Ambassadors

Meeting time: First Thursday from 11:00am-12:00pm

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Ambassador committee is to maintain a strong and dynamic membership for the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. Also, to provide business-to-business networking opportunities that assist the members’ ability to expand their customer base.

OBJECTIVES / ACTIVITIES:

• Meet and Greet – Welcome and introduce new members to the chamber benefits and serve as hosts for the chamber events with reminders to your new members. (I.e. Open House, BAH, Chamber Luncheons, Grand Openings, New Business Welcome Packet)
• Mentor Ambassadors – Strengthen Ambassador program through recruitment of new participants and training in networking, public speaking, community outreach and leadership.
• Maintain Members – Serve as a networking resource base for members. (I.e. Courtesy Calls, Referrals, Benefits, and Kudos)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Meeting time: Third Monday from 10:00am-11:00am at the Chamber Conference room

PURPOSE: The DEI Committee is responsible for providing advice and support for the development and implementation of DEI programs and initiatives to support and augment Workforce Attraction and Retention Strategies for chamber member and articulate ways in which unheard voices that also make up the chamber community, are brought forward. The DEI committee is committed to building an inclusive culture in our organization for individuals to experience authentic, respectful interactions with colleagues and community leaders, through establishing outreach, education, options, best practices for businesses, and more.

OBJECTIVES / ACTIVITIES:

• Workplace:
  1. Adopting policies and practices that include people who have historically been absent from your organization.
  2. Hire expert speakers to direct organizations on how to retain and advance diverse talent in the workplace.
• Workforce:
  1. Share how recruiting qualified employees from traditionally underrepresented groups benefits your business and community
  2. Business education from hiring practices to promotion and career pathways, inclusive programming to micro-aggressions and inappropriate topics of conversation, creating a culture of inclusion is a commitment that goes beyond the required language about being an equal opportunity employer.
• Marketplace:
• 1. More deeply involving minority-owned enterprises and consumers in the regional economy and recognizing the enormous purchasing power of minority groups.
  2. Create programs and education around what it takes to become certified as a minority-owned business.
  3. Help match new business owners (or those who want to start one) with existing business owners for mentorship and networking.
• Community -Wide Education:
  1. Host a Diversity & Inclusion Summit to solidify our commitment to DEI. Bringing in speakers and subject matter experts that specifically address the DEI commitments we want to see in our business community while also being accessible for our businesses who don’t have budgets for trainings like these.  Partner with other like-minded organizations that are already working on this mission, using creative, relational collaboration.
  2. Have businesses take the “DEI Initiative Pledge”

1. 1. 1. “The Anacortes Chamber (Business name), in both its values and practices, is committed to inclusion and excellence in the management of all diverse people irrespective of differences. This means that there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the Chamber on the basis of economic position, gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We recognize that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision-making. We believe inclusiveness is a fundamental principle of every organization that enhances its ability to respond more effectively to changing demographics and needs. We affirm our commitment to reflecting the diversity of the Anacortes area and the members of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.”

Government Affairs

Meeting time: Fourth Tuesday from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the Chamber Conference room

PURPOSE: The Government Affairs Committee is a broad-based, non-partisan committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, representing all sectors of the Chamber’s membership. The GAC is responsible for helping determine Chamber Policy on issues important to business, for developing a legislative agenda, for communicating issues to the Board of Directors and general membership, and for building relationships and networks between the Chamber and elected officials across all levels of government.    

OBJECTIVES / ACTIVITIES:

• To serve as the voice of business at all levels of government to include monitoring, drafting and advocating for legislative issues and concerns. To ensure that legislative decisions taken positively impact our member’s businesses, allowing them to prosper and grow.
• When necessary, vigorously oppose legislation that threatens the viability of local business as part of the private enterprise system.
• The Committee recommends policy positions on local, state and federal issues to the Board after the appropriate input from members and other stakeholders.
• To plan Candidates Forums, organizing logistics and creating questions for each candidate or representative.
• Create BOD process on advocating or lobbying.

Membership

Meeting time: Every Other Third Thursday from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the Chamber Conference room

PURPOSE: The Membership Committee works to ensure that new and existing businesses in Anacortes are aware of the benefits of membership in the Chamber.  While much emphasis is placed on the recruitment of new members, the membership committee also implements policies and procedures pertaining to the retention of existing members.  The committee is charged with communicating the needs and expectations of the membership to the Board of Directors.

OBJECTIVES / ACTIVITIES:

• Develop/Revise the Membership Marketing Plan to educate businesses on membership value.
• Establish and implement goals of membership recruitment and retention plan.
• Design research strategies to determine member needs and perceptions on a regular basis. (Survey language)
• Determine and implement methods to recognize and reward members. (Revise membership tiers)
• Determine and implement methods to involve members in committees, programs and events.
• Monitor the Chamber Brand Identity.
• Assist with Membership contacts.

Tourism

Meeting time: Every Other Second Tuesday from 3:30pm-4:30pm at the Chamber Conference room

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Tourism Committee is to promote and encourage tourism in Anacortes through projects and initiatives. The Tourism Committee also serves as an advisory council for the development and execution of the tourism marketing plan, as well as ensuring the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s Destination Marketing Organization and brand  (DBA Experience Anacortes) follows and aids the city of Anacortes in executing their Tourism Strategic Plan.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES:

• Ensure that Experience Anacortes is adhering to regulations set by state law regarding the use of lodging tax funds.
• Ensure that Experience Anacortes is maintaining its brand identity and goals.
• Provide feedback, insight, and ideas on upcoming and past Tourism projects, events, and advertising.
• Take initiative in aiding with the execution of upcoming Tourism projects, events, and advertising.
• Ensure the city of Anacortes’ Tourism Strategic Plan’s vision, mission, and strategic commitments are being followed.
• Ensure the value statements, goals and policies relevant to tourism promotion in the city of Anacortes’ Comprehensive Plan are being followed.
• Consider the city of Anacortes’ Lodging Tax and Advisory Committee’s goals, strategies, and actions per the Strategic Plan, when creating and executing the Experience Anacortes Marketing Plan

Anacortes Marine Trades Committee

Meeting time: First Tuesday from 10:00am-11:00am at the Chamber Conference Room

Made up of approx. 70 marine industry businesses. This committee supports the largest economic industry in the City of Anacortes. Open to anyone doing work in the Marina, boat sales, boat mechanics, offering boating recreation, or anything marine related. Monthly discussions on the Anacortes Boat Show, waterfront or port issues or marina rules, upcoming needs for growth and expansion, and business updates.

Anacortes Merchants Trades Committee

Meeting time: Second Tuesday from 8:30am-9:30am via Zoom

Made up of the business located in or near the central business district and on Commercial Avenue. Open to both uptown and downtown businesses. This committee supports the retailers, restaurants, and service providers on the main strip of Anacortes. Monthly discussions on community events, chamber events, community wide sales or concerns.