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December 2023 E-Newsletter
The mission of GACCE is engaging, educating, and empowering chamber professionals.
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GACCE 2024 Conference Dates | |
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Be sure to save the dates for our 2024 conferences:
2024 GACCE Staff Development Conference
(for all chamber staff professionals)
Wednesday - Friday, March 6 - 8, 2024
Columbus Iron Works - Convention & Trade Center
Columbus, GA
2024 GACCE Executive Leadership Conference
(for Executive Director/President/CEO only)
Tuesday - Friday, July 9 - 12, 2024
Sea Palms Resort
St. Simons Island, GA
2024 GACCE Board Development Conference
(for Chamber Executives and volunteer leadership)
Thursday & Friday, November 14 & 15, 2024
Marriott Macon City Center
Macon, GA
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GACCE Announces Award Recipients | |
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GACCE was proud to recognize our newest class of Georgia Certified Chambers and our Executive Service Awards at the 2023 Board Development Conference in Athens, GA in November:
2023 Georgia Certified Chambers
- Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce
- Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce
- Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce
- Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce
- LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce
- Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce
- Thomaston-Upson County Chamber of Commerce
- Walker County Chamber of Commerce
2023 Executive Service Award Recipients
35 Years of Service
- Monica Simmons, Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce
30 Years of Service
- Cindy Jones, Griffin Spalding Chamber of Commerce
25 Years of Service
- David Bradley, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
20 Years of Service
- Russell Lahodny, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
15 Years of Service
- Ralph Staffins, III, Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce
- Heath Taylor, Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce
10 Years of Service
- Stacy Hamby, Paulding Chamber of Commerce
- Debbie Harper, Newton Chamber of Commerce
- Kathy Johnson, Gordon County Chamber of Commerce
5 Years of Service
- Deena Bennett, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
- Jennifer Jarvis, Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce
- Steve Rowe, Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce
- Shellie Smith, Glennville Chamber of Commerce
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Grant Writing 101
Wednesday, December 6 - 10:00am
Anissa Starnes, YGM Total Resource Campaigns
In this webinar, Anissa will provide you with the basic knowledge and understanding of how to find potential grants to apply for, how to reach out to build relationships with Grantmakers, and ultimately craft a grant application that will be successful in securing funding. We will walk through the basic best practices of these three steps in the grant life cycle: research, relationships, and writing. We hope this will help you feel more confident as you seek grant revenue for your chamber. During this webinar you will learn:
- The key elements of the grant life cycle;
- Why some grants do not receive funding;
- How to determine which Grantmakers are a strong fit for your organization;
- How to best tell “your story” on why you need the funding; and
- How to use your research and relationship efforts to customize your grant applications.
CLICK HERE to register for the hour-long session. The meeting will be recorded and shared with the full membership after the session if you aren't able to join us that day.
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Save the Date - 2024 Eggs & Issues Breakfast
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, GA
Every January, Georgians from all areas of the state make their way to Atlanta for the Georgia Chamber’s annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast. The event serves as the official kick-off to the state’s legislative session. Held concurrent to the convening of the General Assembly each year, this annual event attracts over 2,500 Georgians, including many of the state’s top-level elected officials and business leaders. Each year, the overall goal is to generate discussion providing attendees with a broadened perspective when it comes to the status of Georgia’s economy. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
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GACCE Associate Member Updates | | |
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365 Degree Total Marketing | |
Check out our newest client's website - Murray County Chamber of Commerce! www.murraycountychamber.org
We love showcasing the wonders of Murray County. Give us a call for your website needs!
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1099 Self-Employed Tax Credit
Was your business affected by COVID-19? You may be eligible for a 1099 Self-Employed Tax Credit (SETC). To find out more, please click here.
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GACCE is pleased to welcome a new Associate Member:
Indus Travels
Harish Shroff, Director of Sales
866-978-2997
harish@indus.travel
Indus Travels provides chamber travel programs – you can find out more here:
https://www.indus.travel/
We will schedule a Zoom meeting soon for Harish and his team to share their program information with our members.
