Chamber Information

2009-2010 Business Plan

LETTER FROM THE NEW CHAIR   |   MISSION & VISION STATEMENTS   |   2007-2010 OBJECTIVES   |   COMMITTEES & TASK FORCES   |   PROGRAMS   |   NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES    |   EC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
 

LETTER FROM THE NEW CHAIR

Dear Chamber Members:

As we enter the third year of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, I am looking forward to serving as the Chamber’s Board Chair. In the first two years of this plan, we initiated several activities that moved the Chamber forward to build on an already great level of service to our members and the community.

In this third year, we will continue that push with several new initiatives. With added projects like creating a new, locally based Chamber Bucks program, an avenue for Chamber members to develop more environmentally sustainable operations, a trip to China, and new networking opportunities, this plan is exciting.

Our Chamber has a solid foundation that capitalizes on two key resources: our membership and our staff. The Chamber’s aggressive plan would not be possible with out the outstanding contributions of leaders and volunteers from our almost 1200 member organizations.

To support the efforts of our members, we have an outstanding team of Chamber staff. This group consistently delivers exceptional service to our membership. Their level of commitment is exhibited by the Chamber’s five-star accreditation by the US Chamber. We will be pursuing reaccreditation in 2009.

The Chamber is a conduit for our members to have an active, collaborative role in this community. And our mission through membership is to ensure your voice is heard in the decisions that impact your business and your quality of life.

Each year, our Strategic Plan reflects countless hours of work by Chamber members. These members have taken the lead and embarked on the mission to develop supporting services and programs to benefit businesses and residents alike. We strive to address matters of concern and interest including economic and workforce development, health care, transportation, education, government relations, community enrichment and more.

I encourage you to review the Strategic Plan details and learn more about the Chamber’s active committees outlined in this document. We want you to realize the value and return on your membership investment, and we welcome your participation, comments and suggestions. Like every worthwhile investment you make in life, the benefits of membership increase proportionately with your involvement.

On behalf of the Eau Claire Chamber staff, board of directors, committees and volunteers we wish you great success!

Sincerely,

Pete Farrow
Board Chair

MISSION & VISION STATEMENTS

MISSION STATEMENT
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is the advocate of business striving to enhance and protect the business environment and the quality of life for the benefit of our members and the Chippewa Valley .

VISION STATEMENT
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce will be the leader in the progressive development of the Chippewa Valley through the efforts of the business community.

2007-2010 OBJECTIVES

• Economic Development– Further economic development and responsible growth.
• Health Care - Promote solutions and access to health care for business.
• Workforce Development - Facilitate in the recruitment and retention of a qualified workforce.
• Business Prosperity and Quality of Life - Promote and protect an environment in which business prospers.
• Government Relations - Serve as the voice and policy advocate for business.
• Membership Development - Recruit and retain members by providing business-relevant benefits.

COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES

Advisory Council
By Invitation Only
Staff Liason: Bob McCoy

Goal: To bring together a group of 30 small business representatives that will meet three to four times a year in order to provide input on Chamber programs and brainstorm ideas with the Chamber staff. Information will be shared with the Chamber Board of Directors.

Agri-Business
Chair: Bob Sinz - Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc./ID Theft Shield
Staff Liason: Katy Kiley
Goal: To recognize the vital role of agriculture in the local economy and promote positive relations between the business and farm communities.

• Host the 13th annual Breakfast in the Valley on June 12th to promote agriculture in Eau Claire County and educate the public. Serve at least 3,000 people.
• Present the Friend of Agriculture Award to a person who has contributed to agriculture, agri-business relations and/or agriculture economy in the Chippewa Valley.
• Support agriculture through educational efforts in the Chippewa Valley.

Ambassadors
Chair: Shellee Kahl - Sam's Club
Staff Liaison: Cheri Weinke
Goal: To represent and promote the Chamber and retain Chamber members.

• Assist the Chamber in the recruiting of a diverse membership base and in maintaining a retention rate that exceeds 90 percent over three years.
• Assist in communicating the distinctions, services and achievements of the Chamber to the business community.
• Host and maintain participation at 11 Business After Hours to an average of 190 people each month.
• Host, along with the Chippewa Falls and the Greater Menomonie Area Chambers of Commerce, the Airport Open House on August 110.
• Host ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies, open houses and special Chamber events.

Annual Meeting
Chair: Tom Lindgren, RCU
Staff Liaison: Bob McCoy
Goal: To plan and execute the Chamber's 94th Annual Meeting.

• Create a program to recognize volunteers, highlight current year accomplishments and set the tone for 2009-2010.
• Recognize outstanding volunteers, committee chairs, Small Businesses of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Top Membership Salesperson, winners of the Community Development, Volunteer of the Year, Public Employee of the Year, Outstanding Young Professional of the Year and Athena awards. Announce the inductees of the newly-formed Business Hall of Fame.

Business Council
Chair: Jim Pinter
Staff Liaison: Becky Seelen
Goal: To implement educational seminars and programs that will meet the needs of Chamber members.

• Conduct the monthly Business Solutions seminar series, evaluate the series and partnerships and continue those which provide value to members.
• Facilitate the Lunch and Learn monthly seminar series featuring a variety of topics presented by Chamber members over the lunch hour.
• In conjunction with the Business Expo Committee, conduct a business seminar series at the 2009 Business Expo.
• Develop programs to encourage, serve and collaborate with the nonprofit private-sector community.
• Offer leadership instruction to benefit businesses by packaging and marketing existing Chamber programs and collaborating with other organizations.
• Promote the Speakers Bureau, which features local speakers on business topics, to the community.

Business Expo
Chair: Mike Carlson, Leader-Telegram
Staff Liaison: Becky Seelen
Goal: To plan and execute the 2009 Business Expo.

• Along with sponsors, host the 2009 Business EXPO, and  VIP Reception. The Expo is an opportunity for 140 exhibitors to expand their markets through a display of products and services while networking with other businesses and the community.
• In conjunction with the Business Council, conduct a business seminar series at the 2009 Business Expo.

Business Salutes Eau Claire
Chair: Jerry Shay, AnchorBank
Staff Liaison: Bob McCoy
Goal: Conduct an enjoyable golf outing that promotes networking for members.

• Host the 24th Annual Business Salutes Eau Claire Golf Classic for 260 people, co-sponsored by Security Health Plan, on May 18 at the Eau Claire Golf & Country Club.
• Structure the event as a source of non-dues revenue for the Chamber.

Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance
[limited to members of the Chamber Executive Committees]
Chair: Pete Farrow, Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire
Staff Liaison: Bob McCoy
Goal: To keep open lines of communication on regional issues between chambers in the Chippewa Valley.

• Meet annually with the Chamber Executive Committees in Chippewa Falls and Menomonie.
• Facilitate the 2010 Chippewa Valley Rally trip to Madison on January 27, to present issues that are important to the Chippewa Valley.
• Explore opportunities to deal with emerging business issues using the combined resources in the Valley.
• Establish a Western Wisconsin Legislative Coalition comprised of the chambers and legislators from the region.

Downtown Revitalization
Chair: Brandon Casto, AnchorBank
Staff Liaison: Katie O'Malley
Goal: Be an economic partner in downtown revitalization along with the City of Eau Claire and Downtown Eau Claire Inc.

• Work with the City of Eau Claire and Visit Eau Claire to study and improve traffic patterns and facilities by developing a signage program from surrounding highways directing people to downtown.
• Conduct the 3rd annual “Five O’clock on the River Walk” on July 16.
• Continue to work with Downtown Eau Claire Inc. (DECI) to promote downtown revitalization initiatives.
• Help to facilitate progress of downtown development including the North and South Barstow projects and Oxford Avenue to assure new areas of commercial and residential growth.
• Promote construction of a new Transit Center in Downtown Eau Claire. Excellence in Educatio

Excellence in Education
Chair: Vicki Seltun - Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, S.C.
Staff Liason: Becky Seelen
Goal: To provide recognition for outstanding students and educators from 10 area high schools.

• Plan and implement a quality Excellence in Education Banquet on May 6, honoring 60 area high school students and their educators.
• Recognize outstanding commitment to education through the Unsung Hero awards.

Good Government Council (GGC)
Chair: Bill Eklund, Sharp Photo & Portrait
Staff Liaison: Brett Geboy
Goal: To inform and educate members on business issues and candidates' stand on these issues. The GGC is independent of any political party, candidates or organization except the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

• Send out questionnaires to candidates for spring and fall elections for city, county and state races and share the results with members.

Health Care Committee
Chair: Jackie Pavelski
Staff Liason: Brett Geboy
Goal: Recognizing that rising health care costs are a significant issue of concern for our members, the Chamber advocates the collaboration between health care providers, encourages public/private interaction and urges personal responsibility.

