Posts filed under ‘Chamber of Commerce’
Concorida Parish (Louisiana) Chambers Talk Merger
The merger of the Ferriday and Vidalia chambers of commerce in Concorida Parish is moving along. Read more here.
North Dakota Chambers Vote to Merge
After months of discussion and community input, West Fargo’s chamber of commerce will officially join the Fargo-Moorhead chamber on Sept. 1. Both chambers offered their members a chance to vote recently on whether the merger should take place. The results showed 98 percent of ballots cast in Fargo-Moorhead were in favor of the merger, as were 72 percent of ballots cast in West Fargo, Fargo-Moorhead Chamber President and CEO Craig Whitney said Wednesday. Read more here.
Turmoil at the Tucson Chamber
Hard times create lots on pressure on organizations. The Tucson Chamber has been under fire over the past year or so, according to Tucson media sources. There have been leadership challenges and hard questions raised about priorities, including whether small business is getting enough help from the chamber. Read the story here.
Development Groups Merge in Alamosa County (Colorado)
Collaboration and synergy among local organizations with the same end goal in mind best summarizes the resurgence of the Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce (Colorado) in the spring 2010. After nearly two years of joint meetings between members of the Chamber, Alamosa County Development Corporation (ACDC), Alamosa Uptown River Association (AURA), Alamosa Downtown Merchants Association (ADMI) and others, the Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) was formed, incorporating most of the previously named groups. From that marriage, came the rebirth of the Chamber of Commerce that had struggled with declining membership and participation.
Consolidation Pays Off for NY State County Development Groups
In reflection, joining forces has paid off in Chenango County, NY. Leadership says: “In late 2008, consolidation of the Chenango County Area Corporation, and the Greater Local Development Corporation was achieved and now operates under the name of Development Chenango. In May of 2009, we once again took on a fresh “look” and implemented an innovative new brand as part of our strategic plan to increase awareness and promote the unified image of our organization. Today, Commerce Chenango is close to 500 businesses strong and is committed to serving the business interests of the entire county by fostering and strengthening economic growth, promoting the wonders of Chenango County and serving the needs of visitors from around the world.”
Northern Virginia Chambers Merge
The merger of the Prince William Regional and the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chambers of Commerce was approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on July 2, 2010. Approval by the SCC was the final legal step in forming the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, the unified voice for business in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Read the story here.
Chamber Merger Mania from Milwaukee
The 92-year-old Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce and the Waukesha County Action Network, formed in 2005 to press for action on public policy issues, are merging as a new Waukesha County Business Alliance.
Hewlett-Packard Withdraws from Corvallis (Oregon) Chamber
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports that Hewlett-Packard is pulling out of the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition, another step in the company’s ongoing retreat from community involvement. The company cites the need to devote more time to its business and reduce its spending on civic programs. HP has made similar cutbacks in other cities as well. Read the story here.
O’Fallon-Shiloh (Illinois) Chambers of Commerce Merge
Yet another example of not being able to support so many business and economic development groups. According the groups’ joint press release: “Combined activities are efficient, cost-effective, and good business.”
More Merger Mania: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Chambers Join
Leaders celebrate the merger of the chambers of commerce in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan. Strengthening advocacy and business services are the cited reasons, but concerns about financial sustainability were an underlying reason.
Syracuse Chamber and Development Council Merge & Form New Organization
Another example of chambers of commerce and economic development groups joining forces in new organizational models. The Metropolitan Development Association and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce announced a name today for their merged organization — CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, or CenterState CEO. Lots of learn from this example. Read the story here.
Manitou Springs (Colorado) Economic Development Council and Chamber Consolidate Operations
Economic development groups and the chamber of commerce in Manitou Springs Colorado (Colorado Springs area) have agreed to formally join forces to increase effectiveness and eliminate the duplication of services.
Download and read the consolidation plan here. (There are some good tips of issues and solutions in the plan.)
Quad Cities Chambers Merge
The Iowa Quad-Cities and Illinois Quad-City chambers have decided to merge to increase impact and save money. I heard about this situation from a friend in the Quad Cities. She says it boils down to the fact that two chambers of commerce aren’t need and neither is seen as effective. In any case, a nice question and answer page was created to communicate the “public message.” Read the story here.
Another Economic Development-Chamber Merger
According to the Louisville Business Journal: “The boards of directors of the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce and the Oldham County Economic Development Authority voted Friday to merge the organizations. The new entity will be called Oldham Chamber and Economic Development, according to a news release. The organization will be similar in scope to Greater Louisville Inc., which represents Louisville, and One Southern Indiana, which represents Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana.”
Why the merger? Increase impact and conserve resources.
Ellensburg Chamber and Economic Development Group of Kittitas County Merge
Why the merger? Here is what the leadership says: “There was a compelling case for a merger. In this era of reduced budgets it makes sense to consolidate resources and try to get the most out of every dollar dedicated toward economic development.”
Transparency is the Name of the Game
In this day and age, it is even more important that nonprofits are transparent and are guided by sound and well-understood financial policies. The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce does an effective job in that area. This is a sound policy for any nonprofit organization. Click here to download the financial policy statement.
Best Practice: Chamber Board Member Self-Evaluation
The North Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce insists that its board members are on their toes, fully informed, and engaged. The Chamber uses a quarterly board member self-evaluation to ensure that its leaders are at their best. Click here to download the Chamber’s board self-evaluation form.
Effective Government Affairs Requires Solid Research
Many chamber of commerce advocacy efforts fall short because they lack a research foundation. I remember in my early days working for the Cleveland Chamber in the late 70s and early 80s. It was more about “political horse-trading: and “arm twisting” than informed public policy action. Steadily, the Cleveland Chamber moved in right direction. If Snohomish County is going to be effective at business advocacy, its efforts must be based on research. What really is the best policy position short and long term for area business? Which policy proposals will help both large and small businesses in the County.
The Las Vegas Chamber strikes me as using the right approach by starting its policy efforts with a research foundation. Click here to see how they do it.
Sound Principles Guiding Chamber Advocacy Efforts
Nonpartisan Approach
The Chamber of Commerce is nonpartisan in its approach, and does not endorse or oppose legislation based upon political party philosophies or political party sponsorship. Nor does the Chamber of Commerce endorse or support candidates for public office. All elected and appointed officials are welcome to comment and provide information on legislative issues pending before the Government Matters Committee and the Chamber’s leadership as they deliberate.
Source of Credible Information
Furthermore, it is our philosophy that chambers of commerce should be resources of credible information that support business concerns, not tainted by political ideology, partisanship, and electoral politics. Elected and appointed officials in all levels of government need to have confidence that chambers of commerce are pragmatic in their approach to issues of importance to businesses. They also need to know that chambers of commerce support a sound process more than ideologically driven motives when identifying workable solutions to problems facing businesses and the broader citizenry.
Diverse Membership
The leadership of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce believes that the Chamber’s role as a business organization is to welcome and nurture a diverse membership from all political, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. In doing so, we serve as a forum where business people from these various backgrounds can come together and work on real solutions for the challenges that face businesses and the broader community they serve.
Project Concentrus 