New Ideas, Future Plans
The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce held its annual retreat on January 5 at Town Hall. The Board of Directors met with the Executive Board, and all members but one were able to attend. Chamber President Tony Long explained that the significance of the retreat is that it “Allows each member/director to share ideas and measure response from their peers. The newly elected Board members leave with a better overview of their responsibility as they represent the membership.”
Tony added that the retreat encourages open dialogue and a chance to brainstorm without time constraints. It also allows Board members to get to know each other in a less formal atmosphere. He was particularly pleased with the ease in filling leadership roles of various projects handled by the Chamber of Commerce during the year.
Plans were discussed regarding this year’s events, including the Mint Hill Marketplace, Golf Tournament, Shredding Events, the Veterans’ Breakfast, and the Senior Citizen Christmas Party. They discussed the possibility of a young professionals network group for those 39 and younger, to give guidance and promote leadership skills. While the Chamber enrolled 44 new members last year, the resolve was to even exceed that number in 2018.
Board Vice President Joy Greear remembers, “Last summer, we learned the value of setting aside several hours to focus on planning. We also learned that we have an incredible group of individuals who have a true passion to see Mint Hill grow and flourish. When the passion and the planning come together, there is a new energy that fills the room, and we know we’ve had a good retreat!”
In talking about the most significant accomplishment of the retreat, Joy said, “We had three new board members with new thoughts and ideas, and we kicked off the year with planning and purpose. Most importantly, we all agreed that for our Board to be successful, we have to treat the Chamber like a business. We have to provide value to the membership, promote local businesses, network business to business, and market the Town of Mint Hill in a fresh new way in the age of social media.”
Chamber Director Paige McKinney said, “I think the most important takeaway of the retreat is a renewed sense of the value of the Chamber as well as the community.”
Joy summed up the event by saying, “I always smile when I’m with this group because they are really wonderful people. We laugh, we joke, we push and pull, but we are all supportive of each other and that feels great!”
