Introduction to AmCham Committees and Working Groups

AmCham Committees and Working Groups

Committees and Working Groups perform much of the creative, non-administrative activity of AmCham Vietnam. The success of AmCham is dependent upon the active participation of member volunteers. Most of the committees are organized to focus on particular business interests. Committees activities include monthly meetings, breakfast, morning seminar, and luncheon speaker programs, special projects such as trade exhibitions / missions and business development activities, identification and evaluation of committee issues and preparation of position papers with recommendations to local and central authorities on how to improve the business environment.

The committee chair is appointed for a one year term by the Chairman of the Board of Governors on the basis of:

• support for AmCham objectives,
• leadership and motivational skills,
• experience and knowledge in the field for which the committee is established, and

• a time commitment to committee activities.

  Each committee / working group will prepare an annual activities plan and budget, for review and approval by the Board of Governors.

  Board Liaison

  The Chairman appoints members of the Board of Governors to serve in a liaison capacity between the Board and committees and working groups. Board liaison duties and responsibilities are to:

• attend committee meetings to the fullest extent possible and to advise and provide guidance to the committee with regard to Chamber policies and procedures;
• communicate to the committee actions taken and policies established by the Board;
• represent the interests of the committee and communicate committee recommendations and/or requests relative to its activities to the Board of Governors.

  A Vice Chair of the Board is responsible for guiding committee activities and co-ordinating meetings between the Board and committee chairs once each quarter.

  Committee Authority

  All committees operate within the authority delegated by the Board of Governors and must at all times adhere to Chamber policy. Committees must have the prior approval of the Chairman of the Boare to commit staff or financial resources, engage in fund raising for any purpose, contact U.S or Vietnamese government officials as representatives of AmCham or solicit sponsorship for AmCham events. Unauthorised use of the AmCham logo and/or letterhead is prohibited. The Board must approve all official AmCham positions. The AmCham Chair may, from time to time, designate a committee chair as spokesperson for a specific issue. Committee chairs are appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Governors and responsible for the effective direction and continuity of committees and the development of committee leadership.

  Committee Objectives

  AmCham Vietnam in HCM City has a strong issues orientation, focused on improving the environment for trade and investment between Vietnam and the United States. Upon taking office at the beginning of each year, each committee must review the committee’s objectives and define the priority issues for the coming year. The issues are reviewed and approved by the Board.

  Committee Meetings

  All committees are expected to meet on a regular (usually monthly) basis. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair or a designated member should conduct the meeting. Non-AmCham members are permitted to attend committee meetings only with the consent of the committee chair, and must join AmCham if they expect to participate on a regular basis. Attendance and minutes should be taken for all committee meetings. The Chair of each Committee is responsible for preparing a report on its monthly meeting and provide such report to the AmCham office for the Board of Governors in advance of the monthly meeting of the Board and for publication in the monthly newsletter.

  Committee Programs

  Committee and chamber-wide breakfast and luncheon programs are significant events for AmCham Vietnam. Careful forward planning is essential due to the large number of committees involved and the necessity to book an event location well in advance. In order to ensure the success of luncheon or breakfast events, a minimum of four weeks’ notice is normally required. Committee chairs should check with the AmCham Office to determine the acceptability of the proposed event date and availability of a suitable location for the proposed program.