Member News - Updated October 15th
Mission Statement
Primary Objectives
Vision, Goals, and Strategies
Advocate Business & Economic Development
Develop Leadership
Market Keizer
Recognize Members and Services
Manage Chamber to Insure Growth and Vitality
2007 Organizational Flow Chart

Keizer Merchants' Association d.b.a. Keizer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center 1959-2007

MISSION STATEMENT
Keizer Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization that provides effective leadership to enhance the vitality, livability and economic development of our community.

Primary Objectives
1. To coordinate the efforts of commerce, industry and the professionals in maintaining and strengthening a sound healthy business climate in the Keizer area.
2. To sponsor programs and stimulate activities which will provide for full development and employment of our human and economic resources.
3. To provide creative business leadership and effective coordination of all interested parties in solving problems and initiating constructive community action.
4. To create broad understanding and appreciation of the opportunities in the Keizer area and to promote the advantages and appreciation and assets of our community within the area and state.

PURPOSE: ADVOCATE BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Vision
The Chamber is a well-known and respected advocate for the business community. It has strong political stature, helping to formulate and carry out important community initiatives, advising all levels of government on matters important to its members, and supporting initiatives favorable to the Chamber's mission and objectives. It is proactive in attracting new investment, encouraging development of new businesses, and bringing family-wage employers to the community.

Goal
Promote an ongoing pro-business environment and encourage business and job creation through active participation in government, providing a unified voice for businesses in the community.

Strategies and Action Plans
• President and/or Executive Director will schedule weekly meetings with City Manager to discuss business related issues.
• Government Affairs Committee will meet on a monthly basis to:
-Annually survey members' opinions on local issues
- Determine levels of actions to recommend for Board, when addressing political issues and initiatives
- Promote member participation in elected office positions, city committees, or task forces.
- Conduct an annual Candidates Forum.
•Create Economic Development Committee that will:
- Jointly meet with the Government Affairs Committee every other month
- Conduct annual research to determine the city of Keizer's buildable land and retail/service space inventory
- Annually gather demographic information and data from other communities
•Representative of the Chamber Board of Directors or Government Affairs Committee will attend each Keizer City Council meeting.

PURPOSE: DEVELOP CURRENT & FUTURE WORKFORCE

Vision
The Chamber provides and cultivates leadership in the Community. It has a strong partnership with education resources helping to foster and develop future community leaders. Current Board of Directors and Executive Director are represented on pertinent bodies with a role in defining the future of the Community. The Chamber fosters potential leaders in the Chamber by actively seeking from it's membership representation on committees.
Goal
Ongoing encouragement and fostering of quality educational venues that will provide professional development and leadership skills for students and educators as well as chamber, civic, and community members.
Strategies and Action Plans
•Chamber staff will coordinate and promote seminars/classes that provide business skills training for chamber and community members
•Board of Directors will create an Education Committee that coordinates:
- Leadership Youth program with Salem Chamber
- Certificate of Employability with McNary High School
- Business Partnerships with Salem/Keizer School District and Chamber members
- Brown Bag Lunches with Keizer area educators
•President will appoint Board of Directors, chamber members, and Executive Director to participate in relevant committees, organizations or task forces.
•Current Past President will ensure that Past Presidents' Council meets bimonthly to:
- Provide community leadership influence and communication
- Advise current President and Board of Directors on pertinent issues
- Explore the possibility of creating a Leadership Keizer program or participating in Leadership Salem
•President will explore funding and support for Executive Director to attend annual professional development training.

PURPOSE: MARKET KEIZER AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ENJOY & VISIT THE AREAS ATTRACTIONS AND BUSINESSES

Vision
The Chamber through the Visitor Center services promotes Keizer as a destination and a great place to start from for day trips to area attractions, to stay and shop, or to live and work. The Visitor Center is a resource to these visitors, potential visitors, and the community by providing current information available at the center and on the Chamber web site. The Chamber facilitates the Keizer Iris Festival and other events designed to attract tourist for night stays, promote the area, and celebrate the unique spirit of Keizer.

