People join organizations for a number of reasons; for some, it’s that sense of belonging. It can be an opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals; organized for a common purpose. Today I’d like to explore what being a member of the Wetzel-Tyler Chamber of Commerce can mean to those who choose to join us.
First of all, we are a member-driven organization. What that means is that we are mandated to promote the businesses and organizations within our service counties. We are also mandated to help in the development of new businesses and to support organizations that serve the good of our counties. While sounding on the loftier side, it simply means that we work for you, our members. Our success and effectiveness is measured by your success.
All large cities have chambers. Every state has a Chamber of Commerce. There is a reason for that. The reason is that they help pull communities together. They are the voice, the eyes and ears for small businesses in the legislative process. They act as a united body with common goals; the highest of which is economic development and sustainability of small businesses throughout the country. Our Chamber is a part of that body of small business advocates. We work to aid every business within our member family to reach their highest potential and to hopefully continue for decades to come. Your success is our success.
If I could wish for one thing in this job, it would be to reach every single business and organization in Wetzel and Tyler Counties and to have them join so that we could work for everyone. I would wish for the opportunity to celebrate every new opening and project. To be so busy that we would have to hire a full-time staff just to keep up with all the activities. However, I can only hope for that and work toward that end.
What you can do if you are already a member…encourage other businesses to join; when you see an event that we are promoting on social media…share it! If you have an idea, come into the Chamber office or Zoom into our committee meetings and offer your suggestions. Our meetings are posted on our website: www.wetzeltylerchamber.org. I promise you that we will listen. If you have a passion for something, bring it to the Chamber. It’s a great way to enrich your own life and the lives of others. We will do everything that we can to bring it to fruition. That is the Chamber pledge to this community and that is the commitment of our Board of Directors.
If you are a member business, join a committee, participate in the events that we promote, shop local businesses; they are your friends and neighbors, and they will shop your business in return. Encourage others to join and to be an active member. You will gain more than you can imagine. It will connect you to the neighborhood in a new and fulfilling way. Seriously!
I’ll end with this simple quote: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”—Helen Keller
