South Lake Chamber Orientation April 2012

Make your business THRIVEHelp your community

PROSPER

Welcome Chamber Members!Chamber Orientation & Refresher Luncheon l April 11, 2012l

www.southlakechamber-fl.com

THANK YOU to our SPONSOR & PROVIDERS!

Main Sponsor:

Food provided by:

Our venue:


What is a Chamber of Commerce ? A self-funded membership organization of businesses

and other community oriented entities and individuals overall goal is to further the business interests of the community Board of Directors sets policy Board hires a President plus appropriate staff to run the

operations History First chambers of commerce were founded in 1599 in Europe First chamber in the US was established in 1768 in New York City


Connect local schoolsConnect

local civic groups

Connect local

business

Connect local

residents

Connect area

visitors Connect local gov’t

Chamber – an integral part of the Community


Our Mission - “To create and maintain an environment where business and community will prosper”

Values Statement - the Chamber is committed to:

v Membership v Relationships v Integrity

v Respect v Results

Vision - To be recognized in South Lake County as the hub of pro business and community influence characterized by:

An engaged and informed membership A focus on producing beneficial results that strengthen the

community-building process The nurturing of a diverse and vibrant regional economy


South Lake Chamber of Commerce:

A Membership OrganizationMEMBERS = THE CHAMBERYOU are the Chamber

The South Lake Chamber has 700+ members YOU are a voting Member YOU have a voice in the organization YOU are an integral part of the organization YOUR input & participation makes the organization

successful Membership dues – why the organization exists

Dues fund all the operations of the organization Dues are an investment in your business & in your

community


Chamber Membership

Builds your Business Builds our Community• Promotes your business• Networks your business• Keeps you informed• Connects you w/otherbusiness owners

• Promotes the Community • Recognize outstanding citizens• Community events/outreach• Connects you with

residents/visitors• Connects you with government


Direct Benefits of Membership

Listing on South Lake Chamber Website (10,000 hits/month)

Listing in the South Lake Community Profile & Business Guide

Business referrals provided by Chamber office

(phone calls, walk-ins)

Business card/brochure display in Chamber lobby

Opportunity for display ads in newsletter, e-newsletter, website

Numerous promotional sponsorship opportunities

$100 Advertising credit with the South Lake Press newspaper

Ability to network your business at the numerous Chamber

events


Chamber Organizational Objectives

#1: Business Building - Assist members to build their

businesses

#2: Create/Maintain a strong local economy

#3: Promote and Connect the South Lake Community

#4: Advocate for business – be a VOICE in the South Lake

Community


Objective 1– Business Building

Creating environments to BUILD your BUSINESS

1. Networking environment --- all Chamber Events !• Building relationships = Building YOUR business

“A wise man knows everything. A rich man knows everybody”• Create Connections with residents & fellow business owners• Encourage Collaboration – working together/strategic partnering

2. Knowledge environment: • Increasing your business smarts• Best practices – learning opportunities (Lunch and Learns)• Increasing your awareness of the business landscape

What knowledge is important to your customers???

3. Community environment:• Opportunities to reach out and build your ‘relationship’ with the public

eg. Teacher’s Appreciation Breakfast


Objective – Business Building…EVENTS

“PRESENCE is always POWER”

Monthly Chamber Breakfasts Monthly Business-After-Hours (member sponsored social) Monthly “First Friday Chamber Connection” Chairman’s Gala, “Taste of South Lake”, Golf Outing, “Hob Nob” Participating in the various Chamber Committees Affiliated 3 business networking groups that meet regularly

First Friday Chamber Connections Monthly Chamber BreakfastsMonthly Business-After-Hours


Objective 2– Creating a strong local economy

Coordinate the business community to WORK TOGETHER!“A rising tide floats all boats…”Synergy: “the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts”

Promotion of chamber members within the communityRibbon cuttings / local press / local business expos / events


Objective– Creating a strong local economy

Connecting local businesses with local residentsLocal businesses also employ local residents!

“It Pays to Shop South Lake”initiative creating awareness among residents of importance of where you

spend your money (where do you buy your gas?)Word of mouth/banners/television/etc.


