Committees in Action
Are you looking for unlimited networking opportunities? Would you like to help improve our area’s quality of life? Do you have a vision for our area’s future that you would like to see realized? Do you enjoy working with others to accomplish a long-lasting legacy? Then read further to find the Chamber committee that’s right for you and start getting involved today.
_____ Economic Development - Working closely with the Haines City EDC, CFDC and the East Polk Committee of 100, this group assists new and existing companies in the greater Haines City area. The committee’s goal is to continually improve all aspects of the area’s business climate.
_____ Education - This committee consists of our area school principals, business and community leaders who meet monthly to promote issues related to quality education and workforce training. The group sponsors events such as Free Enterprise Day, Executive Exchange, and the Youth Leadership program.
_____ Leadership - This committee coordiates the annual Haines City-Northeast Polk County Leadership program. Each year 12 class members spend nine months learning about the region's positive attributes and challenging issues. The committee builds a program to create a diverse network of resourceful, informed and proactive leaders, empowered to build a more vibrant community.
_____ Special Events -This busy committee has fun together, planning major annual events including the Pig Roast/Political Rally/Silent Auction and the Annual Banquet.
_____ Tourism - Legoland's decision to transform the former Cypress Gardens into Legoland Florida by Fall of 2011 has created much excitement along the Highway 27 corridor. The committee will work to ensure the "Path to Legoland" effectively greets, serves and directs the millions of visitors anticipated to visit Legoland each year.
Call the Chamber at 863-422-3751 for more information or to join any of our committees. Your volunteer efforts are essential to the Chamber’s Program of Work and bring you the added benefit of networking with fellow community businesses.
_____ Education - This committee consists of our area school principals, business and community leaders who meet monthly to promote issues related to quality education and workforce training. The group sponsors events such as Free Enterprise Day, Executive Exchange, and the Youth Leadership program.
_____ Leadership - This committee coordiates the annual Haines City-Northeast Polk County Leadership program. Each year 12 class members spend nine months learning about the region's positive attributes and challenging issues. The committee builds a program to create a diverse network of resourceful, informed and proactive leaders, empowered to build a more vibrant community.
_____ Special Events -This busy committee has fun together, planning major annual events including the Pig Roast/Political Rally/Silent Auction and the Annual Banquet.
_____ Tourism - Legoland's decision to transform the former Cypress Gardens into Legoland Florida by Fall of 2011 has created much excitement along the Highway 27 corridor. The committee will work to ensure the "Path to Legoland" effectively greets, serves and directs the millions of visitors anticipated to visit Legoland each year.
Call the Chamber at 863-422-3751 for more information or to join any of our committees. Your volunteer efforts are essential to the Chamber’s Program of Work and bring you the added benefit of networking with fellow community businesses.
Network and Learn
NETWORKING IS A BUZZ WORD THAT EVERYONE USES BUT IT REALLY DOES WORK!
Below are some examples to help get you started:
1. Start the New Year by looking at your methods for networking… Are they working? Do you need to make a change?
2. Have a goal to meet 100 new people in 2010. Accomplish this by keeping 10 business cards with you at a time. Hand your business card to every new person you meet and collect one of theirs. Write on the back who they are, when you met, and what you learned about them. Restock when your supply runs out, you will be amazed at how often you need more cards!
3. Continue your goal to meet 100 new people by attending our Monthly Business After Hours the 3rd Tuesday of every month (check the calendar as dates are subject to change). At the event, be sure to participate in our fun networking game, “Discover Your Neighbor”. In addition to great prizes, this neat little tool encourages even the shy and timid to meet at least five people.
4. Get the word out! An economical, yet great, approach is to leave your place of business for at least one hour a day or one day a month to meet new people and build relationships. Read through your new contact cards (from #2 and #3 above) and invite a new acquaintance to breakfast or lunch. Ask to see their place of business to learn more about how your relationship can be mutually beneficial.
5. Get working on networking today. The opportunities are endless! Check out our Calendar to get involved!
Below are some examples to help get you started:
1. Start the New Year by looking at your methods for networking… Are they working? Do you need to make a change?
2. Have a goal to meet 100 new people in 2010. Accomplish this by keeping 10 business cards with you at a time. Hand your business card to every new person you meet and collect one of theirs. Write on the back who they are, when you met, and what you learned about them. Restock when your supply runs out, you will be amazed at how often you need more cards!
3. Continue your goal to meet 100 new people by attending our Monthly Business After Hours the 3rd Tuesday of every month (check the calendar as dates are subject to change). At the event, be sure to participate in our fun networking game, “Discover Your Neighbor”. In addition to great prizes, this neat little tool encourages even the shy and timid to meet at least five people.
4. Get the word out! An economical, yet great, approach is to leave your place of business for at least one hour a day or one day a month to meet new people and build relationships. Read through your new contact cards (from #2 and #3 above) and invite a new acquaintance to breakfast or lunch. Ask to see their place of business to learn more about how your relationship can be mutually beneficial.
5. Get working on networking today. The opportunities are endless! Check out our Calendar to get involved!
Monthly Chamber Calendar: (Subject to Change)
Monthly:First Monday – Economic Development Committee meeting, noon - Chamber Boardroom
Second Wednesday – Board meeting, 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Boardroom
Third Tuesday (as scheduled) – Education Committee meeting, 8 a.m. - Chamber Boardroom
Third Tuesday – Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m.
Third Thursday – Membership meeting, 11:45 a.m. (luncheon) - locations vary
Pig Roast Committee meeting, meet as scheduled
Annual Chamber events include:
January - Annual Banquet, 6 to 9 p.m.
April – Youth Leadership Graduation, third Thursday, noon
August – Pig Roast & Political Rally, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
September – Business & Industry Awards luncheon, third Thursday, noon
Monthly:First Monday – Economic Development Committee meeting, noon - Chamber Boardroom
Second Wednesday – Board meeting, 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Boardroom
Third Tuesday (as scheduled) – Education Committee meeting, 8 a.m. - Chamber Boardroom
Third Tuesday – Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m.
Third Thursday – Membership meeting, 11:45 a.m. (luncheon) - locations vary
Pig Roast Committee meeting, meet as scheduled
Annual Chamber events include:
January - Annual Banquet, 6 to 9 p.m.
April – Youth Leadership Graduation, third Thursday, noon
August – Pig Roast & Political Rally, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
September – Business & Industry Awards luncheon, third Thursday, noon