Your Voice In Government and The Community
Stay abreast of city, county, state and federal government
actions. Through the services of the chamber member
committees, the chamber's board of directors take positions
on community, state and federal issues that directly impact
the business community.
Benefit from the chamber’s role as the collective voice of
business when addressing the impact potential legislation
will have on doing business in Brownsville. Members are
surveyed annually for their opinions on issues concerning
legislation and Brownsville’s business climate, which help
formulate board positions, letters to legislators and
editors, new chamber programs and public policy forums.
Join one of the standing committees or task forces and work
with leaders in the community involved in public schools,
water issues, state legislature, infrastructure, highway
construction, and much more.
Standing Committees
Standing committees are authorized by the Board of Directors
when essential for mission accomplishment and efficient
operation of the Chamber. The incoming Chairman appoints new
committee chairs for the FY. Committee chairs prepare and
submit their committee programs of work for approval by
November 1, 2006.
I. Membership Services Division (Past Chairman)
A. Membership Development Committee
Chair: Olga Morales
Staff POC’s: Irma Hernandez, Angela R. Burton
Mission: To increase membership at the Brownsville
Chamber of Commerce and to retain members by offering
effective business development programs and services.
Outcome: Maintain 1,000 active members.
Strategies:
Help recruit 120 new members for
fiscal year 2007-2008. Review and work with other committees
to implement retention programs such as speed networking
(January 10, 2008, May 2, 2008), Networking at Noon, and
Small Business Breakfast. -
Plan and implement Member 2 Member discount program.
Survey needs and interest of members
in June 2007.
B. Bienvenidos Committee Chair: Brunilda Villarreal
Vice Chair: Winifred Marshall
Staff POC: Rachel Diaz
Mission: To conduct groundbreaking, ribbon
cutting and other ceremonies in support of Chamber
membership.
Outcome: Improvement of membership retention and
support Chamber’s image.
Strategies:
Plan and conduct “Diamond Ball”
(March 29, 2008) as fundraising project to offset costs of
plaques, ribbons and other chamber activities. Goal: Net
$8,000.00 Support the Chamber with special
events by volunteering time for ribbon cuttings, member
retention programs, business expo and business after hours
mixers. -
Plan and conduct a minimum of 60 ribbon
cuttings and/or groundbreaking ceremonies in FY 07-08.
II. Public Affairs Division (2nd Vice Chairman)
A. Brownsville Business and Education CoalitionChair:
David Merrill
Staff POC’s: Angela R. Burton
Mission:
To provide, develop and encourage community support
for excellence in education using appropriate methods and
resources.
Outcome: To improve
success rates in high school
completion and college readiness. (Increase in available skilled workforce for the
future)
Strategies:
Advocate education reform strategies
at local, state and federal levels of government. Form an education research and
development task force that will outline an action plan that
will actively promote excellence in education. Create a high profile partnership
with the Brownsville Independent School District with the
goal of winning the Broad Foundation's Annual Award. -
Continue speaker's bureau activities with
focus on HB1 and dual enrollment activities.
B. International/Border Solutions: Chair:
Gerardo RodriguezStaff POC: Angela R. Burton
Mission: To represent the international business
needs of chamber members.
Outcome: Increase international business and
relations for Brownsville Chamber members and the community.
Strategies:
Formulate and recommend policy to
enhance flow of commerce and security at international ports
of entry. Review and report on the US-VISIT and WHTI
programs. Maintain liaison with consuls,
customs, immigration, maquiladoras, brokers, elected and
appointed officials on both sides of the border. Represent Chamber on trade missions
and at social functions in Mexico. Promote Brownsville/Matamoros as an
international business community and encourage international
commerce and tourism.
C. Governmental Advocacy for Business
Chair: Reba Cardenas McNair
Staff POC: Angela R. Burton
Mission: To promote awareness and take action on
issues of importance to chamber members at local, state and
federal level.
Outcome: Develop a plan of action around three
critical issue areas identified by chamber members.
Strategies:
Determine priorities. Prioritize issues and approve the
chamber’s legislative agenda. Those
three critical issues are:
a. Education Reform
b. Transportation
c. Border Issues
Work with other agencies. Work with local legislators. Keep membership informed. Testify when needed.
III. Community Development Division (2nd Vice Chairman)
A. Small Business Development
Chair: Bob Linke
Vice Chair:
Winifred Marshall
Staff POC:
Delia Pena
Mission: To promote and assist small business
through education, networking and other resources
available to facilitate growth.
Outcome:
25% more chamber members participating
in business development events.
Strategies:
1.
Assist
Membership Committee with networking events.
2.
Develop
educational seminars on a consistent basis
(monthly/quarterly). Angry People, Irate Clients, and the
Upset Public will be presented by Bill Drury on Wednesday,
January 30, 2008. Seminar Net: $2,500.00
3.
Organize
and implement the Chamber’s “Customer Service Institute”.
4.
Recognize
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce members who exceed the
spirit and basic standards of customer service via the
Customer Service Shining Star Award.
5.
Participate
and promote business expo to exceed 100 tables in September
2008. Net: $9,000.00
6.
Support the
Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) in order to
assist member manufacturers and manufacturing support
industries.
7.
Provide
professional and personal development to members in
partnership with the National Hispanic Professional
Organization (NHPO).
8.
Participate
and promote “Business After Hours” Mixers to exceed 100
participants per event. Net: $1,250.00
9.
Organize
and host Small Business Breakfast. (October 2007, January
2008, June 2008)
10.
Organize
and host Networking @ Noon. (November 2007, March 2008,
September 2008)
B. Brownsville Shines Committee
Chair: Scott Fry
Staff POC: Delia Pena
Mission: To provide leadership, direction, support,
and recognition for projects that enhance the image of
Brownsville as a clean, and beautiful place to live and
work.
Outcome: Enhanced economic development and quality of
life by the organized improvement Brownsville’s appearance.
Strategies:
Encourage public entities to enforce
laws that enhance the appearance of Brownsville.
Advise public entities of suggestions
to enhance the appearance of primary corridors through out
the City -
Recognize Brownsville Chamber of Commerce members who exceed
the spirit and basic standards of the City of Brownsville
Landscape Ordinance via Brownsville twelve Shines Award.
Task Forces
Specific tasks will be accomplished by Task Forces; normally
established at the direction of the Chairman with a life
cycle of 3 to 6 months. This structure is the most appealing
to volunteers, because most are willing to help do a single
job over a short period of time if promised they will be
released when it is completed.
The Chairman will appoint Directors to monitor specific
Chamber interests that may require establishment of Task
Forces. Lists of members interested in these subject areas
will be maintained in order to mobilize a Task Force on
short notice.
B. 77/83 Expressway Business
Chair: Eddy Hernandez
Staff POC: Angela R. Burton
Mission: In cooperation with TxDOT and
other agencies, facilitates discussions and information
programs that will minimize potential negative economic
impacts to the business community, and promote easy access
to and egress from businesses along the expressway during
the 4-year reconstruction period.
C. Fundraising Task Force
Chair: TBD
Staff POC: Angela R. Burton
Mission: Research and plan non-dues revenue
sources in 2007.
D. Visioning & Strategic Planning
Chair: Adolph Crixell
Staff POC: Angela R. Burton
Mission: To support, aid and encourage
the City of Brownsville in the community-wide planning
process called Imagine Brownsville.
JOIN A COMMITTEE NOW! CLICK
HERE!
|