Objective 3– Promoting & Connecting the Community

Many community events coordinated, promoted, and broadcasted through the Chamber Light up Clermont / Groveland 4th of July/ Pig-on-the-Pond/ Cinco de Mayo

Celebration/ Montverde Day Festival /Taste of South Lake 2011

Chambers act as the focal point – tying together the community: Businesses Educational Institutions (UCF, LSCC) Local Government Figures Civic Organizations Charitable Organizations Individual Residents


Objective 4 – act as a unified VOICE for business

(Public Policy) Chambers serve as the unified voice of the business community South Lake Chamber of Commerce (700+ members) Other Lake County Chambers: Leesburg, Tavares, Mt. Dora, Lady Lake, Eustis,

East Lake, Umatilla Lake County Chamber Alliance – 8 chambers (3500 members)

What other organization is looking out for YOU and YOUR INTERESTS as a business owner???? South Lake Chamber is the “squeaky wheel” for South Lake area –

making local government aware of the specific needs of our area

Examples: widening of Rt. 27…$41M out of $45M earmarked to South Lake area Vote NO on Amendment 4 Political boundaries redistricting South Lake Business Incubator initiative


The Chamber Board of Directors

The Chamber Board of Directors


Chamber Committees

Ambassador Committee – “friend raisers” for members & communityChair: Chris Schramm, AVP Hancock Bank

Member Services Committee – provide the members what they want/need

Co-Chairs: Larry King, ZMAX Radio Linda Smith, New Beginnings

Education Committee – connect with our South Lake SchoolsChair: Robin Revis-Pike, Montverde Academy

Community Relations Committee – connect with the South Lake community

Chair: Lucy Hage, Goin’ Postal

Public Policy Committee – provides representation for the membership on government issues impacting business Chair: Robert Thompson, TW Squared

Economic Development Committee – provides guidance & direction to Chamber, County, local gov’t officials, CFL regarding issues vital to expanding the local economy

Chair: Curt Binney, Sines, Blakeslee, Madyda, CPAs


Chamber Committees

Sports & Tourism Committee – formed to better coordinate, promote, and capitalize on the many sports & fitness activities that happen in South Lake for the betterment of the entire community

Chair: Gary Tolley, ADvantageous Media Partners

Young Professionals Group – to cultivate young professionals in South Lake to become leaders in business and community

Chair: Patrick Carey, Oasis Outsourcing


Chamber Membership Expectations

The Chamber IS: a centralized organization representing business interests

Eg…if the SLCC closed it’s doors tomorrow, another ‘Chamber’ would form within…2 months or less?

an ideal organization where you can further your business via networking, creating strategic alliances, sharing ideas, and collaborating

a very important ingredient in your recipe towards business success

The Chamber IS NOT: a “Silver Bullet” – customers are not created out of thin air, and your phone does

not magically start to ring!

Business basics, effort, luck, smarts are all still needed to succeed!


Membership reflecting on YOUR BUSINESS:

Establishes credibility for your business Demonstrates to your customers commitment to your business Demonstrates to the public your commitment to the community Shows your business’ willingness to be a part of a larger picture

– you are a team player who contributes to the whole Affords you many opportunities to involve yourself in and

promote your business to the community

Chamber Membership:

The Big Picture Summary

* Fighting for Business NOW in South Lake *

- Improving local business practices- Promoting local businesses to the residents/visitors

- Connecting the entire business community

* Fighting for the FUTURE of Business in South Lake *

- Gathering the Leaders in the Business Community- Developing a UNIFIED VOICE for the Business Community

- Public Policy/Economic Development- Young Professionals

* Fighting for ALL of the South Lake Community *

- Community Outreach & Connection- Community Relations (GEM of the Hills/Citizen of the Year)

- Education Committee (Teachers Appreciation Breakfast)- Quality of Life for South Lake


Transformational vs. Transactional

Transactional member What’s my ROI for membership? What’s in it for ME?

What type of member will YOU be?

Transformational member How can I help to build up the entire South Lake

Community? How can I be a part of the solution?


The Chamber Staff

Ray VillegasDirector of MembershipSouth Lake Chamber of

[email protected]

Lucy HageBookkeeper (contracted)South Lake Chamber of

[email protected]

Christie BobbittCommunications CoordinatorSouth Lake Chamber of

[email protected]

Janice HullFront Desk/ReceptionistSouth Lake Chamber of

[email protected]

Ray San FratelloPresidentSouth Lake Chamber of [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]








2012 Community Trustees

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Referral Type abbreviations


Experts recommend Chamber Membership!

South Lake Chamber Orientation April 2012

Documents

business community

business interests

business landscape

chamber events

chamber membershipbuilds

south lake chamber of

south lake chamber website

community environment