Welcome to the Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development Website

• Overview

The Chamber Committee has developed this plan for the period January 2006 through December 2008. The plan identifies events, programs and services to fulfill the purpose of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the plan identifies administrative actions to help ensure its success.

This plan is dynamic in nature. The Committee will meet periodically to monitor progress and make revisions as needed.

• Committee Purpose

The Committee brings value to members of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce through programs and events.

• Strategic Priorities

During the period of this plan, the Committee will concentrate on the following:

Being a service organization	Serve the needs of members and local businesses; foster networking; increase business visibility

Value	Increase awareness of the value of the Chamber to its members and Sullivan

Paid Staff	Maintain a paid staff member to advance the Chamber’s purpose

Educational programs	Assess the needs of members and offer programs

Role of the Committee	Clarify role within the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Corporation

Event		Value of ...Event...	2006	2007	2008
..1..	Spores & More	• Out-of-town dollars	April Goal: $0	Based on evaluation of 2006	N/A
2	Business Expo	• Visibility • Networking	N/A Goal: $0	April Goal: $0	N/A Goal: $0
3	Golf Outing	• Networking • Fundraising (only event with sponsor solicitation)	June Goal: $7,000	Date TBD Goal: $7,000	Date TBD Goal: $7,000
4	Chili Cook-off	• Goodwill	October Goal: $0	October Goal: $0	October Goal: $0
5	Shotgun Manor	• Fundraising • Networking • Out-of-town dollars	October Goal: $15,000	October Goal: $20,000	October Goal: $25,000
6	Safe Trick-or-Treat	• Goodwill • Visibility (adult bag)	October Goal: $0	October Goal: $0	October Goal: $0
7	Christmas Parade	• Goodwill • Moonlight Madness • Out-of-town dollars	1st Saturday in Decamber Goal: $0	1st Saturday in December Goal: $0	1st Saturday in December Goal: $0
8	Ambassador Program	• Visibility for Sullivan • Out of town dollars • Goodwill	Select Little Theatre shows	Based on Evaluation of 2006	Based on Evaluation of 2007

Event		Value of ...Event...	2006	2007	2008
..1..	After Hours/Lunches	• Educational • Networking • Visibility	Monthly, 4th Wednesday	Monthly, 4th Wednesday	Monthly, 4th Wednesday
2	Annual Stakeholders Dinner	• Awards • Recognition • Educational	January	January	January
3	Newsletter	• Informs members and others	Monthly	Monthly	Monthly
4	Meet the Candidate	• Educational
5	Education for Members	• Educational	Assess needs of members	Offers X program(s)	Offers X program(s)
6	Recruitment and Development	• Networking • Growth of SCED • Recognition • Educational	Develop A Plan	Based on evaluation of 2006	Based on evaluation of 2007

• Oversight of Events and Programs

Development
Beginning in 2006, the Committee will ensure the following:
• Leaders are identified for each event or program in January of each year
• Each event or program is planned in advance, including items such as volunteer requirements, key actions, and timelines
• Promotional documents include the intended value of the event or program
• A budget for each event or program is submitted to the Board of Directors by December 1st of the preceding year

Management
Beginning in 2006, the Committee will ensure:
• Events and programs are managed collectively
• A common template is developed for use by Leaders to manage events or programs
• Leaders provide progress reports at each Committee meeting
• After each event or program, a debrief is be completed with the Committee to document successes and lessons learned

• Membership Levels
Actions will be taken to grow Chamber membership as follows:

• Staffing Requirement

A staff position dedicated to advancing the Chamber’s purpose should be maintained.

By March 31, 2006, a position description will be developed by the Committee and submitted to the Board.

In September of each year, the Committee will examine staffing requirements and submit a recommendation to the Board.

• Role of Committee

By March 31, 2006, the Committee will consult with the Board to further clarify the Committee’s role within the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

• Committee Membership

By March 31, 2006, Committee will complete a plan on Committee member recruitment and development.

• Member Level
Actions will be taken to maintain Committee membership as follows:

• Issues and Concerns

• Office: space, organization, storage, equipment, filing
• Do not wrap-up annual events effectively
• Office viewed as a “social” stop; causes interruptions
• Committee does not market its value enough
• Members do not understand chamber’s value
• Members could network more
• Value of networking is not shared – should share success stories
• What is the chamber’s role in all of this? Tourism? Education?
• Ways to bring new Committee members up to speed
• What is the difference between the chamber committee and the Board?
• Wide variety of businesses in membership
• Lots of fire drills; planning starts too late
• Issue of awareness of what Sullivan has to offer
• Long-term understanding of Sullivan’s identify
• Liar’s table
• Negative attitude around community
• Lack of community involvement
• Lack of initiative to stay aware
• Buy-in to change / new things
• Some businesses view the activities as a hassle
• Patronage by locals
• Businesses have to compete with non-local business
• Assumption that local vendors are expensive
• Newspaper not on-board; not will to initiate stories
• Recruiting new committee members
• Getting volunteers for events
• Expectations of committee members to do it all – coordinate all events, etc.
• Involvement of members at events
• External (non-local) partnerships?
• Non-Sullivan members – local businesses view them as competition
• Some businesses seem inconvenienced by additional business
• Limited signage of where to go once in Sullivan
• Farming community versus “growing” community
• Welcoming attitude?
• Need a better understanding of bigger picture – SCED as a whole

• Best Things

• Newsletter
• Events
• Staff good momentum – attitudes are high
• Improved communications with members
• Great volunteers
• Great event leaders
• Active committee members
• Desire to improve community by the Committee
• Grown the chamber membership
• “The Spot” passes out the newsletter
• Businesses are involved; not just a person from that business

• Things to share with the Board

• Fundraising is a Board responsibility
• Chamber events must be funded by the Board

Year	Membership at 12/31
2005	156
2006	160
2007	180
2008	200

Year	Membership at 12/31
2006	11
2007	11
2008	11