Get Involved

Engagement Opportunities

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• Committees, Councils and Special Opportunities

  • Area Advisory Councils – Area Advisory Council participants get involved in the work of the Chamber within the context of their own communities. Each of these councils is comprised of Nashville Chamber members who work and/or live in specific neighborhoods and commit to solving problems, discussing issues and implementing special projects and events for the benefit of those areas.
  • Charter Schools Support Network – Members get the latest news and learn about opportunities to support quality Nashville charter schools in a variety of ways.
  • Education Report Card Committee – This diverse group of business representatives and citizens convene regularly over a three- to four-month period (September-December) to examine key issues/challenges facing the school system. The committee prepares a written report (with full Chamber staff support) presenting findings and recommendations to the city, including the School Board and director of schools. This is the ideal opportunity for a volunteer who is interested in a more in-depth examination and discussion of our education system.
  • Public Education Advocacy Committee – This group will help the Chamber monitor local, state and federal education policy issues and take a lead in advocating for public schools with our elected officials, particularly on matters of adequate funding (and the taxes that are necessary to support that funding). The committee will also help advise Chamber staff on how to increase overall public support and confidence in public education through more effective communication and marketing efforts.
  • SuccessPAC – This political action committee works to identify and endorse candidates for the Metropolitan Board of Education.
  • 2011 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards Judges – The Nashville Emerging Leader Awards program is designed to salute Middle Tennessee’s young professionals under the age of 40 for significant accomplishments in their chosen professional field, as well as their commitment and contribution to the community. Chamber members can volunteer to serve as a judge in one of 14 industry categories. This list of volunteers will be contacted between December 2010 and January 2011 to confirm their interest. Judging committees will be limited to a maximum of six judges in each industry, and only one judge per company in each industry. Learn more at www.thenelas.com.
  • Member Recruitment – Volunteers are called on to help bring in new members by communicating the value of membership and engagement in the Chamber to other businesses.
  • Member Relations Committee – This committee contacts top member investors to thank them for their investment and encourage them to become more involved with the Chamber. Participation on this committee is reserved for member investors at the Corporate level and above.
  • Small Business Advisory Council – The Advisory Council provides oversight and guidance for all small business programming. Council members attend events and communicate the importance of small business to the community. Comprised of business owners and decision-makers representing a diverse array of the Chamber’s small business members, the Council meets four times throughout the fiscal year.
  • Partnership 2010 Business Recruitment Committee – Committee members are responsible for the oversight of Partnership 2010’s business recruitment strategies, assuring that the recruitment team is implementing appropriate marketing strategies to keep the pipeline of relocation prospects for the region full. Members are also responsible for assistance in proactive lead generation for business recruitment, including advising and executing inbound trips to the Nashville region and outbound trips to key relocation target markets. Committee meets quarterly. Limit one representative per investor firm. Participation on this committee is reserved for representatives of Partnership 2010 investor companies.
  • Partnership 2010 Existing Business Committee – Committee members are responsible for increasing the awareness of economic development resources available for mid- to large-size existing businesses in the 10-county Nashville region. Members will also become advocates for retaining and growing the region’s innovative and diverse business community by celebrating the successes of existing businesses. Additionally, members will serve as a resource group to assist with identifying targeted companies for hands-on visitations and will be kept informed of the latest resources and special projects that have direct impact and value for existing businesses in the region. Committee meets quarterly. Limit one representative per investor firm. Participation on this committee is reserved for representatives of Partnership 2010 investor companies.
  • Partnership 2010 Regional Showcase Committee – This group is comprised of Partnership 2010 investors and economic development professionals, representing each of the 10 counties in the Nashville region, committed to building strong relationships among all area communities and counties. Each quarterly meeting showcases a different community in the Nashville region and features a specific industry and/or differentiating attribute. Participation on this committee is reserved for representatives of Partnership 2010 investor companies.

• Communication Interest Areas

  You can choose to engage by signing up to receive regular communications from the Chamber via mail and e-mail about topics that are important to you.