• Allocate sufficient resources to work toward resolving the health care crisis facing member businesses.
• Host a series of seminars to help members understand high health care costs and effective methods to reduce these costs.
• Monitor health care coverage public policies that bring relief to business.
• Be strategic in collaborating with health care providers, promoting wellness programs, encouraging medical professionals and striving to be a regional medical hub.
• Monitor efforts to form a health care cooperative.
• Continue to search for a Chamber-sponsored health care plan that would be more cost effective to Chamber members.

Membership
Staff Liaison: Katie O'Malley
Goal: To assist the Chamber in the recruitment of members.

• Maintain incentive programs for both prospective and current members to encourage participation and continued membership in Chamber programs.
• Assist the Chamber in the recruitment of a diverse membership base.

Public Affairs
Chair: Scott Rogers - Gloria Jean's Coffees
Staff Liaison: Brett Geboy
Goal: Be a proactive voice for the business community, to facilitate communication between government and business community and to encourage participation in public and government affairs.

• Continue to update the Chamber legislative agenda to protect and promote business on a proactive basis.
• Encourage involvement in Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Direct Givers Conduit as a mechanism for member involvement in the political process.
• Facilitate and encourage development of a regional legislative coalition for Western Wisconsin.
• Monitor and influence issues that may impact the Chippewa Valley.
• Educate members on where political candidates stand on business related issues through sponsoring spring and fall candidate forums.
• Involve members in grassroots political participation.
• Promote favorable public policy and funding for economic development.
• Obtain input from Chamber members through surveys to assist the Board on establishing positions.
• Inform members and the community about issues and positions through various methods.

Reaccreditation
All Chamber Staff
Goal: To complete the Reaccreditation process through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to continue to be recognized as a Five Star Chamber of Commerce. Areas of review will include: benchmarking, communication, facilities, finance, governance, government affairs, human resources & staff, program development and technology.

• The Chamber will establish a Task Force that will develop the criteria that businesses and organizations must meet to be identified by the Chamber as a “sustainable business”.
• An annual review and award committee will be established to select, recruit and identify those who qualify for the recognition.
• Members will be recognized as committed to a greener greater Eau Claire region through their business operations.
• Members will have access to the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Business logo for print and electronic use in marketing materials.
• Sustainable Business members will receive recognition on the Chamber’s Web page.
• Sustainable Business members will receive a “Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Sustainable (green) Business” window cling for their business.

Workforce Development Committee
Chair: Janice Lemminger, Manpower
Staff Liaison: Brett Geboy
Goal: To study workforce issues affecting businesses, implement programs to address the issues, and partner businesses and education.

• Continue strong partnerships with educational institutions to address needs to retain and attract students and alumni.
• Continue Chamber workforce development efforts that include employment job fairs, worker retention and recruitment, apprenticeships, internships, promotion of the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley and other programs.
• Work with regional economic development organizations to support efforts to attract and retain business in Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley. Encourage cooperation and alignment of economic development efforts.
• Identify and promote availability of the area's infrastructure as a key asset for business relocation and retention.
• Partner with businesses and organizations looking to diversify and develop talent by promoting the untapped workforce, creating awareness for new innovative technologies and green initiatives and promoting international markets.

Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley
Chair: Pamela Speckien, M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
Staff Liaison: Katy Kiley
Goal: Engage and empower young professionals by providing relevant educational, networking and community events.

• Nurture young leaders and encourage them to remain or return to the Chippewa Valley’s workforce.
• Nurture young leaders and encourage them to remain or return to Eau Claire's workforce.
• Continue strong partnerships with educational institutions to address needs to retain and attract students and alumni.
• Create a group on Facebook to encourage networking among members and reach additional young professionals in the area.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Business Hall of Fame Inductee Luncheon: Held the first Friday in June.

Business Recognition Luncheons: Held four times a year to recognize a local industry and say thank you for being in Eau Claire.

Chamber/UW-Eau Claire Business Breakfast: Held annually in March to bring the university and business communities together for a better understanding of what each other is doing.

Chamber/CVTC Business Breakfast: Held annually in October to bring technical college and business communities together for a better understanding of what each other is doing.

Chamber Buy Local Bucks Program: A new program will be established that will be owned and operated completely by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce using a local financial institution and good only at Chamber member businesses.

China Trip: The Chamber will host a Business Leaders Trip to China on October 27-November 4, 2009 visiting sites, both ancient and modern. The public is limited to attend.

Community Communications Committee (CCC): The Chamber facilitates the CCC which represents 20 CEO’s of community organizations that meet bi-monthly to have interactive discussions on important community issues.

Eau Claire Express Baseball: The Chamber will host a night at the Eau Claire Express sponsored by four Chamber member businesses on June 25.

