Do you know what we heard through the grapevine the other day? “You guys are all flash! You joke around, make sure everybody has a good time but don’t give any substance, or benefit the Chamber. ” I guess we should thank the “competition” for giving us this “advice” and also thank them for giving us the opportunity to say, “BUNK!”

When we leave a Chamber after any Event we facilitate, not only do the volunteers know more about their Chamber, they bring in new members that will benefit from the Chamber, making them active Chamber members. Do the volunteers have a good time? You better believe it. How often do you remember what someone was telling you as you where dozing off? Never! Our Event volunteers have fun memories of their Event, and they make themselves available for more Chamber activities because of it. So I say to the naysayers…. “Listen to our clients!” And to our readers I say, “Here’s what Lena Ainley, President of the Oak Cliff Chamber in Dallas, Texas has to say;”

“After one meeting with you, I knew the Oak Cliff Chamber was in for a wild and crazy ride. Our chamber made a conscious decision to go totally by the book with your program, and the results were phenomenal... 264 members in 2 days.

I've worked many successful membership campaigns but working with Your Chamber Connection exceeded my wildest expectations. We surpassed all our goals and lost our hair in the process. Our volunteers had a phenomenal experience. What stands out the most is that 3 months later, we're still hearing about the event. We can't wait to roll up our sleeves and go again!” .

And this from volunteer, Julie Kramp,

Great Bend (KS) Chamber of Commerce:
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the Great Bend Chamber Event. This was a unique experience to say the least. It was great to see such a balanced representation of our community: business leaders, employees, elected officials, retired citizens and students all working together to increase community involvement.

That was the "great aha" of the event - involvement is the key to a more successful chamber and community. It's not about the dues, it's not about the coffees, and it's really not about the chamber member benefits (although they are great) - it's all about members working together for a better community. AHA!!!!

It was fun and silly but also very serious. The

accomplishments of this two-day event will be long lasting, far reaching and will serve to strengthen our community's resolve to be a better place to live. This event gave the people who participated an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to Great Bend. It was amazing to see what some people were willing to do to prove this point - time away from their office, recruiting colleagues, allowing staff to take time out of the work day, dressing in drag...and so on. It was really something to see the City Administrator, Mayor and other elected officials so involved.

I have to tell you, too, that this experience took me completely out of my comfort zone. There were times when I really questioned my involvement. But as I observed the collaboration, listened intently, and came to understand what we were all a part of, I was glad to be involved.”

And this from another volunteer, Lana Diet, Great Bend Chamber Board: “Thanks, not only for motivating & energizing our Chamber volunteers, but for arming them with the tools and confidence they needed to far exceed a very lofty goal. I must admit, secretly, I had my doubts. Our Chamber and our community are stronger because you showed us how to think outside the box, work together, and most importantly, have FUN doing it!”

“Thanks, not only for motivating & energizing our Chamber volunteers, but for arming them with the tools and confidence they needed to far exceed a very lofty goal. I must admit, secretly, I had my doubts. Our Chamber and our community are stronger because you showed us how to think outside the box, work together, and most importantly, have FUN doing it!”

TENETS TO LIVE BY DEPT: Here is what Bruce Partain, President of the Nacogdoches (TX) County Chamber of Commerce, has displayed for all to see:

Responsibility: We ask our volunteers to think and act as if they were on staff.

Passion: We ask our staff to think and act as if they were volunteers.

FYI Every 18 to 24 months we go to the expense of sending out our newsletter using 1st class postage. Why? Because Chambers and Chamber execs are always on the move, and bulk mail is not forwarded. By using 1st class, we are assured that mail is forwarded, and if not deliverable, is returned to us. That way we can make the necessary changes and get the next mailing corrected and out to you. So here is the deal. We will keep on doing what we have been doing for the last 6 years, but we need you to get involved too by letting us know changes in your address or to whom our newsletter is addressed. You can email us at www.chamberconnect.com, or mail us a notice to our new address, YCC @ 501 Oak Hollow Ln., Fort Worth, TX 76112-2006. Pleeeease!

to all the blondes DEPT: A plane is on its way to Montreal when a blonde in Economy Class gets up and moves to the First Class section and sits down. The flight attendant watches her do this and asks to see her ticket. She then tells the blonde that she paid for Economy, and that she will have to sit in the back.

The blonde replies "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Montreal, and I'm staying right here!"

The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the pilot and co-pilot that there is some blonde bimbo sitting in First Class who belongs in Economy and won't move back to her seat. The co-pilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for Economy she will have to leave and return to her seat.

The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Montreal, and I'm staying right here!"

The co-pilot tells the pilot that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this blonde woman who won't listen to reason.

The pilot says, "You say she's blonde? I'll handle this. I'm married to a blonde. I speak 'blonde'!" He goes back to the blonde, whispers in her ear, and she says, "Oh, I'm sorry." She gets up and moves back to her seat in the Economy section.

The flight attendant and co-pilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss. "I told her First Class isn't going to Montreal."

(Ed. Note: Next issue a blonde guy joke.)

BOARD NOTES: Your Chamber In Print. (Part 2 in an on-and-off series by our Lorraine Deitchman.)