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J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development | Register today for our 2024 Community Leadership Conference on Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This year’s virtual conference is free to attend. Learn more about best practices for leadership programs and how communities across Georgia are prioritizing leadership development. In addition, you will hear more on trends in the field of leadership development and how those can apply to your community. The 2024 CLC will also have more information on our 2024 Innovations in Community Leadership Initiative, where your community can apply to utilize Fanning resources to revamp your leadership development efforts. Register here for the 2024 CLC. | | |
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I'm Jocelyn Wykoff, owner of Kiss It Jane, an associate member of GACCE, reaching out to share a brief insight into the potential value I can bring to your members. I recently had the opportunity to engage with the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, where due to the needs of the members, we took a single meeting attendance to a buildable workshop series. Alex Michelle, their Marketing Director, noted "Jocelyn's contribution was remarkable. Her extensive knowledge across various industries immensely benefited our members... Her workshop series was not just engaging but also provided actionable insights, leading to a resounding request for her return." I'm eager to explore how we can collaborate to support and grow your chamber members' businesses in 2024. Let's set up a call (it's free) to discuss a partnership (or even just to bud a friendship) that could bring substantial benefits to your community. Click here for additional information. | | |
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FREE WEBINAR
By all indications, the 2024 election will once again be a highly emotional, highly divisive event. As the voice for business in your community, your Chamber needs to encourage the business community to participate in elections, but you likely want to stay above the political fray. Lumin Strategies will be hosting a free webinar, “Navigating the 2024 election: 5 ways to cut through the divisiveness to improve your community.” According to a recent Edelman survey, the public trusts business more than non-profits, government or the media. We’ll discuss ways that your Chamber of Commerce can capitalize on that trust to educate your members and the public on important issues and offices as well as the role that you can play in building trust in our elections.
Date: December 13, 2023
Time: 10:00am EST
Via Zoom
CLICK HERE to register
Lumin Strategies helps Chambers of Commerce develop impactful, revenue producing, public policy programs. We are currently enrolling for our 2024 Advocacy Framework program.
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2024 Health Plan Compliance Deadlines
Employers must comply with numerous reporting and disclosure requirements throughout the year in connection with their group health plans. This article explains key 2024 compliance deadlines for employer-sponsored group health plans. Click here to read the article.
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SOAR Nonprofit Solutions, LLC | The GACCE Board Development Conference in Athens was a resounding success, and I am honored to have served as the opening keynote speaker, addressing the critical topics of Board Responsibilities and Strategic Direction. During the conference, we delved into the challenges faced by organizations in educating an ever-changing and often inexperienced Board of Directors. A key takeaway was the importance of grounding board training in robust governance materials, including meticulously crafted bylaws, policies, and procedures. Adherence to an approved budget and a well-defined program of work further solidifies the board's commitment to realizing the Chamber's vision by 2024. As we approach the close of another year, I would like to extend warm wishes on behalf of SOAR Nonprofit Solutions, LLC for a joyful Holiday season and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity. Merry Christmas from Tammy Shepherd at SOAR Nonprofit Solutions, LLC. | | |
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I wish you and your families and chamber teams a very Merry Christmas! I wanted to take a moment to just say thank you to those who have supported Starfish Partnerships in 2023. I really appreciate you. I am excited about the partnership with your association for 2024 – the “All Things Chamber” Program. This is a digital course which includes modules on Governance, Operations, Membership, Events and Programs, Community and then a final Extras module. This program is full of knowledge I wish I had when I began my chamber career almost 29 years ago and some of what will be included, took me years to figure out! I have packed as much content into each 1-hour module as possible. At only $195 per chamber, with $100 of each sale supporting your state association, this is truly a project of love for the chamber profession. This program is my way of giving back and saying thank you for what has been and continues to be a great chamber career for me. If you would like to schedule a time to chat to see if our programs and facilitation are a fit for your chamber, I’d love to hear from you.
You can reach me easiest by email at teri@starfishpartnerships.com. Check out our website at http://www.starfishpartnerships.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linked in – all @StarfishPartnerships. We will be posting our 2024 programs soon so stay tuned and be sure you are receiving our monthly e-newsletter – check your spam folder if you haven’t seen it! I share helpful content for you and your chamber as well as let you know about upcoming programs.
