CAPITOL HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE · 2025 First Avenue, Suite 800 Seattle, WA 98121 Project team Bonnie Berk Natasha Fedo Michael Wells, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Michelle Hippler,

CAPITOL HILLCHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Adopted by CHCC Board of Directors on December 10, 2013

Vibrant Thriving Neighborhood+ +

Strategic Plan: 2014-16

2025 First Avenue, Suite 800Seattle, WA 98121

www.berkconsulting.com

Project teamBonnie Berk

Natasha Fedo

� Michael Wells, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce

� Michelle Hippler, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce

� Jill Cronauer, Hunters Capital

� Ellen Forney, Freelance Commercial Artist

� Don Blakeney, Chinatown International Business District BIA

� Josephine Wong, Capitol Hill Housing

� Dani Cone, Fuel Coffee & High 5 Pie

� Adam Nance, Seattle Central Community College Foundation

� Jerry Traunfeld, Poppy Restaurant

� Jason Lajeunesse, Neumos, Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge, Big Mario’s, Capitol Hill Block Party

� Grace Kim, Schemata Workshop

� Phil Mocek, Software Developer and Activist

� Tracy Taylor, Elliot Bay Book Company

� Ivy Fox, Broadway Farmers Market

� Jane Hutcheson, Group Health Cooperative

� Michael Wells, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce

� Jill Cronauer, Hunters Capital

� Don Blakeney, Chinatown International Business District BIA

� Tracy Taylor, Elliot Bay Book Company

� Paul Dwoskin, Broadway Video

� Laura Culberg, Sweatbox Yoga, Capitol Hill Entrepreneurial Women (CHEW)

� Jeff Keever, Seattle Central Community College

� Chip Ragen, Ragen & Associates

sTAFF And BOARd OF dIRECTORs

sTRATEgIC PLAnnIng TAskFORCE

Plan development support

Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce

Adopted by CHCC Board of Directors on 12/10/2013 1

CAPITOL HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

STRATEGIC PLAN: 2014‐16

VISION

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce advocates for and promotes the long‐term economic health of

the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

MISSION

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce works to ensure that Capitol Hill is a vibrant, thriving

neighborhood, by connecting and partnering with businesses, local governments and community

organizations.

SUMMARY OF GOALS

Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce will engage in:

1. NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY

2. MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS

3. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

4. BOARD AND STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING

MAJOR INITIATIVES

Develop a Capitol Hill Community Business Plan, an Update to the Economic Vitality

Agenda

Refocus the Chamber’s Governance and legal structure to align with its mission

Expand the BIA boundaries to encompass the broader Capitol Hill business district

MAJOR

INITIATIVE

MAJOR

INITIATIVE

MAJOR

INITIATIVE

CAPITOL HILL CHAMBER STRATEGIC PLAN: 2014‐16

FINAL PLAN


PLAN ON A PAGE: SUMMARY OF GOALS AND ACTION STRATEGIES

GOAL #1. Neighborhood Business Development and Advocacy

A. Develop a Capitol Hill Community Business Plan, an Update to the Economic Vitality Agenda

B. Serve as the Clearinghouse and Advocate‐in‐Chief for Improvement Programs and Projects

C. Develop a Capitol Hill Policy Agenda to Drive Advocacy and Information Sharing

D. Host or Co‐Sponsor Forums and Events to Generate Ideas and Discussion in Support of Economic

Development

GOAL #2. Marketing, Communications, and Events

A. Sponsor and Promote a Lineup of Signature Capitol Hill Events

B. Align and Consolidate the Chamber’s Web Presence to Expand its Impact

GOAL #3. Financial Sustainability

A. Refocus the Chamber’s Governance and Legal Structure to Align with its Mission

B. Expand the BIA Boundaries to Better Align with Capitol Hill Business Growth

C. Expand Fundraising Activities through Grants and Business Funding

GOAL #4. Board and Staff Capacity Building

A. Develop Staffing and Systems Capacity to Manage the Chamber and BIA Operations

B. Design and Implement a Board Development Plan


FINAL PLAN


GOALS & STRATEGIES

GOAL #1. Neighborhood Business Development and Advocacy


Identify key stakeholders and form a Capitol Hill Advisory Committee, as well as a Subcommittee

focused on the Pike/Pine Subarea

Develop strategies to address current public safety, transportation, and other economic

development related issues

Broadly engage and involve stakeholders across the Hill in the Plan’s development

Commission a retail analysis or other supporting work to improve retail on the Hill

‐ Work could encompass determining the current mix of businesses and where there are

gaps, opportunities for leverage and complementarity with potential new retailers

Identify key actions for the community and the City of Seattle to undertake, with specific

timelines

B. Serve as the Clearinghouse and Advocate‐in‐Chief for Improvement Programs and Projects

Connect Capitol Hill’s businesses with local governments regarding policy issues, funding,

problem solving, and new opportunities

‐ Be the central source of information for Capitol Hill businesses related to policy and

planning

‐ Develop the information hub architecture and IT systems to support these activities

