Metro South Chamber of Commerce
2006-2007 Business Plan

Mission Statement

To serve the interests of member businesses
while providing community leadership to ensure
the economic advancement of the Metro South region.

Vision Statement

To be the primary organization that business people
throughout the Metro South region join to meet their
business development, information, training,
government affairs and community improvement needs.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIVISION

Goal Statement: Develop and support programs which address emerging community issues and enhance the quality of life in the Metro South.

Action Plans

1. Develop and support initiatives that enhance the region's image.

• Sponsor A Taste of Metro South in March to increase the awareness and appreciation of living and working in the region while providing a portion of the proceeds to assist local non-profits (Mainspring House). Promote vendor participation.
• Promote the resources, positive activities and accomplishments of the Metro South area and encourage citizens to take pride in their community by developing greater community awareness, identity and image. Expand on the "City of Champions" concept.
• Provide leadership in convening regional tourism representatives to work cooperatively in identifying a regional identity, marketing the Metro South region and attracting a greater number of visitors (business and leisure).
• Build awareness of community and business improvements achieved and planned for the future. Keep business and community members focused on the big picture of a better Brockton and beyond in order to bolster consumer and business confidence.
• Participate actively in community initiatives, projects and hearings concerning the development of housing, economic development and transportation improvements.
• Maintain and expand the Brockton Information Board program allowing Chamber members to promote their business while providing helpful information to visitors of Brockton.

2. Develop and support goals, policies and programs to improve the quality of education and job training in the Metro South communities.

• Provide leadership to the Greater Brockton School-to-Career Partnership in carrying out its charge of systemic change in the way education is delivered.
• Remain an active participant in the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board; advocating for and promoting job skills training programs.
• Provide leadership through the Southeast Massachusetts Tech Prop Consortium, designed to better equip students with the skills related to technology, science and industrial arts.
• Serve on the Brockton High School restructuring committee representing the interests of business in creating changes positive to student/employee skills development.
• Promote and participate in CareerWorks/UMASS Brockton Career Center activities including career days and program development.
• Participate in community and school-based career day programs and utilize the web site to promote available jobs and skills training.
• Provide internship opportunities for area high school and college students.
• Assist in promoting Junior Achievement programs to Chamber members.

3. Work for greater understanding and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity in the region.

• Communicate the Chamber's diversity position on a consistent basis.
• Strengthen Chamber relationships within the minority community.
• Partner with appropriate organizations to advance cultural diversity issues and programs.
• Provide technical assistance, upon request, to cultural diversity groups.
• Attend Cape Verdean Association, NAACP and other diverse community meetings when invited.
• Encourage greater board membership, committee and staff participation by people of diverse understandings.

4. Forge "natural" community alliances.

• Build alliances within the community by collaborating with municipalities, economic development agencies and community-based organizations to address emerging issues.
• Challenge the business community to take a more active leadership role in addressing key social, economic and educational issues.
• Support and partner with organizations applying for grants and funds to improve the quality of life and programs within the region.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Goal Statement: Increase economic opportunities that will encourage the growth of existing business and industry and will attract new business ventures to complement the region.

Action Plans

1. Initiate and support efforts that address the fundamentals necessary for business investments.

• Work closely with the Brockton 21st Century Corporation, other economic development organizations and municipalities to address impediments to commercial and industrial growth.
• Encourage greater interaction and exchange of information among various organizations addressing similar issues.
• Assist local companies in creating and retaining jobs in the Metro South area though expansion, training, tax-relief and retention efforts.
• Promote the benefits of economic development and the specific programs needed to create jobs and economic opportunity.
• Encourage inter-municipal cooperation with particular emphasis on the city and its working relation with surrounding communities (i.e. water supply, planning, transportation, etc.).
• Work with Metro South communities to realize the full economic potential of MBTA commuter rail service.

2. Enhance the professional and personal development of our members.

• Partner and promote an in-depth (multiple weeks) entrepreneurial seminar program designed to assist aspiring business people with the development of a workable business plan. (Center for Women and Enterprise; Small Business Administration)
• Sponsor at least five low-cost seminars on issues/topics of vital importance to member investors such as technology, effective management and workforce training opportunities.
• Conduct a minimum of five Human Resource Management Council meetings including a half-day seminar providing information on specific issues relative to human resource professionals at member firms (selective worker and skills retention). Provide certificates to those completing each session and entire series.
• Offer SOMWBA certification seminars at the Chamber for the benefit and convenience of women and minority owned business people.
• Continue to provide in-kind space to SCORE, SBA and DBA to promote free management, counseling and advocacy services each provides.

3. Provide networking activities for members and promotional opportunities for their products and services.

• Continue to sponsor Business After Hours and other networking programs that will foster member business with one another while strengthening regional business relationships.
• Explore the addition of for-profit businesses as a new component of A Taste of Metro South program and consider the new Brockton Rox Conference Center as a location for expansion.
• Continue to strengthen the Annual Meeting program/speaker & Business-to-Business Connection. Explore the possibility of using a larger facility that can accommodate 450-500 people and ample exhibit space.
• Act as a conduit and referral source for members seeking crisis management resources and assistance.
• Encourage members to offer incentives and discounts to each other to build local business relationships and add value to chamber membership.
• Develop brochure to highlight benefits of Chamber membership. Promote Chamber benefits always.
• Conduct corporate sponsorship program for Chamber Foundation.
• Continue to engage financial sponsorship and support for Chamber events and programs.

