Annual Coastal Clean-up |
In
Hancock County, the Chamber of Commerce is the
heartbeat of the community. It is the glue that
brings all segments of the community together,
working toward common goals.
Many of our initiatives are overseen by our 26
committees. Below is a list our 2010
priorities, followed by a roster of our
committees and their on-going projects.
|
2010
PRIORITIES - SUMMARY
+ Member Services
o
Continue
support of the $3 million Job Generation Fund (low
interest/forgivable loan program).
o
Provide
support to government to develop the Waveland Business
Incubator
o
Enhance
member services through technology—launch new website
and social media
o
Develop a
business education program for the Chamber to include
seminars, training and webinars for members on
marketing, business planning and financial management.
o
Seek
marketing funds to promote the area to generate new
business for small business owners
+ Business Corridor Initiatives
+ Partnerships
+ Operations
+ Foundation
o
Continue to
implement the $3 million Job Generation Fund
o
Seek
additional funding sources for small business and
community development
o
Cultivate
contacts to obtain funding from the Department of the
Treasury to establish a Community Development Financial
Institution
COMMITTEES
OPERATIONS
Finance
By-Laws
Compliance
Facilities
Nominating
BEAUTIFICATION
Greenways
Beautification
EDUCATION
Education
EVENTS
Major Events
MEMBER SERVICES
Member Services
Marketing, Communications &
Technology
Ambassadors
Business Education
Major Sponsors
Membership Meetings
PARTNERSHIPS
Past Presidents Advisory
Government Relations
Hancock Organizations
Liaison through the Hancock Business Council
Hancock County Tourism Bureau
Board Appointment
Hancock Main Street Board
Appointment
Waveland Business Incubator
LEADERSHIP
Kiln Business Council
Women's Leadership
Roundtable
Leadership Hancock
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Partners for Stennis
Hancock Community
Development Foundation
OPERATIONS
Finance Committee
To provide
financial oversight and to conduct monthly reviews of
Chamber financial statements and records; and, to make
financial investment recommendations to the board.
Chair: Rea Montjoy
Members: Angelyn Treutel, Matt Scardino, Clay
Leyser, Hal Leftwich
Staff: Lynne Chasez
Goals:
•
Monthly committee review of financial records
•
Monthly CPA review of records, calculation of taxes
•
Annual preparation of 990 by CPA
•
Annual budget preparation in December/January with
Executive Committee
•
Oversee annual audit
•
Make recommendations on financial investments & policies
and procedures for accounting (to include Bay BridgeFest
in 2010)
•
Create and publish a fee schedule for work done in
managing other group’s finances
By-Laws Committee
To review
the governing policies of the organization. Meetings
held as needed as called by the Chairman.
Chair: Mary Perkins.
Staff: Tish Williams
Constitution and By-Laws
Compliance
To provide
additional oversight and help ensure adherence to
controls, especially in regards to finances; serves as
ombudsman to receive anonymous feedback on any
irregularities. Complete Annual Report to EPA in April
2010 and conduct final board training in March for grant
management and fraud prevention to conclude three year
compliance agreement with EPA.
Chair: Cindy Knoblock
Staff: Tish Williams, Carol Wasielewski
Facilities Committee
To provide
guidance on issues related to Chamber facilities, both
short-term and long-term; and, oversee transition to
new permanent office at the Bay St. Louis City Hall
Annex
Chair: Bill Cotter
Members: Tommy Murphy, Mary Perkins, Ray Cox, David
Holman, Regan Kane
Staff: Tish Williams
Nominating Committee
To oversee
the process of annual board nominations and elections;
process begins annually around September; votes are cast
by full membership in December, ratified at the January
2011 annual meeting.
Chair: Angelyn Treutel
Members: TBD by Board Appointment three members who
are not members of the board
Staff: Tish Williams
Goals
·
Continue the
focus on identifying potential board members that
represent the entire county.
·
Nominating
Committee: to be appointed by the Board in
August/September.
·
Contact
nominees to determine interest.
