Questions & Answers

 

  • Who has been studying this potential new Chamber of Commerce?  The Team Houston Coalition Committee (THCC) appointed by each Chamber Board made up of these committee members from Perry and Warner Robins:  Pat Bartness, Shaw Blackmon, Rob Brooks, Mark Byrd, Ron Carbon, Dave Cyr, Matt Dixon, Linda Dykes, Julie Evans, Brad Fink, Kelly Mullins, Chris Murman, Ronnie Sanders, Karen Thompson and Steve Williams.

  • What is Team Houston Coalition Committee recommending?  The THCC is recommending the creation of a new organization called the Houston County Chamber of Commerce.

  • Is the THCC recommending a merger or consolidation of the two Houston County chambers?  No. It would be the creation of a new Chamber with a larger vision. The action would require the dissolution of the two current chamber organizations.

  • Would the new Chamber be located in Warner Robins or Perry?  The current plan envisions a physical presence in both Perry and Warner Robins.

  • Why is the new organization a good idea?  The THCC studied the concept carefully and sees these advantages:
    • Builds upon the strengths of existing organizations
    • Provides more efficient and effective membership services                                                               
    • Positions the Chamber to better support future economic growth
    • Fosters a more united business community

  • When did this Committee begin its study process?  While the concept came up three years ago but did not get off the ground, the THCC was formed by both chambers with their first meeting being held on May 15, 2007.

  • What has the THCC done in all of their meetings to date?  The committee members reviewed the goals and objectives of both current Chambers and the committee examined this question:  Is there a better way to serve businesses in Houston County?  During the second meeting on June 4th the committee kept coming back to the idea of a single Chamber of Commerce in Houston County.   The committee came to the realization very quickly that all considerations ended when a transition obstacle or issue seemed to say that a single Chamber could not or would not work out.  With that in mind, the committee set out to describe all of the pros and cons of a single Houston County Chamber.  In subsequent meetings, the committee spent much time on the discussion of pros and cons and identified  decision points which would come up in the process.  On the July 16 and July 23 meetings, the THCC continued to refine their recommendation and expand their vision of the pros and cons of the potential change.  The committee then presented the findings to both Chamber Boards for a vote to proceed with the process.

  • Has the THCC thought about the Board Structure in a proposed new organization?  Yes.  The committee spent much time in a proposed design that focuses upon the future of a new organization instead of trying to assign “equity and fairness” of bringing the two current Chambers together that operate similarly and differently in their respective communities.

  • If everyone agreed that a new organization was a good idea, what about the “transition issues” which would need to be addressed before the new Chamber could be operating?  The committee agreed that issues which stymied the discussion of a single Houston County Chamber in the past might actually just be transition issues to move from today’s two organizations to one.

  • What are some of the transition issues which would need to be addressed before a new organization could function in Houston County?
    • Office/headquarters locations
    • Staffing functions and titles
    • By-Laws
    • Budget
    • Dues structure
    • Dissolutions of both Chambers
    • Incorporation of the Houston County Chamber of Commerce
    • Program of Work

  • The Warner Robins Chamber is so much bigger than Perry in terms of members, how could we ever form a Houston County Chamber of Commerce together?  The THCC believes that the key to all these transition issues is to focus on the new organization and making attempts to “ensure fairness” to the two current organizations.

  • What are the challenges of a new Houston County Chamber?
    • The initial loss of membership, if everyone is not supportive of this initiative.
    • Small businesses getting lost in the “sea” of a larger membership.
    • Individual members realizing they have less power to control than they may have in the current organizations.

  • What are the pros of a new Houston County Chamber?
    • An expanded base of members and volunteers working together
    • A broader base for the member-to-member network
    • The real power of strength in numbers…a greater potential of influence 
    • The potential end of schedule conflicts for those businesses who are members of both organizations or for local leaders who want to attend and support all of Houston County
    • Enhanced buying power
    • A unified perspective to new businesses/industry
    • A larger pool of candidates for leadership roles
    • The opportunity to diversify offered services

  • What is the Vision Statement for the THCC?  To create a single organization that represents business interests, concerns and issues in Houston County.

