Clayton County Chamber of Commerce
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
October 31, 2017
officers present
lisa smith, chair dr. tim hynes
dondra clark e. chuck reed
bernard franks charisse craig, Past chair
charisse braxton jeremy stratton
Welcome Remarks
Lisa Smith welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM.
action items:
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the September 26, 2017 meeting and the specially called September 11, 2017 meeting were approved as submitted.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
2018 Budget
Finance Committee Chair Dondra Clark presented the 2018 budget. She thanked the committee for their hard work in preparing a balanced budget with a little bit of a projected surplus at the end of the year. If finances did deteriorate, we do have a $9,000 cash reserve as well as a line of credit at 6%. The budget was based on the previous two years budgets for revenue and expenditures. We are showing a conservative growth in revenues and a curtailment of expenditures. The Executive Board passed the 2018 budget unanimously.
Strategic Plan
Lisa Smith stated that In-Coming Chair Bernard Franks has a guidepost from our retreat to follow for 2018. The main focus needs to be on work force development, economic development (bringing everyone together) and engaging millennials.
Education Committee
Dr. Hynes stated that the upcoming employers and educators meeting is set for November 1st, 7:30 AM at Clayton State University Continuing Education Building. This meeting was organized so that our educators can understand the skills and education needs of our major employers. Invitations have gone out to the top 100 employers in Clayton County.
Economic Development
It was suggested that we peruse the existing 2014 Clayton County Comprehensive Plan and suggest that we revisit it with the Commissioners to see where their ideas are for economic development. For 2018, we need to be flexible with our major employer greeting group, so that we do not scare off potential companies with too many people showing up for the meeting. We may just need meetings with 2-3 people, and maybe invite more for a future visit if there are particular issues that industries may have. Clorox is having an expansion announcement on November 28th and the Executive Board is invited to attend.
Governance/Strategic Planning
Charisse Braxton reported that she will work on developing a new direction for Chamber Partners in 2018. We will also work on reactivating Small Business and examining any necessary changes for our other committees.
Government Affairs
GDOT Commissioner Dana Lemon was the guest speaker at our last Government Affairs meeting. There are several major interstate projects going on in metro Atlanta to help alleviate traffic over the next twenty years. We understand that Clayton County has not submitted a wish list for project improvements like other municipalities do. Georgia Department of Economic Development COO Bert Brantley is the guest speaker for the November 16th meeting.
Membership
Stratton stated that we have one new member for October. Fifteen members have been retained and two members have been dropped. Stratton shared three bills that have been outstanding for over 300+ days.
CEO Report
Stratton reminded the Executive Board about the Showcase Clayton Expo on November 2nd. The Chamber is developing a Community Calendar to help our fellow organizations with events around Clayton County. This will help alleviate other events overshadowing our programs and services.
Stratton presented some changes to the Administrative Procedures document, which is ten years old since the last revisions. Impact Outsourcing Solutions, the Chamber’s human resources provider, made some suggested changes. Stratton has suggested updating the PTO hours earned per paycheck, so that it equals what is being offered on an annualized basis. Dr. Hynes suggested this exercise should be the CEO’s decision in concert with our attorney rather than a Board decision. The rest of the members agreed, and just asked for updates.
Lisa went over the upcoming meetings and events. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 AM
Minutes submitted by Jeremy Stratton