Thinking about joining the Chamber, but you're not sure?
Reprinted from Business Success News, December 1980

Ten Excuses for Not Being a Chamber Member

• My business is too small. To expand your business, you must expand the community that does business with you. Local Chambers of Commerce work continuously to better local business climates. No business is too small to benefit from this activity because as the community grows, local businesses grow with it.
• I’m too busy to attend Chamber meetings. Meetings are important, but so is your financial support. Numerous Chamber committees carry on important local projects and each needs an adequate budget. If you are too busy to attend meetings right now, join so that your contribution will make it possible for the staff and regular committees to get the jobs done.
• But I’m a doctor, lawyer, or other professional. Since when has a professional person prospered in the Sahara Desert? A city with a poor business climate is not a good place in which to practice your profession. Participation in your local Chamber assures that your local business climate will remain healthy and your client base will grow.
• I sometimes disagree with what the Chamber does. We hope so! The only way that a Chamber of Commerce could avoid disagreement here and there would be to do nothing. Chambers are organizations that pursue programs and activities as laid out by an elected Board of Directors. The important thing is the primary focus on creating a better climate for doing business. And by being active in your Chamber, you can make your individual voice heard.
• I’m just a branch office of a national organization. But why is your branch here in the first place? Because the owners thought it was a good place to do business. Therefore, it is your responsibility to help make your city an even better place for business, and this means making yourself a part of the community. The leading community business organization is your local Chamber.
• I do most of my business outside the city. That may be true. But you also depend on your home base for materials, supplies, transportation, facilities, utilities, manpower, cooperative government and good business attitudes. You are not an island. Therefore, you can’t ignore the responsibility of making your city a better place in which to live and do business.
• I belong to too many organizations already. The Chamber of Commerce is unique. No matter how many organizations you belong to, each community has only one local Chamber of Commerce and it, more than any other organization, works to protect and improve the local business climate. The Chamber of Commerce is the only organization of its kind consistently engaged in activities to advance and promote the general growth, prosperity and integrity of the local community. As long as there is a margin between what we are and what we may become, there is a need for a well-manned and financed Chamber of Commerce.
• I used to be a Chamber member, but I didn’t seem to get anything out of it. Oh yes, you did!      For every dollar you put into membership, you received several in return. Each local Chamber of Commerce helps to secure new industries and new businesses and also assists in the development of local enterprises - promoting your business directly or indirectly. You obviously are interested in your community or you wouldn’t be doing business in it. Your local Chamber promotes the business and civic programs that help everyone!
• The Chamber is run by a clique, and I don’t belong. Chamber members are governed under a set of by-laws under which new directors are elected each year. Each Board of Directors has assumed the responsibility of leadership by a vote of the entire membership, and represents a wide cross section of interests. Any Chamber member may select a nominee for the Board, at any time, by submitting a nominating petition.
• I can’t afford to belong. On the contrary, you can’t afford not to join and support your local Chamber, because an investment of your time and money in the Chamber of Commerce is an investment in community service and community progress.

IF YOU DON’T BELONG TO YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE?