Highlights of the Mission, Goals and Functions of the Urban Savannah Chamber of Commerce Organization launch meeting held January 25th 2015

1. Organization Launch Meeting
25 January 2016 Organization Launch Meeting
25 January 2016

2. Introduction
John W. Voner
Founder & President/CEO of Urban Savannah Chamber of Commerce Inc
➔ Welcome
➔ Overview
➔ Agenda

3. Founding
Advisory Council
Real stories of development from
those who helped make it all a reality
Zelonia Williams
Russell Canady
Calvin Harris

4. Mission
Statement
Our mission is to provide a platform
for urban entrepreneurs and
professionals in the Savannah
metropolitan area that will foster a
thriving and sustainable business
environment.

5. Our Vision
Through a strategic focus on economic
development, advocacy, social and civic
responsibility; our vision is to increase
African-American tourism and business
investment in the Savannah area.

6. Chamber Infrastructure
Urban Savannah Chamber of Commerce Inc
➔ A 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation
➔ Programming development
➔ Operations funding
➔ Entitled to tourism tax revenues
➔ Policy-making and lobbying power
Urban Savannah Foundation LLC
➔ A 501(c)(3) non-profit
➔ Programming delivered through this one
➔ Education & Non-Profit support
➔ Grant funding flexible
➔ No policy-making or lobbying (charitable
component)

7. The Chamber Staff
John Voner- President & CEO
Alicia Scott- Chief Operations Officer
Johnathan L. Manning- Chief Financial Officer
Executive Administrator- TBD

8. Why We Need a Black Chamber of Commerce
➔[We]African-Americans alive today are only 5 Generations removed from slavery
➔5 Generations behind in higher education, voting, home ownership, etc
➔Black Chambers must be different, do different than “traditional chamber.”
➔Programming to serve specific needs of our community
➔Powerful organizational platform to drive policy to serve our community
➔Help advocate to even the playing field of opportunity and access

9. Board of Directors, Founding Members, Corporate Sponsors
21 Founding Board Members
Executive Committee
Chairman– John Voner
Vice-chair– TBD
2nd vice chair– TBD
Secretary– TBD
14– Board Members (Invitations
Extended this week)
2- Ex Officio Members
*Founding Board Members are Invitation
Only/Requests accepted
Founding Members
$1000 Founding Membership (Open to
All) Closes March 1st, 2016
Corporate Sponsorship
3- Levels (Invitation or By Request)
Gold- See Package
Silver
Platinum

10. Councils &
Committees
Advisory boards to guide
programming
Economic Development Council
African American Tourism Council
Emerging Leaders Network
Public Policy & Business Councils
➔ Youth & Education Council
➔ Health & Wellness Council
➔ Public Safety & Recidivism
➔ Arts & Culture Council

11. Current & Proposed Programming
The Collective Networking Mixer (Every 3rd Monday) Feb - Nov 2016
Urban Wine Down After Hours Mixer (Every 1st Tuesday) Feb - Dec 2016
Sisters of Savannah Women’s Networking Breakfast (Quarterly 4x)
Urban Business Lunch & Learn (Semi-Monthly 6x)
Urban State of Small Business Expo (Annually)
Black Film Festival (Partnership Pending with Savannah State University
Urban Savannah Holiday Social (Annually 2nd Saturday December)
NEW!! Partnership!
Join Free Today until March 1st, 2016
After March 1st, free listings for Urban Savannah
Members Only

12. Real Connections to Empower You
www.urbansavannah.org
www.soulofsavannah.com