Laura Nicholson, Executive Director/CEO

Strategic Planning

The Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, like any business, is constantly changing and evolving to meet the needs of its customers, among them 700 members and anyone that needs information about our businesses and community.

As part of that effort we conducted a strategic planning survey to learn more about the needs and expectations of Chamber members. More than 150 members looked at the survey and 115 filled out the survey. That's a good response and it gave us some clear impressions of member expectations.

Fifty-five percent of those responding have been Chamber members for less than five years; 45 percent have been members for 5 to more than 20 years. Sixty-three percent of those responding have fewer than 10 employees while 36 percent employed from 10 to more than 50 employees.

A resounding 62 percent of Chamber members said the main function of the Chamber of Commerce should be promoting the local community. However, for their own business that number fell off with 46 percent saying promote the local community and 48 percent saying offering networking and promotional opportunities.

On the question of the importance of government/political advocacy as a function of the Chamber of Commerce, 23 percent said it was most important, 27 percent said it was very important and 22 percent said it was only somewhat important. Twelve percent said it was the least important function of the Chamber.

Survey responders were familiar with many Chamber functions especially the Business After Hours (95 percent); ribbon cuttings (94 percent) Business Connection Breakfasts (85 percent) and the Chamber web site (89 percent.)

However, there are areas that are lesser known and show us we can do more to improve our communications with members. These areas include member orientations (59 percent); the tourism web site (53 percent); the Legislative Lunches (57 percent) and the Government Affairs Committee (46 percent.)

As we continue to expand and improve our services we will work on ways to better get this information to you. For example, the next member orientation, which outlines your member benefits, is Friday, October 5, at 8 am. There is no cost to attend and it's a great way to review your Chamber benefits. The next Legislative Lunch is Friday, October 19, at 11:45 am at Hillcrest Catering/The Plaza Room. The topic is "Eminent Domain" and our assemblymen Doug LaMalfa and Rick Keene are scheduled to attend. Call the Chamber for reservations at 743-6501.

The tourism web site, by the way, is at www.visityubasutter.com. and is a comprehensive guide to the Yuba-Sutter region that is supported through Transient Occupancy Tax funding from the cities and counties.

Our existing communication methods include this publication, Business Today, produced in partnership with the Appeal-Democrat, a weekly radio spot on Tuesday morning courtesy of AM1600 KUBA, a monthly On Business program sponsored by Comcast Channel 19, a weekly e-newsletter that comes out on Tuesday and posting of the e-newsletter on the Chamber web site at www.yubasutterchamber.com.

Several people who took the survey want to participate in focus groups and we look forward to continuing the discussion of how the Chamber can grow and expand its services to best serve Chamber members and the Chamber mission, "To create and promote a community climate where businesses are productive and profitable."

If you have ideas for us, please e-mail them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .