Government Affairs Government Affairs

Council Council

(GAC)(GAC)

20112011

Purpose• Proactive participation and Proactive participation and

leadership; leadership;

• Identify key legislative initiatives that Identify key legislative initiatives that

can enable progressive change; can enable progressive change;

• Develop and shape Policy Positions Develop and shape Policy Positions

that will drive that change, to more that will drive that change, to more

effectively lobby to support these effectively lobby to support these

positions; and positions; and

• Expand communications initiatives Expand communications initiatives

to support this proactive shift.to support this proactive shift.

• The GAC should have a forward-The GAC should have a forward-

leading, proactive role on issues that leading, proactive role on issues that

will positively impact the will positively impact the

community’s business climate and community’s business climate and

quality of life prior to legislation quality of life prior to legislation

being teed-up in the legislature and being teed-up in the legislature and

throughout the legislative process.throughout the legislative process.

Introduction

Strategic Imperatives for action.

1. Develop a GAC Executive Committee Develop a GAC Executive Committee

& 7 Policy Committees.& 7 Policy Committees.

2. Authorize the GAC Executive 2. Authorize the GAC Executive Committee to Committee to Interpret Issues & Interpret Issues & Legislation for Endorsement or Legislation for Endorsement or Opposition Opposition under the guidelines of under the guidelines of the Legislative Principle Statement the Legislative Principle Statement and Policy Positions, which have and Policy Positions, which have been approved by Chamber Board of been approved by Chamber Board of Directors.Directors.

3. Create and execute a more rigorous Create and execute a more rigorous

communications function to achieve communications function to achieve

broad alignment and support of the broad alignment and support of the

Valdosta-Lowndes County Valdosta-Lowndes County

Chamber’s agenda.Chamber’s agenda.

4. Represent business interests and 4. Represent business interests and

support legislation on key issues support legislation on key issues

affecting our business climate.affecting our business climate.

5. Develop a strong network of top 5. Develop a strong network of top

business leaders, develop a large business leaders, develop a large

grassroots membership and grassroots membership and

mobilize when needed on key mobilize when needed on key

legislative issues.legislative issues.

7 Policy Committees:7 Policy Committees:

Economic Development & Economic Development & TaxationTaxation

Education & Workforce Education & Workforce DevelopmentDevelopment

Energy & EnvironmentEnergy & Environment

Health CareHealth Care

Transportation Transportation

Business & IndustryBusiness & Industry

Local Business & IndustryLocal Business & Industry

CommitteesPolicy Committee

Structure.

The process is a member-The process is a member-

driven process, designed to driven process, designed to

ensure that Policy Positions & ensure that Policy Positions &

Priority Issues that are passed Priority Issues that are passed

by the GAC provide a well-by the GAC provide a well-

reasoned, strong platform for reasoned, strong platform for

the Valdosta-Lowndes the Valdosta-Lowndes

Chamber to take to the Chamber to take to the

appropriate level of appropriate level of

government.government.

PROCEDURES.Policy, Priority and Legislative

Positions.

The restructuring of the GAC The restructuring of the GAC

represents a bold and aggressive represents a bold and aggressive

strategy to dramatically increase strategy to dramatically increase

the Chamber’s capacity to deliver the Chamber’s capacity to deliver

on its mission and solidify its on its mission and solidify its

position as the “Voice of position as the “Voice of

Business” in our community. Business” in our community.

Conclusion

We believe its successful We believe its successful

implementation will stimulate implementation will stimulate

permanent increases in capacity permanent increases in capacity

and effectiveness through and effectiveness through

increased membership, increased membership,

awareness and influence, and awareness and influence, and

the expansion of its top the expansion of its top

leadership base.leadership base.

The Chamber’s The Chamber’s New New Government Government Affairs Council .Affairs Council . . .

. . . is . . . is YOU!YOU!

Please join us

GAC Meeting

Jan 6, 20112 p.m.

VSU Continuing Ed Center

Keynote Speaker Chris Clark

President & CEO, Georgia Chamber

Main Attraction: YOU