The Area Chamber Program
What is an Area Chamber?
An Area Chamber is a volunteer organization, comprised of Chamber members and is either located in a specific geographical area or focused on a particular industry or constituency, which provides a channel for its members to be involved in solving problems, discussing issues, and implementing special projects and events for the benefit of the area or constituency being served. Each area chamber has an elected board and general membership made up exclusively of Chamber members that either reside or conduct business in a particular geographically defined area (such as Longwood) or who share a specific goal.
What is the benefit for the Chamber member to participate in an Area Chamber?
Participation can maximize the existing benefits derived from Chamber membership. It offers members the opportunity to prioritize and bring a focus to the business needs of the area, and to take community leadership roles in addressing these needs. It can increase members' business network within the geographical area, and provide stronger representation on area issues. Also, since area chambers exist in smaller geographical areas, participation provides an opportunity for area-specific networking with others doing business in the same part of town.
Why does the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce offer the Area Chamber program?
The Chamber's membership has a large component of small businesses located throughout the Seminole County area. The area Chamber program allows the Chamber to better serve those members by offering programming close to their business home.
What is an area chamber's relationship to the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce?
Like a committee, the area chamber is another way to participate in the overall Regional Chamber of Commerce that gives our members the opportunity to focus on issues and events in a single geographic region or industry. While it is answerable to the Regional Chamber's Board of Directors, it has been structured to allow its participants great autonomy in its day to day operations. Each area chamber operates with an Eleven (11) member board of governors whose chair serves as a voting member of the Regional Chamber's Board of Directors, the policy decision-making body of the Regional Chamber. The area chamber's Vice-Chair also sits on the Regional Chamber's Board of Directors as a non-voting, ex-officio representative of the area chamber. These representatives keep the Regional Chamber Board aware of the area chambers' action and progress.
What kind of Chamber Staff support do the Area Chamber's receive?
The Regional Chamber provides a staff liaison to assist the area chambers with the development of special events and programs, production and mailing of council correspondence and coordination of all board and committee meetings. The area chamber, through their liaison, can draw on Regional Chamber resources, such as the communications staff, for the production of needed printed materials or the development of press releases. The area chamber liaison works closely with the area chamber in the development of their plans of action and annual budgets. The area chambers are fiscally responsible to the Chamber.
What happens to the money that the Area Chamber makes from its special events and programs?
The profits are allocated and restricted by the Regional Chamber for future events, programs and other appropriate activities and expenses of the area chamber. The Regional Chamber will provide a monthly financial statement to the area business council.
How can I get involved?
Contact the Regional Chamber staff and tell them you want to register for an area chamber.
