Chamber Committees – Moving the Chamber Forward
The Springfield Chamber of Commerce has a mission to foster a prosperous community by representing, strengthening, and promoting business. Much of the work toward accomplishing these objectives is moved by our members – especially within key committees. Through the work done in the Education, Membership, Government Issues, and Greeters committees, chamber members are improving the chamber and our community by being informed, involved, and invested. Interested in joining a committee? Read on to find out more about them from our committee chairs:
Membership Committee
Chair: Nick Nelson, Keller-Williams
Tell us about Membership Committee. What work is the committee focused on in 2020?
Membership committee (MC) will continue to provide educational opportunities for members with another round of our business boot camp. The membership committee continues to provide this program with content that we hope members find relevant and applicable. Looking to create a new way for members to be ambassadors for the chamber and members with a focus on utilizing technology are other areas we’ll focus on this year.
How does Membership Committee connect to the mission of the chamber (strengthening, representing, promoting business)?
The MC has made of goal doing a grass roots outreach with members by scheduling a monthly business drop-in to engage members. The more members know about other member businesses, and thier experience, the more the MC can continue to provide support to the membership as a whole. The Chamber Open House also allows members and potential members an opportunity to network and educate members about the benefits their chamber offers them.
What was a success (or a few successes) for the committee in the past year?
The Business Boot Camp continues to be well attended and have positive feedback from attendees. When Boot Camp was started, the goal was to adapt the content each year. Businesses are constantly navigating new laws, technology, and forecasting their business success to name a few. The goal of the Boot Camp is to provide classes that small businesses take knowledge back to the store front to create a thriving ottom line. The MC has also joined forces with the Greeters with aligned goals, to help both groups grow and improve members overall experience.
What made you want to serve on the Membership Committee?
I originally started serving on the Committee 7 or 8 years ago. The committee has evolved over the years, but the fundamental purpose has always been serving the members. This committee allows people the chances to learn about members business, support them and provide value. Plus, it is just a good time each time we meet.
Membership Committee Meetings happen every 3rd Tuesday of each month from 9:00-10:00am at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce (101 S A Street) and is open to all members to join. If you have questions about this committee, please contact Max at the Chamber: max@springfield-chamber.org
Government Issues Committee
Co-Chair John Doty – Citizen’s Bank
Tell us about Government Issues Committee. What work is the committee focused on in 2020?
Government Issues Committee (GIC) is an open meeting where we discuss city, county and state topics and issues that may impact our membership. The group hears from representatives at all levels, to gain and share information, and research topics on behalf of the chamber.
How does Government Issues Committee connect to the mission of the chamber (strengthening, representing, promoting business)?
Early in 2020 we are gathering information about and discussing the bills likely to be voted upon in the short legislative session. We are developing a member liaison program where members will meet periodically with government, education, economic, and other leaders to identify how we can work together to better our community.
What was a success (or a few successes) for the committee in the past year?
In 2019, the GIC continued to build the foundation of the group with the establishment of a Business Advisory Council (BAC) that is the “voting” body of the GIC. When appropriate, the BAC will make recommendations to the Chamber’s Board of Directors to take a position on economic and legislative matters that we believe are important to our members, community, and economy.
What made you want to serve on the Government Issues Committee?
I’ve been on the committee for at least 3 years. I joined because I wanted to be involved in the community, and contribute to our community’s success. If our community is successful, we are successful.
Government Issues Committee Meetings happen every 2nd & 4th Tuesday’s of every month from7:00 – 8:00 am at the Hilton Garden Inn (3528 Gateway Street) and is open to all members join. If you have questions about this committee, please contact Max at the Chamber: max@springfield-chamber.org
Education Committee
Chair: Avril Watt – Johnson Crusher’s International
Tell us about Education Committee. What work is the committee focused on in 2020?
The Education Committee develops and executes the three core WorkReady programs, champions our WorkReady initiatives, and stays apprised of local workforce and talent development opportunities through partner collaboration. In 2020 we will focus on advocacy, specifically around apprenticeships and other student learner opportunities while continuing to develop our programs and developing key performance indicators to tell us what’s working.
How does Education Committee connect to the mission of the chamber (strengthening, representing, promoting business)?
Through our WorkReady programs we are able to connect students with businesses and help add to the conversation about what career opportunities exist and the skills needed to be successful. It’s exciting to see so many connections being made between a business and their future workforce.
What was a success (or a few successes) for the committee in the past year?
- The Chamber was named an ACT Workforce Champion (Vonnie)
- 2019 Mayor’s special recognition award (WorkReady)
- We hosted a LunchVox program on business access to internships and apprenticeships
- The Chamber provided input to the Oregon Department of Education state CTE plan
- We have begun providing mentorship to communities around Oregon looking to implement their own WorkReady model
What made you want to serve on the Education Committee?
The growing struggle to find skilled workers was and is very real. The emergence of WorkReady intrigued me and I believe that the successes listed above are just the beginning of many more to come. Best of all, students and businesses win!
Education Committee Meetings happen every 3rd Thursday of every month from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce (101 S A Street) and is open to all members to join. If you have questions about this committee, please contact Paige at the Chamber: paige@springfield-chamber.org
Greeters Committee
Co-Chairs: Denny Rowlison, Imperial Floors
Christie Wells, K9 Swim Center
Tell us about Greeters. What work is the committee focused on in 2020?
The first thing that comes to mind is “making business better.” Getting to know other business owners, other people in business, and building that relationship so that you can refer people confidently is so important. We are bringing the business community together with the attitude of “how can we help you grow your business?” That is what’s core to Greeters.
How does Greeters connect to the mission of the chamber (strengthening, representing, promoting business)?
The chamber offers so much support to businesses, and Greeters is another part of that. Greeters connects you to businesses large and small. If someone is opening a new business, there can be fears and challenges that go along with that. Greeters can help by bringing community, a welcoming attitude, and people who genuinely want your business to succeed alongside your business.
What was a success (or a few successes) for the committee in the past year?
Establishing the Thin Blue Line as an annual program, allowing the group to connect to the community and express appreciation. The Joint Greeters Breakfast with the Eugene Greeters was also a great success and provided a valuable program with cutting edge information by Kyle Sexton for our group.
What made you want to serve on the Greeters Committee executive board?
The group of people in Greeters is amazing, and we love the group. If you run with great people, you’re going to succeed, and we get so much motivation to serve on the committee from the relationships we’ve developed in the group.
Greeters Committee meets every Thursday morning from 7:00 – 8:30 am at Along Came Trudy (1486 18th Street, Springfield) and is open to all members to join. If you have questions about this committee, please contact Phil at the Chamber: phil@springfield-chamber.org
