About the Chamber

2008-2009 CHAMBER COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES

Ambassadors

Make new contacts for your business and work on public relations for the Chamber. They coordinate Business After Hours, Business After Hours Extra!, Chamber Golf Outing, Annual Member Celebration, attend grand openings, and make calls on Chamber members throughout the year. Membership is limited and is done through an application process. Application forms and membership criteria are available at the Chamber office. Note: The Ambassador Committee is limited in size. Applications are available at the Chamber office.

Chair: Gail Nelson, Think Mutual Bank
Staff Contact: Loree Flick
Meetings: First Wednesday of each month from Noon - 1 p.m.

Business Learning Network

The Business Learning Network, consisting of over 15 higher education institutions and organizations, provides relevant, applicable and superior educational opportunities to members. These opportunities encourage professional growth and instill tools necessary for recruiting and retaining employees in today's ever growing and changing market. The committee plans, organizes, reviews and schedules monthly events, as well as premier educational events. This committee also supports the When Work Works grant for educating members on workplace flexibility and effectiveness.

Staff Contact: Jess Ihrke
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 8 - 9 a.m.

Diversity In Business

Diversity In Business promotes activities and relationships, in both the public and private sectors, to increase business ownership, market, education and training opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses. The committee coordinates a premier conference for future and existing entrepreneurs; recruits, connects and supports the growth and development of entrepreneurs; analyzes barriers to economic growth and implements approaches/plans to overcoming barriers.

Staff Contact: Jess Ihrke
Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Government Affairs Committee

This committee's main objective is establishing active and ongoing partnerships between business and local government by creating joint, long-term, specific goals that demonstrate ongoing improvement in efficient and effective government operations. We also conduct the Annual Membership Survey to gain input for the Chamber's Legislative Platform.

Chair: Leigh Johnson, Custom Alarm / Custom Communications, Inc.
Staff Contact: John Eckerman
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month - 7:00-8:30 a.m.

Government Forums

Represent your business and influence public policy decisions as you interact with representatives from the city, county and state government. Be a voice in the planning process for the Chamber's Legislative forums, which gives members the opportunity to communicate with legislative and governmental representatives.

Chair: Mark Utz, Wendland Utz, LTD
Staff Contact: John Eckerman
Meetings: 1st Monday of each month at 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Health Care Committee

Assist the membership in addressing issues related to the rising cost of health care and health insurance premiums. The committee will focus on these issues: 1) provide information on what drives health care costs and how to reduce costs without reducing quality and accessibility, 2) share employer best practices between Chamber members and be a resource of information for creative solutions to health care and health insurance issues, and 3) advocate on a state and federal level for public policy changes that address health care costs, health care taxes, mandated benefits, and competition.

Chair: Fran Bradley, Olmsted Financial Group
Staff Contact: John Eckerman
Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in January, March, May, July, September, and November

Hospitality 1st

This committee's main objective is to increase awareness of the economic impact of the hospitality industry, to educate the incumbent and future workforce on the hospitality industry, to promote advocacy initiatives that support and advance the hospitality industry.

Chair: Bruce Fairchild, Sunstone Hotel Properties
Chair- Elect: Brad Jones, Rochester Convention and Visitor's Bureau
Staff Contact: Loree Flick
Meetings: Last Thursday of each month, 9 - 10 a.m.

Leadership Greater Rochester

Recruitment: The LGR recruitment committee works with the Chamber Education/WF Director to recruit diverse LGR participants. The committee is also responsible for reviewing LGR applications, interviewing applicants and creating a diverse team of community leaders for the LGR program. This committee consists of 10-15 LGR Alumni.

Curriculum: The LGR curriculum committee works with the Chamber Education/WF Director to plan, organize and facilitate a comprehensive, 10-month leadership development program. The LGR mission is to develop emerging leadership through participation in personal, professional and community awareness activities designed to encourage individual responsibility for taking an active leadership role in the future vitality of the greater Rochester area. The committee reviews program evaluations and meets with community leaders/organizations to create program day agendas and schedule learning experiences that meet program objectives. This committee consists of 20 LGR Alumni.

2008/2009 Program Chair: Alex Dearborn, Service Master
2009 Chair-Elect: Jaimi Stejskal,
Staff Contact: Jess Ihrke
Meetings: Planning committees meet 3-4 months prior to program day

Power Network

The Power Network Committee plans and facilitates six networking sessions per year that occur over the lunch hour. The purpose of Power Network is to provide the opportunity for members to network more effectively in a more formal setting. The sessions also provide powerful networking strategies to motivate members to be more productive and effective when working with people.

Staff Contact: Loree Flick
Meetings: Once every other month, Jan-Mar-May-July-Sept-Nov, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Preparing Workforce

Preparing Workforce provides an opportunity for your business to play a major role in developing community partnerships between business and education. The committee coordinates the Educators in the Workplace Institute and participates in the DECA-Student Excellence Program, and the Principal for a Day Program.

Chairs: Mo Amundson- Education-to-Careers Consulting
Staff Contact: Jess Ihrke
Meetings: Once per month, February-July - 3:30-5 p.m.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)

The STEM initiative focuses on increasing student interest, participation/enrollment and completion of STEM classes, continued education and career pathways. This committee coordinates a premier STEM summit for students, parents and educators in grades 6-11 and promotes the Learn-Do-Earn program.

Staff Contact: Jess Ihrke
Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of each month, 3:30 - 5 p.m.

Transportation Forums

These informal breakfast forums include representatives from MN DOT, state patrol, city and county officials who give updates on transportation issues and projects.

Chair: Dan Holter, Rochester City Lines
Staff Contact: John Eckerman
Meetings: 1st Friday of each month at 7 - 8:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn South