Tuesday, February 11, 2020
This week's e-newsletter brought to you by Chairman's Circle Level Member
Chamber Connections
See you this Friday, February 14th for Chamber Connection hosted by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Heritage Bank 310 1st ST S). Bring $1 and your business card, network with other Chamber Members and let us know what's going on in your company.

Starts at 7:30 am!
Location Update for Chamber Annual Meeting & Volunteer Appreciation Event
Business Day at the Capitol
On Thursday, February 27th our Leadership Perspectives class will be attending Business Day at the Capitol ; once again, Chamber Members are invited to attend! The cost is to be determined but will be under $50, including continental breakfast, lunch and transportation. In the past we have co-sponsored this event with the Minnesota Chamber but have opted to try something different this year.

We will leave from the Chamber office at 7:30 am and return at 5:30 pm. The day will include a guided tour of the State Capitol from the Historical Society as well as touring the Senate Office Building. We will have an informational lunch with Representative Baker and Senator Lang and hear from some of the newly appointed Department Commissioners.

Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
neXt in 2020
NeXt Logo
After 8 years of operating under the same format, the future direction of neXt was discussed at the Board Planning Conference with the neXt leadership team. The Board approved of having two focus groups in early November, bringing in a panel each of active and non-active neXt members and employers to discuss what they are looking for going forward and that would provide and R.O.I. for all. Only one meeting was held due to lack of participation from the second group of non-active neXt members and employers.

The Next Leadership Team also expressed interest in providing focus groups with their members for the next several months, to gain some insight on what worked, what did not, what could be changed, how Next could change into the next decade.

The Board has determined at this juncture, neXt will be Chamber staff driven with neXt members and employers serving on an advisory team to help develop the 2020 Program and Business Plan. We do not want to reinvent the wheel, but rather reorganize responsibilities to make it easier for everyone.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
  1. All neXt members will be re-invoiced for their 2020 membership at the same rate of $40.
  2. All programming will take place between September and May each year. No programming will be held during the summer months of June – August.
  3. There will no longer be a neXt benefit card due to the withdrawal of two sponsors. We will establish a regular monthly time and place for neXters to connect, seek advice and share experiences with other ambitious, like-minded neXt members. This will be voluntary and at the expense of the attendee.
  4. Three Educational Events (neXt Advisory Committee topics) – Presentations by local employers. 
  5. Social Events will now be called Connecting Events as we try to update the “networking” term. We will offer two connecting events and one fitness/outdoor event (neXt Advisory Committee topics). All Connecting events will be Ala Carte with a minimal fee to cover expenses or possibly hosted at or sponsored by a Chamber member business.
  6. We will offer more joint interaction between Chamber members and neXt members to engage in volunteerism, creating leaders to be engaged and personally vested. To accomplish this, we would propose an annual panel of neXters to share what they are looking for in employers, workplaces, education, experience and opportunities.