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About the Chamber

Vision 2012

Our strategic plan, created in 2007, began with a meeting of 100 business and community leaders. After we established our core values, we developed a set of themes and goals that will act as a guide for the Chamber’s work for the next five years.

Our Core Values:

Integrity

  • We are honest in our actions
  • We are accountable for our commitments
  • We are respectful
  • We are dependable and trustworthy

Committment

  • We deliver value to our members
  • We are dedicated to our mission
  • We are professional in our demeanor
  • We have a positive attitude

Collaboration

  • We communicate openly
  • We create effective partnerships
  • We value diverse opinions
  • We work as a team

Future-Focused

  • We recognize the importance of anticipating, embracing and adapting to change
  • We are a leading agent for change
  • We value and cultivate open dialogue

Unleashing Potential

  • We empower action and take risks to improve
  • We gain wisdom by learning from our mistakes
  • We cultivate potential
  • We value education and personal growth and development

Community Legacy

  • We care about and contribute to our community
  • We value diversity
  • We lead by example

Strategic Plan: 2007-2012:

Theme I: Business is about Community

Goal A) Create Effective Partnerships

  • Engage in open dialogue and positive relationships with elected officials.
  • Build and participate in issues-based coalitions of community organizations.

Goal B) Optimize the Effectiveness and Contribution of Leadership Frederick

  • Establish an active Leadership Frederick alumni association
  • Actively promote Leadership Frederick
  • Leverage the resource of Leadership Frederick graduates as an integrated voice with the chamber for key community issues.
  • Actively recruit leadership class participants that are reflective of the Frederick County community.

Goal C) Enhance Business Support for Education and Workforce Development

  • Participate in a coalition in the ongoing development of the Frederick County Business Round Table for Education.
  • Be an information source for workforce development

Goal D) Engage Diverse People and Ideas

  • Promote a diverse, multi-perspective dialogue on the future of the community. (FREDERICK 2027)
  • Be a resource to educate and connect minorities with business opportunities.
  • Ongoing awareness of what is of value to diverse community segments and striving to incorporate this into our strategic plan and initiatives.
  • Create awareness and understanding of the value of business to the health and vitality of the community.

Theme II: Performance

Goal A) Ensure the Financial viability of the Chamber

  • Ensure adequate funding for all goals and commitments.
  • Strategically review and refocus key revenue sources.
  • Reach into the foundation market to finance the plan.
  • Apply for grants that support specific initiatives.

Goal B) Take Action and Execute Effectively

  • Have a clear stance and one voice that reflects our members opinions on issues.
  • Utilize cutting edge technology.
  • Demonstrate accountability and follow through on commitments.
  • Move and successfully transition to larger, more appropriate office space.
  • Professional leadership and staff.
  • Learn from best practices of other successful chambers.

Goal C) Communicate a Clear and Visible Identity

  • Consistent representation at key community meetings (city, county, state)
  • Optimize communication tools and media

Goal D) Have a Representative Board of Actively Engaged Community Leaders

  • Cultivate relationships with representative community leaders and invite them to participate.
  • Ensure board effectiveness
  • Utilize resource of Leadership Frederick for potential board positions
  • Develop and use process for alignment of board on community issues

Theme III: A Vibrant Economy

Goal A) Support Small Business

  • Significantly increase membership and engagement by demonstrating the value of chamber membership.
  • Provide educational opportunities, services and support

Goal B) Advocacy and Support for Medium and Large Business

  • Significantly increase membership and engagement by demonstrating the value of chamber membership.
  • Be an advocate for large business on relevant legislative issues on a local, state and federal level.
  • Take public positions on economic issues with supporting rationale