·
Offer slate
of nominees to the membership by November 15th
BEAUTIFICATION
Greenways Committee
To promote
enhancement of natural resources, uniform codes and
ordinances, improved sidewalks, streets, paths and
drainage, uniform gateways. (Meets third Thursdays
monthly at 8:30am at Chamber Office)
Chair: Ron Magee
Staff: Tish Williams / Moli Kergosien
Goals for
the 2020 Greenways Vision (The baseline used is the
2005 Greenways Plan)
·
Increase by
20% green vegetative cover of urban areas and
residential density in Hancock County;
·
Realize 20%
of our inter-urban travel using mass transit and our
urban travel using walking and bicycles;
·
Improve by
20 % our surface water quality, and increase access to
water-based recreational opportunities;
·
Realize 20%
increase in our greenways trails, parks, and
recreational facilities in our population centers;
·
Institute
the 50 mile menu - promoting the selling of food in our
restaurants, stores and markets from local farmers and
seafood industry
Beautification Committee
To promote anti-litter campaigns and beautification
awards. (Meets second Wednesdays monthly at 10am at
Chamber Office)
Chair: Ellis Cuevas
Staff: Moli Kergosien
Goals:
·
Enhance our
gateways into Hancock County with a special 2010 focus
on Hwy 607
·
Wrap-it Up
by 2010 Initiative – remove blighted properties with a
special emphasis on properties along business corridors
by August 2010
·
Coastal
Clean-up Campaign on Saturday, October 16, 2010;
increase volunteer participation
·
Beautification Awards to businesses – throughout the
county; and, to coordinate with the Garden Club to
re-establish awards for residences
·
Develop a
master signage plan to commercial corridors & find funds
for signage
EDUCATION
o focus on
issues affecting educational outcomes in Hancock County,
community education, and community college academic
programs. (Meets second Thursdays monthly at 4:30pm at
Chamber Office)
Chair: Trent Favre
Staff: Lynne Chasez
Goals:
·
Annual
Breakfast: hold annual breakfast in conjunction with
Leadership Hancock County session on Education (January
session).
·
Student
Scholarships: Working with four high schools, award one
$250 scholarship for one senior at each school
·
Book Worms:
Launch bookworms program in 25 classrooms in all schools
in Hancock County and with Coast Episcopal (a reading
program between the business community and third grade
students, second Friday monthly) beginning in February
2010 through the end of the school year; and, raise
funds to purchase 100 books for the schools (and expand
to other grades in following years)
·
Teacher
Appreciation: raise funds for scholarships, host 4th
Annual Dinner at Bay Middle School on Tuesday, August 3rd,
2010 and increase educator attendance through strategic
marketing to exceed 300
·
Classroom
Grants: expand the classroom grant program to increase
from $2,000 to $3,000
·
Committee
Guest Speakers: invite community educators to serve as
speakers at monthly meetings
EVENTS
Major Events
Chair: Various Chairs
MEMBER SERVICES
Member Services Committee
To provide
services to support and promote member businesses &
oversee Member Services Committees.
Chair: Angelyn Treutel
Staff: Latonja Ervin
Marketing, Communications &
Technology Committee
To enhance
member services through marketing, communications and
technology.
Chair: Janell Nolan
Members: Ellis Anderson, Angelyn Treutel
Staff: Latonja Ervin
·
Embrace
social media to enhance the Hancock Chamber’s
visibility, member support, public relations, and
strategic positioning for the future. (Face book,
Twitter, Second Life, You Tube, Photo Contests, Merchant
Circle, Consistent Theme
·
Utilize
social networking to provide additional professional
networking and educational opportunities. (LinkedIn,
Member Surveys, Blogging, Webcasts and Podcasts, Chamber
Directory, Slide Share, Live Chime (live chat))
·
Advance
Hancock Chamber initiatives through the use of
technology for community outreach and attracting new
members.