LEADS Groups: The Chamber facilitates the formation of LEADS Groups, which provide members the opportunity to further business interests through the exchange of tips, leads and information.

Receptions: The Chamber Board will meet once a year with the Eau Claire and Altoona City Councils, Eau Claire County Board and Eau Claire School Board to keep open lines of communication.

Small Business Breakfast: Held on May 28, during Small Business Month, to recognize two Small Businesses of the Year that were named at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.

UW-Eau Claire Welcome Bags: The Chamber assembles 2,200 welcome bags for new freshmen at UW- Eau Claire to acquaint them with the Eau Claire community and businesses.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Monthly Opportunities
Business After Hours: Monthly networking opportunity on the second Monday evening at a host business site with hors d'oeuvres and door prizes.

Business Connection: Monthly networking opportunity on the first Friday at the Eau Claire Chamber office. Each participant has the opportunity to share information on their business, learn about other businesses and meet other Chamber members.

Six Degrees Networking: A new monthly networking event to assist members with growing their businesses by getting them closer to Six Degrees of Separation.

Your Chamber Orientation: Held monthly at the Chamber office, for members to learn about Chamber programs and activities and to meet Chamber staff.

Other Opportunities
Progressive Power Lunch: Held three times a year for members to network with seven new people at three different tables while they enjoy a salad, entrée and dessert.

Holiday Open House: Held December 3 at the Chamber office to allow members a time to network and celebrate the holidays.

EAU CLAIRE CHAMBER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Goal: To provide a vehicle for members to contribute charitable support to Chamber educational programs and projects including Leadership Eau Claire™, Real Life Academy and Youth Leadership Eau Claire. The Foundation has established an Endowment Fund to raise $300,000 for youth leadership programs. A Youth Leadership Society of Founders has been formed. Society members have agreed to contribute a minimum of $2,500 over three years.

President: Mark Faanes, Wipfli
Vice President: Tom Mihajlov, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Secretary: Bob McCoy, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce
Treasurer: Bill Kaiser, M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
Past President: Charlie Grossklaus, RCU

Board of Directors

Bill Eklund, Sharp Photo & Portrait
Bonnie Feltz, Department of Interiors, Ltd.
Jeff Halloin, Landmark Company
Dr. Lee Mayer, Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System
Dean Olson, Charter Bank Eau Claire
Jack Postlewaite, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, S.C.
Sam Stagliano, Bauman Associates, Ltd.

Leadership Eau Claire™
Chair: Holly Dooley, Aflac
Staff Liaison: Becky Seelen
Goal: To increase participants' community knowledge through skill building exercises and educational days that stimulate them to take an active leadership role in shaping our community.

• Conduct the 28th annual Leadership Eau Claire™ program for up to 40 participants from a cross section of the community and graduate them prepared to volunteer their services to the community.
• Instill in participants an understanding of volunteerism, citizenship and community trusteeship in effort to build on Eau Claire's quality of life.

Leadership Eau Claire™ Alumni
Chair: Mary Beth Krebsbach - RCU
Staff Liason: Becky Seelen
Goal: To provide ongoing leadership programs and networking opportunities for Leadership Eau Claire™ alumni.

• Conduct an educational/social networking opportunity for alumni.
• Recruit new members for the Leadership Eau Claire™ program.
• Host the annual Leadership Eau Claire™ Alumni Luncheon August for LEC alumni and to introduce the new class.
• Encourage Leadership Eau Claire™ alumni to participate in the Curriculum, Executive and Alumni committees to create a well-rounded program.

Real Life Academy
Chair: Kristan Motszko - North High School
Staff Liaison: Katy Kiley
Goal: To plan and execute the Real Life Academy, an event for area high school students that is designed to demonstrate the importance of sound money management skills.

• Coordinate the Real Life Academy in the fall and spring semesters for students at Altoona, Fall Creek, Memorial, North and Regis high schools.
• Recruit Chamber members to sponsor and volunteer at the two academies.
• Continue strong partnerships with educational institutions to address needs to retain and attract students and alumni.

Youth Leadership Eau Claire
Kristy Martin, Nestle Nutrition
Goal: To provide an opportunity for area high school juniors to enhance the knowledge and develop leadership skills that will empower and motivate them to become involved and committed to their community.

• Conduct the seventh Youth Leadership Eau Claire program for 24 students from Altoona, Fall Creek Memorial, North and Regis high schools.
• Nurture young leaders and encourage them to remain or return to the Eau Claire's workforce.
• Recruit funding to continue to support the program.

Back a Page | Top of Page | Print Friendly Page |