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2007 Report

This report, approved and released by the Board of Directors to the membership and supporters of the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce is part of an on going effort to be transparent and sincere about our effort to make the Black Chamber a viable organization and a major resource for the Nashville business community at large.

The 2007 priority areas are:

Priority 1: Goal Area - Image and Awareness of The Organization

The public will view NBCC as the Chamber of choice for small business owners and professionals in the Black business community.

Objective:

1. Increase the competitive brand advantage that the NBCC membership offers by adding more value and benefits.

Priority 2: Goal Area - Value and Benefit of NBCC Membership

All members will derive value from joining and participating in the NBCC.

Objective:

1. Increase NBCC members' business development, including promotional, education and networking opportunities for its membership.

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The Board has directed this year's committees and staff to develop specific strategies to support each of these objectives, which will be approved by the Board.

The NBCC Board also will conduct Seminars to further explain the above strategic initiatives.  A schedule will be posted on the website soon.

What does this mean to our members and supporters?

Your Black Chamber is focused and prepared to work toward the goals we have identified as important.  Rather than pursuing a lot of "good" work, the NBCC Board is making sure the Black Chamber is clear on what activities will produce the best value for members.

Current Program Review

As the strategic plan produces new objectives and strategies, it is important to determine how and if our current programs fit into the plan. The Board will review each program and provide recommendations to the appropriate committee about how to either bring it under the current strategic plan or to determine if specific programs should end.

What does this mean to our members and supporters?

A program/event/project won't be done simply because it's always been done.  Programs must further the goals of the strategic plan or they must be adjusted or eliminated. This ensures that everything NBCC does is focused and works towards accomplishing the goals you identified as important.

Strategic Plan

Background

In 2006, under the leadership of Darren L Johnson as interim President and Charles Suing as Board Chair, the Board has discussed how to best allow Black Chamber to develop partnerships that would offer the most value, and allow NBCC to retain its visibility. This year it became clear that we first needed clear direction - a strategic plan before we could determine how to best serve our membership with members in 2007 and beyond. So the NBCC Board of Directors tabled this discussion until the strategic plan is complete.

Although great work has been done to bring us to this point, the window of opportunity is open at this point, to strengthen the well developed strategic plan that will take the organization beyond the next five year. The Board will be working to further develop this plan by the end of the second quarter of 2007 and will present it to our membership and supporters later this year.

Guiding Principles:

Key considerations:

1. Ensure structure is in alignment with the NBCC strategic plan.
2. Engage key stakeholders to offer support along the way.
3. Take into consideration the diversity of our membership in all of our decisions.
4. Clearly communicate both the chosen organizational structure, the details of the strategic plan, and plans for its implementation.
5. Monitor that the greatest value is being delivered to the greatest number of members.

What does this mean to our members and supporters?

In the past the decisions for participation were made primarily by the Board Chair and the President. This year, we will enlist the opinions and support of the membership. This will allow you, as members, to have more "say" about the direction of the oraganization. We will develop a community platform.

Community Platform

One of the most important items from members is more opportunity to network, share ideas, and just be in contact with other business owners and professionals from around the Nashville. This community platform will allow NBCC members to come together to discuss topics of importance to you.  You can e-mail, add documents, and share information, along with a long list of other community building options. This will be available to all members later in 2007.

Governance

The NBCC Board made a commitment to use a knowledge-based decision making approach in making decisions on behalf of NBCC members. The Board also formalized staff vs. Board responsibilities so that duties of the President and committee chairs are clear and everyone works together most effectively.

What does this mean to our members and supporters?

Expect to be asked your opinion, a lot! The NBCC Board wants to know what you think before making decisions. In addition, the Board took the time to streamline operations so that the organization can work more effectively on your behalf.

What Does ALL this Mean to You our members & supporters?

The sense of the NBCC Board is that 2007 marks an historic milestone for NBCC in a number of ways.  NBCC has changed and continues to grow so quickly. The Board firmed the foundation of NBCC in 2005 by re-establishing procedures, policies and guiding principles that will allow the organization to move and adapt quickly. The Board approved a comprehensive strategic plan in 2005, based on your input so that the future is clearly in focus, goals are identified, and strategies are set so that NBCC is posed to move forward and accomplish specific goals for the good of members. Now, in 2007 we want to further solidify that strategic plan by looking further down the road beyond the next five years. The Board increased the importance placed on networking, business ownership, research of Black businesses growth in Nashville, and developed a platform that will allow for a new level of community networking among its membership through events such as Coffee Talk Nashville.

Your Black Chamber is in a position to truly work at full capacity on your behalf.  We make a commitment to our membership and supporters to report often on the results.