First, you want to look at all the printed materials you mail from your office. What do they look like? Do your business cards match your letterhead, the banner on your newsletter, and does your website have the same logo to match it all? We are constantly surprised that Chambers want to be taken seriously, but they have no continuity on anything they publish. We have said it before, will probably say it again, and you have heard it elsewhere at least a hundred times; you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Second, how are you perceived by the media in your community? When business issues that impact your community are raised, is your Chamber the first independent source that is called for comment? You must constantly approach your hometown newspaper, radio, and television to get your story told. Most local cable companies are pleased to have you do a weekly or monthly show. In the smaller cities, the local newspapers have as much trouble filling space as you sometimes do with your newsletter. They would be delighted to have you write a weekly or monthly article on local Chamber business news. You often have to push to get positive publicity in your area.

A long time ago I was very involved with a local suburban Chamber that was very overshadowed by the larger city Chamber. When a news event happened locally, it seemed that the paper always pulled negative data from their files to get background information. No matter how often we approached the paper, we couldn’t change their methods. We invited a group of reporters from the various newspapers around us for lunch, and combining with a neighbor Chamber, we picked them up in a bus. Upon reaching the city limits, they were met by the mayors and a number of policemen. The mayors boarded the bus, the police provided a siren blaring escort through the cities, while the reporters listened to up-to-date positive information on both communities. Local caterers provided the lunch as the reporters were given the correct information and provided with photos from the communities. They were given a tour of both areas and were also provided with the plans on future growth for the area.

After this experience, the newspapers presented the Chamber and the communities in a more positive light, and we were consulted more often before any negative materials were printed.

In our Membership Events, we ask every volunteer to “think outside the box.” Don’t continue to do it the way it has always been done. You will continue to get the same negative coverage. Be different!

COMPUTER VIRUS WARNING DEPT: Have you been hit by the “Klez” bug? It’s another irritating computer virus that is making the rounds. Luckily we installed Norton software on our office computer, and it automatically warns and quarantines all known bugs for us. But there has to be a lot of your members that are not prepared. Please encourage everybody to do two things:

1. Purchase a good anti-virus software to reduce the problem.

2. Don’t open any email from someone or some company that you do not know.

NO open; no bug!

MARKETING DEPT: There are many ways to sell your Chamber. You’ve heard them all. You know them all. But how about what not to say or do to sell your Chamber. Recently I sent out about 100 emails to Chamber Execs across the country asking them what you should neither do nor say when promoting membership in your Chamber? Here are the most common answers:

Heidi Downer, St. Joseph, MO.>

“Join the Chamber, and your business will increase.”

Gordon Dunkley, Liveoak, TX (near San Antonio).

>“Promise the minimum and deliver more. Never knock other Chambers. This is particularly true in an area such as ours that has a number of Chambers in the area.”

Betsy Bracken, Encinitas CA.

>“Don't negotiate the investment fee.”

“Don't approach all potential new members the same (know who you're talking to and think about the specific services the Chamber could offer their particular business“). .
Nell Dixon, Cleburne, TX.

>“NEVER run down another Chamber of Commerce or even make comparisons because every Chamber has its areas of expertise, and we can all use some constructive criticism.

Phil Neighbors, San Marcos, TX.

>“The one that bothers me the most is, "You only get out of it what you put in." When 60% of our membership attends 2 or fewer events a year, that's a perfect excuse for them to write "cancel" on their investment statement.

Another bad one is, "We fight for your interests at city hall." This sets up an "us against them" mentality that does not recognize that our job is to build consensus and work with community leaders as much as possible.

Sometimes that DOES mean a fight of sorts, but most of the time we walk in, it should be with guns holstered.“ Cindy Malek, Dodge City, KS.

>“Don't use the word "dues". Use "investment". They are investing in their community and Chamber and not joining a civic club. One of my other staff members suggested to tell people not to promise the world to a prospective member, such as your business will get so much out of it. So many times businesses that drop say I didn't get anything out of my membership. They need to be reminded that they are making an investment in their community through a concerted effort through the Chamber's programs, etc.).” .
Phyllis Hunt, Victoria, TX.

>“Don't act like you are a burden to the potential member; act like you are bringing a valuable asset to their attention. It's all about attitude - if you believe in what you are selling, they will believe in you.”
Steve Snyder, Sacramento, CA

>"Don't promise what you can't deliver."

MEANINGFUL WORDS DEPT: Chris Alonso, Executive Director of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, thoughtfully sent out to all Chamber members a letter from Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Cal) praising Small Business Week and all entrepreneurs in America. It’s not too late to pass it on to your membership as well!

May 5 - 11, 2002

“I invite you to join me as our nation celebrates Small Business Week. This week celebrates the estimated 25 million small businesses in our nation which employ more than half of our nation's workforce, create three out of every four new jobs, are 96 percent of the exporters, and generate a majority of American innovations. Small businesses are the economic force that drives America.

During Small Business Week, Small Business Administration offices throughout America join in celebrating the achievements of small business owners. The winners of the Small Business Persons of the Year award represent firms as diverse as the face of America. They include, but are certainly not limited to, the owners of an engineering firm, a bakery, a hot tub manufacturer, a kiosk designer and builder, a software producer, and a day spa. When asked, all of these business owners said that they would start their venture again.

The past year has tested America. We have seen terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and government offices in Washington, DC were closed when anthrax-contaminated letters were mailed to Senators. Despite all of this adversity, millions of small business owners continue to open up shop every morning, providing goods and services and creating jobs. I commend the hardworking small business owners of America

during Small Business Week.”