2019-2020 Program of Work

Education
Volunteer Executive
Dr. Mark Gotcher, Russellville
School District, Chair of
Education
Staff Responsibility
Donna Kennamore - Office
Manager/ Events Coordinator
Angela Bonds - Director
of Government Affairs and
Leadership
Paul Harvel - President/CEO
Major Function
Create and maintain a partnership
between the business community
and local education systems by
allowing business leaders and
educators the opportunity to share
ideas and foster a joint vision.
General Aims
1. Encourage and equip schools,
local businesses and industry
to create and sustain ongoing
partnerships identifying what
skills graduates need to be able
to do to be employable by local
businesses and industry.
2. By facilitating dialogue,
identify current and future
workforce training needs, and
seek to improve availability and
quality of workforce training
sources.
3. Work with and support
Arkansas Tech University in
their community relations,
government affairs, and
educational efforts.
4. Encourage and develop
relationships with local and
state elected officials assisting
in their understanding of
what legislation is needed
or changed in an effort to
encourage robust workforce
opportunities for graduates.
5. Review the pluses and minuses
of school board elections being
held on major election days
to increase public support and
awareness from the business
community.
6. Assist district leaders and
business industry leaders
on how best practices and
standards for effective lobbying
for quality legislation to
encourage robust workforce
opportunities for graduates.
7. Educate parents on the latest
trends and assessments of
local workforce needs.
8. Work to support good
work ethic and emphasize
dependability with our high
school students through the
Arkansas Scholars program
and increase public support and
awareness of the importance
of Arkansas Tech University
to our region with programs
such as the ATU Connection
Committee, Paint the Town
Green and Gold, and Bash at
the Ballpark.
Teacher Appreciation
Together with various businesses,
volunteers, and local school
districts, the Chamber is honored
to bring a new event to our
community recognizing some of
the hardest working professionals,
TEACHERS. Join the Chamber
of Commerce as we say thank
you for the lasting contributions
russellvillechamber.com