Best Practices - Non-Dues Revenue

Norma Lansing, director of the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce in Effingham, Illinois raises about $2500 in extra revenue through the creation of special interest groups that serve the needs of specific types of organizations present in her Chamber. For an extra membership fee, special perks and services are provided to these members.

Best Practices - Staff Development

Norma Lansing, director of the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce in Effingham, Illinois says the best way to ensure consistency with Chamber policy is to develop a policy manual. The manual should be a guide for what actions to take regarding federal, state and local laws, as well as a section devoted to personnel management and administrative needs.

Funniest Chamber Stories

Melody Longstreth, director of the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania has been with the chamber for almost 20 years, and she still doesn't know how to crochet.

Best Practices - Economic Development

Answering questions from businesses interested in coming to the area is Connie Elias, President and CEO of the Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce's specialty. She has assembled a group to host scouts from prospective businesses and introduce them to the area and answer questions they might have. This program gets great feedback, and it has helped to bring new businesses and more than 500 jobs to the area. For more information, Connie Elias can be reached at (800) 331-4063 or the Alvin-Manvel Chamber website, www.alvinmanvelchamber.org.

Best Practices - Fund Raising

Crisanne Zamponi, the director of community development at the Harlingen, Texas Chamber of Commerce raised more than $25,000 for renovations to the children's hospital in her community. In addition to improving the hospital, she was able to teach 20 people some of the best ways to raise money through community involvement. For more information, contact her at czamponi(at)harlingen.com or by calling (800) 531-7346.

Best Practices - Professional Development

10 little members start a chamber... will they make it work, or will one roll over and one fall out?

Best Practices - Networking

Amy Sherman of the West Chamber in Jefferson County, Colorado established a nice program for the 100 Health and Wellness businesses in her 900 member Chamber of Commerce. By analyzing the needs of all members, she found they all had a few things in common, and now, with the networking established, she has a healthy chamber.