Giles County Chamber of Commerce
2006 Plan of Programs

MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Mission

To communicate the Chamber's mission and messages in a manner that is effective, professional, and responsive and to provide communication and opportunities to members.

Highlights

Publish monthly newsletter -- The Chamber monthly newsletter, "Chamber News", is published in-house saving the Chamber dollars that can be applied to other programs. The STARS volunteer group help assemble the newsletter for mailing.
Recruit ads for the Chamber News
Coordinate efforts to publish 15th Annual Chamber Tabloid through Pulaski Publishing. Distributed to all subscribers. Extra copies are given out in the Chamber office to new businesses.
Sponsor the "Brighten Your Corner" and "Land of Milk & Honey Beautification" Awards to recognize those businesses or individuals that have made a major improvement in the appearance of their property.

INDUSTRIAL RETENTION AND NEEDS

Mission

To coordinate efforts with new jobs, new residents, and investments for the service area; to provide research, demographic and marketing materials in support of the organization's program.

GILES COUNTY INDUSTRIAL MANAGERS

Mission
To coordinate activities and programs for the managers and
send notification of meetings.

Highlights

Managers meet the first Thursday of each month at First National Bank for lunch and a program of interest to manufacturers.

BUILDING

Mission

To study the possibility of housing several other offices within the upstairs of the Chamber building.

EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

Mission

Education:

To create a strong network of support for schools by improving the communication between the business and education communities as relates to the needs of each sector. Create active partnerships between the two to promote educational resources and in turn, enhance the quality of our educational system. To offer incentives to high school students for their academic accomplishments.

Communication:

To communicate the Chamber's mission and messages in a manner that is effective, professional and responsive.

Highlights

EXCEL Program:

The Giles County EXCEL program began in November 1995. Chamber fundraising events have raised $37,708 in education for support of schools. Area merchants, along with the business and industry sector of the community have committed to the success of the Chamber's efforts. Merchant discounts, contributions and jacket sponsors enable the student to receive awards for their academic accomplishments.

Provide $500 Chamber Scholarship to Martin Methodist College

PROJECTS COMMITTEE

Task Forces: Chili Cookoff, Golf Tournament, Holiday Festival, Chamber Bucks

Mission

To implement fundraising projects in order to raise approximately $47,000 in revenue for the Chamber budget.

Highlights

Chili Cookoff
- Funds go toward Martin Methodist College Scholarship
Land of Milk & Honey Golf Tournament
- Annual event which began in 1999. Funds are raised for annual budget.

GILES COUNTY HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

Mission

To promote local businesses and Giles County Tourism in the county so they can individually grow through sharing business knowledge and experience with one another.

Highlights

Sponsored the Giles County Festival since 1998

GILES COUNTY CHAMBER BUCKS

Mission

To promote and encourage shopping in Giles County by keeping the dollars at home.

Highlights

The certificate is for any amount and can be given as a gift, employee incentive, etc. All businesses are in Giles County and are members of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Mission

To secure and retain a representative membership base from throughout the area business community, thereby, providing adequate financial and volunteer resources from which to implement programs and initiatives.

Highlights

Sell Display Center advertisements to serve membership more efficiently
Conduct monthly spotlight website link contest
Publish Quality of Life book and Giles County map
Publish Membership Directory annually
Provide membership on-line listings with month to month updates
Chamber Display set up at Giles County Health Fair
Participate in Tennessee 3-Star presentation
Sponsor Monthly Coffees--2nd & 4th Wednesday, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Sponsor "Business After Hours" three times each year

Task Forces:

ANNUAL BANQUET

Sponsor Annual Banquet for membership recognizing "Member of the Year", "Ambassador of the Year", "Ambassador's Choice Award", "Volunteer of the Year", "Community Service Award", "STAR of the Year", "Distinguished Merchant of the Year", "Industry of the Year" and "Business of the Year". Held annually in March.

GILES COUNTY EXPO

An opportunity for members to showcase their business to an audience of over 600.

Free food, door prizes and cash giveaways.

"CAT'S MEOW" HISTORICAL BUILDING SCULPTURES

An ongoing series of sculptured historical buildings in Giles County. Perfect gifts and beautiful over a door facing or sitting in a group.

AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Ambassadors serve as liaisons between the members and the Chamber board and staff, greeters at Chamber events and dignitaries at grand openings and ribbon cuttings. They also deliver welcome packets to new Chamber members.

SINGLE REQUEST CAMPAIGN

Platinum, Gold & Bronze Sponsorships -- Sponsors receive exposure and recognition at all Chamber meetings and events, through the media and the Chamber newsletter. Sponsorships are over and above membership investment dues.

STARS PROGRAM

STARS Program ("Still Thoroughly Active Retirees") -- STARS conduct the volunteer work of the Chamber from setting up banquet tables, to assembling new resident packages to welcoming a new member.

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Parade sponsored by the City of Pulaski and the Chamber.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mission

To provide for sound fiscal policies for the Chamber through the implementation of periodic reviews of management practices and the maintenance of a long-range financial plan.

Highlights

Staff goals
Monthly committee reports
Balanced budget

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Mission

To provide direction for three to five years.

Highlights

House offices of Chamber & Economic Development in same building
Dues restructure

PAST PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Mission

To consult and advise with the officers and members of the
Board of Directors concerning any matters which, because of previous experience as former presidents, may be helpful in maintaining a strong and aggressive organization, and other such duties as may be determined by the council.

If you would like to volunteer to serve on one of our committees, please call the Chamber of Commerce office at 931-363-3789.
Our office hours are: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.