Best Chamber Practices --- the "What your chamber accomplished in the last 365 days" page - Check out the Ardmore, Oklahoma Chamber; Kansas City: Open House for the new Veterans Business Resource Center ;Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Margaret Mead)

Ardmore, (Oklahoma) Chamber of Commerce

2013 Accomplishments

IMPROVING THE BUSINESS CLIMATE

• Provided management services to the Ardmore Development Authority (ADA)
• Coordinated bi-weekly luncheons with local legislators during the Legislative Session providing opportunities to receive updates and have timely input and influence on legislation
• Legislative action network kept members informed via newsletters, emails, and fax alerts
• Initiated the new format for the Ardmore City Forum (Luncheon) to update members on city projects and priorities along with the opportunities to meet with the various departments at the function
• Coordinated successful efforts to renew the ¼ cent sales tax for jobs in September
• Promoted the Oklahoma Prosperity Project, encouraging local business and industry to encourage employees to register to vote and providing non-partisan information on business-related issues 
• Participated in legislative monitoring with the Research Institute for Economic Development (REID).  Since the advent of REID, legislators have demonstrated a more pro-business attitude
• Hosted meetings with the State Officials and Legislators to educate them on Ardmore area needs and to promote a pro-business environment.
• Coordinated “Ardmore Day” at the State Capitol, affording members an opportunity to meet with elected officials and relay the Ardmore Pro-Business Legislative Agenda.
• Promoted the summer “Sales Tax Holiday” providing tax relief on back to school items 
• Coordinated Tax Increment Finance District projects for the City and the Ardmore Development Authority (ADA) 
• Participated in the National Super Coalition (NASCO) a multi-state and international coalition working to improve transportation and logistics along the I-35 corridor
• Served on the State Chamber Board of Directors
• Served on the OEDC (Oklahoma Economic Development Council)  and Governor’s Economic Development Team

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFAIRS

• Coordinated the 22nd Leadership Ardmore Class and incorporating updates and curriculum changes
• Coordinated Ardmore Youth Leadership Class IV for area sophomores and juniors
• Provided support for the Ardmore Young Professionals Organization
• Provided Management services to the Ardmore Development Authority, the Ardmore Tourism Authority and Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• Served on the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Special Committee, State Chamber of Commerce Board,  Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence, Oklahoma Society of Association Executives, MAKO Conference and other organizations
• Coordinated the implementation of Ardmore 2020 Initiatives
• Raised $265,000 in Total Resource Campaign

EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT

• Provided support for the transition and construction of new facilities at the University Center of Southern Oklahoma
• Participation in the US Chamber Foundation’s effort to implement the Common  Core Standards in Oklahoma schools
• Participation in local efforts
• Attendance at organizational events in Washington DC and New Orleans
• Initial implementation of comprehensive Literacy effort in partnership with the US Chamber Foundation and funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
• Developed and introduced “pilot” phase of MVP Mentoring Program in Ardmore City Schools
• The Cornerstone Program in eighth operational year.
• Summer school funding by Cornerstone Program
• The AVID Program was funded at Ardmore City Schools
• Benchmark testing software in use at all school sites

·         22 Oklahoma Scholars graduated in May from Ardmore High School

·         Hosted the Annual Teacher Appreciation Reception, attended by over 320 area educators

·         Served on the State Chamber Education and Workforce Committee

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Provided regular news articles for the Sunday Ardmoreite.  In addition, fax, e-mails and the website were used to inform members of pertinent issues and special events
• Completed production of the Annual Report in conjunction with the Awards Banquet
• Provided all new members with a free advertisement in the Daily Ardmoreite, and reduced rate advertising at the Southern Oklahoma Radio Center to promote their business
• Maintained active involvement with all  media to notify them of chamber and community events and encouraged their coverage of Chamber activities
• Produced enhanced  monthly “E News” electronic newsletter as a compliment to the monthly newsletter
• Continued enhancement to the information on the Ardmore.org website:  specific events and visioning information were added for community access, community links were increased, and event registration including on-line payment options were added.
• Produced a Membership Directory that is provided to all Chamber members and is included in all relocation and tourism packets
• Improved informational packets to promote Chamber members; created new city map
• Developed statewide and regional programs for promotion of Ardmore including Oklahoma Today Magazine, Preview Magazine and Metro Family Magazine.
• Enhanced the Chamber E-News electronic newsletter and Chamber Facebook page to increase exposure to Chamber events, publications and members
• “Chamber Chatter” column was featured the first Sunday of each month
• Provided programs to various civic and community organizations
• Coordination of the Fireball Run event publications and media information - scheduled for fall 2014

