Overview of Activities
MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The executive of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has been focused on our mission to be the united voice of businesses, by promoting business and community development and encouraging positive economic progress, while identifying and serving the needs of our members, by providing them services to promote growth and facilitating economic development in the Parish of Manchester.
Over the past year we have staged the Marcus Garvey Fair in the community of Resource, South Manchester, under the leadership of our director, Mrs. Valerie Dixon, NCU and UNIA, all proceeds from the fair will go towards the construction of toilets at the Resource Basic School.
We have successfully held Members Meeting on the first Thursday of each month at which resource persons were asked to address our members on areas of concern.
In May, we staged a Business Luncheon at the Golf View Hotel
Members of the executive also represented the Chamber at various functions and meetings and issued press releases on areas of concern.
Since we re-established the secretariat, at Shop #24 Annex Plaza, we have been receiving positive responses from members and the public at large, we currently have on staff Ms. Melissa Nelson, the Administrative Assistant.
We are now poised to provide the business community with the necessary support to create a more conducive business environment, which will result in further economic growth and with proper training and partnership with the appropriate organizations we will play our part to enable our members to survive in this global environment.
The Chamber has over the years been lobbying for an airport in Manchester, but based on feasibility and other studies, we would not be able to fund such a project and it would be timely to very shortly invite Mr. Mike Henry to address our members on his plans for Vernamfield to see how we could assist in making an airport a reality for Central Jamaica.
As we proceed to move the organization forward, we urge every member to get involved in the various communities within the parish to ensure that their interest is protected.
Communication & Public Affairs
Home and vehicle for the Chamber's public relations. This Division will receive from the Secretariat, or prepares for the Secretariat, information for release to the media on the instructions of the secretariat. It may also receive information from the Entrepreneurism and Business Advocacy Division Head for release to the media on approval of the Secretariat. Approval will consist of the President and any other member of the Secretariat. Otherwise in such absence of the President, on the signature of a Vice President and any other two members. The Division is the main medium of external communications
Membership
This Division is charged with keeping in touch with Chamber members and ensuring their needs are met. The Division also sees to the issuing of new Chamber memberships, renewing existing memberships, and providing the Chamber members with a variety of services, including mailing lists, member to member discounts, networking events, etc.
Workforce Development
The Division connects businesses to local and national workforce systems and to institutions delivering training for those systems in order to better align current and future training with the needs of the workplace. It is responsible for the drive to see a highly skilled, well educated workforce prepared for challenges
Entrepreneurism & Business Advocacy
This Division leads the drive to enhance and nurture the innovative entrepreneurial environment and ensure that both the tools and the necessary economic climate are available to assist enterprises to grow, create jobs. This Division will have responsibility for the slate of industries/sectors represented in the community vis a vis mining, tourism, agriculture, construction, services, etc, which are referred to as Units. Assigned Unit heads will report directly to the Division head.
Finance:
The Division ensures adequacy of funding for the Chamber's administration as well as its projects, through fundraising, membership dues and other sources of income. It prepares the annual budget in line with the objectives set each year and monitors actual income and expenditure. The Division will see to the preparation of the financial statements of the Chamber and for the necessary audit to be done on an annual basis. Monthly management accounts are to be reported to the Board of Directors and members meetings.
Government Relations & Economic Development
This Division is charged with lobbying efforts and representation at local and national level in ensuring the needs of members are met and that the drive leads to economic development within the Parish. Air transportation, Highway Development, Water Supplies are some major issues of the Division however will be reviewed annually or more frequently if necessary.
Projects and Events
This Division will spearhead and arrange all projects of the Chamber which includes but is not limited to Monthly members meetings, Seminars, luncheons, Award functions, and community projects.
