The study, coordinated by Fitzpatrick Research Services Corp., is using qualitative interviews with key business leaders to identify the critical issues. In Phase Two, quantitative, statistically valid research techniques will be employed to measure priorities among a projectable sample of County businesses.
The results of this effort are expected to provide the focal point for our business development advocacy and will be shared with the executive and legislative branches of county government and with the economic development community. It is expected that this study also will provide guidance to the RBA’s other major initiative.
In mid-June, Sue Rutledge, RBA Chair, convened the first meeting of the association’s new Long Range Planning Committee. This group has the task of preparing what will be the association’s business plan for the near-term.
The RBA has grown to over 750 member companies (representing one-third of the Rockland workforce) and expects to have well over 800 members by the end of the year. This puts us on target for the coveted goal of 1,000 members as we go forward in early 2006. With growth of this type comes challenges that must be faced now. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce advises that organization’s like ours have an ever increasing responsibility in the areas of public policy and economic development. Because of the size of the organization, programs become more comprehensive and sophisticated and there are sharper differences in the needs of the more diverse membership. Preparation for these changes needs to be addressed early so they can accommodated.
Three years ago, when we started to plan for this growth, we established the Women’s Forum and the Consultant’s Council as fairly autonomous entities. More recently, we did the same with the Small Business Council. The U.S. Chamber advises that committees in a group such as ours should be formed around “large divisions and councils,” that they be organized almost like subsidiaries and have a sense of autonomy. We did this because instinct and experience said it was the right thing to do. Now that we are well into the growth mode, we are going to address future growth in a more studied and formal manner. The RBA has a major role to play in the future of our members and our county. We’re leaving nothing to chance. If you would like to input this process, please contact me, the Chair, or one of the members of the Board who volunteered to be part of this great effort: Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien; Rich Syrek; Gregg Kroner; Vinny Abbatecola; Jan Degenshein and Joe Allen.
And, please remember, all the folks mentioned in this column deserve your gratitude and recognition. They are giving a great deal of time to your association so that you might benefit from your membership.
— Al Samuels |
