Strategic Plan
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Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan 2007-2011
Mission Statement
The Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization providing members a strong voice, vision and focused leadership to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in our community.
Strategic Plan Vision
Over the next five years, the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will…
•Continually provide excellent and responsive service and communications with its members, its staff and board leadership, and the public.
•Strive to increase membership involvement in the programs and activities of the organization.
•Be proactive in working with other organizations in the community to identify and address issues of civic importance.
•Support positive economic development and business growth.
•Utilize membership investment funds and other revenue responsibly to achieve the mission, vision, and objectives of the organization.
•Align the operations of the organization with standard business practices of general business to conduct activities with honesty, integrity, financial responsibility, and in accordance with the law.
Membership Objectives
1) Annually survey the membership’s satisfaction with existing programs, activities, and services and provide an opportunity for the development of additional programs, activities, and services based on membership needs and expectations. Benchmark results and annual objectives from 2006 survey.
Timeline: Complete annually by October 1
Responsibility: President/CEO and Board
2) Initiative retention and recruitment programs to increase the total number of member businesses by 3% each year.
Timeline: Develop strategies by April 1, 2007 – evaluate annually
Responsibility: Membership Coordinator
3) Maintain communication with members:
a) weekly email and fax communication (Friday Facts)
b) monthly newsletter communication (Business Beat)
c) annual outline of the programs, activities, and services of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce (Program of Action)
d) annual operational report (Annual Meeting & Banquet and published report)
Timeline: Ongoing – evaluate annually with member survey
Responsibility: President/CEO and Marketing Coordinator
4) Utilize the US Chamber of Commerce Accreditation Program to evaluate the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce in the following areas:
a) Governance
b) Finance
c) Human Resources & Staff
d) Government Affairs
e) Program Development
f) Communication
g) Technology
h) Facilities
i) Benchmarking
Timeline: Initial assessment complete by April 1, 2007 – application timeline to be determined by result of assessment
Responsibility: President/CEO
5) Ensure the responsible use of financial resources to maintain an appropriate level of service to members now and into the future.
a) Membership investment and other general income will cover general membership expense and provide a 5% annual reserve for future needs.
b) Programs, activities, and other services will operate at a minimum “break-even”.
c) Fundraising activities will be used to supplement reserve funds.
Timeline: Established with annual budget process
Responsibility: President/CEO and Finance Committee
Community Objectives
1) Annually survey the membership’s satisfaction with existing Chamber involvement in community activities and provide an opportunity for assessment of Chamber leadership and/or support for additional involvement.
Timeline: Complete annually by October 1
Responsibility: President/CEO and Board
2) Maintain active and visible participation in the community and a continued positive perception of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
Timeline: Ongoing
Responsibility: President/CEO, Staff, Committees, and Board
3) Establish and maintain direct relationships with government officials to advocate for issues important to the business community.
Timeline: Ongoing – with legislative priorities completed annually by November 15
Responsibility: President/CEO, Government Affairs Committee, and Board
4) Continue to support development of a community-wide enhancement plan to include at minimum, prioritized projects (such as the Shoshone Street Hanging Baskets), project leads and partners, determination of organizational involvement and a supporting funding strategy, in cooperation with the City of Twin Falls.
Timeline: Plan development in 2007 – ongoing involvement to be determined by plan
Responsibility: Beautification Committee
5) Operate the Buzz Langdon Visitor Center to promote information about the community for residents and visitors. The Center’s operation will provide an adequate revenue stream for its current operation and maintenance as well as build reserves for future enhancement.
Timeline: Ongoing – specific future needs to be established as part of US Chamber Accreditation review of facilities needs
Responsibility: President/CEO and Visitor Center Coordinator
6) Promote the tourism opportunities in the Twin Falls Area in partnership with other tourism- focused organizations throughout the region (such as other Chambers of Commerce and Southern Idaho Tourism). Primary funding for this promotion will be through the Idaho Regional Travel Grant Program offered through Idaho Commerce and Labor.
Timeline: Ongoing – annual application for funds by the first Monday in June each year
with awards in July and use of funds required in the following 14 months
Responsibility: President/CEO and Marketing Coordinator
7) Support efforts to maintain and improve the quality of life in the region through existing civic, community, educational, and charitable organizations.
Timeline: Ongoing
Responsibility: President/CEO
Business Objectives
1) Annually survey the membership’s satisfaction with existing Chamber involvement in
economic development activities and provide an opportunity for assessment of Chamber
leadership and/or support for additional involvement.
Timeline: Complete annually by October 1
Responsibility: President/CEO and Board
2) Support business retention and expansion as well as recruitment through positive
partnerships with organizations, such as:
a) Other area Chambers of Commerce
b) Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization
c) Business Plus
d) City of Twin Falls
Timeline: Ongoing
Responsibility: President/CEO and Board
3) Continue to recognize the importance of agriculture in our local economy and regional
heritage and implement programs to support agribusiness.
Timeline: Ongoing – with annual Ag Tour in June/July and Ag Appreciation &
Scholarship Banquet in November
Responsibility: Agribusiness Committee
4) Develop a “Workforce Development Plan” in cooperation with the College of Southern
Idaho, area school districts, Chambers of Commerce, and economic development
organizations in order to assist local business in finding employees with appropriate skills
and training.
Timeline: Initial planning meeting by March 1, 2007 – with plan to outline
implementation timeline
Responsibility: President / CEO and Board (perhaps assign to Economic Development
Committee or create an ad hoc task force)
5) Provide opportunities for education on issues, workforce training, services, and programs to support local business. These activities will include:
a) Monthly Economic Development Forum with specific topics for each month
b) Annual Small Business Recognition and Awards
c) Annual Success Breakfast, in coordination with the Chamber Ambassador Committee
and College of Southern Idaho to include a business-related keynote speaker and
potential educational sessions to support the needs and expectations of the business
community
d) Periodic membership meetings on topics of interest to business and/or business-related
seminars and educational offerings
Timeline: Ongoing
Responsibility: President/CEO and Marketing Coordinator
6) Participate with the Greater Twin Falls Area Transportation Committee to identify
appropriate transportation improvement projects to focus on the needs of Chamber
members and the Twin Falls area.
Timeline: Ongoing
Responsibility: Board in cooperation with GTFATC
Plan Development and Review
This plan was developed with input from the Chamber membership acquired through an
electronic survey conducted in August 2006. The previous Chamber Strategic Plan, completed in December 2000, was used as the basis for questions for the membership survey as well as for a “starting point” for development of this current revision to the plan.
Refinement of the mission, vision, goals, and objectives was completed by President/CEO
Shawn Barigar in December 2006.
A final draft of this Strategic Plan was reviewed and adopted by the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at its December 19, 2006 meeting. The plan was distributed to the Chamber membership in January 2007 and is available on the
Chamber’s website (www.twinfallschamber.com).
The Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan is intended to be “living document” providing general direction for the organization. It will be reviewed at least annually by the Chamber President/CEO and Board of Directors. The Chamber membership is encouraged to provide input to the Chamber Staff and Board Members about the plan at any time. As outlined in the plan, the membership will be surveyed at least annually on the Chamber’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives to ensure the organization is meeting or exceeding the needs and expectations of its membership.