·
Launch New
Website by February 1, 2010 and devise plan to keep site
up to date
·
Search
Engine optimization
·
Refer a
Friend
·
Develop
advertising opportunities for members
·
Enhance
Hancock Chamber’s internet presence
·
Image
Enhancement – Continue pro-active communications
enhancing the Chamber’s image as a business leader in
Hancock County; continue weekly e-news and monthly
newsletter with advertising inserts for member
advertising
·
Enhance
Member Marketing - Use website and publications to
maximize member exposure
o
Hancock
Today partnership with Sea Coast Echo - magazine with
advertising opportunities
o
Re-print map
with advertising opportunities
o
Continue the
Sunshine Pages Chamber directory
o
Devise and
promote themes to stimulate business (i.e., Shop Local
Campaign)
Ambassadors Committee
To assist
with Membership Meetings, Ribbon Cuttings, Business
After Hours, New Member Recruitment, and Member
Relations. (Meets Quarterly at 8am – March 24, next
meeting)
Chair: Dottie Bentz
Staff: Moli Kergosien
·
Attend all
Ribbon Cuttings (scheduled as request by business
owners) and After Hours and focus on increasing
attendance (see attached calendar); 2010 After Hours
Schedule (third Thursdays from 5-7pm, different
locations)
o
January – no
event held
o
February –
Gulfside Assembly
o
March – St.
Stanislaus
o
April – The
First
o
May – Bridge
Fest Patrons Party (Friday, May 14th); BridgeFest,
Saturday, May 15th
o
June – open
for sponsor
o
July – Coast
Electric Power Association
o
August –
Hancock Library Foundation
o
September –
open for sponsor
o
October –
Silver Slipper Casino
o
November –
Hancock Bank – Main Sreet Branch
o
December –
open for sponsor
·
Promote
Chamber marketing opportunities to members during events
·
Quarterly
Awards for Ambassadors and Ambassador of the Year Award
and Most Spirited
·
Support
events by selling booths, sponsorships and serving as
volunteers on event days
·
Establish an
orientation program for new members
·
Visit new
member prospects (Moli Kergosien) to recruit 50 new
members during 2010
Business Education
To provide
technical assistance to members to enhance business
opportunities.
Chair: Ken
Griffey
Staff:
Carol Wasielewski
Goals:
·
Develop a
business education program for the Chamber to include
seminars, training and webinars for members on
marketing, financial management, internet marketing, and
more.
·
Provide
information about other business services through email
and on the web
Major Sponsors
To retain
corporate sponsors and increase corporate support during
by 2010 by $5,000
Chair:
Tommy Murphy
Staff:
Tish Williams
Membership Meetings
Utilizing
the Leadership Hancock Alumni Association, host four
membership meetings in a breakfast format to focus on
four issues of concern to the business community and
rotate throughout the county (Dates: Friday, March 26th;
Friday, April 23rd; Friday, October 22nd;
Friday, November 19th)
Chair: Tom
Carlton
Staff:
Latonja Ervin
PARTNERSHIPS
Past Presidents Advisory
Committee
New
committee in 2010. To continue to engage past
presidents; make use of their valuable insights in an
advisory capacity; keep their support in the community
as Chamber advocates.
Chair: David Holman
Members: All past presidents are invited to
participate
Staff: Tish Williams, Latonja Ervin
Goals:
·
Develop a
list of past presidents; eventually documenting years of
service and photos for historical purposes.
·
Host one
event (i.e. breakfast, lunch, etc) of all past
presidents; use time together to continue to assemble
list of names, to provide a status/update, and request
feedback.
Government
Relations Committee
To
coordinate interaction with local, state and federal
officials to foster positive outcomes on community
issues.