  • Community Action -- The Chamber takes positions on issues that impact the Nashville-area business community. Subscribers will receive invitations to Issue Insight Coffees, Legislative Luncheons featuring elected officials, and other engagement opportunities.
  • Education -- Improving public education is the Chamber's number-one priority. Subscribers to this list will receive invitations to education-related events, as well as periodic information about engagement and advocacy opportunities.
  • Events - There are two event-specific email lists.
    • Business Growth and Development Events -- The Chamber supports area businesses with educational programming and opportunities to hear from local and national business leaders. Subscribers will receive invitations to events such as HR Building Blocks and CEO Speaker Series.
    • Relationship-Building Events -- The Chamber's networking events make it easy to make connections. Subscribers will regularly receive invitations to events such as AM/PM Business Connection and Business After Hours.
  • HR Notes -- Stay abreast of the latest trends, tools and news in recruiting and retaining quality employees with this monthly e-newsletter.
  • International Business Council Events and News -- This bimonthly e-newsletter advises subscribers of upcoming international business events in Middle Tennessee.
  • In Your Area -- Monthly updates from the Chamber's four area-specific advisory councils on neighborhood issues affecting business and quality of life.
  • Monday Morning Report -- A weekly quick-read e-newsletter spotlighting Chamber events, programs and activities.
  • Small Business Wire -- This biweekly e-newsletter specifically focuses on providing small business owners with practical information to help them grow their businesses.
  • ROI -- The Chamber publishes this quarterly e-newsletter for and about our members.
  • YP Nashville Monthly -- The Chamber and YP Nashville publish this monthly e-newsletter about local issues pertaining to the young professional demographic.

  
  

• Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)

  • Business Book Club -- Business book lovers unite! This group meets six to nine times per year at a local, member coffee shop to discuss the latest books focused on growing your business. Past book selections include Outliers, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Linchpin, Globalization & Its Discontents, and Small Giants.  
  • International Business -- With foreign-owned companies employing more than 28,000 Middle Tennessee workers, the Nashville region is developing as a great location to do business internationally. This group meets quarterly over a Dutch-treat lunch to discuss issues and network with Chamber members involved or interested in international business activities.
  • Sales/Business Development Professionals -- This group is comprised of sales professionals who meet monthly at various member locations to discuss all aspects of sales, from prospecting to working a room, and from building a sales force to finding the next lead. Past discussion topics include cold calling, sales scripting, complex deals, prospecting and elevator speeches.
  • Social Media Marketing -- Social and online media are here to stay. This group meets monthly to focus on some of the advanced applications of social media for driving business. Targeted toward individuals interested in social media, as well as professionals who actively use these tools in their jobs or industries, the meetings will alternate between 90-minute workshop programs and networking/recap meetings.
  • Solopreneurs -- Are you flying solo as a business entrepreneur? This group, targeted toward business owners who are the sole proprietor or have one employee, will meet regularly to address many of the challenges faced by sole proprietors.
  • Sustainability and Green Practices -- The Nashville region is now situated between the two largest solar manufacturers in the U.S. -- Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie AG -- poising us for rapid growth in this sector. This group will meet three to four times per year and is comprised of Chamber members who are either already doing business in the green industry sector or would like to learn more about sustainable business practices.
  • Women Business Owners -- This group provides a place for female entrepreneurs to gain business knowledge, form strategic alliances and share experiences as business owners. Targeted toward women who own their own businesses, this group meets monthly for a 90-minute program and networking.  
  • Partnership 2010 Economic Development Connect -- Partnership 2010 investors gather monthly over an informal Dutch-treat lunch to network and exchange information and intelligence. Participation in this shared interest group is reserved for representatives of Partnership 2010 investor companies.

• E-Newsletter Contributors

  Members are encouraged to contribute articles on topics of general interest for the four e-newsletters listed below. Chamber staff will maintain a database of potential newsletter contributors, and we will refer to this list as needed.  
  
  

  • HR Notes - This newsletter is published monthly for human resources professionals.
  • YP Nashville Monthly - This monthly publication targets Nashville's young professionals.
  • Small Business Wire - This biweekly e-newsletter provides small business owners with practical information.
  • ROI - This quarterly e-newsletter is published for and about Chamber members.

• Program Presenters

  Chamber members can volunteer to be potential speakers/presenters for the Chamber's educational programming. Chamber staff will maintain a database of potential presenters, and we will refer to this list as needed. Suggested workshop topics include marketing/new media, management/administration, leadership, strategy and planning, business development, human resources and technology.

• Program/Event Hosts

  Chamber events meet in member locations throughout the year. Depending on the type of event, various numbers of attendees will need to be accommodated. Access to audio/visual equipment is preferred. Chamber staff will maintain a database of potential event hosts, and we will refer to this list as needed. 

• Sponsors

  Sponsorships can help qualified business decision makers make connections with their target market(s), meet objectives cost-effectively, and position their brand. Your support of Chamber programs and events will ensure that your company is recognized throughout Middle Tennessee as an active participant in the Chamber's mission of facilitating community leadership to create economic prosperity. From leadership to public policy, and from networking to business training, we have a perfect fit for your organization's goals and objectives. Packages can be customized to fit your budget and marketing needs.