04-27-2005 Council Workshop Agenda

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Ch mber Successes TWIN CITIES NORTH CFIAMI3ER OF' COMMERCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2003 -2004 Connnunity Involvement • Contributed over $151,000 to non -profit community charities and schools within our service area through our charitable foundation. • Facilitated forums regarding local school referendums and supported the Fridley School referendum. • Participated in Business Retention and Expansion Programs with the City of Blaine and through the state -wide Grow Minnesota program. • Expanded our service territory to include the City of Arden Hills. Business Advocacy • Monthly forums addressed important topics to businesses; including health care, transportation projects and funding for the local and metro area, fire code enforcement; education reform for K -12 and civil justice reform including job reference protection, joint /several liability and change and diversity in the workplace. • Refocused our Public Policy Committee to serve member interests, including expanding our role in economic development / tracking and advocating for specific legislative and municipal issues. • Increased public relations and legislative support by strengthening our ties with current members, city officials, media contacts, the Minnesota Chamber, and the Minneapolis Metro North Convention and Visitors Bureau. • Partnered with the Minnesota Chamber, the Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives to increase and strengthen our policy positions, some of which include: Transportation Policy, School Referendum Policies, Joint and Several Liability Policy, Job Reference Policy. Member Involvement • Bi- monthly "Breakfast Club" networking group averages 30 -40 participants each meeting and offers members opportunities to market their products to other members. • Our "Annual Gala" had over 300 people in attendance and exceeded budget revenue forecasts. • Fall "Nine is Fine" Golf Outing and the "Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament" bad record number of attendees and sponsors for last year. • The Quarterly "Multi-Chamber After Hours" networking events provided networking opportunities to members of seven different chambers. • Began an Affinity Program with TDS Metrocom /US Link to offer additional telecommunication benefits to existing members. • Recruited, retained and focused on eight member- driven volunteer committees including: Board of Directors, Gala, Golf, Business Affairs, Breakfast Networking Club, Business /Education Partnership, Charitable Giving and Gaming Oversight. Organizational Structure • Recruited 101 new members for the fiscal year. • Conducted a Board of Directors and Staff strategic planning session to establish the priorities of the chamber short - term and long-term. • Restructured our organization to include the addition of a Membership Director and another Sales Associate to focus on member retention and recruitment. • Continued to adhere to budget by cutting expenses and bringing in new revenue. • Established a broadcast email system with 62% of our members receiving emails. • Developed a member /prospect database which has streamlined our operations ten fold. • Relocated and expanded our office into the Mounds View Community Center.