Many chamber initiatives are planned at the committee level before being presented to the Chamber Board of Directors for discussion/approval. Here is a list of committees you can join if you want to get more involved in this process.
Many chamber initiatives are planned at the committee level before being presented to the Chamber Board of Directors for discussion/approval. Here is a list of committees you can join if you want to get more involved in this process.
Meeting Time:
The Ambassador Committee’s mission is to keep the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s membership strong and vibrant. Also, to provide business-to-business networking opportunities to members in order to help them expand their customer base.
Activities
1) Welcome and introduce new members to chamber benefits, and serve as hosts for chamber events with reminders to your new members. You’ll be invited to do this for Grand Openings, Ribbon Cuttings, Open Houses, Business After Hours, Chamber Luncheons, and visiting a new business with a Welcome Packet.
2) Serve as a mentor for incoming Ambassadors and help strengthen the committee by recruiting new participants and providing training in networking, public speaking, community outreach, and leadership.
3) Make yourself available to members as a networking resource. Reaching out with courteous calls, referrals, benefits, and kudos will help you build deeper connections with other local business owners while ensuring they maximize their benefits.
4) Get in on the fun by helping plan themes and organize logistics for networking events including B2B events, mixers, and Business After Hours.
Meeting time:
The Events Committee works together to organize and develop the larger Anacortes Chamber events. With a major focus on fundraising and encouraging tourism, the programs and events prepared by this committee are designed to increase our membership’s visibility and involvement in the chamber and business community. We encourage you to suggest new and innovative ideas for events we have now and in the future!
Activities
1) The Events Committee is responsible for three major fundraisers: the Spring Wine Festival, the Waterfront Festival, and Bier on the Pier. This enthusiastic committee engages many talents and meets regularly to plan each event and contributes directly to its success.
2) The committee is responsible for assisting in the selection of guest speakers/entertainers, determining venues, event themes, coordinating catering, providing decorations, contacting community members for donations or sponsorships, and any other event logistics for each event.
Meeting time: Dates picked with a committee doodle poll as needed. About 2 hours per month.
The Government Affairs Committee is a broad-based, non-partisan committee appointed by the Board of Directors to represent all sectors of the Chamber’s membership. The committee is responsible for helping the Chamber in determining policies on issues important to business, developing a legislative agenda, communicating issues to the Board of Directors and general membership, and developing and maintaining relationships and networks between the Chamber and elected officials at all levels of government.
Activities
1) 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 are taken positively impact our member’s businesses, allowing them to prosper and grow.
2) When necessary, vigorously oppose legislation that threatens the viability of the local business as part of the private enterprise system.
3) The Committee recommends policy positions on local, state, and federal issues to the Board after the appropriate input from members and other stakeholders.
4) To plan Candidates Forums, organizing logistics, and creating questions for each candidate or representative.
Meeting time: TBD
The Membership Committee works to ensure that new and existing Anacortes businesses are aware of the benefits of Chamber membership. While much emphasis is placed on recruiting new members, the membership committee also implements policies and procedures for retaining existing members. The committee is in charge of communicating the membership’s needs and expectations to the Board of Directors.
Activities
1) Develop/Revise the Membership Marketing Plan and monitor the Chamber Brand Identity.
2) Establish and implement goals of membership recruitment and retention plan and determine and implement methods to recognize and reward members.
3) Design research strategies to determine member needs and perceptions on a regular basis.
4) Determine and implement methods to involve members in committees, programs, and events and assist with Membership contacts.
Meeting time: TBD
The Economic Development Committee provides leadership and opportunity to guide the City’s future economic development for our members and community partners as the catalyst for business development. The Anacortes Chamber works in collaboration with a number of other entities who share our vision – including, but not limited to the City of Anacortes, Economic Development Council, Skagit Valley College, WSU Extensions, Skagit County, Small Business Development Center, and more organizations.
Activities
1) Develop a strong community “voice” in representing member businesses.
2) Survey membership on several topics.
3) Conduct quarterly forums on specific topics of interest.
4) Evaluate large-scale retail and further outline membership views.
5) Analyze “living wage” jobs and find employment gaps.
6) Provide business education and succession planning strategies.
7) Examine the lack of convention facilities and define strategies.
8) Continue participation in master/strategic planning activities.
