike Rally & Race and the Mini Grand Prix with a wide variety of activities held in downtown Greenville. Organized and carried out through a partnership between the Greenville Area Social Pedalists, the Lions Club and the Chamber, this event promises to be a festival no one will want to miss.

o Golf Classic - September

A staple in our networking and exposure offerings, this event brings together a diverse group of participants-in both occupation and handicap! It is a prime opportunity to interact with other business people on an informal basis.

Launch new events

One of the primary ways in which chambers are different from other membership organizations is in the vast diversity of types of organizations that belong to a chamber. Because this is so, the Greenville Chamber & CVB will constantly search for new opportunities for our members to make contact with potential customers-as well as potential suppliers.

o Economic Forecast Breakfast

Providing a snapshot of the state of the economy and a peek into its future, this event will examine local factors as well as the global economic picture. Speakers will be experts on finance and economics and will afford the sponsor an opportunity to be a part of the program as well.

o Game/Fun Night

This new event is primarily a networking opportunity that also assists the Chamber in raising funds to carry out our mission. In its early development stages, it will be developed as a spin-off from the Casino Night that had been part of the Annual Auction (now a stand-alone event). There are numerous possibilities currently under discussion.

o Healthcare Prognosis

Providing a snapshot of the state of healthcare in the greater Greenville area, the Healthcare Prognosis examines local factors as well as the state and national pictures. Speakers are experts in the field of healthcare and its effects on the business community.

Culture/Cultural Activities

Increasingly important to businesses who want to ensure that their workforce is happy are local cultural activities. It is always important to the personal side of business people's lives. The Greenville Chamber will continue to contribute to this side of livability in a number of ways primarily through the…

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Tourism

o Maintain list of activities in the area on website
o Maintain accurate and up-to-date lists of non-profit organizations

• Leadership of the organizations
• Schedule of programs

o Promote local/area attractions through variety of sources

• Produce and distribute promotional materials
• Invest in state and national advertising
• Seek out state and national free posting services

Additional Partnerships

o Participate in the planning and facilitation of events other than the Chamber's

• Work with area chambers to promote Hunt County attractions and events
• Work with other local organizations to ensure effective promotion and facilitation of special events
• Work with area's providers of attractions and accommodations

o Work closely with the Greenville Board of Development on quality of life issues

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