  • Have all the decisions been made about the new organization?  No. While the THCC considered many options for Board size, structure, organizational issues, etc., many items are yet to be decided.  The THCC has attempted to move the process along deliberately but without being heavy-handed in its recommendations.

  • How might the new Houston County Chamber Board be structured?  After looking at similarly sized and shaped Chambers across the state, the THCC settled on a recommendation of a 27-member board. Each member would serve three-year terms with nine members rolling off the board each year. Five members of the 27 would be officers (Executive Committee--Chair, Chair- Elect, Past Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary). There would be a Senior Advisory Council made up of the three Past Chairs, the current Chair and the Chair Elect (initially from both Chambers).

  • Would the proposed Board have any Ex-Officio Members?  Yes, from local education, elected officials, RAFB, and Economic Development Partners.

  • What would my businesses dues be in a new Houston County Chamber?  No one can answer that exactly. The new Chamber would want to make the dues affordable, but the budget would be based on a plan of work for the new Chamber. The THCC recommends that, if we move forward, we develop a budget and then review the entire financing picture such as dues, sponsorships, etc.

  • Where would the new office be?  The THCC recommends that the new organization would maintain offices in both Perry and Warner Robins, and allow members to access all Chamber services in Perry and Warner Robins.

  • What would the new organization have in the way of daily staff?  The THCC recommends that the new Chamber maintain the current staffing levels as they are today in both Chambers and let the new Houston County Chamber Board and CEO evaluate the positions.

  • Who would make the final decision to go to a new organization?  The THCC believes that the rank and file membership of both current organizations should have a voice in the creation of the new organization and dissolution of the old ones.

  • What is the goal for implementation?  The THCC recommends that January 1, 2008 is a reasonable time period for implementation.

  • When might a vote among the memberships occur?  Sometime in September or October.

  • Would the creation of a new Houston County Chamber dishonor the achievements of the two organizations?  Absolutely not. The THCC believes that a great foundation with the heritage of both Chambers has been formed on which to build an organization that best meets the needs of the businesses of Houston County.

  • Isn’t Perry different from Warner Robins?  Without a doubt, but an individual or business who wants to do business in Houston County doesn’t see or care about any city limit signs.

  • Will a new, larger Chamber become less responsive to small business members?  The THCC believes that it will not. The THCC recommends the use of business Councils to address issues in a particular membership group (those that share common interests) such as small business council, manufacturing business council, Warner Robins business council, Perry business council, Centerville council, etc.

  • Could the THCC make this decision without going to the full membership of both current Chambers?  No.

  • Will a small business feel some loss of “ownership” in the new organization?  The new Board will be focused on serving the needs of all businesses in Houston County.

  • What will happen to the assets of both Chambers?  The THCC will seek advice from legal council , reference WR By-Laws, Article X, Sect. 3 (Use of Funds and Dissolution) 501 (c) (6) and Perry By-Laws.

  • What will happen to the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce’s Accreditation?  As with any new organization, the HCCC will have to get accredited.  However, the process would be closer to a re-accreditation in this instance.

  • What will happen to the Entrepreneur Friendly Community?  It will continue as planned.

  • What are some of the strengths for all communities in Houston County coming together to form one Chamber of Commerce?
    • Ag Center
    • Museum of Aviation
    • Interstate I-75
    • Robins Air Force Base
    • Perry’s unique downtown
    • Shopping Mall
    • CVB/Tourism
    • Excellent schools
    • Retirement community
    • Major manufacturing
    • Aerospace Industries
    • Institutions of Higher Learning
    • State Park and Lake
    • Georgia Congressional Luncheon at Ag Center

  • What changes will I see as a small business with a HCCOC?  The THCC feels that you will lose no services and you will gain exposure to more members, advertising, and networking.

  • How do current members make themselves heard on this matter?  Use the email addresses: mail@perrygachamber.com, or dscott@warner-robins.com.  Or you may use the Contact page of this website in order to give feedback directly to the THCC.