PEOPLE BUSINESS COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED Become a Chamber Advocate
CHAMBER MISSION: Create the environment and facilitate partnerships that impact business success and our County s prosperity. ADVOCATE MISSION: To assist the Lancaster Chamber in connecting with existing investors and prospective investors to help the organization create a more positive business climate with more involved businesses and individuals ADVOCATES OVERVIEW: The Advocates Committee is an integral part of investor engagement of the Lancaster Chamber. Advocates are volunteers who, on behalf of the Lancaster Chamber, make goodwill calls and visits to Chamber investor businesses and organizations, building relationships and providing support. The Committee assists in investor relations by making contact with other investors to share information, ascertain comments, identify concerns, learn about needs and elicit support for the Chamber. This helps to maintain a two-way communication link between the Chamber and our investors. Members of the Committee are central in helping Chamber investors obtain maximum value from their investment. ADVOCATES ELIGIBILITY: Must be an employee of a Chamber investor business in good standing, and must have the approval of a direct supervisor (if applicable). Must have a flexible schedule and be able to commit five to seven hours per month to participate in required Advocate activities (includes bi-monthly or quarterly meeting and attending events in 2018). Must have ample involvement in various Chamber events and programs to adequately share the benefits of investment. ADVOCATE BENEFITS: Numerous business contacts and networking opportunities Increased visibility and recognition at Chamber programs and events Name badge* provided by the Chamber to identify you as an Advocate while attending events and programs Recognition for Advocate top achievers on the Chamber s quarterly magazine Increased exposure and special information regarding the Chamber programs and events *A name badge is provided by the Lancaster Chamber with a special sash recognizing volunteers In the occurrence that the name badge is lost or damaged, the Advocate is responsible for purchasing a replacement through the Chamber ($25 each).
ADVOCATE RECOGNITION: Each quarter, one Advocate from each team with the most points is recognized and will be highlighted in the Chamber s Thriving! magazine with a photo and boiler plate in the Community & Industry news section. Each year, one Advocate from each team will be honored as Advocate of the Year (calculated by point totals, fellow Advocate vote and Chamber staff vote). The winner s company also receives digital advertising opportunities (Weekly Digest or website) and two tickets to the Annual Dinner. NEW & RETENTION ADVOCATE EXPECTATIONS: Attend Advocate Committee orientation (held in January) Participate on one Advocate team Provide a minimum one year commitment to the Advocate program Facilitate communication between the Chamber and investors or prospective investors by being a conduit of information between the two parties in a positive and professional manner Communicate on a regular basis with Team Chair and Chamber staff Maintain and submit all necessary paperwork to Chair and Chamber staff on a monthly basis Attend a minimum of four Advocate meetings per year Support the Chamber s mission, vision and strategic plan (If at any point an Advocates personal or business interest is inconsistent with, adverse or harmful to the policies and interests of the Chamber. The Advocate should fully disclose the conflict before any action is taken). ADVOCATE TERM LIMITS: Serve a minimum of one, one year term. Advocates may serve up to three, one year terms. Beyond two terms, there must be a one year interruption period, after which time an application/profile may be submitted to be reviewed by staff.
ADVOCATE TIME COMMITMENT: Participation on the Advocate Committee requires a commitment both on the part of the Advocate and his/her company/organization. Advocates can expect to spend approximately 5 to 7 hours per month contacting his/her assigned investors, communicating with prospective investors and attending Chamber functions (such as committee meetings; mixers; new investor orientations; and other professional development programs). RECORD KEEPING: Competitive standings for Advocates are based on a determined point system and minimum performance standards. Prior to submitting the monthly performance record, Advocates should submit feedback from their efforts, electronically. The Advocate will submit his/her Monthly Performance Record to the Chamber, no later than the last Wednesday of the month, to ensure proper awards and recognition. All Advocates will be responsible for minimum requirements. Performance Records submitted after the last Wednesday of the month will not be counted toward individual awards. Performance Records should be submitted to the Chamber via email to advocates@lancasterchamber. com, and copied to your team chair. CHAMBER STAFF CONTACTS: Hannah Walters, Business Relations 397.3531 or hwalters@lancasterchamber.com Josh Enders, Business Relations 397.3531 or josh.enders@lancasterchamber.com
1 INVESTOR SUPPORT TEAM: The role of Advocates involved in the Chamber s support efforts is to work with under-involved companies and organizations who have been investors of the Chamber for more than three years. Goals: Contact 75% of total calls provided (goal to be affirmed at first meeting) Expectations: 1) Attend bi-monthly meetings 2) Make calls or visits in the fourth month of the investment cycle (Chamber to provide sample script and/or follow up copy) 3) Attend ribbon cuttings/grand openings (as applicable) 4) Sign up in advance to greet at special events (monthly) 5) Volunteer for shifts at larger Chamber functions (Business Expo, Annual Dinner, etc.) 6) Attend Chamber events 7) Attend New Investor Mix & Mingle (as appropriate) 8) Recruit other Advocates 2 NEW INVESTOR TEAM: Advocates who choose to volunteer for the new investor team will work towards understanding the needs of investors who have joined in the past 12 months and providing solutions to help get them more involved in Chamber s mission. Advocates on this team serve as a direct resource and at times a mentor to new Chamber advocates. Goals: Contact 75% of all new members (goal to be determined at first meeting) Expectations: 1) Make calls or visits in both the fourth and seventh month of the investment cycle (Chamber to provide script and/or email copy) 2) Attend ribbon cuttings/grand openings (as applicable) 3) Attend Chamber events 4) Volunteer for shifts at larger Chamber functions (Business Expo, Annual Dinner, etc.) 5) Attend New Investor Mix & Mingle 6) Recruit other Advocates