Lexington Chamber of Commerce

Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce
16 East Street
Lexington, NC 27293
Office: (336) 248-5929
Fax: (336) 248-2161

2002 PROGRAM OF WORK
LEXINGTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WALT ROUSE, MOUNTCASTLE INSURANCE 2002-2003 CHAIRMAN

BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
* Actively recruit commercial business with emphasis on upscale hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.
* Work with the municipalities, county government, and other Chambers to expand sewer services in order to meet the increasing business and residential needs of the County.
* Encourage and support the construction of the new West Bypass to be completed within the next 5 years.
* Establish a facility to house community organizations such as: Chamber, Uptown Lexington, Tourism Authority, Communities In Schools, etc.
* Promote historic preservation and beautification in our area.
* Continue the Small Business of the Year recognitions.
* Partner with Triad Partnership, our community chambers, and other community groups to promote business and commercial development.
* Establish a barbeque and furniture museum to help expand tourism.
* Coordinate the efforts of the Northern Davidson and Winston-Salem Chambers to secure the changing of Highway 52 to I-185.

EDUCATION
* Expand the support for the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Committee's Business Class Program.
* Work with other organizations in the county to raise the quality of education and its value among citizens through funding and involvement
* Provide the necessary support for issues regarding school funding to insure our school systems can provide comparable educational opportunities as our neighboring communities.
* Implement the revised Leadership Davidson County program with emphasis on development of leaders in volunteer and community leadership positions through cooperation with the Chambers and Davidson County Community College.
* Emphasize Junior Achievement in the schools at the third grade level.
* Provide leadership in helping Hispanics and other nationalities assimilate into our community.
* Present monthly educational/ awareness seminars for the membership in areas of interest such as motivation, tax planning, technology, education, etc.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
* Hold a Membership drive during the first quarter of the year.
* Involve Chamber Ambassadors to communicate benefits of the Chamber to both new and established members.
* Encourage and promote the advantages of the Chamber Check program throughout the entire year.
* Improve and expand communications by the Chamber through the newsletter, website, as well as new avenues for information to members.
* Utilize our web site as a resource to the entire community and as a portal to our community via the web.
* Recruit four (4) new members per month
* Hold a new member orientation once every quarter.
* Continue the Prayer Breakfast
* Implement a discount program through various members for supplies and services.
* Promote the Annual Meeting to celebrate the accomplishment of our members, recognition of the Citizen of the Year and the Athena Award, and of the Chamber.
* Hold the Administrative Support Luncheon.
* Be a spokesman for the membership as it relates to governmental issues, and other community concerns.
* Sell the Website

MEMBERSHIP NON-DUES EVENTS
* Casino Night
* Alive After Five (3)
* Golf Tournament
* Christmas auction
* Car Show

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
* Promote the approval of the Martin Luther King Day by Davidson County
* Co-sponsor a Government Day in Raleigh with the Leadership of the General Assembly and State Government Leaders.
* Co-sponsor the Legislative Breakfast with the other chambers.
* Establish government briefings for the membership by national, state and/or local representatives on crucial issues being considered for action.
* Research the need for a community grant writer (if the need supports the position, secure the funding and establish the position)
* Recognize members through the Business of Distinction Program.

* Local government...
* Utilize the Chamber as a forum to discuss local issues.
* Communicate issues and concerns with elected officials at all levels.
* Develop position statements reflecting the views of our membership.
* Schedule face-to-face meetings with each government entity addressing the Chamber's positions.
* Continue Chamber representation at City Council and County Commissioner meetings.
* Sponsor annually the State of the Community address by city mayor and chair of county commissioners.

ALL-AMERICAN CITY
* Establish a comprehensive committee to work on the All-American process
* Develop an implementation plan (timetable, funding, organizations roles, etc)
* Secure funding for the All-American City (public and private)
* Give presentation on the process to civic, community, and government organizations.
* Send a delegation to the national meeting to learn firsthand about the process