COMMITTEES IN ACTION

GGCC has four primary committees and a number of supporting subcommittees.  It is critical to the health of the Chamber that members have input into the programs and activities, therefore, all GGCC members are encouraged to become involved in the committee of their choice.

·         Legislative Affairs Committee

o        Vice Chair - Christopher Zindash, Crowne Plaza Rockville

The Legislative Committee is charged with the task of representing the GGCC and its members in a pro-active fashion in the formulation of state and local legislation and policy affecting the business community.  The goals are:  To survey the membership to determine the critical issues facing our GGCC members on Germantown, Gaithersburg, County and State Legislative issues, which have an impact on our Membership and the communities we represent and to develop the GGGCC Annual Legislative Agenda; To monitor any legislative issues being considered by our elected officials in state, county, and local governments, and to participate in the process where and when needed; To respond to, and take part in, discussions of issues that may have an impact on our member businesses, including the issue of local governance in Germantown and Gaithersburg.

o        Germantown Task Force

      Chair – Doug Wrenn, Rodgers Consulting

t Germantown as a community, i.e. incorporation, urban district, foundation, etc.; To address the challenges presented by the maturing of Germantown’s Town Center; To compensate for the lack of any specific economic development plan for Germantown within the County Government; To influence the upcoming MNCPPC review of the Germantown Master Plan; and To ensure the integral nature of Montgomery College and the planned Life Sciences and Technology Park as assets to the Germantown Community as it develops and grows.

o        Gaithersburg West Task Force

      Chair – Jennifer Russel, Rodgers Consulting

The purpose of the Task Force to actively engage in the development of an expanded vision for the Gaithersburg West Planning Area / Shady Grove Live Sciences Center – which includes Adventist HealthCare, the Universities at Shady Grove, Johns Hopkins University and numerous private biotechnology companies and federal research labs.  Issues to be addressed include the Gaithersburg-West Master Plan, Advocacy of the CCT, Economic Development in the Biotech Industry, and the Enhancement of Higher Education in Montgomery County.or

·         Member Recruitment and Retention Committee

o        Vice Chair – Matt Rowland, Coldwell Banker Residential

Maintains strong growth in membership through targeted new member recruitment activities that effectively communicate the potential value of membership to community businesses.  Promotes the ongoing value of membership to member businesses through personalized contacts with member business representatives and other tactics that monitor member needs, member satisfaction, and their perception of Chamber value.

·         Member Programs Committee

o        Vice Chair – Bob Cowdrey, Capital Bank, N.A.

The Vice Chair of Member Programs oversees the Community Services, Golf Tournament, Small Office Home Office, Networking Events, and Special Events Committees.

o        Community Service

This committee's purpose is to promote and enhance the community by participating in volunteer opportunities. The committee will sponsor and coordinate such activities and work to involve all GGCC members in these programs. These activities can be civic in nature or opportunities to provide for the needs of the community by donations of goods and/or services.

o        Golf Tournament -- Chair, Trina LaPier, Gazette Newspapers

This annual event is a fun networking, fundraising opportunity for members and guests.  Part of the proceeds fund the GGCC Scholarship Fund for a deserving student majoring in business at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus.

o        Networking Events

This committee will act as the host at the monthly networking events and help increase attendance at these events.

o        Special Events

It is ideal to have a chair for each special event due to the tasks involved.  The responsibilities of the Chair would be to help plan, organize and oversee the special event.