Be the go‐to place for media and organizations seeking information on Capitol Hill’s business,

economic and policy issues

‐ Develop media and contact lists

‐ Create informational packet – online and on paper

Advocate for policy changes and funding to address the Hill’s challenges

‐ Advocate for infrastructure and transportation projects, such as the First Hill Streetcar

Broadway Extension

‐ Advocate for and support public safety and civility improvement efforts

Work to expand Seattle’s City Center Initiative to encompass Capitol Hill

‐ Make the case for expansion of the Initiative to Capitol Hill

‐ Identify necessary steps and actions to be taken


In collaboration with partners, establish a common policy and advocacy platform for the Hill

Broadly engage and involve stakeholders across the Hill in the Agenda’s development

Communicate the Policy Agenda through the web and other mechanisms

Update the Policy Agenda annually

MAJOR

INITIATIVE


FINAL PLAN


D. Host or Co‐Sponsor Forums and Events to Generate Ideas and Discussion in Support of Economic

Development

Work with City staff and elected officials to develop Capitol Hill Policy Forums

Publicize the Forums to actively engage businesses and community organizations on the Hill

Key Board Responsibilities

Actively participate in the Community Business Planning project

Participate in the Policy Agenda development process

Serve as Ambassadors or liaisons with other Capitol Hill stakeholder groups in the Community

Planning and Policy Agenda development processes

GOAL #2. Marketing, Communications and Events


Be an active partner with the many organizations that produce events on the Hill; help develop

and support events that bring visitors and shoppers to the Hill

‐ Develop partners for annual events, with clear roles and responsibilities for each partner

‐ Develop an informational packet of resources and contacts

Expand Hilloween as Capitol Hill’s premier event

‐ Obtain sponsorships and producing partners


Use the website to communicate the organization’s advocacy and policy work, and its results

‐ Use e‐news briefings to communicate current policy issues, events and opportunities for

business engagement

‐ Serve as a connector and information source to quickly convey information useful to

businesses

Use CHCC’s website and newsletter to publicize and promote events

Strengthen connections with and expand use of the Capitol Hill Blog

‐ Work as a media partner with the Blog; create postings on the weekends

Strengthen ties to other media operating on the Hill, including Seattle Gay News, the Stranger,

and the Capitol Hill Times, and others


Provide support for web updates and connections to other organizations

Help connect and link the Chamber’s web presence to businesses on the Hill


FINAL PLAN


GOAL #3. Financial Sustainability

A. Refocus the Chamber’ Governance and Legal Structure to Align with its Mission

Consider transitioning the organization’s charter from a 501(c)( 6) to a 501(c)(3) agency that can

act more effectively as an economic development agency. (See Attachment A for a schematic of

key features of different organizational charters.)

Identify legal and organizational issues to be addressed in refocusing the organization

Reposition and align the Chamber’s communications and key messages to focus on advocacy,

policy work and communications


Undertake a Campaign or Program to expand the BIA’s boundaries

Search out and engage advocates in the Capitol Hill community

Engage with major property owners to build support for the expansion

Define the expanded BIA’s value proposition and service offerings


Develop a fundraising plan that identifies potential government and corporate funders and

funding levels

Define the Board’s role and activities in fundraising and grant writing


Participate in evaluating the organization’s governance and legal structure, and transitioning to an

approach that is more aligned with CHCC’s mission and activities

Participate in reaching out to affected property owners to build support for the BIA boundary

expansion

Engage in fundraising efforts, including cultivation and solicitation of funding from donors

MAJOR

INITIATIVE

MAJOR

INITIATIVE


FINAL PLAN


GOAL #4. Board and Staff Capacity Building


Streamline the Committee structure to reduce the number of committees and staff time

required

Fund and hire administrative support for the Chamber and BIA activities and to support Plan

implementation

Develop a staffing structure to support future Chamber activities

‐ Identify targeted staff needs and capabilities in the next 2‐3 years

‐ Update the Executive Director job description

Create a staff development plan

‐ Review compensation levels; assess current compensation in comparison with other

neighborhood Chambers

‐ Identify professional development needs for Chamber staff in non‐profit management


Identify key skills needed on the Board and recruit for future Board members

Identify and develop the next generation of Board leaders

Support ongoing education regarding best practices in Board process, structure, and decision‐

making


Review current staffing structure, capacity and resources

Review Executive Director performance and compensation annually, based on the Strategic Plan

Recruit new Board members with relevant skills

Strengthen Board processes and organizational engagement

ATTACHMENT A: ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS


FINAL DRAFT PLAN


FINAL DRAFT PLAN

ATTACHMENT B: IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

1

CAPITOL HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STRATEGIC PLAN

Implementation Timeline

GOALS AND ACTION STRATEGIES

2014 2015 2016

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 1st Half

2nd Half

Goal 1. NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY


• Identify key stakeholders and form a Capitol Hill Advisory Committee, as well as a Subcommittee focused on the Pike/Pine Subarea

