ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS GROUP

RETIREMENT INITIATIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL:

PURPOSE:To work with all sectors of the economy to promote Lufkin/Angelina County as the retirement/relocation community of choice.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:

PURPOSE: To champion entrepreneurial and small business development and successful growth in Lufkin/Angelina County, to increase the opportunities and types of networking offerings for small businesses, to develop and implement a beneficial program during Small Business Week and to provide targeted programs and resources to support the growth and development of small businesses.

Small Business of the Year Task Force

PURPOSE: Recognize a dynamic small business with the presentation of the “Small Business of the Year” Award. Create a Small Business Hall of Fame at the Chamber office to recognize all recipients of this award.

Chamber University Task Force

PURPOSE: Develop a series of seminars with information for assisting small business in conjunction with Angelina College and the Small Business Development Center and provide a certification program for the small business development series.

New Business/New Executives Welcome Task Force

PURPOSE: To host at least two events each year to welcome new businesses and business leaders to Angelina County.

Small Business Startups Task Force

PURPOSE: Support the development of small business start-ups with an emphasis on companies that sell products and/or services outside Angelina County.

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL:

PURPOSE: The Chamber’s Transportation Council will monitor and promote highway, street and transit needs for Angelina County to appropriate local, state or federal agencies and organizations.

Develop a regional commercial airport beginning with increasing charter operations, air cargo and aviation repair facilities. (Infrastructure F1)

Continue to push for 1-69. (Infrastructure F2)

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES BUSINESS GROUP

THE DIPLOMATS:

PURPOSE: Serve as the active communication link to cultivate and promote a positive relationship between the Chamber and its members. Diplomats will help with membership retention by encouraging members to attend events and get involved in chamber activities Responsibilities:

• Attend Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings, Open Houses, etc.
• Attend Power Networking Breakfasts, Chamber Night Out, First Friday Luncheon, and other chamber events
• Serve on at least one of four subcommittees: Power Networking Breakfast, Member Visitation, Annual Banquet, and New Member Showcase
• Encourage new members to become involved
• Help recruit businesses to join the chamber

Annual Banquet Task Force

PURPOSE: The Annual Banquet is one of Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber’s signature events. 600-700 people gather to welcome the new Board of Directors, celebrate the Chamber’s recent accomplishments, and look ahead at the issues and opportunities facing the Lufkin/Angelina County area. Event begins with a dinner and features a special banquet speaker.

Annual Banquet Subcommittee will organize the Chamber’s annual banquet. This subcommittee will be responsible for coming up with a theme, selling tickets, decorating, and helping organize the program of events for the banquet. The Annual Banquet Subcommittee Chair will report their progress at each Diplomat meeting.

Member Visitation Task Force

PURPOSE: The Member Visitation Task Force will be responsible for inviting and helping new members become involved in the chamber. At each meeting the Chairman will be given a list of new members from the Diplomat Chairman. The Chairman will then be responsible for distributing the new members to each of his/her subcommittee members. Sub-committee members will be responsible for contacting new members on their list and inviting them by phone, email, fax, or letter to Chamber events, meetings, etc. and will also meet new members at events and introduce them to other chamber members.

New Member Showcase Task Force

PURPOSE: Once a year, a special showcase/reception is held for new members in order to promote their business, introduce them to current members and give them an opportunity to showcase their products/services for fee. New Member Showcase Subcommittee will organize and conduct the annual New Member Showcase. They will be responsible for picking the theme, decorating and set-up of event, securing door prizes, and registering new chamber members to participate. The New Member Showcase chairman will report their subcommittee’s progress at each Diplomat meeting.

Power Networking Breakfasts Task Force

PURPOSE: This highly informative networking event is held each month at 8 a.m. This event allows Chamber members to network with each other in a relaxed, informal setting at the Chamber’s Community Room, hear a speaker discuss current topics involving the business community, and promote their business.

Chamber Night Out Task Force

PURPOSE: To develop and host a minimum of one Chamber Night Out per quarter in 2007 and find new ways to market the program to increase attendance to the events.

Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings

PURPOSE: To host ribbon cutting ceremonies and/or ground breaking ceremonies as requested for new businesses, to develop a set agenda for carrying out these events and to improve attendance at the events so the event becomes a highlight to that businesses opening.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

First Friday Task Force

PURPOSE: Provide monthly luncheons on the first Friday of each month featuring entertaining and informative speakers. This luncheon provides an opportunity for businesses to network and promote their business. Cost of the luncheon is $15.

Twelve @ 12 Task Force

PURPOSE: To provide members with an open forum to discuss current issues affecting the business community with the Chamber president and Chamber Board Chairman in a relaxed atmosphere. Members are also encouraged to comment or give suggestions in regards to the Chamber and its services.

Twelve at 12 luncheons will be held the last Wednesday of each month in the Chamber’s community room. Each month 1/12 of the membership will be invited to attend the free luncheon.

Total Resource Campaign Task Force

PURPOSE: A Total Resource Campaign happens in a 5 week time frame during which volunteers enlist new members, generate program and event sponsorship, sell advertising sponsorships in our publications and raise the awareness of the Chamber throughout the region. The TRC funds a large majority of the chambers events throughout the year by gaining support during this time frame.

Everyone wins! The chamber gains members, funding, and community awareness and the volunteers receive incentives, a greater understanding of the chamber, and direct exposure for their business!

If you are interested in participating in this campaign, you can call the chamber office at (936) 634-6644 or you email us with your contact information.

LEADS (By Invitation Only)

PURPOSE: The Chamber has established a set of Leads Groups, which meet bi-weekly to help member businesses flourish. Specifically, participation in a Chamber Leads Group offers:

1. The active exchange of business referrals (leads)
2. A platform for forming strong relationships with other professionals
3. Continual involvement in the Chamber

Eligibility:

• Membership includes a first year fee of $50.00, subsequent renewal of $30.00 per year, a maintenance fee of $100.00 is added, which includes lunch for the year. Fees billed once a year.
  
• Members furnish valid business leads/referrals on a continuing basis to other members. An average of four leads/referrals per month will be considered the minimum requirement for participation in the Leads Exchange.
  
• Consist of no more than 25 and no less that 15 Chamber members in good standing from a variety of non-competing businesses
  

MARKETING BUSINESS GROUP

TOURIST/CONVENTION DEV. COUNCIL

Visitor/Convention & Tourist Attraction Task Force

PURPOSE: To inform, educate and promote the travel, recreational, and convention resources in the area, ensure that travelers within the Chamber area have current and accurate promotional materials and information sufficient to enhance their travel and promote the region, stimulate community growth by marketing Lufkin/Angelina County as a great place to live, work, shop and play, and is also responsible for proactively marketing Lufkin/Angelina County to those outside of the region. To strengthen the positive awareness of Lufkin and Angelina County as a convention and visitor destination in order to increase revenues and stimulate economic development and growth for the community

Increase visitors, including conventioneers and tourists. (Economic Development-A5)

Increase regional attraction, including the Ellen Trout Zoo and County museums. (Quality of Life-A2)

Increase access and use of Angelina National Forest, Davy Crockett National Forest, Neches River, Angelina River and Lake Sam Rayburn. (Quality of Life-A3)

Ambassadors

PURPOSE: Members of the Ambassadors attend a variety of events hosted by the Chamber and its members. These include ribbon cuttings, Chamber Night Outs, ground breaking and anniversary celebrations. They also assist in putting welcome packets together and other tasks as needed.

Lake Enhancement Task Force

PURPOSE: Lead efforts in developing recreational amenities at Sam Rayburn Reservoir that will draw tourists to our community.

Neches River Corridor Task Force

PURPOSE: To develop marketing strategies for promoting eco-tourism along the Neches River Corridor, particularly the area in Angelina County.

Develop the Neches River Corridor to preserve the Neches River. (Infrastructure E1)

MARKETING & PROMOTION ADVISORY COUNCIL

Regional Promotion Task Force

PURPOSE: Organize and implement efforts to promote Lufkin and Angelina County as the Regional Hub for all of East Texas. Organize and implement efforts to brand Lufkin/Angelina County as “the Destination” for retail, healthcare, training etc. by:

• Develop a brand/image for Lufkin/Angelina County that most effectively positions
  Angelina County in the minds of potential customers—expanding companies, higher income retirees, tourist and conference attendees, Angelina County young people and current citizens. This brand will be developed by a public-private partnership of organizations involved in promoting, marketing and developing Angelina County.

Healthcare Promotion Task Force

PURPOSE: To address regional healthcare issues and concerns, and support continued growth in maintaining Lufkin/Angelina County as THE regional HUB for healthcare. To create annual awards for Physician of the Year, Nurse of the Year and Healthcare Provider of the Year.

NECHES RIVER RENDEZVOUS ADVISORY COUNCIL

PURPOSE: Organize, plan, develop and implement the Annual Neches River Rendezvous, which is a scenic 10-mile canoe event down the Neches River

TEXAS STATE FOREST FESTIVAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

PURPOSE: Plan, develop and implement the Annual Texas State Forest Festival

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS GROUP

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:

Leadership Lufkin Task Force

PURPOSE: To develop and educate effective community leaders who are committed to improving and strengthening the community through service.

Focus efforts to raise up and train new leaders within the community while continuing to train current leadership. (Private Sector Leadership 5)

Leadership Tomorrow Task Force

PURPOSE: To develop community awareness, decision-making skills, and leadership abilities in those Angelina County students who have untapped potential in these areas so they will become familiar with current issues, community resources, and opportunities that will prepare them to make a positive impact on the quality of life in their community

Young Professionals of Angelina County

PURPOSE: To provide career-minded indliduals with opportunities to develop socially, professionally and civically.

EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

Business/School Partnerships

PURPOSE: Enlist business/school partnerships that clearly help with the skills required for specific Angelina County job sectors and provide internships, field trips to businesses, apprenticeship programs and other programs. (Education A3)

Academic Achievement Recognition Task Force

PURPOSE: Provide recognition and emphasis for academic achievements that parallel or exceed recognition for sports. (Education 61)

Multi-Institutional Teaching Center Task

PURPOSE: Create a Multi-Institutional Teaching Center in Angelina County that involves UT, Texas A&M, SFASU, and other educational institutions that would offer Bachelor’s, Masters, and PhD level curriculum in Angelina County. Distance learning could be a component. A focus should be on opportunities for adults to continue their higher level education. (Education B1)

Teachers of the Year Task Force

PURPOSE: To recognize six outstanding Teachers of the Year - one for each of the six independent school districts in Angelina County.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FAIR ADVISORY COUNCIL

PURPOSE: Organize Annual Science and Technology Fair for middle school, junior high and senior high students from the six school districts in Angelina County.

ANGELINA COUNTY YOUTH FAIR ADVISORY COUNCIL

PURPOSE: Plan, develop and implement Annual Angelina County Youth Fair

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUSINESS GROUP

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COUNCIL:

Maintain focused communication with and between local, state and federal officials that will continuously advance Angelina County Vision 2020. Develop a consensus agenda support by a group of organizations representing the diversity of Angelina County that will be used in communicating with state and federal officials. (Government A3)

Enhance relationships with state and federal elected representatives. (Government A5)

Encourage qualified leaders to run for office and serve on appointed boards. Support these leaders during their term in office, or suggest corrective actions, as they inevitably experience the conflicts and challenges of making difficult decisions in the best interests of Angelina County. Presume that they are working in the community’s best interest unless proven otherwise. Encourage and support these leaders as they gain experience to move from local to state and federal positions. (Private Sector Leadership 3)

Lufkin/Nacogdoches Day Task Force

PURPOSE: The Chamber’s Lufkin/Nacogdoches Day Task Force will work with our neighbors to the north to host an annual Lufkin/Nacogdoches Day in Austin that will put the business, government and educational leadership of Lufkin and Nacogdoches in contact with key political and agency leadership at the State Capitol.

Expand and enhance participation in the Lufkin/Nacogdoches Day in Austin and regional days (e.g., Pineywoods Economic Partnership) in Austin. (Private Sector Leadership A7)

Elected Officials Reception Task Force

PURPOSE: To implement a special annual recognition event for the purpose of recognizing and thanking all elected officials in Angelina County.