Last month, President Barb Buehl reminded all of us that "the bottom line is that we never stop trying to improve what we do for YOU." Well said. Being kind of a "hands on" guy, I view Chamber membership as a rather complete toolkit to help YOU grow and develop your business, your organization, your self. Your toolkit can help you become more successful and more significant.

Most new members can readily attend our Member Orientations (check out our website and our newsletter for notices), and are introduced to this great toolkit. Yet there are many long-term members who may need a quick peek, a refresher as to what's in the Chamber's toolkit. Have you ever purchased one of those "multi-purpose tools" that could do, allegedly, 1000 things...and discovered that it did none of them very well? Your Chamber shatters that image. Here are some multipurpose tools that excel, bar none:

Chamber Monthly Newsletter: Since the Chamber membership meets only once a year, it is pretty obvious that the tremendous work by the Chamber happens at the committee level. The newsletter prominently lists the committee meetings, dates, times, locations. Please pick a meeting or two to attend as an observer. If you want to be in that committee's email loop, just let them know. We want you to have first-hand knowledge of the committees, and the committees want your input. Committee activity is a tool to enhance your networking, and to strengthen your business.
The Newsletter is also a ready reference of a monthly calendar as well as a listing of your executive officers. Please let us know if you have any questions; or if you have a suggestion as to how we can better serve you. We suggest that you pass this tool around your shop or office.
An effective marketing tool for you is to put an insert in the monthly newsletter. You produce the insert (provide it in advance to the Chamber office for editorial approval), deliver 975 copies of the approved insert to the Chamber, pay $150.00, and voila!...you've reached a targeted and qualified audience of over 925 recipients.
Another great marketing tool is each issue's Member Profile, to let the general membership know who you are and what you do. Still another tool is the set of membership mailing labels (for $100.00).
Each month we are blessed to receive and vote on a handful (or more!) of new member firms. We provide the list of new members each month in order to introduce them to you, and to encourage you to welcome them and patronize them. Chamber members buy from Chamber members. That's a handy marketing tool for each of you. Also included in the newsletter are the quarterly Community Calendar of Events and the monthly Business Barometer.

www.alleganycountychamber.com: Want a tool that is handy at the office, on the road, at home? Have you used your Chamber's website recently? Visit it regularly and often. The website contains a wealth of information regarding your Chamber's organization, past and future activities, membership info, member search by name and category and keyword, calendar, committee info, on-line application, dues structure, valuable resource links, etc. This tool is continually being improved for your benefit. Not only a multipurpose tool, but a lot of nuts and bolts.

Community Profile & Membership Directory: For those of us who like to carry and thumb through a thorough "who's who" of businesses, non-profits, government officials, etc. the most valuable tool is our annual profile and directory. Need a plumber or a PR firm? Looking for insurance or an ice cream parlor? Keep your directory (and the regular updates inserted in the newsletter) handy. The directory probably contains the answer to virtually any question you may ask about our community, its governance, the Chamber's structure, its membership, its committees, its vision and mission. Like the website, the directory is a multipurpose tool AND a lot of nuts and bolts.

Chamber Staff: By far, the most versatile and available and helpful tool in your chamber toolkit is your Chamber staff. President Barb Buehl, Executive Assistant Peg McKenzie, and Administrative Assistant Amy Jacobs are this region's most effective "go to" people. Promptly, and with a smile, they answer your questions, refer you to the correct sources, and [most importantly] do all of the grunt work that makes your Chamber successful and your community great.
                                                 Daryl