Chamber Information

Values

The values governing the Chamber’s development will include the following:

The Chamber will be pro-active in its advocacy efforts by enhancing and/or increasing our role to be the voice for business in Northern RI and statewide as the leading partner in the Chamber Coalition.

Major areas of our focus will be:

• Working with the coalition members and other partners the Chamber will continue to advocate for responsible Government spending and other tax reduction strategies for the short term and the long term fiscal viability of Rhode Island
• The chamber will promote several ideas and potential solutions for tax reduction, tax competitiveness and government spending reduction without compromising necessary services to the citizens of Rhode Island.
• Seek legislative sponsorship of an index bill that aligns budget creation with either a Northeast Region inflation index or the U.S. inflation index.
• Encourage the General Assembly to pass legislation defining a new school aid formula that is fair and equitable.
• Work with the newly appointed Director of the State Department of Revenue in assessing the economic impact of tax policies.
• Monitor and advocate for regulations and codes that are consistent and fair to businesses including but not limited to:
• Continue to advocate for elected and appointed officials who will create a pro business economic growth climate
• Establish a PAC fundraising goal of $10,000.
• Expand the number of members of the PAC Leadership council to 44 paid members
• Send direct mail PAC solicitation to all members and partners for use in candidate support
• Encourage a higher participation of our members and the community in the election process
• Solicit names of members, partners and their employees who might volunteer for election.
• Organize a Northern Rhode Island voter registration drive.
• Establish an on line “forum” for political candidates on a state and local level to express their views on issue that are import to our members and the community
• Produce special features in Under the Dome at least once a month. These could include interviews, guest editorials and other issues of interest.

• Utilize the Advisory groups as way of informing local businesses on issues that will have an impact on their business and as potential community leaders.

• Advisory groups will meet no less than six times per year and will include “State of the Community” addresses from elected or appointed officials and a meeting with the town/city General Assembly delegation.

• Identify local spheres of influence in each community to serve as an information resource to the Chamber and the Advisory Groups.
• Monitor municipal dockets in order to keep local businesses aware of municipal issues. Attend meetings when necessary.

The Chamber will be an active participant in regional and local economic development efforts.

• Continue to be a leader in the Blackstone Valley Partnership.
• As the “official” convener of the Partnership, a two state initiative, work with other partners to develop action plans from strategies as defined in the 2020 Action Agenda.
• Encourage more local involvement from our membership in economic climate issues
• Make members aware of local economic development initiatives like the Smithfield Villages initiative in Smithfield, the Branch River initiative in North Smithfield and the Tri Town Initiative involving Central Falls, Cumberland and Pawtucket.
• Working with other partners begin planning a strategy to promote Northern Rhode Island as a region. Conduct meetings with NRI Planners/ Economic Developers for information sharing and a better understanding of what each city and town has to offer businesses.
• Meet with chief elected officials to determine if there is an interest in funding a marketing plan that promotes the region.
• To help develop a quality workforce, a key component of economic development, the Chamber will work with leading local training providers, organizations and schools to meet the training needs of local employers in the short and long term.

• Organize two meetings per year with school based coordinators to identify areas where the chamber may be of assistance

• Survey the Chamber membership to find out areas of interest and need relating to Business/Education

• Identify individuals to serve on school based advisory boards, portfolio review teams, guest speakers, job shadows opportunities and internships

• Collaborate with agencies such as the Northern RI Collaborative in an effort to promote a qualified future workforce.

• With Board guidance, determine the role of Chamber Education Foundation

Networking

The Chamber will provide our members with opportunities to network in order to form meaningful and profitable relationships with other members that will help grow their business.

 

• In addition to our signature events (annual dinner, golf tournament, Expo, etc.) we will more aggrievedly promote our existing programs like Business After Hours and Eggs n Issues
• Introduce 5 Minute “Speed” Networking event.
• Promote use of web site based Member to Member discount program.
• Examine potential of establishing our third Executive Success Club (leads group)
• Establish a “Refer a Friend” program.
• Conduct a Membership Campaign.
• Establish programs that allow for automatic payment using credit card/debit card
• Reestablish the Ambassadors program, (volunteers to help with retention)

Marketing

• Explore possibility of a public access television show that would present business issue to the public while promoting the chamber’s message and raising the public’s awareness of the Chamber.
• Continue with local radio exposure.
• Explore the possibility of a Chamber column in local newspapers.
• Establish plan for better promotion of Chamber events and Chamber positions
.
• Hold a breakfast /luncheon or similar event for local media to establish better relationships.