FY 2003-2004 STRATEGIC PLAN

INCREASE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

Encourage Business Relationships Among Members (Strategic Planning Committee)

1. Implement Member-To-Member Benefit Program & distribute membership card. Increase program's visibility and number of participants by personal contact, focusing on hospitality members.
2. Create Ambassador's Program (Membership Development)
3. Implement credit-card Affinity Program, publicize to membership (Executive Director)
4. Business Incubator: obtain membership input to better define need/goals for program (Strategic Planning Committee)
5. Research variations of the membership card, and how it can be used to track Chamber participation as a source of business for retail, restaurants and hospitality member businesses (with Member Development)
6. Freshen up networking events; develop criteria for event sites to assess functionality for networking (Staff & Member Services)
7. Consider a Membership Services Committee to assist the VP of Member Services; it could include a Networking Subcommittee, for example, and its members could serve as M.C.s for other events.

Increase/Retain Membership (Membership Development Committee)

• Increase membership to 770 in 2002-3
• Retain 78% of 2003-4 membership via bi-annual personal contact with top dues paying members (with Executive Committee)
• Increase/add membership of one geographic and one occupational membership category
• Identify and market 5 benefits of membership

Improve Membership Communications and Services ( Strategic Planning Committee)

• Create in-house library of business resources (with Seminar and Technology Committees)
• Determine membership's preferred method of communication via survey Identify membership's other business organization and Chamber affiliations via survey
• Provide one new means to increase member participation in government relations (with Economic Development Committee)

Advocate for & Unite Business; Promote Quality Business Environment

Exercise Pro-Active Leadership on Key Issues Facing each Region served by Chamber ( Economic Development Committee and Parking & Transportation Committee)

• Continue as liaison for area's Public Safety Council
• Bethesda CBD: Lift Building Moratorium, assist Woodmont Triangle, promote Arts & Entertainment District
• Friendship Hgts and CBD/Westbard: Evaluate utility of FHTMD; meet with business owners & established orgs to inventory needs & issues
• N. Bethesda/Rockville Pike: Serve as liaison with new developments; provide more PR activity, assist in creation of new parking district
• Rockspring Pk/M. Mall/Old G'town & Democracy: Meet with business owners & established orgs to inventory needs & issues; increase PR activities

Advocate for Business (Economic Development Committee)

• Assess access to policy-makers, suggest 3 new ways to strengthen influence (with Public Affairs Consultant)
• Meet with County Council and Executive to discuss legislative agenda (with Chamber leadership)
• Participate in Mont. County's Dept of Economic Development's Chamber Leadership Committee (with President-Elect)
• Participate in Bio 2003 Conference (with President)
• Participate in creation of Mont. County's B-CC economic development promotional piece (with Exec. Director)

Expand Role as Business Liaison with Community (Community Development & Education Committee)

• Expand involvement from other BCC area organizations to partner in community development programs; add one new community program with focus on helping disadvantaged children and encourage wider-range involvement from entire community
• Assess past and conduct new Career Partnership Day with area high schools. (with Education Committee)

Strengthen Organizational Effectiveness

Develop Board and Committee Leadership (Executive Committee)

• Inform members how to advance w/in organization
• Solicit members' interest in leadership roles
• Develop succession plan for key positions

Diversify and Increase Number of Sponsors for Chamber Activities (Staff)

• Obtain 2 new sponsors for major events
• Analyze current sponsorship opportunities and make 3 improvements

Improve Chamber's Public Relations (Strategic Planning)

• Implement one new program aimed at increasing stature and visibility of Chamber
• Undertake comprehensive review of all marketing pieces including website (with Member Services, Membership Development and Technology)
• Initiate holiday promotion for retail, hospitality and restaurant members

Improve Internal Efficiency

• Amend by-laws as necessary (Counsel to the Board)
• Assess Chamber staffing, management & committee needs via interviews (Strategic Planning and Exec. Director)
• Review headquarter location, negotiate lease as necessary (Strategic Planning)
• Identify 3 new non-dues sources of revenue (Exec. Director)
• Balanced budget for 2002-2003 (VP Budget & Finance, Finance Committee, Exec. Director and Dir. of Finance)

For more information on the Chamber's 2002-2003 Strategic Plan or to get involved in helping to accomplish the goals and objectives of this plan, contact the Chamber staff at: 301-652-4900 or [email protected].

Back to top