Committee involvement is a great way to form long-lasting relationships and get connected in a more personal way. We welcome your involvement.

Board Committees-2009

Executive Committee:
Purpose: Oversee operations of the board; often acts on behalf of the board during on-demand activities that occur between meetings, and these acts are later presented for full board review. Work with Chamber President to draft and/or revise personnel policies for board approval, reviewing job descriptions, establishing a salary structure, and annually reviewing staff salaries, and reviewing the benefits package. Members of Executive Committee include: Board Chair, Chair Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past Chair.

Strategy:
-Board Development, Yearly Retreat, Mid-Year Retreat and Orientation
*Task Force-Marty Callahan(chair), Gary Reece (Chair Elect), Jack Short (chair elect elect)
-Meeting Monthly prior to Board Meeting
-Develop written policy format for committee chair succession to be used by each committee, including Executive Committee.
-Develop Past Chair Council to work on long range planning/vision statement to including Building/Grounds Task Force
*Task Force-Jeff Downing (Current Past Chair)

Tourism Committee:
Board Liaison: Mike King Co-Board Liaison: Earl Whiteley
Committee Chair: Gerry Nechvatal Co-Chair: Karla Howard
Purpose: To create increased economic development opportunities for Pickens County through specific tourism related activities with clearly defined goals and timelines.

Strategy:
-To Identify and focus on specific actionable items with 2009 completion dates.
-Review/Evaluate promotional material.
*Identify what is out there and where it is displayed, i.e. Georgia Welcome Center, rest areas, etc.

Marble Festival Committee:
Board Liaison: Gary Reece Co-Board Liaison: Jack Short
Committee Chair: Denise Duncan
Purpose: To create a quality tourism environment for visitors and residents offering "something for everyone".

Strategy:
-Develop a strong committee for festival prior to event and trying to improve each sub-committee.
-Review survey results for improvement going forward.
-Refine budget from prior year and increase net profits by 10% in each line item
-Develop a plan for future structural changes in the management of the festival.
-If Tourism budget allows, hire part-time employee to focus on Marble Festival development and promotion as well as other areas of Tourism.
-Look into modification of Logo.

Business Council:
Chair: Don Martin Co-Chair: Donna Torres
Purpose: The promotion and development of increased use of businesses in Pickens County.

Strategy:
-Continue drive for Shop Pickens First membership.
-Promote/leverage of E-friendly Program.
-Develop ways to pull businesses into more Chamber events.
-Leveraging 515 businesses to promote awareness of "non-corridor" businesses.
-Beautification of "entrance" of Jasper by finalizing grant for landscaping in process jointly with City of Jasper.
-515 & 53 signage after completion of grant.

Budget & Finance Committee:
Chair: Jeff Downing Co-Chair: Charlie Messner
Purpose: Provide assistance to Chamber Staff to oversee development of the budget; ensure accurate tracking/monitoring/accountability for funds. Committee to be made up of Past, Present and Elect Chair, President and one designated chamber member.

Strategy:
-To report to the Board any financial irregularities, concerns, opportunities.
-Continue to tighten categories, accounts to enhance financial record keeping.
-Work with staff to design financial reports and ensure that reports are accurate and timely, i.e. include only 60+ on Aging Report to Board with explanations.
-Continue to develop formal, written Financial Policies.
-"Yearly Financial" to ensure accurate internal controls and reconcile bank statements.
-Implement comprehensive accounting solution that integrates membership management with billing and accounting.

Public Relations Committee:
Chair: Dave Garner Co-Chair: Phyllis Pool
Purpose: To build and maintain a positive public image. Promote the Chamber to the community and build positive government relationships.

Strategy:
-Continue to grow Citizen of the Year.
-Continue to develop and improve marketing of Chamber, its membership, events & its mission.
-Continue to maintain positive relationship with local, state, and federal government.
-Begin process of "branding" the Chamber i.e. new logo, mission statement, etc.
-Improve follow-up of events through press releases.
-Utilize all available media outlets including surrounding and gated communities i.e. Big Canoe, Bent Tree, Talking Rock.
-Create a sub-committee "Government Affairs"
-Chair: Marty Callahan Co-Chair: Phyllis Pool
-Continue to host political & informational forums to raise awarest of current issues that may affect membership/community.
-Develop a way to poll membership and present finding on any issues effecting growth and development in Pickens County.
-Educate businesses of Legislative updates and issues related to business.

Leadership Development Committee:
Chair: Mike Ballew Co-Chair: Regina Camp
Purpose:
To provide critical information and leadership skill building experience to make a positive impact on our community.

Strategy:
-Develop regularly scheduled meetings to pull together all sub-committees listed below to discuss progress, funding needs and ways to grow and improve.
-Sub Committee- Leadership Pickens
*Chair: Regina Camp Co-Chair: Dawn Popadics (Phyllis Pool)
-Sub Committee- Youth Leadership Program
* Chair: Angie Jones Co-Chair: Joanna Kearns
-Sub Committee- Leadership Pickens Alumni
* Chair: Donna Torres Co-Chair: Mike King

Event Development Committee:
Chair: Dawn Popadics Co-Chair: Jack Short
Purpose: To organize and oversee the Chambers fund raising activities necessary to assist in funding the Chambers initiatives.

Strategy:
-Identify additional members to assist with successful implementation of the strategies.
-Create a Task Force for each event (minimum 5 Task Force Members per event)
*Casino Night Task Force
*Seal of Responsibility Golf Tournament Task Force
*Picnic in the Park Task Force
*Auto Give-A-Way Task Force
*Annual Dinner Task Force

If you are interested in serving on a committee please contact the Chamber office at (706) 692-5600 and we will make the connection for you!