Goal
Ongoing enhancement of the image and economic vitality of the Keizer community by promoting and facilitating festivals, events and visitor services that define Keizer as a unique destination.

Strategies and Action Plans
• Provide a professionally staffed visitor center and information resource with appropriate staffing and assure a volunteer/student intern recruitment and training program for the visitor center
• Produce a visitor brochure and coordinate visitor information on Chamber web site Explores coordination and joint promotion of other events and attractions i.e. Thomas Dove Keizur Memorial Statue, Keizer Art Walk, Carnival at Keizer Station, Circus at Lions Club.
• Iris Festival Council will coordinate the annual Keizer Iris Festival by:  
• Chamber staff will continue to market Keizer to new businesses, residents and future residents using tools such as the Keizer Community Service and Business Directory.
• Organize a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and coordinate street decorations
• Assist with promotion and development of Keizer Rapids Park
• Explore Agriculture or Farmers Market connection
• Explore a Kiosk at Keizer Station

RECOGNIZE MEMBERS AND CHAMBER SERVICES

Vision
The Chamber continues to be a friendly organization that is a great place to network, enjoy social interaction and volunteer to serve the community. Members have opportunities for recognition through business to business promotions, directory, newsletter, and web site services. Monthly luncheon forums, greeters, business tours and an annual banquet are organized for celebrating new members, recognizing volunteer service, and communicating the Chamber's mission.

Goal
Continued organization of the numerous services and opportunities to current and prospective members that result in direct and indirect benefits to these businesses, the community & the Chamber.

Strategies and Action Plans
•Chamber staff and Members Service Committees will provide regular opportunities for membership networking promotion & interactions that include:
- Chamber Luncheons on a monthly basis
- Morning Greeters on a monthly basis
- After Hours Social on semiannual basis
- Awards Banquet on an annual basis
- Monthly production and distribution of a newsletter
- Annual production and distribution of a community service and business directory
- Weekly Chamber web site maintenance
- Involvement on chamber committees
•President will appoint new Chamber task force to research group purchasing opportunities.
•Christmas Committee will coordinate community projects that include:
- Christmas Basket program
- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

MANAGE CHAMBER AND SECURE REVENUES

Vision
The Chamber and Visitor Center accommodates needs of its membership and provides highly valued services by having the

Goal
Ensure that the Keizer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is a professionally managed, fiscally sound organization with ongoing growth and vitality.

Strategies and Action Plans
•Executive Director and Treasurer will continue to institute sound practices of organizational and fiscal management that ensures stability
•Executive Director and Board of Directors will increase net membership by 10% a year by:
- Promoting and providing retention programs for new and existing
- Exploring possibilities of membership drive with an appointed committee
•Executive Director and Board of Directors will explore alternative sources of funding through:
- Banquet and Luncheon Sponsorships
- Web Site Advertisement
- Applicable Grants
•Executive Director will emphasize a high priority on securing and improving existing revenues by:
- Assisting with Iris Days operations to maintain a 10% annual increase in net revenues
- Assisting with Directory advertising and production to maintain a 6% annual increase in net revenues
- Maintaining Golf Tournament revenues
- Maintaining newsletter ads and insert revenues
- Securing percentage of City of Keizer Hotel Tax for Visitor Center services

ORGANIZATION FLOW CHART

Chamber Board of Directors

Chamber Personnel

The Keizer Chamber of Commerce has a staff of professionals adept at people motivating, event planning, and business leadership. Overseeing the operations for the last nine years is Christine Dieker, the Executive Director.  Shelly King, our Account Administrator of financials and assists with Economic Development & Government Affairs.  Our newest addition, Paula Kasachev works with Chamber Membership and Programs.  JoAnne Beilke, one of the Chamber’s founding members, works with us in developing the future workforce and member education. 

Keizer Chamber of Commerce,
980 Chemawa Road NE,
Keizer OR 97303

Phone: (503)393-9111 Fax: (503)393-1003

Christine Dieker
Executive Director
 
Shelly King
Account Administrator

Paula Kasachev
Membership / Program Director

JoAnne Beilke
Education / Leadership Director
& Mentor Coordinator