Unification Update
The Rockford Chamber and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council believe coming together under one umbrella organization will lead to greater success. It will help the organizations work together on common goals like business attraction, business retention and workforce development, and it will allow for stronger advocacy on issues favorable to business. The two organizations will remain separate but unified, sharing the workload and resources and sharing accountability for moving our business community forward.
This is what the organizational structure may look like:
This is what the organizational structure may look like:
A unification task force made up of board members of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (Rockford Chamber) hired a firm from Austin, TX to lead the organizations’ unification process.
The task force studied several models for unification used by similar groups nationwide and chose to pursue a “Partnership Umbrella” structure. Within that structure, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC would be unified, but not merged, each maintaining a separate board and a separate, defined focus. They would be housed under a 501C6 organization and aligned in their goals, their work and the metrics they are trying to achieve for the region. They would also share costs for services like HR, operations, marketing and I.T.
The task force identified several advantages of the umbrella partnership model including:
The task force set a goal for completion of the facilitator-led plan for the first quarter of 2020.
At that time, both boards will have the opportunity to issue a yes/no vote on the unification plan and, if approved, begin implementation. The task force work helped to conclude that both organizations will be stronger, more accountable, more efficient and more effective working more closely together.
Avalanche Consulting will help the task force obtain stakeholder input, identify best practices, and subsequently develop goals, programs, metrics and governance structure for the unified organization.
“We researched and evaluated a number of firms across the country and Avalanche stood out as the best choice based on their vast experience providing the services we were looking for, their fresh, outside view of our region and their focus on economic development strategies, organizational assessments, workforce development,” said Jeff Hultman, the task force’s chairman.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to consult the RAEDC and Chamber of Commerce on this important and timely process,” said Avalanche Consulting President/CEO Amy Holloway.
Chamber members are encouraged to check back for updates on the unification process over the next several weeks.
If you have questions please feel free to contact Einar Forsman, President/CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce at eforsman@rockfordchamber.com
The task force studied several models for unification used by similar groups nationwide and chose to pursue a “Partnership Umbrella” structure. Within that structure, the Rockford Chamber and RAEDC would be unified, but not merged, each maintaining a separate board and a separate, defined focus. They would be housed under a 501C6 organization and aligned in their goals, their work and the metrics they are trying to achieve for the region. They would also share costs for services like HR, operations, marketing and I.T.
The task force identified several advantages of the umbrella partnership model including:
- Speaking with a stronger, unified voice on behalf of the community
- Making it easy for business leaders and site selectors to know who to call for assistance
- Align goals for stronger benefits to business and the community
- Alignment of volunteer hours and activities
- Greater focus and impact on local, state and federal government affairs and advocacy
- Accountability and tracking of results
The task force set a goal for completion of the facilitator-led plan for the first quarter of 2020.
At that time, both boards will have the opportunity to issue a yes/no vote on the unification plan and, if approved, begin implementation. The task force work helped to conclude that both organizations will be stronger, more accountable, more efficient and more effective working more closely together.
Avalanche Consulting will help the task force obtain stakeholder input, identify best practices, and subsequently develop goals, programs, metrics and governance structure for the unified organization.
“We researched and evaluated a number of firms across the country and Avalanche stood out as the best choice based on their vast experience providing the services we were looking for, their fresh, outside view of our region and their focus on economic development strategies, organizational assessments, workforce development,” said Jeff Hultman, the task force’s chairman.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to consult the RAEDC and Chamber of Commerce on this important and timely process,” said Avalanche Consulting President/CEO Amy Holloway.
Chamber members are encouraged to check back for updates on the unification process over the next several weeks.
If you have questions please feel free to contact Einar Forsman, President/CEO of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce at eforsman@rockfordchamber.com
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