Annual board retreat yields plans for the chamber’s future
Courtesy photo
PLANTERSVILLE- The Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted its annual board retreat at Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville, with president Kathy Baldobino and a total of 16 board members and attendees setting a strategy for the Chamber’s future. Andy Dill, a Chamber of Commerce consultant well-regarded within the Texas Chamber Community, served as the meeting facilitator.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors wasted no time in pushing forward on a program of work that will stretch across the next three years or longer. The group started out listening to an overview of the Chamber’s accomplishments before considering several strategic initiatives designed to achieve the goal of elevating the Chamber of Commerce and its membership benefits to a higher level.
“Looking at where we are currently, there are several logical next-steps that can make our Chamber better in terms of efficiency, productivity and value to our members,” said Chamber Executive Director Johnny McNally.
Board members examined results of their internal Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) survey that was completed by Chamber Directors and Ambassadors. The SWOT Analysis is a planning method used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats involved in a project or business venture.
The board reviewed the Chamber’s current membership from several different angles, including business types, sizes, locations, and an examination of the various needs and services that members desire from the Chamber of Commerce. The board then considered ways to expand or augment services, such as a new leadership training program, a new Chamber website that can offer additional member benefits and engagement, and a better, streamlined membership software. New plans for business recruitment and retention were also on the agenda, along with an assessment of the Chamber’s building, its location and its ability to accommodate future growth of the Chamber of Commerce.
According to McNally, the results of the board retreat were encouraging and motivating. “We are proud of the services we provide our members but are aware of our current atmosphere that is filled with possibilities and opportunities,” he said. “The board was very forward-thinking as they reviewed these opportunities for our long-term success, striving to remain a valuable resource for each and every member.”
The Chamber of Commerce is comprised of 360 members from large to small, from manufacturing to professional services, plus restaurants, hotels, musicians, sales people, auto mechanics and many others. “Grimes County is home to a wide variety of businesses,” McNally said. “Our annual Board Retreat helps the Chamber staff and Board members lay the foundation to bring more opportunities to member businesses of all sizes and across all industries.”
The Chamber is governed by a diverse and committed Board of Directors who meets monthly to oversee the operations of the Chamber and shape its future.