Administration
Harry Davis, Chair
Mike Hall, Treasurer

- Establish the organizational structure needed to ensure that the Chamber functions in an orderly and efficient manner.

Responsibilities include:

• Continuously evaluate the Chamber's organizational structure; make any recommendations for change to the Board of Directors.
  
• Facilitate the planning process for the Chamber's work in 2005-06.
• Provide advice and counsel to plan the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.
• Provide for efficient and orderly management of the Chamber’s finances, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices so as to maximize its effectiveness in the business community.
• Oversee the preparation and adoption of the Chamber’s fiscal year budget.
• Ensure that the Chamber’s financial records are audited annually.
• Oversee compliance with Federal and State reporting procedures.
• Enhance the internal control structure by independent review of certain financial transactions.
• Function as a Personnel Committee to advise the President/CEO on personnel matters.

• Promote educational meetings and workshops in all areas of agriculture.
• Support the Sustainable Communities initiative in its efforts to explore economic development concepts that will promote sustainable agriculture/economic development (agri-tourism, eco-tourism and cultural/heritage tourism).
• Promote Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect worker health, crop safety, beneficial insect population and other environmental protection issues.
• Encourage farmers to increase the sustainability of their farms through diversification and alternative crops, intensive management practices, water and nutrient management and expanded markets.
• Participate by naming three members to serve on the annual Farm-City Banquet general committee and sponsor the Tuckwiller Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding community of the year.
• Promote agricultural development through collaboration with organizations that represent area nurserymen and Choose & Cut Christmas tree operations, cattlemen, beekeepers, Master Gardeners, 4-H and others. Support initiatives related to alternative enterprises, herbs and organic farm products and local farm-related festivals.

• Sponsor Small Business Week in May and recognize a member business as the “Small Business of the Year.”
• Sponsor the annual trade show - Boone Business Expo - in celebration of Small Business Week.
• Support efforts to extend programs and services targeted toward the advancement of small business in the area.
• Sponsor the “Alfred Adams Award for Economic Development,” which is presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.
• Sponsor the Ben Suttle Special Services Award, which is presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.
• Sponsor the Alfred Adams Business Leadership Awards to recognize individuals who have left a mark on the business community and coordinate the Employer of the Year and Community Advocate Awards, which are presented annually in observance of JobLink Appreciation Week.
• Support “Shop Watauga First” initiatives and promote the advantages of “Chamber Cheques” as a unique gift-giving program in the community.
• Support the “Wake Up, Watauga” forum series and other opportunities to offer quality seminars, workshops and conferences to benefit Chamber members.
• Support the “Business Advisory NETWORK” of Chamber professionals who provide confidential consultation services at no charge to fellow Chamber members.
• Support the development of community-based business councils to provide value-added local services to Chamber members.
• Continue to host the Economic Development Roundtable as a vehicle to discuss general economic development issues and trends.
• Continue to sponsor the Watauga Leadership Challenge and support the Alumni Association of its Graduates.

• Maintain open communications with Town of Boone and Watauga County and be open to the possibilities of supporting new landscaping and beautification projects that contribute to an enhanced quality of life.
• Sponsor the annual “Last Chance Golf Tournament” in the fall as a fund-raiser for the Chamber.
• Sponsor the Wade E. Brown Community Recognition Award to honor those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Community. The Award is presented at the Annual Meeting.
• Sponsor the “Award of Merit for Development” program. This program is designed to annually recognize outstanding commercial development projects that enhance our business community.
• Support the “High Country Quality of Life Awards” program that honors groups or organizations for making a difference in the community.

• Encourage partnerships involving business and industry leaders, governmental bodies, nonprofit agencies and educational institutions to work for improvements in education.
• Promote stronger linkages between educational institutions and employers that are designed to advance the caliber of workforce training to meet the needs of area business and industry.
• Work toward the continued development of the Watauga County Schools, the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute and Appalachian State University. Provide input in the development of new curriculum and continuing education programs.
• Conduct an Education Summit as a “State of the Schools” forum to encourage dialogue on vital, local educational issues.
• Promote the Watauga County Schools Spelling Bee and encourage student participation.
• Sponsor the “Spelling Bee for Grown Ups” as a community event.
• Promote and support the Watauga Education Foundation efforts on behalf of public education.
• Support the Children’s Council in its efforts on behalf of early childhood development with an emphasis on increased quality of childcare.
• Encourage business and industry involvement that supports programs to prevent under-age use of alcohol and tobacco products, as well as programs to intervene and treat drugs and alcohol abuse in the workplace, family and schools.
• Promote and support the integration of personal finance and life skills into the school curriculum and to the community at large.

• Sponsor a reception in January for our local legislative delegation and newly elected local officials, to acquaint them with issues of importance to the Chamber membership.
• Look for opportunities to sponsor meetings with elected national, state and local officials to discuss issues and concerns of importance to the Chamber and the community. In addition, seek opportunities where appreciation can be expressed to elected officials.
• Administer the “Hand of Hospitality” program with the Town of Boone, which includes “Lunch & Learn” sessions with town officials and “Listening Post” focus groups to gather citizen input on vital community-based issues.
• Serve as a liaison to connect the Chamber with governmental bodies and ASU, with the goal of ensuring open communications and a spirit of cooperation.
• Sponsor “meet the candidates forums” for local and statewide candidates during election years.
• Place emphasis on monitoring local, state and national governmental issues important to business and recommend policy positions for Board action as needed.
• Support regional initiatives such as the New River Community Partners organization.

• Serve as oversight committee for the Annual Spring Membership Drive.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive and ongoing membership program with the goal of building awareness, educating, motivating and recruiting new members, in order to increase the membership base.
• Coordinate a successful “Ambassadors Program” to support the retention of Chamber member businesses.
• Conduct membership audits and/or surveys on a regular basis.
• Sponsor in December a “New Member Luncheon” to acquaint new members with the Board of Directors and Chamber staff.
• Continue to sponsor and promote a strong “Business After Hours” program to provide opportunities for member-to-member networking.
• Promote the “Program Partnerships” and function sponsorships that are available to members.
• Sponsor affinity programs that are approved by the Board as beneficial services to members.
• Secure participants for the Member-to-Member Discounts Program; publish and distribute the brochures and identification cards.

• Work cooperatively to develop the northwest region as a major tourism destination with such partners as ASU, High Country Host, the Boone Tourism Development Authority (TDA), the Downtown Boone Development Association, local chambers of commerce, Boone/Blowing Rock Lodging Association, HandMade in America and those statewide organizations and government agencies that promote tourism in North Carolina.
• Provide counsel to Chamber management in carrying out its responsibilities related to the contract with the Boone Tourism Development Authority to provide services and support for meeting, convention and tourism efforts through the Boone Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).
• Aggressively market the Boone area to news media off the mountain.
• Co-sponsor with the Boone CVB creative efforts to observe National Tourism Week in May.
• Sponsor the Chamber’s annual “Outrageous Customer Service Awards” program and help coordinate the selection of the annual First Citizens Bank Amazing Customer Service Award winner.
• Assist the Boone Area Sports & Events Commission in its efforts to promote the region as an attractive site for youth sports tournaments and other activities, with a special emphasis on developing creative ways to increase “shoulder season” visitations.
• Promote the area as a destination for group tours, meetings, conferences and conventions.
• Advocate packaging arrangements and the formation of strategic business alliances that benefit the full spectrum of businesses that benefit from tourism.

• Continue to monitor the multi-billion dollar Highway Trust Fund as it relates to highway construction in the Boone area and be ready to act if the need arises.
• Work with Town of Boone, Watauga County and ASU to set priorities for inclusion in the North Carolina Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Monitor projects already listed in the TIP, and work to implement short-range traffic improvements within Boone and Watauga County.
• Continue to support the development of an acceptable thoroughfare plan for Boone (Daniel Boone Parkway) and be an advocate for its completion.
• Support alternative transportation systems that offer multi-modal transportation benefits.
• Support implementation of the federal Intelligent Transportation Systems program in Boone and Watauga County.
• Work with neighboring counties, the Northwest Regional Advisory Council of Advantage West, the Regional Transportation Planning Organization of the High Country Council of Governments and others on transportation issues vital to our region’s economic well-being.

• Facilitate and encourage cooperation between the education and business communities, seeking to maximize opportunities for mutual advancement.
• Explore opportunities to form partnerships with key constituencies that foster open dialogue among education and business leaders, students, government officials, area residents and others.
• Annually sponsor “University Appreciation Days” as an opportunity for the business community to express thanks to the university administration, faculty, staff and students.
• Promote activities, programs, projects and events that foster better understanding and build awareness of campus/community concerns.
• Support efforts to recognize the advantages of community diversity that ensure respect for human dignity and are inclusive in nature.
• Develop a network that expands mentoring opportunities for college and university students through the establishment of linkages with area businesses.