Acting on feedback from its members, Pike County Chamber of Commerce officials are making changes this year that they hope will improve the organization’s role as a booster for businesses and the community.
Chamber president Jamie Stone said his first mission was to find out what chamber members thought about the organization, and he sent a survey to every member in November. He presented the findings of the survey on Monday.
“We need to know the good, the bad and the ugly,” he said. “This will assist us moving forward. It will provide us some metrics to go by.”
The chamber is divided into three development arms, with a vice president in charge of each. Four or five chamber members are assigned to each department.
Landon Woodall will head economic development and Wendy Smith returns as vice president of education development. Kennon Singley will head up community development, the same position Stone held before becoming president.
Chamber members suggested on the survey that the organization engage in more interaction with local and state officials, which chamber executive director Catherine Sanders has called a top priority for the new year.
“We are pumping up our efforts to be the voice of the business community,” she said. “As such, we intend to work closely with all towns and cities in Pike County. That’s certainly an area you will see us commit towards.
“One particular goal is to attract retirees to Pike County, and another is to pursue tourism efforts.”
More than anything, however, survey results show education is a pivotal need for area employees, Stone said.
“This is the No. 1 need for businesses,” he said. “They all say it to some degree. The better educated workers are, the better off their businesses are.”
The Mississippi Scholars program has been one chamber program that has had success, Stone said. The program recognizes high school seniors who participate in a college prep curriculum, volunteer in the community and meet specific testing standards. Smith said this year the program will be able to accommodate more students.
It will now include a TechMasters program this year for students on a vocational track, Smith said.
“We need business leaders to explain to students why pursuing your education is important,” she said. “We tell students things they don’t usually think about, such as what is the difference between having a degree or not, and some of the biggest obstacles they will likely face in their careers.”
Last year the chamber gave $250 each to 38 Mississippi Scholars from McComb, South Pike, North Pike, the Jubilee Performing Arts Center and Parklane Academy.
One new event for the chamber will be its sponsorship of a “Real World” seminar for students.
The seminar will expose eighth-graders to simulated life lessons such as balancing a checkbook. Students will be given a job with a salary and a marital status. Some will have kids to care for.
Students will then visit several booths where they will have to learn to manage paying utilities, groceries and other expenses. The goal is to save $10 after all expenses.
The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Feb. 25-26 at the college workforce development center.
As with the game of Monopoly, students will have a “chance” card that can either give them money or take it away.
“This mimics real life. You might have a problem with your automobile that you weren’t expecting and you will have to pay for that. Or you might receive money for a birthday. That’s the chance,” Smith said.
In the community development department, Stone suggested bringing back the Oliver Emmerich Community Service Award, which had been given out annually until last year, when the chamber spilt from the Pike County Economic Development District.
He also considered changing the schedule for Business After Hours get-togethers to during business hours, possibly as a lunch event.
Citing low turnout, the chamber said it will eliminate some events, including its bass fishing tournament and teacher appreciation banquet.
Sanders said chamber membership increased significantly last year, and the organization has 450 members.
Elected board members for 2015-17 term include Jeff Adams of the McComb Housing Authority, Southwest Mississippi Community College President Dr. Steve Bishop, Chad Boarman of First Bank, Pike County Circuit Clerk Roger Graves and Barbara Simmons of debec’s/Sew Be It.
One-year appointments include Brice Belson of C Spire of McComb, Pastor Gregory Partman of Community of Believers Cultural Fellowship, Landon Woodall of Regions Bank and Renee O. Wells of Roach, McMillan and Wells.
Clifton Van Cleave of Buffalo Services will be in charge of chamber internal affairs.
