Committees
The Chamber's effectiveness as a membership organization relies heavily on the involvement and interaction of its committees. Each of the committees on the current Organization Chart assists The Chamber and the community in addressing a number of vital issues. Committee participation is at the discretion of each individual member and members are permitted to serve on more than one committee. The mission of The Chamber to "promote, inform, educate and advocate" is all accomplished at the committee level. For additional information or to sign-up for a committee, simply contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
Attraction Roundtable
A roundtable discussion group of businesses representing area attractions. The group meets quarterly to discuss issues of common interest or concern, and determine opportunities for cross-promotion.
BASICS
An acronym for Businesses And Schools Investing in Cooperative Solutions, the BASICS Committee has helped to forge a solid partnership between the business and education communities in Blair County and within The Alleghenies region. Among BASICS programs are an annual Career Fair for eighth grade students in Blair County, a weeklong Job Shadowing initiative for high school juniors, a task force aimed at reducing truancy in the schools through a truancy court and an “Attendance Counts” promotion and ongoing curriculum-related efforts aimed at improving student access to career-related opportunities. The BASICS program is also the oversight mechanism for The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Youth program as well as the organization’s involvement with Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week.
Blair County Business Coalition
The Chamber's ability to meet the needs of the Blair County business community depends on its ability to identify those needs and then to work through key people in accomplishing expressed objectives. Those key people comprise The Chamber's Blair County Business Coalition. Each of nine communities in the county is represented on the Coalition by two persons who can speak authoritatively about the issues affecting their individual community. The communities represented on the Coalition are Altoona, Bellwood, Claysburg, Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Tyrone and Williamsburg.
Business Opportunities
This is the Chamber committee that explores ways that The Chamber can add greater value to Chamber membership. It monitors the Blue Card discount program and plays an integral role in the ongoing development of Buy Here. Live Here.
Business Hall of Fame
This Committee maintains the integrity of the premiere business-awards program in Blair County. Awards are presented annually at The Chamber's Business Hall of Fame Dinner. Businesses are honored in not only the Hall of Fame category but also in categories such as Excellence in Small Business, Young Emerging Business, Community Service, Safety and technology. There is even a special Committee Choice Award. The Business Hall of Fame Committee oversees the entire awards process, from planning the dinner, to encouraging companies to apply.
Chamber Ambassadors
The Chamber Ambassadors help to welcome new members to The Chamber, assist those members in becoming acclimated to all aspects of the organization, and oversee special events such as ribbon-cuttings. The Ambassadors also support efforts associated with member recruitment, retention, and recognition.
Coalition on Sustainability
The Chamber’s “Green” committee, this Coalition is comprised of businesses and individuals interested in discussing or advocating on behalf of initiatives that are environmentally prudent. The "Green Drinks" networking program is a monthly forum for coalition interaction.
Community Benefit Coalition of Nonprofits
This coalition addresses the challenges and opportunities of nonprofit organizations in the county. The coalition also maintains subcommittees dealing with advocacy, internal and external education, and collaboration. The coalition undertakes a strong advocacy role on behalf of nonprofits and works to educate the community on the impact of those nonprofits.
Community Wellness
The Chamber's newest committee focuses on the importance of creating and maintaining wellness through healthy living. Wellness initiatives are undertaken through the cooperation of the business community.
Executive Roundtable
A committee of The Chamber created specifically to develop programming for Chamber Members at the CEO level in businesses with at least 50 employees. The Executive Roundtable meetings feature presentations on issues of interest to business or to the Blair County community. Membership in the Executive Roundtable is generally by invitation although interested CEO’s may apply.
Farm-City
This committee has been recognized at the state level on several occasions and has an excellent record of accomplishment in creating awareness of trends and resources important to the rural community. Among the events that the committee oversees are "Down on the Farm," a Visit to Industry, a Farm-City Dinner and a host of dairy-related promotions. The Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award was initiated in the Farm-City Committee and is presented annually at the Farm-City Dinner.
Golf
Since all work and no play makes for a dull Chamber, the organization sponsors an annual golf tournament that attracts the best and the worst golfers from the business community for a day of fun and competition. The food is great, the refreshments cold and the gifts and prizes "top shelf." Held in early May, the Chamber Golf Classic is planned and executed by an energetic committee of golf enthusiasts who manage to find sufficient time as part of their meetings to hone their golfing skills. Recruiting members for this committee, not surprisingly, is a relatively short process. But remember: No Chamber committee is ever too big.
GRYP
Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) organizes yearlong activities geared toward the development of young professionals in Blair County. Subcommittees focus on community service, education, and recreation.
Home & Garden
One of Blair County's most highly-anticipated annual events, the Blair County Home & Garden boasts nearly a half-century of success. The Chamber, in collaboration with the Blair-Bedford Builders Association, plans the three-day show which features over 130 exhibitors. The Home & Garden Committee has representation from both sponsoring organizations and planning for the event takes several months to complete. Web site: www.blairhomeshow.com
Hotel Roundtable
A roundtable discussion group of businesses representing Blair County hotels, motels and other lodging properties. The group meets every other month to discuss issues of common interest or concern or to hear a presentation on some timely topic.
Leadership Blair County Adult
The Leadership Blair County Adult has been in operation since 1994. The program begins each September with an orientation, includes a two-day retreat in October, and features daylong sessions each month with graduation in June. The Leadership Adult Committee assists in the planning of session topics and monitors the progress of the program.
Leadership Blair County Youth
Leadership Blair County Youth began in 2004. The committee is responsible for planning the curriculum for the nine-month program, which includes an overnight retreat in July and monthly sessions from September through graduation in May. The committee also oversees the selection process and plans the graduation ceremony. It is the mission of Leadership Blair County Youth Program to develop the leadership potential that exists in tenth grade students from all of the high schools in Blair County as well as educate these students about Blair County’s heritage, culture and workforce opportunities. The goal is to instill a sense of civic pride and community involvement in these students. The class is limited to twenty-four participants.
Legislative Action
The Legislative Action Committee is the advocacy arm of The Chamber and assists the organization in learning about and dealing with issues synonymous with business growth and interaction. The committee consists of subcommittees dealing with business taxation, health care insurance, energy, and municipal cooperation.
Marketing
This committee assists The Chamber in overall marketing strategies to position the organization as the leading advocate for business. It is the lead promotional body of the Buy Here. Live Here. Program.
Retail Roundtable
Retail roundtable brings together local retailers on a bimonthly basis to discuss trends within the retail industry and to make suggestions to The Chamber on how best to assist retailers in maximizing their impact on the county and the region.
Safety
The Safety Committee provides targeted programs marketed to safety directors from throughout the membership and community.
Small Business Partners
This committee emphasizes the importance of small businesses to The Chamber and the Blair County business community through various educational and networking programs. The Small Business partners plan and execute the “Backbone Bash” each year. That event brings together people from small businesses in a casual environment and encourages the sharing of ideas on how to operate more effectively.
Transportation
The Transportation Corporation regularly monitors how issues related to transportation impact the Blair County business community. The committee also drafts policy statements for The Chamber so that the organization speaks with one voice in lobbying efforts regarding transportation. The Chamber, through the Transportation Committee, testifies every-other year at the State Transportation Hearings.
WE-LEaD
An acronym for Women Encouraging Leadership, Education, and Development . This committee organizes at least two educational workshops and two networking events each year. These events are geared toward meeting the professional needs of businesswomen. The committee maintains a contact list of nearly 500 women and markets relevant programming, materials and events to them. Any Chamber member can register to be part of that list.