MISSION STATEMENT AND WORK PLAN
Mission Statement
The mission of the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce (GCCC) is to market the products and services of its membership; to promote economic development through local and outside shopping and investment in the Cleveland Area Community; and to provide leadership, ideas and action to enhance the quality of life in the Cleveland Area Community.
Work plan
Goal 1: Market the products and services of the GCCC membership
Goal 2: Develop and maintain an engaged membership andactively recruit new members so that action is taken by the membership on the mission statement and the Work Plan.
Goal 3: Communicate constantly with the membership and the community.
Goal 4: Cooperate with all community organizations, including the City of Cleveland, Cleveland ISD, Tarkington ISD and Liberty County, on activities that augment the GCCC Mission Statement and Work Plan.
Goal 5: Inspire and motivate people in the Cleveland Area Community to care about its past, present and future.
About Us
The Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, originally established in 1935, is a 501 c (6), nonprofit organization for business people designed to advance the interest of its members. Memberships can be deducted as a necessary business expense, but not a charitable donation. The Chamber is NOT funded by local, state or federal tax dollars. It is funded by memberships, special events, sponsorships and advertising.
BENEFITS OF CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
Networking opportunities
The GCCC receives 10,000-plus requests for information annually. As a member, your business will be given priority referrals when people ask about your industry.
The Chamber hosts a networking luncheon the first Thursday of each month providing good food and great opportunities to meet fellow members and their guests. Speaker topics are varied and usually center on business, government and community themes. Members are encouraged to bring brochures, business cards and literature about their business to display on our Member Marketplace table. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well.
Our semi-annual Bowling Tournament is held in January and July each year. This is a fun evening of social networking. You can be part of a team or just come to be a cheerleader for your favorite team.
The GCCC Ambassadors meet monthly. Ambassadors are structured for members of the Chamber who wish to assist in future growth and retention of membership and marketing opportunities for members. They are also mentors to new chamber members.
The Annual Awards Banquet is held each January. It’s a celebration of those who have made significant contributions to our chamber and our community during the previous year. Awards presented include Ambassador of the Year, Jean Nobel McAdams Volunteer of the Year, Business of the Year and Alfred Anderson Citizen of the Year. We also recognize the previous chairman of the board and retiring board members.
Taste of Cleveland Business Exposition is held annually in April. Each vendor will offer food samples to individual attendees. This is a “fun with food” event allowing businesses to explain their products and services while attendees are enjoying their food samples.
Our Outdoor EXPO was a great success for 2018. It’s a FREE family fun event held each June. Kid features include “catch and release” fish tank, rock climbing wall, archery for kids, laser target range, BB gun range, bounce houses and much more In 2019, we’re adding a Rattlesnake pit. In addition to a display of vehicles including ATVs. There’s lots of food trucks and a large variety of vendors including guns, crafts and other outdoor fun providers.
Rock-N-Ride Cleveland: This new community event for the Greater Cleveland Area began in 2017. In 2018, we added two bicycle rides. Almost all the riders expressed their enjoyment and said they would return in 2019 bringing friends. Many gave us tips to increase ridership (i.e. including elevations to attract bicyclists in training for other runs). They returned to a Music Fest featuring six Texas bands, Cleveland High School Jazz Band, Tarkington 5th Grade Choir, Cleveland Middle School Cheer Leaders and the High Steppers dance team. There is a registration charge for bicyclists, but the Music Fest is free for all attendees.
Marketing opportunities
Our Cleveland Resource Guide is published annually featuring both Chamber members and local non-members businesses. This guide focuses on the attributes of Cleveland as a place to work, shop and live. It is distributed to all Chamber members/advertisers and is sent to anyone requesting information on the Cleveland area. Copies are also placed in most of the over 40 hotel lobbies and/or rooms between Livingston and Humble, Texas. They are also available in local real estate offices, title companies, city offices, banks and places people are seeking information about Cleveland. Our website features an online version visible to anyone in the world. Our website is clevelandtxchamber.com.
Our up-to-date website lists your business under either product or service category. The site offers Member-to-Member deals, a Hot Deals section and a community calendar available to all for listing any community events. Opportunities include:
- Sponsorships to get the name of your business out to your customers.
- Email blasts to our database of sales, special discounts, promotional events and other activities of your business.
- Exposure by name, category and by purchased advertising in the annual Resource Guide.
Business development resources
The GCCC works closely with the Small Business Development Center and WorkForce Solutions to provide help with business and marketing plans, personnel training and management and other information and advice to develop your business.
Most people use the chamber as their research source when looking for information about the Greater Cleveland Area.
New committees: The Chamber established a transportation committee in 2018. The committee works closely with officials from the City of Cleveland, Liberty County, TxDOT and GHAC to stay on top of solving upcoming transportation issues and keeping current projects on track. The Chamber also established an education committee in 2018. This committee focuses on maintaining communications between schools and businesses. In 2018, we launched our “Principal for a Day” program. We plan to dedicate a Chamber luncheon to teacher recognition in 2019.
Other benefits include ribbon cuttings and invitations to Cleveland Connections (Cleveland’s ONLY networking organization).
Leadership
Executive Committee
Charlie Rice
President and Chairman of the Board
Sears Hometown Store
Victoria Good
Chair Elect
CBS Furniture
Kari Duggar
Treasurer
Edward Jones and Associates
Timothy Magee
Secretary
Cornerstone Church
Melissa Lanier
Past Chair
Law Office of Melissa Lanier
Directors
Susan Ard
Director
Cleveland ISD
Mike Cook
Director
McCoy’s Building Supply
Patti Foster
Director
Emergency Hospital Systems
Randy Peery
Director
Roadhouse Randy DJ
LaNora Purvis
Director
Heaven’s Army of Amazing Grace
West Smith
Director
Pace Stancil Funeral Home
Staff
Jim Carson
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Wanda Meza
Executive Assistant
Ex-Officio
Otis Cohn
Mayor
City of Cleveland
Kelly McDonald
City Manager
City of Cleveland
Brad Browder
President
Economic Development Corporation
Jay Knight
County Judge
Liberty County
Darrell Myers
Superintendent
CISD
Mark Keith
Superintendent
TISD