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Active participation in health initiatives coordinated through the Health Department
• Received Certified Healthy Business designation
• Construction substantially completed on park in Southwest Ardmore
• Hickory Ridge Phase III development underway. 
• Promoted retail and dining/entertainment in conjunction with community partners – Main Street Authority, Charles B. Goddard Center and Hardy Murphy Coliseum
• Coordinated the 2013 Festival of Lights Auction and Drive Thru Activities
• Provide Community Tours for professionals considering relocation to Ardmore. 
• Continued development of  Wayfind sign system for Ardmore
• Support of the Art in Public Places initiative with through financial support of students in Jesus Morales workshops. The result was a sculpture placed at Santa Fe Depot

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

• Continued support of  a new insurance product that rewards healthy behaviors (Ardmore Chamber Care)
• Provided critical information with regard to the Affordable Care Act including a seminar for employers
• Introduced a quarterly “Business Before Hours” at area industry – well received by members
• Enhanced the Southern Oklahoma Leaders Lunch to better meet the needs of members
• Assisted with the development of a community wide Corporate Challenge to encourage healthy lifestyles among employees
• Conducted seminars and meetings to provide support for small businesses.  Coordinated monthly Business After Hours providing an excellent venue for networking
• Coordinated successful Health and Fitness Expo in conjunction with A2A Marathon
• Coordinated the Chamber Ambassador program to recruit and retain chamber members and involvement
• In conjunction with the Oklahoma State Chamber, continued promotion of “Chamber Blue” an affordable health insurance product designed to meet the needs of small employers
• Increased use of membership software to provide specific benefits to members
• Performed a survey of chamber members to determine their preferences and needs as they related to chamber programs, products and services

SBA to Ease Key Loan Requirements: Women Business Owners Stand to Gain

Earlier this week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a groundbreaking initiative to address undercapitalization, a challenge facing America’s underserved small business owners. Beginning July 1, lenders will no longer have to perform an analysis of cash flow or debt-service coverage on loans of $350,000 or less, thereby eliminating two burdensome requirements. Using the new SBA scoring tool, banks will be incentivized to underwrite more small-dollar loans, and reduce the time needed to originate a small-dollar loan by as much as 50%. The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) commends Administrator Contreras-Sweet, and the SBA, for this action – this as a significant opportunity for women-owned small businesses to take advantage of the new streamlined and expedited process. Access to capital is one of the NWBC’s main focus areas in advancing the women’s entrepreneurship agenda, and we are pleased the SBA is taking action, putting forth solutions, and expanding opportunity.

“The issues of access to start-up and expansion capital and the relative undercapitalization of women owned businesses at inception remain the toughest obstacles for women entrepreneurs. In the National Women’s Business Council’s FY2013 annual report, we articulated the need for a new streamlined approach to accessing capital, particularly SBA backed loans,” said NWBC Chair Carla Harris. Read More: SBA & the National Women's Council



Kansas City: Open House for the new Veterans Business 

Resource Center

Please join us Thursday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Small Business Administration (SBA) Kansas City District Office to meet Tracy Bentley, Business Development Consultant for the Veterans Business Resource Center (VBRC) and see the office VBRC has recently opened in the SBA Kansas City District Office. 

Information on SBA’s programs and services as well as VBRC resources will be presented followed with opportunities for questions and discussion. 

Event Details:

          Date:            Thursday, June 26, 2014

          Time:           9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

          Location:     Kansas City District Office
                             1000 Walnut Street, Room 500
                             Kansas City, Missouri 64106
                             Limited validated parking will be available at the 1025 Main St.
                             Garage.

Please register by Tuesday, June 24, 2014 by contacting Robbie Moore at 816-426-4933, robbie.moore@sba.gov or Barbara Caldwell at 816-426-4902 or Barbara.Caldwell@sba.gov

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (People Power)



“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead


Forbes 25/50