Another time my assistant was at a loss for words when a somewhat irate

caller, upset because we were unable to provide specific data for her questions,

asked in an exasperated voice what DID we do if not answer her questions.

Other times we are treated as an information service and get asked what

the temperature is now, what's playing at the local theaters or even

asked questions about the community in another part of the state! Or even

a different state! The list goes on.

Well, we sometimes do dispense information and when it's what the person

is looking for, we're happy to share it. But it's difficult for

many folks to grasp that Chambers of Commerce are membership-supported organizations

and, as such, do only what the members instruct them to do.

Some Chambers have contractual agreements with local city or county governments

to perform certain functions that the governmental entity either doesn't

want to or cannot do. Sometimes this is the production of so-called "collateral" material

which will have up-to-date demographics and other materials to tell the story

of that community. Other times the county's economic development effort

is done through the Chamber with the government paying the cost.

But more typically, Chambers of Commerce are on their own and when that's

the case, the wishes of the membership, the stakeholders, prevail. You pay,

you play. There's no financial support by anyone other than the member

businesses.

The main function of a Chamber of Commerce is to be THE voice of business.

It is to advocate for the combined membership so that their collective voice

will be more likely to be heard by local government and the community at

large. The business community is nearly always the largest taxpayer in a

community but frequently it is neglected or worse when the citizenry at large

have issues with their elected officials. And it is often easier for elected

officials to listen to those voters who may not pay as much in taxes as business

but might not vote for them in the next election.

So, in a sentence, a good Chamber of Commerce provides a voice for their

member companies, helps small businesses network for new business and helps

the business community to grow so that the members can get new business opportunities

and grow and prosper. When those activities occur, good things typically

happen to the community through new jobs, new leadership and increased tax

revenues for schools, police, fire, public works and services that people

pay taxes for.

And, simply put, that is what Chambers of Commerce do!

John Boothby,

President & CEO

South Fulton Chamber of Commerce