Chamber 2012 Report

Introduction

The Chamber 2012 Strategic Planning initiative for the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce reflects its strong legacy of success, leverages the opportunities of change and articulates a vision of economic vitality and enhanced quality of life for the future of our community.

Despite economic challenges in our nation and the impact of a natural disaster brought on by Hurricane Ike, the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and its members face the future with confidence and determination.  We are undaunted by the challenges before us.  We are inspired to action by the opportunities those challenges create.  We will move forward boldly – building upon the leadership qualities and strength of character and goodwill evidenced within our community through good times and bad.

In this spirit, the “Chamber 2012” Strategic Plan constitutes a roadmap for future growth and prosperity making the Clear Lake area the best of places to live, work and enjoy a premium quality of life.  It will be broadly communicated to our members and the community upon approval by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.  Chamber 2012 is a “living” document that will be reviewed and updated annually to ensure it reflects the reality and aspirations of the Chamber and the community it serves. 

Background

In 2012, the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 50th anniversary.  In anticipation of this landmark milestone and recognizing the imperative of change, the Chamber undertook a five-year strategic planning initiative called Chamber 2012.  Our goal is to provide greatest value to our members and most effectively serve our community.

This initiative involved the establishment of a Chamber 2012 Committee, interviews with leaders of key community organizations, focus group discussions with a broad cross section of stakeholders in our community and a Chamber Leadership Forum offsite.  In total, more than 100 individuals participated in these discussions and Chamber members also responded to a questionnaire seeking their input and advice.

The Chamber leadership has already capitalized on ideas generated by this dialogue.  Immediate actions undertaken by the Chamber in 2008 include:

  • Speed Networking:  Established an activity designed to enhance business-to-business relations among Chamber members.
  • NASA’s 50th Anniversary:  Sponsored a Chamber General Membership luncheon with Wayne Hale, NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Strategic Partnerships, as the featured speaker to review the accomplishments of NASA’s 50 year history and the great promise of future space exploration.
  • Community Sailing Center and Discover Boating Initiative:  Organized a meeting of the Chamber’s Marine Division with Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia’s office to assess new opportunities to promote our local marine businesses and community boating activity.
  • Member Communications:  Instituted several new initiatives – including the “Weekly Window” and the “On the Horizon” email blast – to ensure more timely communications with Chamber members concerning important community activities.
  • Chamber Facility:  Initiated major upgrades to the Chamber facility to enhance its appearance and serve our members.

Vision and Mission

As part of our strategic planning effort, the Chamber has adopted new Vision and Mission statements that point us toward future goals while focusing our attention on more near-term execution.

Our Vision identifies our aspirations as a Chamber and our relationship to the community.  The Vision of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is:

A dynamic business organization providing leadership and service to a prosperous and vibrant community.

Our Mission targets specific areas for action in support of achieving our Vision.  The Mission of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is:

To promote business growth, educational excellence and community connections while fostering overall vitality and quality of life throughout Clear Lake Bay Area Houston.

Core Strategies and Future Plans

Chamber 2012 includes five core strategies that align with our Vision and Mission while guiding our annual Program of Work and longer-term goals.  They are:

  • Leadership & Service:  The Chamber will provide leadership development training and opportunities for its staff and members while utilizing those skills and qualities on behalf of the community we serve.
  • Business Growth:  The Chamber will assist the business community in its full recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike and deal effectively with the economic challenges facing the nation and the Clear Lake area.
  • Educational Excellence:  The Chamber will support the efforts of the Clear Creek Independent School District, the University of Houston – Clear Lake, and our other higher education and professional-vocational training institutions to grow educational and workforce development opportunities and enhance standards of performance for teachers and students.
  • Community Connections:  The Chamber will work more collaboratively with other community organizations, municipal governments and our members to achieve our Vision and Mission.
  • Quality of Life:  The Chamber will promote economic prosperity consistent with fostering a quality of life making this area a prize location to work, live and enjoy the amenities of an abundant life.

The Chamber’s “2008-2009 Program of Work” reflects these core strategies and strives to put them into action.  In addition, the following are examples of new initiatives the Chamber will champion to support its long-term Vision.

  • Partnerships with other community organizations, such as the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), in areas such as education and promotion of NASA and America’s space exploration program.
  • A communications campaign to inform our members and the community of Chamber 2012 and its implications for the future of the Chamber.
  • Pro space activities, such as a Gulf Coast Chamber Executives (GCCE) meeting to present a program on the impact NASA has on our region, state and nation.
  • Candidate forums for elections affecting key community issues, such as School Board positions.
  • A Young Professionals Division to bring new energy and ideas into the Chamber.
  • Celebration of the Chamber’s 50th anniversary.
  • Mentoring and Career Resource Center efforts in support of Chamber members.

Continuity and Change

Central to our personal identities are the names by which we are known and the reputations we establish by our examples.  Organizations are no different.  For the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce this is certainly the case.

Clear Lake and the communities surrounding it – covering eight incorporated cities and part of Houston and mirroring the boundaries of the Clear Creek Independent School District – define the geographical scope of the Chamber’s boundaries.  Caring, commitment, hard work, enthusiasm and fun are the distinguishing features of our reputation.  These qualities will not change, but it is important that the Chamber reflect its connection to the broader regional dynamic of partnerships, economic, cultural, education and recreational experiences that underscore the vitality and promise of the future.

As a result, the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will retain its name, but modify its title to include the words “… Serving Bay Area Houston since 1962”.  This modification reflects our expanded vision and our long-standing presence in and commitment to our community.

Conclusion

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and its members are energized and engaged.  The future of our community is bright.  We seek bold, innovative solutions to meet our challenges and leverage the opportunities before us.  Leadership is our hallmark.  Service is our standard.  Working together, the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will thrive and our community will reap the rewards of economic vitality and quality of life.

Chamber 2012 is both a roadmap to the future and a journey of discovery that will evolve over time.  As leaders of the Clear Lake area business community, we are excited about our future and dedicated to our shared success.