Dear World Wide Web Visitor,
 

Thank you for visiting our website.  In today’s unsure world, St. Croix offers relative stability due to our well diversified economy, stable banking system, and hard working and friendly population.  Our economy is based upon tourism, manufacturing, government and private financial services as well as strong entrepreneurial base of hundreds of locally owned businesses serving the needs of our beautiful and unspoiled island. 

The St. Croix Chamber remains focused in working with our partners at the Hotel & Tourism Association and Government – both Executive and Legislative to further improve productivity through a continuous process of business environment enhancement. 

I remain strongly optimistic that through the hard work fostered by the collaborative and creative efforts of Virgin Islanders, along with strong leadership in the private sector, the local Government as well as that in Washington, we shall take our part in a confident march forward towards world wide economic recovery.

Sincerely,

Omer ErSelcuk
 

St. Croix Chamber of Commerce 2008 Operating Plan

Scope and Purpose:

The purpose of this document is to outline the 2008 Operating Plan (the Plan) of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce (Chamber).  The Plan will form the basis of the Chamber’s 2008 Goals and Objectives (G&Os).  These G&Os will then be assigned appropriately to the Executive Director, President/Chairman, and respective committees.

Goals & Objectives

1. Chamber Enhancement
   1. Executive Director
      1. Establish of bi-annual G&Os based on the Plan.
      2. Owner: Executive Director, Chairman
      3. Review of G&Os by Executive Committee prior to end of year
   2. Boost Financial Status Via
      1. Continued strict financial oversight
      2. Owner: Budget and Finance Committee
      3. Establishsh 2008 Budget
         1. Owner: Budget and Finance Committee
      4. Ensuring existing membership renewal

1. Owner: Executive Director
1. Membership growth (25 to 30 percent increase revenue)
   1. Owner: Executive Director, Chamber Development and Enhancement Committee
2. Generate new revenue streams
   1. Owner: Executive Director, Chamber Development and Enhancement Committee
1. Chamber Platform
   1. Adjust mission statement to include:
      1. Continued collaboration with government and tourism
      2. Owner: Board
2. Chamber Management
   1. Use of Plan based G&Os
      1. Owner: Executive Committee
1. Chamber PR
   1. Pro-active business voice
      1. Board approved press releases, takes positions on key initiatives
      2. Owner: Executive Director, Board
   2. Participation in New Events
      1. Awards Banquet
      2. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
      3. Owner: Events Committee
   3. Presence at key government and private sector events

1. Owner: Executive Director, Board
1. Government Accountability and Productivity
   1. Meet your Senator After Hours
      1.  In conjunction with VI Hotel & Tourism Special debate series to help membership choose candidates and to assistcandidates with knowing/supporting our key issues
   2. Meet your Government luncheons
      1. Governor
      2. Delegate to Congress (Possible Debate)
      3. Select Commissioners
   3. Coordination/support of VI Government as feasible
      1. Invite St. Croix Administrator, Assistant to the Governor for quarterly Chamber participation
   4. Owner: Governmental Affairs and Events Committee
2. Tort Reform
   
   1. Assist in developing a balanced playing field for business and individuals
   2. Owner: Economic Development Committee
3. Healthcare Reform
   
   1. Ensure proper basis, methodology, and placement are utilized
   2. Owner: Government Affairs Committee
4. Tourism
   1. Work closely with VI Hotel & Tourism (HTA)
      
      1. Ensure Chamber participation on HTA Board
      2. Assist HTA in development of new resorts
      3. Help coordination preparation for cruise ships in 2009
      4. Holiday Hope Event 2008
      5. St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association President invited to participate in quarterly Chamber Board Meetings
   2. Work with Department of Tourism
      
      1. Assistant Commissioner (St. Croix) invited to participate with quarterly Chamber meetings
      2. Assist in maintaining/developing air transport
   3. Owner: Government Affairs and Economic Development Committees
5. Infrastructure and Public Safety
   
   1. Work closely with HTA and others including Public Safety to boost crime prevention
   2. Work closely with Public Works to enhance conditions
      1. Invite Commissioner of Public Works to a Board Meeting
   3. Owner: Government Affairs Committee
6. Economic Development
   
   1. EDC Program promotion
   2. Coordination with Department of Interior
      
      1. EDC and other key areas
      2. Assist Delegate in obtaining our fair share of Federal Funding
   3. Assistance in development of beneficial projects (IE: Tech Park, Gallows Bay Marina, Williams & Punch, others)
   4. Owner:  Economic Development Committee
7. Community, Education, Workforce, Culture, and Charitable Causes
   
   1. Coordination with these important community components
      
      1. Participation of the Workforce Development Committee
      2. Annual contributions/participation with community and charitable causes: Holiday Hope Event (Boys and Girls Club, Toys for Tots)
      3. Scholastic writing competition
      4. Establish/re-launch the scholarship program
      5. Joint sponsorship of at least one annual community event
   2. Owner: Education and Workforce Development Committee

 Omer ErSelcuk

Chairman, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce