Chamber announces new strategic plan for 2021-2023
I am planning to get back to the Member Spotlights in this column soon. With membership season here and things picking up at the office, I have ended up writing this piece at the very last moment for submission on Tuesday mornings for the last several weeks. What I would like to submit this week is information relevant to the new strategic plan that the chamber board adopted at last week’s meeting.
In August/September 2020, the JCCC board and staff met for a retreat at The Stadtler Event Center and Jessica Pfau, who also happens to be the Executive Director of Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Center, walked us through several items. This information included the role and responsibility of board members as well as the strategic planning process.
After several hours of discussion on our SWOT, successes, trials, and goals, Jessica took home notes to condense. She then presented us with a report from the experience and four overarching priorities that shone through during discussion. These priorities, which will be that of the chamber over the next three years, include: Ensuring the Chamber’s sustainability, strengthening funding, increasing county-wide dedication and increasing the understanding of the Chamber’s impact in our communities.
At that point, I took on the task of breaking these priorities down into goals and objectives that I, with the help of the board and volunteers, can accomplish over the next three years. These goals fit into my annual MIP (Management Improvement Plan). Some of these goals include: Building a recruitment and retention plan, creating an annual giving period, monetizing services and creating a retail line, taking a look at starting a community foundation under the umbrella of the chamber, working with our communities to create strategic plans themselves, and renewing our Ambassador and Leadership programs.
Each of the goals in the plan have a number of objectives to keep us on track. Of course our work to support the membership, economic development and tourism efforts, annual events and programs all fit into this plan as well. We want the membership to be as involved as they can be, which is why we’re sharing this with our community. If you are interested in getting involved or have expertise that may be helpful in accomplishing a goal, we would love to have your help or advice.
One of the things we immediately did to involve the membership more is to open up the voting of the business of the year awards! In prior years, the board of directors have voted on these at the February board meeting. This year, the Nominating Committee of the board brought forward a list of nominees and the board voted on who to add to the ballot. Ballots were put in the mail on Tuesday of this week and we hope you will participate! We have added a new award for Civic/Non-Profit of the Year, too. The nominees are:
New Business of the Year: ROK Realty, Mulberry Wine Bar + Retail, Blue River Nutrition
Small Business of the Year: Simple Simon’s Pizza, Spa 211, Scotty’s Blue River One Stop
Large Business of the Year: Family Health Center of Southern Ok, Murray State College, Nitro Lift Technologies
Civic/Non-Profit of the Year: Johnston County EMS, Ravia Fire Fighter’s Association, INCA Community Services
Awards will be announced at the Annual Chamber Banquet on Saturday, April 17th.
Welcome back to the chamber, Junk Stars, and thank you to all of the members who have moved from the basic business level to the corporate bronze or silver levels!
-Jordyn Frazier, Executive Director, JCCC