4. Provide economic development recognition.

• Coordinate the Small Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards to be presented in May. Secure a premier sponsor.
• Recognize businesses that invest in the Metro South with the presentation of economic development impact awards at the Annual Meeting in November.
• Promote at Good Morning Metro South new Chamber member programs and economic development initiatives that benefit the community.
• Align legislative positions and outreach with the business goals of our members.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIVISION

Goal Statement: Influence the legislative process for the benefit of the region and facilitate member involvement in government affairs.

Action Plans

1. Assume a leadership role in effectively representing the interests of membership investors on local, regional, state and federal issues.

• Monitor a wide variety of issues and pro-actively decide upon a limited number of key goals and action areas to focus on for the year.
• Develop positions on issues impacting our members and effectively communicate the Chamber's position to members, public officials and the media.
• Host monthly Government Affairs meetings at the chamber with business and legislative leaders. Host knowledgeable speakers on timely topics.

2. Develop specific action steps that will position the Chamber to garner increased legislative influence.

• Initiate and maintain communication with the legislative delegation and their staff. Encourage their participation at monthly government affairs meetings.
• Leverage and share resources with other chambers and state-wide business and trade organizations.
• Encourage legislative staff members to use the Chamber as a resource and develop a mutually beneficial relationship.
• Develop improved survey methods and tools to efficiently decipher member's feeling on key issues.
• Involve the membership in grass roots lobbying.
• Maintain active participation in the Massachusetts Council of Chambers of Commerce.
• Be a resource on issues to local businesses and business/civic associations.
• Explore the development of a Political Action Committee and the use of a lobbyist.
• Support kids voting campaigns and seminars designed to promote the understanding of the political process.
• Spotlight legislator voting records in the Action Report. Provide positive press when legislators support Chamber position.

3. Develop and strengthen initiatives that inform and encourage Chamber members to participate in government affairs.

• Publish timely government affairs articles in the Action Report.
• Help members increase their understanding of the legislative process.
• Conduct an Annual Legislative Reception each year.
• Seek additional opportunities and speakers to participate in segments of Good Morning Metro South promoting members knowledge of elected official and government affairs.
• Hold a legislative breakfast encouraging extensive participation of legislators and business people to produce a more active dialogue around business issues.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Goal Statement: Increase and strengthen the membership and financial base through strong retention and recruitment. Communicate effectively with members and the public to heighten awareness and understanding of Chamber programs, services and objectives.

Action Plans

1. Maintain and enhance member relation's efforts for increased membership retention.

• Distribute the Chamber User Guide and hold a new member orientation and briefing on a quarterly basis.
• Issue complimentary Good Morning Metro South passes to all prospective and new members encouraging their active involvement.
• Send membership satisfaction surveys to all investors seven months into their membership.
• Contact each member through Chamber Ambassadors prior to renewal period.
• Secure retention rate of 85 percent of dollars billed annually.
• Send exit surveys to members who elect not to renew their membership.

2. Realize a net gain of members through staff and volunteer efforts.

• Acquire a minimum of $25,000 in new member accounts from year-round staff efforts.
• Conduct volunteer membership campaigning in May with a minimum goal of $20,000 in new member accounts from year-round staff efforts.
• Conduct volunteer membership campaign in May with a minimum goal of $20,000 in new member income. Target some large firms outside of Brockton.
• Implement strategies that encourage increased Board, staff and volunteer referrals of prospective members.
• Consider establishing e-memberships as an alternative for some members.
• Develop satellite membership brochure display program designed to inform businesses about the Chamber and encourage active membership.

3. Conduct a comprehensive marketing communications program.

• Foster mutually beneficial relationships with regional media professionals.
• Continue to improve the appearance and content of Chamber publications to satisfy the information needs of members in a professional and user-friendly manner.
• Utilize e-mail, Internet, broadcast, fax and other technology in regularly communicating with member investors.
• Enhance, publish and distribute The Metro South Book for Business.
• Profile member benefits/testimonials and the work of committees and task forces in the Action Report.

4. Organize customer-oriented programs and services that provide value-added benefits and opportunities for members to interact in business and social settings.

• Develop and deliver programs and services so that the financial soundness and stability of the Chamber is enhanced.
• Identify additional value-added services that will assist in recruitment and retention (phone/communication; electricity/gas; payroll/human resources).
• Conduct the Metro South Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business to Business Connection encouraging maximum participation.

FINANCE AND BUILDING

Goal Statement: Maintain sound financial policies promoting maximum organizational strength while implementing plans and programs designed to sustain funding resources for future Chamber activities and assets.

Action Plans

1. Develop new policies to guide financial decision-making.

• Research, develop, recommend, adopt and implement a working capital policy.
• Research, develop, recommend, adopt, and implement an investment policy.

2. Examine current and future revenue sources in order to plan for the future.

• Identify trends in membership revenue in order to understand current levels.
• Maintain current level of membership revenue.
• Identify new and other sources of income by networking with other Chambers.

3. Manage building effectively for maximum feasible benefit.

• Continue to provide free space to community organizations when possible (SCORE, SBA, Symphony, DBA).
• Lease building at market rates to organizations with similar business development missions when possible (Commonwealth Corporation, Rapid Response, Parking Authority, Entrepreneurial Training Center and Mass Development Corporation).
• Conduct study to determine current market value of building and all options that may be of interest to the Chamber Board.
• Conduct a capital-needs assessment of the building in order to prepare for future anticipated expenditures.

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