Strategic Goals

At its Annual Retreat, the Board of Directors listed many potential opportunities for the Chamber & approved the following plan.

• A key opportunity exists for the Chamber to strengthen its leadership role for the business community.
• A key opportunity exists for the Chamber to be more of a vehicle for members to promote their businesses.
• A key opportunity exists for the Chamber to take a leadership role in professional development and training. By increasing opportunities for training, the Chamber helps to enhance the workplace skills of Chamber member employees.
• A key opportunity exists for the chamber to evaluate and enhance its governance structure. A clear understanding of Board roles and the make up of the membership will benefit the entire membership and community

The central purpose and role of the Chamber is defined as: The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce strengthens the economic climate through business leadership that fosters member and community prosperity.

Values

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

• Vision- The Chamber will anticipate, evaluate & choose relevant opportunities that benefit our members & the Northern RI Community
• Customers- The Chamber’s customers are its members. Every program, event & activity in which the Chamber engages shall be designed to benefit the members. The Chamber strives to be flexible and responsive in meeting the needs of its members.
• Growth- The Chamber is dedicated to initiating, supporting & encouraging the smart growth of its membership & Northern Rhode Island.
• Leadership- The Chamber is a results-oriented, region wide, membership organization acknowledged as the leader of the business community.
• Integrity- The Chamber’s board of directors, staff & volunteers demonstrate unquestionable integrity and are good corporate citizens.
• Public Policy- The Chamber is a non-partisan organization. The Chamber advances positions on public policy based on thorough, objective research that is consistent with the Chamber’s mission & that will support the Chamber’s goals & vision. The Chamber will influence business-friendly legislation. The Chamber engages the membership for input on public policy as often as necessary to properly reflect the business community’s position.
• Education- The Chamber supports educational initiatives that result in a skilled, qualified workforce that meets the workforce needs of the membership.
• Diversity- The Chamber recognizes & respects the growing diversity of its members, prospective members & their employees. The Chamber Board of Directors strives to consider all elements of the membership in its decision-making processes & service delivery.
• Excellence- The Chamber strives to exceed the expectations of the membership.
• Courage- The Chamber will act with strength and conviction, even in the face of adversity

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.

Local

• 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.

• Consider the endorsement of candidates at the municipal level
• Strengthen relationships with city/town council officials in order to increase Chamber presence and influence at the local level.

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.

• Conduct a survey to identify needs.
• Partner with SBDC, RIMES and others to develop the appropriate affordable programs
• Acquire through purchase or donation laptops for Gulvin Room to enhance the educational experience.
• Conduct at least 30 seminars per year.
• Serve as an informational resource on workforce development issues utilizing the Chambers website and other media.
• Assist Chamber members with state grant process.
• Monitor and work with the U.S. chamber on workforce development programs.
• Continue to seek out collaborative partners to promote a sustainable workforce.
• Represent the chamber at meetings/events relevant to the Chamber’s workforce development goals.

• 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.