Our Mission identifies three key activity areas: public policy, member connections and community and economic development. Our committees also are aligned within these key areas. To learn more about each of the following committees or programs, click on the name.
Public Policy
Legislative Council
Local Government Affairs Committee
Member Connections
Ambassadors
Coralville, Iowa City and North Liberty Roundtables
North Liberty Steering Committee
Community & Economic Development
SEED Small Business Education & Entrepreneurial Development Committee
Agribusiness/Bioscience Committee
Education Committee
Community Leadership Program
Community Youth Leadership Program
Public Policy
Legislative Council
Do you want to be involved in building and changing state and federal regulation to actively foster a better business environment? By joining the Legislative Council, you will may interact with state legislators and our local congressional delegation. You’ll work with other local business leaders to build the Chamber’s official legislative agenda, through involvement in sub-committees focused on agriculture/bioscience, economic development, education, health and human services, local government and transportation. The Council also hosts legislative breakfasts, tracks public policy and advocates on behalf of the business community. The Chamber, along with the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, also hosts a federal issues trip to Washington, D.C., each year to lobby federal officials on behalf of Corridor-wide initiatives.
Impact the policies that affect you and your business colleagues! Contact Rebecca Neades at (319) 337-9637 to learn how you can get involved!
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Local Government Affairs Committee
Much of the policy and regulation affecting small business is conducted at the local, municipal and county levels. The Chamber’s Local Government Affairs Committee works with our area city councils, school boards and Johnson County Board of Supervisors to encourage equitable, business-friendly policies policy that is in the best interest of our community. This committee offers a great opportunity to learn about how policy is determined, how it can be modified and how to work with local entities for positive results.
This committee has very flexible membership. You may choose to be involved as issues arise that are important to you. All are welcome. Contact Rebecca Neades at (319) 337-9637, to learn how to get involved.
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Member Connections
Ambassadors
Serving as an Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador allows engaged members to share their enthusiasm for the organization while increasing their business contacts throughout the community! Fifty-five members, each from a different member organization, help Iowa City Area Chamber members celebrate milestones with ribbon-cutting and ground-breaking ceremonies; honoring members of long-standing in the community, or celebrating those taking an innovative approach to business and maintaining an active, vibrant committee.
A short application and orientation session is required prior to acceptance in the Committee. Meetings are held at noon the fourth Tuesday of the month. Contact Nicole Harrington at (319) 337-9637.
The Ambassadors are sponsored by: AW Welt Ambrisco Insurance (Premier Sponsor).
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Coralville, Iowa City and North Liberty Roundtables
Do you like to know what is happening in your community? Get the latest information from communities served by the Iowa City Area Chamber and to network with others. Coralville, Iowa City and North Liberty each host luncheon roundtables that bring attendees up-to-speed on community-wide developments and offer the opportunity to share information about your business. You don’t have to live or work in any of the communities to participate in that roundtable — anyone may attend any roundtable!
To receive notices for the Coralville and Iowa City roundtables, e-mail Nicole Harrington or call (319) 337-9637.
North Liberty offers additional opportunities for involvement. For more information, click here or contact Heather Johnson at heather@iowacityarea.com or (319) 337-9637.
“The Coralville Roundtable is an invaluable way for me to remain informed about matters affecting the area business economy, to identify local resources and to meet decision-makers, all while providing cost-effective opportunities to grow my law practice in service of my clients and the community,”
- Melvin Shaw, Attorney, Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Member
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North Liberty Steering Committee
North Liberty is a growing, vibrant community and business members are passionate about fostering economic prosperity. In addition to the monthly roundtable, the North Liberty Steering Committee actively plans events to benefit the community and to further enhance community pride. Events include a golf tournament, business banquet and fun run. To learn more about how to be involved in the North Liberty Steering Committee, contact Heather Johnson at (319) 337-9637.
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Community & Economic Development
SEED Small business Education & Entrepreneurial
Development Committee
The SEED Committee promotes entrepreneurship in the Iowa City Area by
providing specialized education and networking opportunities to Chamber
members. The Committee presents the SEED Seminar Series,
thought-provoking sessions on topics important to small business owners.
Additionally, the Committee plans regular speed networking events. Watch
our calendar for upcoming events. Contact Heather Johnson at (319) 337-9637.
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Agribusiness/Bioscience Committee
The bioeconomy is growing — and this group intends to be a part of it. The Agriculture/Bioscience Committee explores and promotes value-added agriculture and bioscience development in Johnson County. Committee members do this by educating Chamber members and the entire community on the role agriculture plays in our local and global economies. Educational opportunities organized by the committee include the ag breakfast series, an agriculture/bioscience industry tour and honoring local farm families and agriculturally minded students. Any member is welcome to participate in this Committee. Contact Heather Johnson, (319) 337-9637.
The Agribusiness/Bioscience Committee is sponsored by Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc. and First Trust & Savings Bank. Friends of the committee include: Bergan Paulsen, F&M Bank, Hills Bank and Trust Company, Johnson County Soil & Water Conservation District, MidWestOne Bank, Premier Automotive and Van Meter.
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Education Committee
If you care about education’s role in fostering a better business environment, then you will want to be involved in the Chamber’s Education Committee. The Education Committee ensures continued excellence of public and private education by promoting school/business partnerships and educating members and the public about education's role in improving the business climate and quality of life in Johnson County. The Committee annually hosts the Excellence in Education Awards each spring to recognize the extraordinary achievements by students, volunteers and educators, and to acknowledge the strong partnerships local businesses build with education. The fall New Teacher Luncheon is an exciting event in which teachers new to our area are welcomed and honored by the business community. Committee participation is not time-consuming: the committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month, ad hoc, during the academic year. Contact Alicia Streeter, (319) 337-9637.
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Community Leadership Program
"The quality of our leadership will determine the future of our community."
The Community Leadership Program develops effective leaders
for the communities of the Johnson
County area. The program,
nearing two decades, offers its participants access to our community leaders,
insight into critical issues, and an in-depth overview of the systems that make
up our community. Leadership development continues even after graduation from
the program. The CLP Advisory Council works to foster the CLP and its graduates.
Contact Heather Johnson at (319) 337-9637.
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Community Youth Leadership Program
The Community Youth Leadership Program (CYLP), established in 2003, provides an opportunity for local high school students to learn essential leadership skills and become engaged in our community.
Students apply in the spring of their sophomore year to participate in their junior year. Applications are available today through United Action for Youth. Registration deadline is May 20, 2010.
For more information, contact Erin Shaw at United Action for Youth, (319) 338-7518 , or talk to your school guidance counselor.
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