• Develop strategies to address current public safety, transportation, and other economic development related issues

• Broadly engage and involve stakeholders across the Hill in the Plan’s development

• Commission a retail analysis or other supporting work to improve retail on the Hill - Work could encompass determining the current mix of businesses and

where there are gaps, opportunities for leverage and complementarity with potential new retailers

• Identify key actions for the community and the City of Seattle to undertake, with specific timelines

CAPITOL HILL CHAMBER STRATEGIC PLAN: 2014-16 ADOPTED BY CHCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON 12/10/2013

2


2014 2015 2016


2nd Half

B. Serve as the Clearinghouse and Advocate-in-Chief for Improvement Programs and Projects

• Connect Capitol Hill’s businesses with local governments regarding policy issues, funding, problem solving, and new opportunities - Be the central source of information for Capitol Hill businesses related

to policy and planning - Develop the information hub architecture and IT systems to support

these activities

• Be the go-to place for media and organizations seeking information on Capitol Hill’s business, economic and policy issues - Develop media and contact lists - Create informational packet – online and on paper

• Advocate for policy changes and funding to address the Hill’s challenges - Advocate for infrastructure and transportation projects, such as

the First Hill Streetcar Broadway Extension - Advocate for and support public safety and civility improvement efforts

• Work to expand Seattle’s City Center Initiative to encompass Capitol Hill - Make the case for expansion of the Initiative to Capitol Hill - Identify necessary steps and actions to be taken


• In collaboration with partners, establish a common policy and advocacy platform for the Hill

• Broadly engage and involve stakeholders across the Hill in the Agenda’s


3


2014 2015 2016


2nd Half

development

• Communicate the Policy Agenda through the web and other mechanisms.

• Update the Policy Agenda annually

D. Host or Co-Sponsor Forums and Events to Generate Ideas and Discussion in Support of Economic Development

• Work with City staff and elected officials to develop Capitol Hill Policy Forums

• Publicize the Forums to actively engage businesses and community organizations on the Hill

Goal 2. MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS


• Be an active partner with the many organizations that produce events on the Hill; help develop and support events that bring visitors and shoppers to the Hill - Develop partners for annual events, with clear roles and responsibilities

for each partner - Develop an informational packet of resources and contacts

• Expand Hilloween as Capitol Hill’s premier event - Obtain sponsorships and producing partners



4


2014 2015 2016


2nd Half

• Use the website to communicate the organization’s advocacy and policy work, and its results - Use e-news briefings to communicate current policy issues, events and

opportunities for business engagement - Serve as a connector and information source to quickly convey

information useful to businesses

• Use CHCC’s website and newsletter to publicize and promote events

• Strengthen connections with and expand use of the Capitol Hill Blog - Work as a media partner with the Blog; create postings on the

weekends

• Strengthen ties to other media operating on the Hill, including Seattle Gay News, the Stranger, and the Capitol Hill Times, and others

Goal 3. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

A. Refocus the Chamber’s Governance and Legal Structure to Align with its Mission

• Consider transitioning the organization’s charter from a 501(c) 6 to a 501(c)3 agency that can act more effectively as an economic development agency

• Identify legal and organizational issues to be addressed in refocusing the organization

• Reposition and align the Chamber’s communications and key messages to focus on advocacy, policy work and communications



5


2014 2015 2016


2nd Half

• Undertake a Campaign or Program to expand the BIA’s boundaries

• Search out and engage advocates in the Capitol Hill community

• Engage with major property owners to build support for the expansion

• Define the expanded BIA’s value proposition and service offerings


• Develop a fundraising plan that identifies potential government and corporate funders and funding levels

• Define the Board’s role and activities in fundraising and grant writing

Goal 4. BOARD AND STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING


• Streamline the Committee structure to reduce the number of committees and staff time required

• Fund and hire administrative support for the Chamber and BIA activities and to support Plan implementation

• Develop a staffing structure to support future Chamber activities - Identify targeted staff needs and capabilities in the next 2-3 years - Update the Executive Director job description

• Create a staff development plan


6


2014 2015 2016


2nd Half

- Review compensation levels; assess current compensation in comparison with other neighborhood Chambers

- Identify professional development needs for Chamber staff in non-profit management


• Identify key skills needed on the Board and recruit for future Board members

• Identify and develop the next generation of Board leaders

• Support ongoing education regarding best practices in Board process, structure, and decision-making

Documents

CAPITOL HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE · 2025 First Avenue, Suite 800 Seattle, WA 98121 Project team Bonnie Berk Natasha Fedo Michael Wells, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Michelle Hippler,