Class Modules:

Module #1: Chamber Law
Course Description
Is That Legal? “I didn’t know that!” Those are famous last words that have led to the end of a career for many non-profit staff members. The most important job of any career is knowing the law. Don’t put your career on the line because you are simply misinformed on legal issues.

Module #2: Strategic Planning
Course Description
Strategic plans guide the growth and development of chambers by clarifying the organization’s vision, mission, focus and goals. A too broad and or ineffective strategic plan can cause confusion and missed opportunities for growth within the organization. An effective strategic plan can improve member relations and increase participation in the organization’s programs. This session will introduce the key concepts used in strategic planning and emphasize the value of a sound evaluation process to gauge the organization’s progress in reaching those goals.

Module #3: Chamber Finance
Course Description
You now that tracking expenses and income are part of every job within the chamber but how do all the various numbers come together to make sense of the chamber’s financial resources? What do all those numbers show, prove or even simply mean? Chambers cannot allow wasted resources to affect their operations, so strong financial management is critical. This practical program will help you understand your chamber’s finances better as well as your role in helping to keep the numbers meaningful.

Module #4: Board Development
Course Description
Managing volunteers can be daunting. Most chamber boards are typically composed of influential members of your chamber and community. An important role of the chief elected officer is to be able to communicate the chamber’s expectations, procedures, and priorities and how the board members should act to address them. This session will teach participants the key components of the board of directors and how to facilitate effective committee work.

Module #5: Generating Non-Dues Revenue
Course Description
Non dues revenue are necessary for the chamber’s finances to thrive. This session will share ideas that chambers have in place to enhance non-dues revenue streams.

Module #6: Marketing
Course Description
Would your chamber mailings look like a giant ransom note? Communications and marketing are integral parts of a chamber’s strategic plan. The failure to effectively market the benefits of belonging to the chamber will affect membership and sponsorship of chamber operations. This course covers successful cost-effective marketing means, including e-marketing.

Module #7: Public Policy & Advocacy in your Chamber
Course Description
An effective public policy effort begins with identifying which issues demand your attention and resources and moves quickly into planning a successful campaign around sound strategies and strong collaborative relationships. The ability to get your membership involved in the debate provides and opportunity for the chamber to influence policies. Chambers need to develop relationships with their elected officials. Developing a grassroots program to educate a community’s elected officials is an important aspect of influencing policy decisions made at all levels of government. Effective advocacy has proven to be a membership driver and maintenance process. This program outlines common steps which have been successfully implemented with chambers serving as community leaders impacting public policy.

Module #8: Membership Recruitment & Retention
Course Description
Retention and recruitment are an inherent function of all disciplines of your chamber. Employees should have an understanding of the community which they serve as well as what the community considers the value of a chamber membership. Programs need to be educational, dynamic, relevant and cost effective. Members need to understand the value of their membership if they are going to continue to support the chamber. This course will identify the key elements of the fundamentals of an effective chamber membership retention plan.