MEMBERSHIP

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS COMMITTEE
The Business After Hours Committee only meets once, early in the year, to set the groundwork for the upcoming Business After Hours schedule. From that point on, they combine the task of helping host one of the best-attended events for the Chamber along with the opportunity to see almost everyone who attends these events! They know that in return for their shift at Business After Hours, they’ll get a chance to network with lots of people in one busy place. The Business After Hours hosts appreciate the extra effort from the committee because they often don’t have the staff to cover all tasks required in hosting such a large gathering. They know that the committee will step in to cover any area. Attendance at Business After Hours averages around 275. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DIPLOMAT COMMITTEE
The Diplomats are a committee of dedicated volunteers that make sure your Chamber of Commerce has one of the best retention rates among Chambers – 80%. Diplomats help retain our members through monthly visits – over 400 personal calls annually to make sure Chamber members feel connected to the organization. They are also responsible for delivering new member packets to each of the new members that sign up during the year. Again, these are personal calls from one member to another, helping that new member become enthused about the Chamber and its mission. The Diplomats are also responsible for calling on members whose investments may have lapsed. Joining the Diplomats is a great way to get started in the Chamber. The Diplomat Committee meets twice monthly. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CHAMBER POWER BREAKFAST COMMITTEE
This committee is dedicated to creating a top-notch program for the Chamber membership on a quarterly basis. Their efforts consist of meeting quarterly to determine the agenda for the upcoming Chamber Power Breakfast meeting and to make sure that the host has all the help they need to have a large meeting of this size. Attendance is usually 130 or more for these early morning gatherings, and the committee is proud of the amount of information shared with our membership in a one-hour meeting. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT COMMITTEE
A newly established committee, this group will be looking at various membership benefits that could be added to the Topeka Chamber’s list of benefits. The committee meets occasionally, depending on what benefits are available for them to review. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP GREATER TOPEKA PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Leadership Greater Topeka Planning Committee, comprised of alumni of the Leadership program, plans and implements the annual leadership program. This group meets several times in the fall and then helps coordinate the program in the spring. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LEADERSHIP GREATER TOPEKA SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Leadership Greater Topeka Selection Committee strives to select a diverse, representative group of individuals to participate in the annual leadership training program. The committee meets in the fall and is comprised primarily of program alumni. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FAST FORWARD: Young Professionals on the Move

FAST FORWARD STEERING COMMITTEE
The Fast Forward Steering Committee is comprised of young professionals ages 20-40. The committee, which meets monthly, plans events for young professionals in the Topeka/Shawnee County community. Events include networking events at Chamber member firms, casual socials, seminars, educational luncheons, government speakers and community service activities. The Fast Forward group also works to retain and attract young professionals to the community. Information about sub-committees is available at Fast Forward's website. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION COMMITTEE
Legislative action is one of the highest priorities for members of the Chamber. This committee gathers information on business legislative issues, prepares policy information and makes recommendations regarding legislative action to the board of directors. Those members involved have knowledge of legislative process, business issues and in some cases lobbying experience. An important role of the committee is sharing information regarding issues and legislative bill monitoring. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FEDERAL EMPLOYERS COMMITTEE
As the capital city of Kansas, Topeka is the home of many federal agencies that employ significant numbers of local citizens. This committee is composed only of representatives from federal agencies allowing them to share information regarding federal issues and operations within their agencies. This forum for federal employers provides a venue for the Chamber to assist in maintaining stability of federal employers and to encourage growth of federal jobs in the community. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Any Chamber member can choose to receive weekly email updates on legislation the Chamber is lobbying or monitoring. These email updates are provided throughout the legislative session. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LOBBYING
The Chamber employs a registered lobbyist to represent the Chamber at the legislature on issues which the board has approved positions. Issues at the federal, city and county level are also monitored and lobbied as indicated through policy decisions. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

INTER-CITY VISIT
Annually the Chamber plans and executes a trip to a community exhibiting excellence in ‘best practices’ and constructive outcomes. Elected officials, business and community leaders and Chamber staff travel to the recognized community to learn what has transpired to achieve excellence in business practices, leadership and community satisfaction. These visits are intended to bring fresh ideas, alternate thinking and community cooperation to achieve similar success in our community. Outcomes are tracked and recorded; significant strides have been made within our community in pursuing agreed upon goals and best practices. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MARKETING

AMBASSADORS
Identifiable by their red jackets, the Ambassadors are the marketing/public relations “arm” of the Chamber, extending the hand of friendship to new and old members alike. Ambassadors attend Chamber functions such as Business After Hours, Chamber Power Breakfast, New Member Receptions and Annual Meeting. They also assist with ribbon cuttings and special events for Chamber member firms as well as grand openings for new businesses in the community. They often assist with community events, serving as hosts/hostesses or volunteers. They meet monthly and are expected to participate in at least two additional events each month. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GO TOPEKA Economic Partnership

ENTREPRENEURIAL AND MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (EMBD)
The EMBD Advisory Council advises and assists GO Topeka in providing effective economic development programs for socially and economically disadvantaged persons in Topeka and Shawnee County. The Advisory Council acts as a liaison between the community and GO Topeka, and is the conduit of communications to GO Topeka concerning the needs of the community. The Council also advises GO Topeka as to what avenues of communication can be more effective in GO Topeka’s activities; identifies areas in the community where the socially and economically disadvantaged persons can best be served; and identifies organizations and agencies that provide economic development assistance to the socially and economically disadvantaged in Topeka/Shawnee County. Their mission is job creation through education, entrepreneurialism and small business development for minority- and women-owned and disadvantaged businesses. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it