Thank you for your interest in chairing a Chamber committee or forum!  Chairing a Morris County Chamber committee, forum or round table is a rewarding and highly visible volunteer leadership role.  These positions support the Chamber's mission and provide chairs with the opportunity to serve their fellow members.  While the Chamber appreciates a two-year commitment, please note that the Board of Directors appoints the Chamber Chairs annually. 

Please apply by Friday, October 6, 2023.  These positions are open to Morris County Chamber members only.

---

Chair Position Description

Responsibilities
 
Lead Monthly Forums / Committee Meetings

• Create a Monthly Meeting Agenda in consultation with the Chamber:
  • Confirm discussion topic and/or speaker at least 1 month, but preferably 3 to 6 months in advance 
  • Coordinate with and schedule your speakers or panelists (if applicable)
  • Include a 2-minute ‘Chamber Announcements’ section in your agenda for your staff liaison to share upcoming events and general info
  • If your committee has a sponsor, allow 5-minutes for them to address attendees
  • Send presentations, poll questions, worksheets, etc. to your staff liaison 3 business days before your meeting. 
• ​Communicate with your committee members regularly (once a month minimum) to encourage them to participate in upcoming committee meetings​
• Assign committee roles as needed, such as advisory board, community outreach coordinator, recording secretary, etc.

General

• Attend Chair Orientation Meeting
• Encourage members and future members to attend your committee meeting  (Refer prospects to the Director of Business Development)
• Participate in transition to to new chair at end of term
• ​Anticipated time commitment is about 4 to 5 hours per month

Chamber Support

• Chairs receive support from Chamber leadership and touch base monthly to discuss upcoming meetings
• A Staff Liaison is assigned to each committee.  They will:
  • Email a meeting reminder to the committee roster one week before each meeting
  • Attend each meeting to ensure that the technology is working properly if virtual or to greet and check-in members if in-person
  • Take attendance at each meeting, update the roster and share the list with you as needed
  • Distribute handouts provided in advance of meeting
  • Share Chamber Announcements at each meeting
• Each committee has a dedicated webpage that includes the current chair’s headshot and contact information, the committee’s mission statement, the meeting schedule and more
• All meetings are included on the Chamber Events Calendar
• The month’s topic is added to each meeting's event page as it is received
• Meetings, with topics / speakers if available, are included in the weekly Upcoming Events newsletter
• Monthly announcements for each meeting are posted on the Chamber’s social media

Here are insights from successful chairs that will help you grow your forum!
 
Cultivate Followers: Identify a compelling discussion topic, book your speaker and/or schedule an offsite meeting well in advance so you have the opportunity to generate interest and drive attendance 

Grow your Network: Email an invitation or series of invitations to your committee members and encourage them to share your invitation with a friend  

Deliver More Value: Inviting your own personal network, clients and prospects to meetings that would be of interest to them is a win-win – added value for your clients and potential new members for our Chamber 

Stay Top of Mind: Communicate regularly with your committee members to maintain interest:  

• Create a committee newsletter or use a simple, personal email - both have proven effective 
• Post meeting info on your social media channels 
• Use your committee roster to stay in touch with members - send a meeting recap, share related articles, request feedback, etc. ​