To view the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce 2012-2013 Strategic Plan as PDF file click the link below:

→  Strategic Plan 2013

 

VISION:  

To be a committed, viable, supportive organization contributing to the on going health of the Okotoks and District business community.

MISSION:

To strengthen the business climate by providing leadership, representation, networking opportunities, services and education to our membership.

PLAN:

The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce is positioned to take the next step in meeting the needs of its Business Community and to ensuring its Goals & Objectives are aligned to assist the Town in its vision of sustainable development & economic partnerships.  We see the Chamber contributing with the Town in providing a creative and innovative Business Centre Program for Economic Development.

The following pages in this document will recap the success of the goals and objectives of the Chamber for the year 2012 and highlight the goals and objectives for 2013.

The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce sees within its mandate a clear role in supporting the Town in its growth, business sustainability; business retention; business promotion strategies; business competitiveness support; and business/residential tax base targets.

Through a positive partnership, enhanced greatly by cohabitation of its operations, both organizations provide a cohesive message to the community and in particular to the business community that the Town is “Open for Business” and ready to work with all business ventures.

 

ACTION PLAN 2013

1.    MEMBERSHIP IN EXCESS OF 400

• Stronger focus on promoting Chamber benefits.
• Provide educational and informative guest speakers.
• Maintain average luncheon attendance at 80 attendees.
• Continue with packages providing membership benefits at all events the Chamber is represented.
• Continue with the Chamber membership application on Business Licence invoice through Town of Okotoks.
• Personal follow up to new businesses.
• Make it a requisite for Directors to obtain two new memberships and to actively sit on two committees.
• Grow and promote our business lending library and develop an on-line library.

2.    COMPLETION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A POLICY, PROCEDURES AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANUAL FOR CHAMBER EMPLOYEES

3.    CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CHAMBER IMAGE IN THE COMMUNITY

• Continue with monthly “Chamber Connection” in the local newspaper.
• Stronger radio campaign.
• Display banner signs at Chamber functions and various community events.
• Continue with expansion of website and newsletter and keep well maintained.
• Float in parade.
• Continue with Service Excellence awards.
• Continue with a golf tournament.
• Continue with Speed Networking workshop with other partners.
• Continue presence with local government.

4.    DELIVER EDUCATIONAL & INFORMATIVE SPEAKERS & SEMINARS

• Offer the membership opportunities for business training by way of a selection of courses and speakers.

5.    TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR BUSINESS ADVOCACY, LOBBY AND REPRESENTATION

• Where possible, have representatives on the following committees; Economic Development , Okotoks Public Safety & Security Committee, Foothills Centennial Centre, United Way Partnership, Foothills Community Immigrant Services and not restricting any other affiliate.  Have a pre-scheduled representative attend Town Council and MPC meetings.
• Directors continue to support and represent the Chamber by providing a presence at community and civic events.
• Provide a forum for the business community to discuss and present common issues for presentation to Town Council.
• Maintain our membership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Alberta Chamber of Commerce.

6.    CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CHAMBER  IMAGE IN THE COMMUNITY

• Send delegates to Regional round table discussions.
• Where possible, attend Provincial and National conferences.

7.    DIRECTOR MENTORSHIP AND APPRECIATION

• Host a Board appreciation event honouring volunteerism within the Board.

8.    UTILIZE SURVEY MONKEY

• Utilize Survey Monkey for feedback on Chamber events to maintain continued success.

 

2012 – YEAR IN REVIEW

 

1.    MEMBERSHIP IN EXCESS OF 350

Achieved through:

1. Dedicated Membership Co-ordinator.
2. Utilizing the list of newly licensed businesses provided by the Town of Okotoks and Welcome Wagon, followed up by visitation or e-mail.
3. Hosting an annual Trade & Lifestyle Show.
4. Maintaining a permanent Executive Assistant.
5. Maintaining a permanent part-time Chamber Assistant.
6. Providing educational, high caliber & informative guest speakers.
7. Distributing an informative benefit package for all potential Chamber Members as well as for existing Members.
8. Updating website regularly to advertise events, member benefits and promote members businesses.

2.   CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE IN THE COMMUNITY

Achieved through:

1. Advertising and communicating the services provided by the Chamber, not only to the business community, but also to the general public.
2. Trade & Lifestyle Show.
3. Recognizing individuals and businesses in the community who give excellent customer service through our Service Excellence awards.
4. Utilizing Chamber signage more regularly in the community at different events.
5. Maintaining a presence by continuing to partner with the Town and Community Futures Highwood on educational opportunities.
6. Retaining a high profile presence by occupying an office with Community Futures Highwood in Okotoks downtown location.
7. Continuing to promote the Chamber through a business golf tournament and Christmas Social.
8. Continuing to explore and investigate new venues for promoting the Chamber.

3.   DELIVER EDUCATIONAL & INFORMATIVE SPEAKERS AND SEMINARS

Achieved through:

1. Booking quality speakers that present community relative topics.
2. Soliciting feedback after events by way of survey form to measure success and value of the topic and request ideas and topics for future events from our membership.
3. Utilizing the Alberta Chamber of Commerce and other Chambers for ideas.
4. Offering the Membership business training opportunities.

4.    PROVIDE A FORUM FOR BUSINESS ADVOCACY, LOBBY AND REPRESENTATION

Achieved Through:

a)    Having a presence on the Town’s Economic Development Committee and the Okotoks Public Safety & Security Committee, Foothills Community Centre, United Way Partnership, Bow Valley Community College Steering Committee and Foothills Community Immigrant Services.

b)    Providing a forum for the Town’s business community to discuss and present common issues for presentation to the Town’s Economic Development committee and as appropriate to Council.

c)    Maintaining a membership in the Alberta Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which provides the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce access to comparable solutions in other parts of the province and, if appropriate, the country.  This network will enhance the Okotoks Chamber’s credibility as it takes this leadership role in advocacy for its membership.

d)    Provide candidates forum for municipal, provincial and federal elections.

e)    Obtaining membership feedback and keeping them and the public apprised of what Chamber is doing on their behalf.

 

 SWOT ANALYSIS – Reviewed October 2012

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

Consistent membership communicationOffice location and hours of operationAveraging 80 luncheon attendeesOngoing membership eventsMember benefits Succession planning Quality speakers Presence and sponsorship at local events Full involvement of Directors and Executives with local government associations, committees and other non profits Established professional organization Great networking and relationship building opportunities Experienced Chamber staff

Sales and promotion of chamber benefits, including insurance plans Not utilizing the experience of long term members/directors Event opinion follow up Not fully utilizing and benefiting from Calgary and Canada Chambers of Commerce

 

OPPORTUNITIES	THREATS
Increase membershipHelp generate revenue for our members Involve town to promote Chamber when new business starts Create new events (breakfast club) More cohesive relationship with surrounding Chambers Encourage Student Representatives from local schools to attend board meetings Increase networking events Promote benefits of membership Recognizing new members and welcoming them at luncheons	Other Chambers forming a large conglomerate Other business support networks Cost of business Burning out Directors that take on too much

 

SIGNED: Cheryl Actemichuk

DATE:    December 20, 2012

 

PRESIDENT, OKOTOKS & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE