Chamber Committees
All committees need to have a minimum of 5 members (and probably no more than 8-10), and the Chairperson of each committee should be serving on the Chamber Board of Directors. Committees will need to meet at least once per quarter, submit brief summary of meetings to the Chamber Board, and give a report of the committee’s current/future activities at the monthly Chamber Board meeting.
Committee List
Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) – The BRE Committee will support larger local industries and businesses by putting together quarterly seminars and informational sessions that give them the opportunity to meet and network with resources available at the regional and state level. This committee will also work closely with the Tourism Committee to partner with local industry on tourism
issues.
Education & Workforce Development – This committee will work to acknowledge, promote, and highlight the attributes of education and educators in Washington County. Coordinate the Educator of the Month and Teacher of the Year program. Also begin to address opportunities and/or need for workforce / technical training in order to be more beneficial for business’s seeking employees.
Event Planning – The event committee will work with Chamber President to coordinate all Chamber events including, but not limited to: Business After Hours at least quarterly, Spring Recognition Banquet, Annual Breakfast Meeting, Shop Waco First Events, etc.
Government Relations - Establish and maintain local, regional, state and federal relationships as necessary to promote business & commerce in Washington County with these government officials. Hold quarterly contract review meetings with Washington Co. BOC and City of Sandersville officials to ensure that the Chamber is fulfilling and communicating its obligations under its contracts. Actively lobby for individual Chamber of Commerce members or business segments when needed, and actively lobby for specific legislation and regulations that are promoted Chamber businesses. Stay informed on legislative issues through the GA Chamber of Commerce.
Leadership Development
* Adult Leadership – Coordinate plans for adult leadership program for Washington County.
*Youth Leadership – Coordinate plans for annual program to help instill and develop leadership potential in 24 high school sophomore and junior students (12 from each high school) in Washington County.
*Young Professionals- Established to Learn, Experience, Network and Engage a Young Professional in Washington County.
Ambassadors – This group will work to promote Chamber membership, be the face of the chamber & will serve in many diverse capacities throughout a one year term. Application available in January
Shop Waco First – This committee will lead in the support of our Small Businesses in Washington County by helping to organize Shop Waco First events, informational seminars that provide owners with resources at the state and local level they may not have known about. This committee will also continue the Shop WACO First Campaign and others.
Tourism - Developing ways to promote and grow tourism throughout the county specifically highlighting our areas of history, outdoors and the potential for agri-toursim.
Kaolin Festival - Yearly festival held in October to promote and highlight Washington County.
*Education– work with Kaolin Companies to set up Kaolin Mine tours, booth on square, equipment on display, etc.
*Arts & Crafts Vendors – work with staff to get letters out, secure vendors, and organized layout of the area for festival, possibly thank you notes after
*Volunteers– work with staff to secure volunteers from schools, other local organizations and chamber members and to help set up schedule for day
*Parade (applications & judges) – work with staff to secure participants in parade, locate judges, and all details/requirements for entries. (Lions Club usually takes care of the line-up.)
*Food Vendors - work with staff to get letters out, secure vendors, and organized layout of the area for festival, possibly thank you notes after
*Children’s Carnival Area – work with staff to organize, secure vendors, play areas, concessions, etc for this area
*Entertainment – work with staff to secure entertainment, stage, sound system and help with scheduling performances and greeting them on day of festival, possible thank you notes after
issues.
Education & Workforce Development – This committee will work to acknowledge, promote, and highlight the attributes of education and educators in Washington County. Coordinate the Educator of the Month and Teacher of the Year program. Also begin to address opportunities and/or need for workforce / technical training in order to be more beneficial for business’s seeking employees.
Event Planning – The event committee will work with Chamber President to coordinate all Chamber events including, but not limited to: Business After Hours at least quarterly, Spring Recognition Banquet, Annual Breakfast Meeting, Shop Waco First Events, etc.
Government Relations - Establish and maintain local, regional, state and federal relationships as necessary to promote business & commerce in Washington County with these government officials. Hold quarterly contract review meetings with Washington Co. BOC and City of Sandersville officials to ensure that the Chamber is fulfilling and communicating its obligations under its contracts. Actively lobby for individual Chamber of Commerce members or business segments when needed, and actively lobby for specific legislation and regulations that are promoted Chamber businesses. Stay informed on legislative issues through the GA Chamber of Commerce.
Leadership Development
* Adult Leadership – Coordinate plans for adult leadership program for Washington County.
*Youth Leadership – Coordinate plans for annual program to help instill and develop leadership potential in 24 high school sophomore and junior students (12 from each high school) in Washington County.
*Young Professionals- Established to Learn, Experience, Network and Engage a Young Professional in Washington County.
Ambassadors – This group will work to promote Chamber membership, be the face of the chamber & will serve in many diverse capacities throughout a one year term. Application available in January
Shop Waco First – This committee will lead in the support of our Small Businesses in Washington County by helping to organize Shop Waco First events, informational seminars that provide owners with resources at the state and local level they may not have known about. This committee will also continue the Shop WACO First Campaign and others.
Tourism - Developing ways to promote and grow tourism throughout the county specifically highlighting our areas of history, outdoors and the potential for agri-toursim.
Kaolin Festival - Yearly festival held in October to promote and highlight Washington County.
*Education– work with Kaolin Companies to set up Kaolin Mine tours, booth on square, equipment on display, etc.
*Arts & Crafts Vendors – work with staff to get letters out, secure vendors, and organized layout of the area for festival, possibly thank you notes after
*Volunteers– work with staff to secure volunteers from schools, other local organizations and chamber members and to help set up schedule for day
*Parade (applications & judges) – work with staff to secure participants in parade, locate judges, and all details/requirements for entries. (Lions Club usually takes care of the line-up.)
*Food Vendors - work with staff to get letters out, secure vendors, and organized layout of the area for festival, possibly thank you notes after
*Children’s Carnival Area – work with staff to organize, secure vendors, play areas, concessions, etc for this area
*Entertainment – work with staff to secure entertainment, stage, sound system and help with scheduling performances and greeting them on day of festival, possible thank you notes after