Co-Chairs: Trent Favre & Jeremy Compretta
Members: David Holman, Tommy Murphy
Staff: Tish Williams
Goals:
·
Sponsor and
support the Annual Coast Legislative Reception (January)
·
Participate
in the MS Economic Council Capitol Day in Jackson
(January)
·
Support
NASA-Stennis Space Center Capitol Day in Jackson
(January)
·
Support
NASA-Stennis Space Center Capitol Day in Baton Rouge
(April)
·
Support
Citizens for Space Exploration Trip to DC (May)
·
Support
local elected officials through public information and
meeting coordination
·
Conduct
Citizens Forums to meet the candidates during election
years (including Bay BridgeFest)
·
Prepare
materials for area legislators to support the
legislative agenda
Hancock
Organizations Liaison through the Hancock Business
Council
To coordinate interaction with
other
business-related organizations
and government to foster teamwork and positive outcomes
on community issues.
·
Prioritize
top issues for the county
·
Collaborate
on action items and responsibilities to overcome issues
Hancock County Tourism
Bureau Board Appointment
The Chamber,
by law, has one appointment to the Tourism board –
serves as a liaison between the organizations.
Current
Appointment: Tommy Murphy (Three-year term
expires September 2010)
Hancock Main Street
Board Appointment
The Chamber
established the Hancock Main Street Program. During
2010, it will spin out as a separate 501 ( c ) 3 non
profit with financial support from the Chamber. It is
anticipated that the new board will request one
representative from the Chamber Board to serve on the
Main Street Board as the liaison between the Chamber and
Main Street.
Current
Appointment: TBD
Waveland Business
Incubator Program
Chair: Ted Longo
Members: Ray Cox, Tommy Murphy
Staff:
Tish Williams
oals:
·
Provide leadership support to the City of Waveland to
establish the business incubator program
·
Work with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology at
Stennis Space Center to obtain technical assistance and
support.
LEADERSHIP
Kiln Business Council
To promote
the social, civic and economic well-being of the Kiln
area; meets the third Monday at 5:30pm, different
locations.
Chair:
Judith Redshaw
Staff: Moli
Kergosien, Tish Williams
Goals:
·
Devise
brochures (to include inventory of businesses and
assets) of the Kiln Area history and attractions to
distribute to area resources to promote business
activity
·
Integrate
members into committees of the Chamber
·
Explore
establishing a signature event
Women's Leadership
Roundtable
To offer
professional women opportunities for networking and
professional development in a welcoming and collegial
environment. (Meets fourth Thursday monthly at 5pm,
different locations.)
Chair: Vicki
Hughes, Hospice Compassus
Staff: Moli Kergosien
Leadership Hancock
Committee:
To provide
information and instruction to educate and grow new
leaders in Hancock County. Program runs from September
through June; Class meets third Wednesday all day and
focuses on different subjects such as: education,
government, economic development, and more.
Chair: Hank
Wheeler
Members:
Reps from Alumni of past Leadership Classes
Staff:
Lynne Chasez
Goals:
·
Run program
from September through June (third Wednesdays from
8am-4pm)
·
Engage
leaders in community through community service
·
Kick off new
Alumni Association to network leaders into action &
serve as host for four Chamber membership meetings
focused on issues facing the community
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Partners for Stennis
Chair: Ned Peak
Staff: Tish Williams, Latonja Ervin, Lynne Chasez
Goals:
·
Monthly
telecom meetings (second Wednesdays at 8:30am)
·
Quarterly
Information Meetings & Business After Hours (2pm board;
3pm meeting; 4pm After Hours on January 27th;
April 14th; August 11th; October
13th)
·
Capitol Days
in Jackson (January) and Baton Rouge (April/May)
·
DC Fly-in as
part of National Coalition: Citizens for Space
Exploration (week of May 17th)
Hancock Community
Development Foundation
(Meets
fourth Tuesday at 8:30am)
Chair: Basil Kennedy
Finance
Chair: Linda McKay
Grants Chair: Jeremy Compretta
Staff: Tish
Williams, Carol Wasielewski, Mike Chapoton, Lynne Chasez,
Moli
Kergosien
Goals:
·
Continue
implementation of the $3 million Job Generation Fund
·
Seek
additional funding sources for small business and
community development
·
Cultivate
contacts to obtain funding from the Department of the
Treasury to establish a Community Development Financial
Institution
·
Seek
marketing funds to promote the area to generate new
business for small business owners |
