• Strategic Plan

    Rowan County Chamber of Commerce

    2015 – 2017 Strategic Plan

    Mission:
    The Mission of Rowan Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is to “enhance quality of life and nurture a thriving economy through pro-active and consensus-building leadership”.

     

    Business Advocacy

    Objective: Be the voice of business at every level of government. 

     

    Local & State Government

    • Work with our newly elected officials and community partners on a strategy for economic growth and a positive Rowan County “brand” that will benefit existing businesses, entrepreneurial development and new business attraction          

    • Monitor and advocate at all levels of government on issues that affect the cost of doing business, the ease of doing business and the quality of life in Rowan County

    • Utilize Government Affairs Committee volunteers to attend municipal, county and regional government meetings. 

    • Develop a process that will enable all elected officials and business leaders to be on the same page for State Funding Priority Projects  

    • Strongly advocate for transportation projects: I-85 Exit at Old Beatty’s Ford Rd. and Rowan County Airport runway extension     

    • Conduct a State Legislative Breakfast annually so that Chamber members can share their views with our State Representatives

    • Coordinate a strategy session with our State Legislators prior to Raleigh trip during the Legislative Session to advocate for Priority Projects and Business Advocacy Positions

    • Plan and implement candidate forums to educate the voters 

    • Produce the Community Forum series in conjunction with our community partners:

    • Utilize the Community Forum Steering Committee for program oversight 

    • Bring in nationally recognized speaker to focus on economic development

    • Feature panelist of local industry leaders

    • Work with our elected officials on a stream-lined government permitting process 

    • Report on the first year of the Robertson Foundation Grant and prepare grant application for the second year    

     

    Federal & International

    • Develop a process that will enable all elected officials and business leaders to be on the same page for Federal Funding Priority Projects 

    • Coordinate a Washington, D.C. trip in conjunction with the NC Business and Economic Summit

    • Survey the members and determine which Chamber International Trip would generate the most interest and participation 

       

       

      Education & Workforce Development

      Objective: Partner with K-12, higher education, community organizations and local businesses to develop, attract and retain a highly educated and skilled workforce.

       

      K – 12 Education

    • Work with Rowan-Salisbury Schools (RSS) on their Strategic Plan to improve literacy and develop 100 “hot spot” homework centers in Rowan County

    • Advocate for increased teacher pay at the K-12 school levels and assist with RSS Teacher Recruitment week-end 

    • Coordinate a combined Teacher of the Year recognition program with RSS and Kannapolis school systems

    • Help facilitate the RSS New Teacher Welcome breakfast with display tables for Chamber member firms    

    • Connect business people with student mentoring opportunities via Communities in Schools, Crosby Scholars and other programs to help prepare our future workforce

       

      Workforce Development

    • Coordinate the Workforce Development Alliance to bridge the gap between employers and education/training providers

    • Promote Rowan County’s FOUR higher education facilities: Catawba College, Hood Theological Seminary, Livingstone College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) 

    • Advocate for increased teacher pay at the community college level and work with RCCC on retaining quality faculty and staff in our community

    • In coordination with the Manufacturer’s Advisory Council (MAC), produce four (4) Plant Tours annually and promote the National Association of Manufacturer’s (NAM) Day plant tours (first Friday in Oct.)   

    • In coordination with the Agriculture Committee, promote Agri-business tours to highlight this important sector of our economy  

    • In conjunction with RowanWORKS, continue to develop the EntreRowan program to encourage entrepreneurial development and support for existing small businesses

    • Produce a quarterly Economic Indicators report

    • Produce seminars and workshops of benefit to the business community

    • Promote the Corporate Health Cup initiative to increase workplace wellness programs and advance a healthier community

    • Research the possibility of adding a Not-for-Profit committee to better serve this sector of our economy  

       

      Leadership Rowan

      Continue to produce the highly successful Leadership Rowan program as an education and awareness program for community stewardship; service on volunteer boards and commissions; and, running for elected office

    • Utilize the Leadership Rowan Steering Committee for program oversight 

    • Annual Retreat with SIMSOC exercise; nine (9) Class Sessions focusing on different aspects of the community; and, graduation ceremony with certificates

    • Recruit “top notch” applicants annually and manage the selection process with the Steering Committee

    • Develop alumni network to further professional development and volunteer opportunities   

     

    Member Services

    Objective: Provide a return on investment (ROI) with valuable member benefits and programs.   

     

    Networking Events

    • Produce an Annual Gala to celebrate the accomplishments, announce the new plans and recognize key volunteers and businesses   

    • Produce nine (9) Power in Partnership breakfast meetings, featuring excellent speakers, exclusive sponsorship opportunities and high-level networking opportunities

    • Produce eleven (11) Business After Hours mixer networking events 

    • Produce eight (8) Women in Business networking and professional development events

    • Produce four (4) Speed Networking events for members to promote their businesses

    • Produce four (4) Men in Business networking and professional development events

    • Produce an Annual Trade Show with valuable sponsorship opportunities, seminars and display booths for Chamber members to showcase their latest products and services

    • Produce an Annual Dragon Boat Festival to increase awareness about High Rock Lake and provide valuable sponsorship and corporate team building opportunities  

       

      Membership Development

    • Conduct an Annual Total Resource Campaign with over 100 volunteers recruiting over 100 new members, renewals and sponsorships     

    • Implement a professional sales program to provide year-round customer service systems for recruitment, retention and sponsorship packages

    • Research Tiered Dues structure and recommend possible changes to Board

    • Implement a “Fast Track First Year” member retention system with the goal of 80% retention with first year members  

    • Offer New Member Receptions every other month to welcome our newest members and new managers/volunteers 

       

      Benefits & Services

    • Expand the Ambassadors program to include:

    • Teams of volunteers to attend Ribbon Cuttings in geographic areas

    • Operation “Thank You” -- Membership Directory deliveries to New Members

    • “Cash Mob” member visits with a particular focus on reaching out to all parts of Rowan County 

    • Produce an Annual Membership Directory with Relocation Guide

    • Promote the Profile Display brochure rack and member referrals   

    • Develop Affinity Marketing partnerships with discounted products and services for member firms

    • Develop and implement an effective Communications Plan for member benefits, events and services

    • Conduct member surveys via electronic tools to determine member satisfaction rates

       

      Administration & Finance

      Objective: Provide the resources needed to run the organization effectively.    

    • Utilize the Finance Committee to ensure strong fiscal and operational management with at least six months operating income in reserve accounts

    • Conduct an annual audit or outside review of the Chamber’s financial situation 

    • Research viable grant funding opportunities for programs that match the Chamber’s mission statement

    • Increase the non-dues income revenue to 60% of total budget by 2017

    • Work with our community partners in the Gateway Building to provide meeting space for our member firms

    • Recruit and retain a highly qualified Chamber staff to provide excellent customer service for our members  

    • Become an accredited chamber through the U.S. Chamber by 2017  

    • Win the ACCE “Chamber of the Year” award by 2017

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Approved by the Board of Directors January 26, 2015.

       

      For more information: Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, 204 E. Innes St., P.O. Box 559, Salisbury, NC 28145-0559; PH: 704.633.4221; info@rowanchamber.com ; www.rowanchamber.com