Mission Statement:
To enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry by supporting wineries, growers and other businesses and individuals connected to the industry – today and for future generations.
To support the overall mission of the Michigan Wine Collaborative each committee has formed and submitted their individual missions and goals for 2018. Many of MWC committees are actively recruiting. If you are interested in participating in a committee email Emily [email protected].
Membership Committee Mission: To reinforce the MWC mission by managing a committee that will develop and maintain innovative strategies to recruit new members and sustain current memberships as well as create a strong network of supporters and purveyors of the Michigan wine industry.
In order to stay on track to complete our mission we have established a set of goals and guidelines to help us reach our introductory goal of 200+ members by December 2019.
- Maintain relationships with restaurants, wholesalers, and retailers locally and regionally through stewardship of their memberships.
- Collaborate with producers, growers, consumers, educators, restaurants, retail, tourism industries, and beyond to create a stronger and more inclusive wine industry.
- Monitor exposure and impact of promotional materials and events via membership accounting.
- Maintain strong ties with educational establishments to maintain a necessary influence and involvement as well as staying current with new faces entering the industry for a sustainable recruitment source.
- Create a valuable asset out of Wild Apricot for our voting AND non-voting members by constructing an online community of awareness, inclusion, and collaboration within the industry.
- Actively, and on an ongoing basis, recruit members to the committee who will provide innovative ideas, practical support, and positive influences to the mission of the board.
Sustainability Committee Mission: To reinforce the MWC mission by managing a committee that will develop and maintain innovative strategies to improve and increase eco-friendly and sustainable production methods for vineyards and eventually at the winery level.
In order to stay on track to complete our mission we have established a set of goals and guidelines to help us establish a standard certification and support system for sustainability among growers and producers.
- Create and finalize certification for Viticulture standards for growers.
- Begin working on production certification and standards for producers.
- Market sustainability programs and organization as a whole to aid in member recruitment as well as consistency among the Michigan wine industry.
- Maintain strong ties with educational establishments to maintain a necessary influence and involvement on education and technology.
- Reach out and develop relationships with surrounding states to get them involved in our program to help cross market and become more sustainable.
Grants/Legislation Committee Mission: To reinforce the MWC mission by managing a committee to support the efforts of the MWC by raising funds through grants, marketing programs and other means and, to engage in legislative activities, interactions with MSU, community colleges and other institutions in support of the Michigan Wine and Wine Grape industries.
In order to stay on track to complete our mission we have established a set of goals and guidelines to aid in the raising of funds to properly support, maintain, and market the MWC as well as be actively involved in legislation that affects the Michigan Wine and Wine Grape industries.
- Work with the Michigan Wine Producers Association (MWPA) to coordinate wine industry position with the new Craft Beverage Council.
- Execute Specialty Crop Block Grant that MWC received valued at $89,500. The grant involves hiring Emily Dockery who will work on growing MWC membership and, promoting our organization and the Michigan wine industry at various events.
- Explore ways to raise funds to support research, education, extension and marketing for the MI wine industry.
Communications Committee Mission: To reinforce the MWC mission by managing a committee that will cultivate relationships with new and current members by providing information on updates, events, and opportunities within the collaborative and promote the mission of the collaborative to an ever widening audience.
In order to stay on track to complete our mission we have established a set of goals and guidelines to help us reach our introductory goal of 200+ members by December 2019.
- Cultivate relationships with restaurants, wholesalers, and retailers locally and regionally through various outreach strategies.
- Collaborate and communicate with producers, growers, consumers, educators, restaurants, retail, tourism industries, and beyond to create a stronger and more inclusive wine industry.
- Increase exposure through promotional materials, social media strategies, and grassroots efforts to establish a recognizable brand.
- Maintain strong ties with wine industry professionals, educational institutions, and media outlets, as well as current and potential members through communication and awareness of the intentions, goals, and accolades of the collaboration.
- Utilize Wild Apricot and the general website to communicate with our current members and reach out to potential members as well as provide accurate and valuable information regarding the collaborative.
- Maintain a consistent and informative newsletter highlighting industry events, accolades of the Michigan wine industry including those of our members, statistics related to the industry, advancements in the industry, and general happenings related to the Michigan Wine Collaborative.
- Develop and distribute an impactful press kit highlighting the foundation of the Michigan Wine Collaborative.
- Maintain an ongoing social media campaign to reach out to an expanding audience of proponents of the Michigan wine industry and thus promoting the sustainability and profitability of the Michigan wine industry.
Finance Committee Mission: To reinforce the MWC mission by managing a committee that supports and enhances the needs of the Michigan Wine Collaborative from an accountability perspective, while working toward ever-greater resource management and sustainability.
In order to stay on track to complete our mission we have established a set of goals and guidelines to help us manage a fiscally sustainable and secure organization.
- Manage and support resources as allocated to the Michigan Wine Collaborative.
- Support efforts to capture greater resources when available.
- Provide accountability when necessary to support efforts of the Michigan Wine Collaborative.
Research & Education Committee Mission: To reinforce the MWC mission through collaboration among industry partners, educational institutions, and MWC members that will result in the encouragement and provision for research as well as the promotion of education, training programs, and the preservation of the quality of grape and wine production in Michigan while utilizing the most appropriate technology and personnel resources.
In order to stay on track to complete our mission we have established a set of goals and guidelines to help us establish state-of-the-art education and training programs throughout the state in order to fulfill the full-spectrum personnel needs of a growing industry from vineyard to consumer.
- Grasp the task: Understanding the requirements and capabilities of the MWC R/E Committee.
- Build and Improve the Collaboration Partnerships. In particular – Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council, MSU, MSU Extension, NW/SW Horticulture Research Centers and Michigan Grape Society.
- Work closely with Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council/REAC to appreciate current & prospective research projects.
- Work closely with MSU/Ext personnel to best target education/extension programs to grower needs.
- Assist in creating the Funding sources.
- Gain increased input from the field through both growers and producers regarding research needs.
- Develop framework for MI wine industry Apprenticeship Program.