Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce
Program of Work FY- 2019
(as approved November 2018 Board Fall Orientation/Planning meeting)
MEMBERSHIP:
Statement: Business members are the lifeblood of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce. We want to create a mindset amongst the business community that investing in the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce is wise business decision. We will do this by conveying to potential members the importance of our programs, benefits, projects and events to their business. We will also establish a strong connection between current business members and their chamber by providing meaningful and valuable programs, projects and events.
Action Items:
- Continue to build membership base through recruitment of new members and retention of current members to satisfy growth goals using tools such as referrals, personal visitation and invitation, newspaper, yellow pages, business directories, and other sources.
- Continue Annual Membership Dinner/Meeting and Quarterly Membership meetings to keep the membership up-to-date on programs, events, legislation issues, sponsorship opportunities for non-membership revenue and give them an active say in their Chamber.
- Explore and provide value based benefits for their membership
- Continue Business after Hours/Ribbon Cuttings: Coordinate, schedule, and execute these celebratory activities for member businesses. Publicize events in advance to the general membership/public to ensure good attendance at the event. Post follow up pictures on our website, Facebook page and newsletter thereby increasing that company’s visibility.
IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS:
Statement: Communications is key to telling our story and to providing timely information that could help our members more efficiently and profitably run their businesses. In order to effectively communicate and build on the positive role of our services, projects, events, and programs, we will implement meaningful communications, marketing, and public relations while looking for ways to enhance our current initiatives on a very limited budget. This will ensure we are reaching current membership with valuable information while recruiting prospective members by sharing our mission and the value of membership.
Action items:
Membership communication tools including:
- Continue weekly eBlasts: the promotion of the “I Know Jo” member recognition, updates on calendared events, and member ads
- Website: Maintain user-friendly website: www.angelfirechamber.org. Provide professional, timely, and accurate information for members and our secondary audiences including the general public to promote Angel Fire
- Social networking: Maintain social media marketing
- Continue in-house publication of the Member Directory and Member Brochure to cut costs.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Statement: Support and enhance the businesses that are the driving force of the Angel Fire community through relevant, timely and strategic business education programming that will assist them in their ongoing challenges. Provide a core stream of non-dues revenue through events and seminars while offering valuable business-to-business networking opportunities. Collaborate with other key business support agencies and other Chambers to strengthen the Angel Fire business climate and conduct strategic referrals to enhance member business operations.
Action Items:
- Work together when possible with the Village of Angel Fire’s Economic Development Committee.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Support and enhance the lifestyle of the Angel Fire Community as one of the main forces of our community.
Action items:
- Work together with other non-profit organizations with fund raising efforts. Remain a hub for ticket sales for organizational events, have a presence at organization events, and help with the efforts of the Village of Angel Fire to promote community.
LEGISLATIVE:
Statement: Businesses are increasingly saddled with burdensome regulations, paperwork, and taxes, the cost of compliance is high and extremely time consuming. To ensure that our members have the opportunity for success and profitability, and are able to compete on a level playing field, the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce must be the true voice of business and play an active advocacy role the formation of public policy with local, state, and national elected and appointed officials. We will address and advocate on issues affecting general business interests, health care, education, transportation, and tourism.
Action items:
- Coordinate with the Village of Angel Fire to ensure the Angel Fire community is well represented with our legislatures.
- Support bills that will improve the economic development possibilities for Angel Fire, the Enchanted Circle, Colfax County, and the state of New Mexico including but not limited to:* Support action to improve and upgrade Internet, GPS, and cell service and coverage area to both residential and commercial properties.* Support any funding bills regarding acquisition of water rights, local & state highway improvements and affordable housing in the Moreno Valley
- Continue to expand Angel Fire’s presence by participating in legislative events and briefings. Present the chamber’s stand on key issues to elected officials and work proactively for the approval of those positions.
- Host, if need be, meetings that allow elected officials and the influential leaders the opportunity to update and inform chamber members on issues of importance.
- Encourage Legislative Affairs Committee members and members of the Chamber Board and membership to attend meetings of county commissioners and city council.