Monday, September 13, 2010

LEARN HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

Here are a couple of questions and common misconceptions about your Chamber membership.
Q. I don’t “get anything” our of the Chamber Membership. It does not benefit me in any way.
A: It is important to ask yourself what it is that you expect to “get out of the Chamber and how you define benefit. Most people have varying expectations when they join the Chamber but it is important to think of membership as an investment in your business, not as an expense. We believe that – as with anything – you will only get out of it that which you put into it! Joining the Chamber is similar to joining the gym; the mere act of joining does not automatically mean you will lose those extra 20 pounds. It is essential to have a plan and follow it consistently to realize the results you are hoping for. Just as the gym provides an energizing atmosphere, proper equipment, diverse classes and members with a common goal, the Chamber offers diverse networking venues, promotional benefits, camaraderie, and opportunities to meet hundreds of like-minded business people. What you choose to do with these resources and how much you decide to utilize them is up to you. While what you may “get” out of the chamber may not be exactly what another member “gets,” everyone benefits from belonging to the Chamber. While the referral benefit may be of greater value to an event planner than say a manufacturer in the Industrial Park, so too is the annual lobbying for a single tax rate much more important to the manufacturer than it is to the freelance artist. And so on….
Q. I never attend or I don’t have time to attend the meetings and events.
A: With only 24 hours in a day, it is indeed a challenge to manage both our professional and personal lives. But how we schedule and manage our days is our choice. Opportunities are available in the morning, evening and occasionally at lunch. Again if you were to join a gym and never go, would you expect to be physically fit after a year? And remember, attending events is not the only way to utilize your membership. Submit an article for the Investment Report, place a piece in the Chamber Pak, join a committee, etc.
From the Rapid City, South Dakota, Chamber Newsletter

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