Committees
Ambassadors
Through new member visits, ribbon cuttings and serving as greeters, ambassadors support member attraction and retention at Chamber events. Membership on this committee is limited, and interested Chamber members should call for an application.
Bloomington Co-Chair: Gary Walch, Promotional Logo Products, Inc.
Bloomington Co-Chair: Randy Royse, Wachovia Securities
Meeting: Third Thursday of every month, 11:30 a.m.
Staff: Maureen Scallen Failor, 612.370.9124
Provide feedback from Ambassador Member Visits here.
Minneapolis Chair: Don Dvergsten, ServiceMaster Commercial Systems
Minneapolis Meeting: Third Thursday of every month, 8:00 a.m.
Staff: Cheri Koch 612.370.9160
Find out about Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings & Grand Openings here.
Bloomington Annual Gala
Members assist in planning this festive annual event.
Chair: MaryAnne London, Kraus-Anderson Communications Group
Meetings: TBD
Staff: Maureen Scallen Failor, 612.370.9124
Bloomington Community Development
Raise the public profile of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce within the community through participation in community events and partnerships with community and civic organizations.
Chair: Jolene Thibedeau Boyd, Community Involvement Programs
Meetings: TBD
Staff: Maureen Scallen Failor, 612.370.9124
Bloomington Economic Development
Work with the City of Bloomington to attract new businesses to Bloomington, while retaining and assisting the growth of existing businesses in the community; communicate and promote policy positions that support the economic development and interests of the general business community.
Meetings: TBD
Staff: Maureen Scallen Failor, 612.370.9124
Diplomats
This committee reaches out to other member companies throughout the year, providing an opportunity to connect with other business leaders within the community.
Chair: Susan Prell, TCF Bank
Meetings: Third Wednesday of every month, 11:30 a.m.
Staff: Cheri Koch 612.370.9160
DRIVE-Emerging Leaders
The DRIVE-Emerging Leaders Committee focuses on “developing tomorrow’s leaders today!” This committee organizes events specifically relevant to emerging business leaders.
Chair: Eric Anderson, RBC Dain Rauscher
Meetings: Meets Quarterly
Staff: Cheri Koch 612.370.9160
Bloomington Golf Classic
Members assist in planning the Golf Outing, held in June each year.
Co-Chairs: Jane Salmen, BluePrint
Meetings: TBD
Staff: Maureen Scallen Failor, 612.370.9124
Membership Advisory
This committee oversees membership recruitment and member retention programs, reviews member benefits and investment structure and works to enhance benefits through communication and networking opportunities.
Chair: Susan Adams Lloyd, WCCO-TV
Meetings: Meets Quarterly
Staff: Lisa Myhre, 612.370.9137
Minnesota Keystone Program
Members assist with the marketing efforts of the Minnesota Keystone Program and select companies that will be honored in the upcoming year.
Chair: Ann Massey, Brooks Brothers
Meetings: First Thursday of every month, 4 – 5 p.m.
Staff: Todd Klingel, 612.370.9100
Minneapolis Regional Program
The members of this committee represent Chamber members from around the region who are dedicated to planning quality programs for Chamber members and the business community.
Chair: Martha Baumbach, RBC Dain Rauscher
Meetings: TBD
Staff: TBA, 612.370.9100
Northeast Minneapolis Economic Development
This committee supports and monitors the success and progress of the strategies and activities of various long and short-term Economic Development opportunities (NE Futures, Great Streets, CPED, Central Ave. Plan etc.). The committee evaluates partnerships, funding requests, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors and advises the Executive Director as necessary.
Chair: John Vaughn
Meetings: Meets Quarterly
Staff: Christine Levens, 612.370.9131
Northeast Minneapolis Membership Recruitment
The Northeast Membership Recruitment Committee is focused on the growth of the Northeast Chamber by developing various recruitment strategies, marketing to specific industries, welcoming newly located or opening businesses as well as recruiting in local commercial nodes.
Chair: TBD
Staff: Christine Levens, 612.370.9131
Northeast Minneapolis Membership Retention
The Northeast Membership Retention Committee actively seeks to meet with existing members ensuring business needs are properly met and fully utilized through current communication methods, programming and educational opportunities.
Chair: TBD
Staff: Christine Levens, 612.370.9131
Celebrate Northeast Parade
Since 2003, the Northeast Chamber has been the organizing force behind this long-standing tradition celebrating its 79th Anniversary. The 50+-member volunteer planning committee helps guide and shape this largest one-day attended event in Northeast. Monthly meetings are held from January to June. The vision of the committee is to listen to all input and make joint recommendations and decisions regarding the parade.
Chairs: 8 different chairs, decided by Jan. 1, 2008
Meetings: Meets Monthly from Jan to June
Staff: Christine Levens, 612.370.9131
Minneapolis Regional Public Policy
The MRCC Public Policy Committee (PPC) helps set the policy agenda and positions for the Chamber. Meetings typically include at least one guest speaker and discussion on various Chamber positions.
Chair: Steve Bianchi , Associated Bank N.A.
Meetings: Second Tuesday of every month, September - May, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Staff: Travis Bunch, 612.370.9170
Small Business Growth and Development
The mission of this committee is to ensure the Chamber’s events; member benefits and programs meet the needs of small businesses and help their businesses grow.
Co-Chair: Sheila Ronning, SHARP UpSwing
Co-Chair: Ben Skjold, Skjold Barthel
Meetings: Meets Quarterly
Staff: Cheri Koch, 612.370.9160
WOW
This committee organizes monthly luncheons offering a unique networking opportunity that focuses on issues relevant to workingwomen.
Chair: TBD
Meetings: TBD
Staff: Maureen Scallen Failor, 612.370.9124