One of the most effective ways to build your business network is to build business relationships. We invite you to build these valuable networks through active involvement at the committee level. People do business with people they know, so what better way than being a part of a dynamic group of volunteers? Contact the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce at 842-6437 or e-mail svalenta@gilroy.org for more information.

Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Committees

• Finance Committee

  Committee Meeting Schedule: Meets immediately prior to the Tuesday Board meeting @ 4:30 p.m.
  Chair of the Committee: Paul Vanni, C.P.A.

  Purpose: To review and monitor the Chamber financial activities to ensure that the long-term financial health of the organization is sustained.

• Garlic Festival Beer Concession

  Committee Meeting Schedule: Meets from March to July in the Chamber Board Room.
  Chair of the Garlic Festival Beer Concession: Eric Howard

  Purpose: The Garlic Festival Beer Concession Committee works with Chamber staff which organizes the manpower and operations necessary to fulfill the Chamber’s agreement with the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association to provide the sale of beer to Festival visitors. The concession is the chief fund-raising event of the Chamber.

• Strategic Planning

  Committee Meeting Schedule:  Meets on a periodic as-needed basis. 
  Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee:  Katherine Filice

  Purpose:  This committee is responsible for continually evaluating the Chamber’s strategic direction in order to ensure that the organization remains able to respond to the changing needs of its members and the Gilroy community at its annual Retreat.  The Committee will review policies and procedures that represent the interests of the Chamber and its membership.  The committee will utilize Past Board Chairs as a resource.

• Government Relations Committee

  Committee Meeting Schedule: Second Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m., in the Chamber Board Room, with additional meetings scheduled as needed.  
  Chair of the Government Relations Committee: Kristina Chavez Wyatt

  Purpose:  The Government Relations Committee studies and analyzes issues of interest to Gilroy’s business community, takes advocacy positions on those issues, and communicates the Chamber’s viewpoint clearly and strongly to the membership, elected officials, and the community at large.  The Committee is the central point of review for issues affecting the business community, and is the advisory committee to the Board of Directors and other appropriate Chamber Committees, except when empowered to make final decisions.

  Priorities:

  1.)   The Committee will develop Chamber member participation in City Council activities through increased awareness of the issues and direct involvement in the development of the Chamber’s position on these matters (i.e. Study Sessions and City Council Meetings).  The committee will be aggressive and proactive on issues related to business.

  2.)   The Endorsement Committee will develop programs which will provide Chamber members with objective opinions regarding locally elected officials, candidates, and ballot measures.

  3.)   The Committee will communicate with the Chamber membership, through the Chamber’s newsletter and any other means available, in an effort to enhance its visibility and effectiveness in the community including a periodic guest column in The Dispatch.

  4.)   The Committee will work with the Economic Development Director in Gilroy to review, analyze, and promote local ordinances and policies created by city government in reference to business activity in this community.

  5.)   The Committee will take a lead role in representing the business community on local, regional, state and federal issues, and network with other agencies with shared interest, including the Santa Clara County Chamber of Commerce Coalition.  The Committee will also participate in the research and analysis of a Political Action Committee.

   

• Citizen and Business Awards Committee

  Committee Meeting Schedule:  Meetings are scheduled prior to deadline for applications.
  Committee Chairperson:  Christine Filice          

  Purpose:  This committee reviews nominations submitted for the below listed awards, and makes recommendations for approval by the Chamber Board of Directors:

  Man and Woman of the Year: Awards are given to one man and one woman each year who: 1) are residents of Gilroy, and 2) have a history of unselfish, non-paid service to the community, contributing to Gilroy’s welfare and betterment.  Posthumous awards are not considered.

  Business of the Year: An award is given to an outstanding business that has made a significant contribution to the community of Gilroy.  This committee shall establish criteria for creating small and large business categories, such that an award will be given to both a small and large business. This award is given to the business that has demonstrated an extraordinary level of excellence and success within the past year in such areas as: 1) management skills, 2) innovation, 3) personal commitment, community involvement and support, and 4) a contribution to the “entrepreneurial spirit.”

  Non-Profit of the Year:  An award is given to a non-profit organization when it is deemed that an application may fulfill the standard of a non-profit organization having made significant contributions to the betterment of the Gilroy community. 

  Volunteer of the Year: In recognition of the Chamber’s first president, the “Firman B. Voorhies Volunteer of the Year Award” is an award given to a Chamber of Commerce volunteer who has performed above and beyond the call of duty, and who has contributed to furthering the mission of the Chamber.

  Educator of the Year:  Award is given to an outstanding educator.

• Annual Awards Dinner

  Committee meeting schedule:  Committee begins meeting in late fall. 
  Annual Award Dinner Committee Chair:

  Purpose:  This committee organizes the Annual Chamber Dinner.  The event is a venue for the recognition of Gilroy citizens and businesses and the annual installation of Board of Directors and Officers of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce.  The venue also provides the forum for potential fundraising activities to benefit community programs.

• Membership and Ambassador Committee

   

  Committee meeting schedule:  Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber.  
  Membership and Ambassador Committee Chairperson:  Margarida Rodrigues

  Purpose:  The Membership & Ambassadors Committee aids staff in the development of effective acquisition and retention programs designed to educate local businesses and new residents about the programs and services available through the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce.

   Priority Goals:

  1.)    The Committee will concentrate on the retention of existing and development of new members through an awareness program emphasizing personal contacts by Ambassadors and Board members.  The Chamber will provide recognition programs to reward Ambassador participation.

  2.) The Committee will appoint a sub-committee, to include the chairperson, to review the dues structure as requested by the board.  The function of the subcommittee will be to provide historical and research information to the Budget Review Committee for use in determining dues revaluations.

  3.) The Committee will continue to utilize a promotion strategy, that includes personal visits and/or member orientations. The purpose is to communicate the Chamber Programs to increase membership and community-at-large awareness of the programs.

  4.) The Committee will revisit and emphasize membership benefit programs.

  5.) Committee will welcome new Chamber members, act as hosts and hostesses at key Chamber events and facilitators of interaction at all Chamber functions. 

  6.) The Committee can recommend a monthly “Good Egg Award” nomination to the Board of Directors for approval, it is not a mandatory monthly recommendation.

  7.) Staff will coordinate Member Briefings, and Board and Ambassadors will be encouraged to attend and extend invitations to members to attend.

  8.) The Committee will recommend recognition strategies for volunteer leadership. 

• Breakfast Club Committee

  Event schedule: The Breakfast Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 6:45 – 8 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn.  Planning meetings are held quarterly at the Chamber office in December, April, July, and October at noon. 
  Committee Co-Chairpersons for Breakfast Club:

  The Breakfast Club organizes monthly breakfasts geared to provide the opportunity for member networking and for member businesses to present their business “commercial” as well as a forum to introduce new members, associates, and ex-officio members of the Board.  The event will also serve as a forum for promoting benefits, programs, and services available through the Chamber.  The “Breakfast Club” committee will work closely with the Membership Committee to provide an event that fosters good networking within our business community and provides a venue to showcase attendees.

   

   

• Business After Hours Mixer Committee

  Event Schedule:  The Business After Hours Mixer is held on the second Thursday of each month at various hosting business locations.  Planning meetings are held semi-annually at the Chamber office in January and June at noon.   
  Business After Hours Committee Chair: 

  The Mixer Committee and Ambassadors will coordinate “Monthly” mixers with sponsoring businesses and provide guidelines for holding a successful event.  The Committee will work closely with the Membership Committee to involve them as Ambassadors, increase participation on the committee planning.  The committee will work closely with staff to assure attendance from the general membership implement cost-saving recommendations as well as implement strategies for increased networking at the “Mixers.”  The Mixers is a forum for acknowledging new members, promoting business, networking, and retention.

    

• Networking Cafe

  Event schedule: The Network Café is held on the fourth Wednesday of every month.  Planning meetings are held quarterly at the Chamber office in November, March, June, and September at noon.  
  Network Café Committee Co-Chairs: 

  The Networking Café provides a mid-day marketing venue for Chamber members to develop business leads and professional relationships.

• Trade Show

  Committee meeting schedule:  A series of meetings are scheduled prior to the event. 

  Purpose: The Business Showcase and Mixer was organized in 1991 to develop a trade show offering:  1) prime product exposure for participating vendors, 2) public opportunity for participants awareness of products and services available in the South County region, and 3) a low-cost, high intensity marketing medium networking amongst public and for participating businesses within a one-day period of time.

• Marketing, Communications, and Research

  Committee meeting schedule:  Meetings are held monthly at the Chamber. 
  Committee Chairperson:  Susan Patereau

  The Marketing, Communications, and Research Committee will develop components and strategies to guide the Chamber through an implementation process of the branding/marketing recommendations. The key focus of the committee is to monitor the progress of the branding study for the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce as an organization.  The committee may work with a variety of subcommittees from time to time for specific activities including, but not limited to, the Gilroy Business Focus, the website, social media, and other integrated applications.