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GACCE Chamber Member Updates | |
Baxley-Appling County Chamber | The Chamber is pleased to welcome Tyler Salter as their new President & CEO. | |
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The Chamber recently attended the GACCE 2023 Board Development Conference in Athens, GA on November 2 & 3. Attendees included President / CEO, Alan Goodman, Board Chair, Dennis Williams, and Board Treasurer, Rick Martin. The Chamber is actively working toward becoming a full Georgia Certified Chamber.
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Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber | The Chamber will host their Cartersville State of the City event on Tuesday, December 5 at the Clarence Brown Conference Center. | |
The Chamber is pleased to welcome Melissa Barker as their new President/CEO. | |
Dublin-Laurens County Chamber | Malehia Young, Office Manager, announced her retirement from the Chamber effective November 15. | |
The Chamber will host their Annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast on December 14 at Lanier Technical College, Ramsey Conference Center. All nine Hall County Legislators will be present to talk about the issues coming up in the 2024 Georgia Legislature. Some of the topics to be discussed include Redistricting, Mental Health, Sports Betting, School Safety, Workforce Development, Property Taxes, and Heathcare. We expect some 500 in attendance. | |
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Jen Marshall is the newly appointed Community Manager at the Chamber. Jen takes the reins in overseeing internal operations and assumes the role of New Member Specialist, focusing on onboarding and nurturing relationships with our newest members. Jen brings a wealth of experience in marketing, account management, and operations management. She graduated from Stratford Academy ('04) and earned her BFA from Georgia State University with a dual focus on Studio Art and Sociology. After living in Florida and then Texas, she returned home to Macon in 2017.
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The Chamber and the Toombs County Development Authority are pleased to announce Mandy Britt will be joining our team as Director of Entrepreneur Development for the Greater Vidalia® Regional Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. Mandy’s educational qualifications include a Master of Public Administration degree which included courses in environmental policy, performance analysis, public sector planning, quantitative research methods, grant writing, and human resource management, among others. Mandy was employed with the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission for the past five years.
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The Chamber is pleased to welcome Evans Hodges as their new President. | |
Roberta-Crawford County Chamber | The Chamber and our City of Roberta are joining hands to provide a joyful time in our city and county with Christmas in Roberta. An all-day Christmas event and parade will take place December 9 at the Merry Market in the David Bailey Park. We will be wishing all a wonderful season of joy with our "Spreading Joy to the World" event. The Chamber will provide hot chocolate and cookies, and music will be available all day. Shop for Christmas as vendors have worked days and months to sell the hand crafts assured to bring smiles as wonderful gift selections. On stage in the park, the Crawford County Middle-High School Drama Club will perform a theater presentation. A wonderful tradition – our Christmas parade – will also be featured during the day. We will have a live nativity with narration and soft music as the story of Christmas comes to light. Our live Nativity will sure to please as the story of Christmas is read for all to be reminded...this is why there is Christmas. We hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas season and to all a very good night! | |
Carrington Beggs has submitted her resignation as the Chamber's Executive Director effective the end of January 2024. The Chamber is now accepting resumes for the position of Executive Director. Please see the GACCE Careers page for more information. | |
Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber | Julie Paysen, President, sits on the Board of the Northeast Georgia Mountain Travel Association, and she would like to share information on their membership campaign. Please click here for more information. | |
Other Updates of Interest | |
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2024 Social Media Trends to Drive Organic Growth
In the ever-evolving world of social media, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for marketing professionals, especially those working with chambers of commerce, associations and economic development organizations. As we step into 2024, the social media landscape is poised for significant changes. For marketing professionals seeking organic growth, adapting to these trends will be essential. Click here to read the full article.
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Are Your Grassroots Influence Tactics Working or Wilting?
Results from the 2023 Grassroots Influence Pulse (GRIP)
We created the GRIP research in 2013 to determine trends in grassroots influence tactics, and most important, what’s working (and not) regarding those tactics. This research is important because it provides the pulse of grassroots advocacy tactics —– what worked in 2016 may not be effective today. It’s also important because we know that you are evaluated in part on your advocacy results. It helps you educate your board, advocacy committee, or government relations committee on the most effective grassroots advocacy tactics, which allows you to then measure what matters. Click here to read the blog.
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