- 1. This quote is from Keith Woods, a great chambermentor to
many of us here today. Its ok to be what you aredont worry about
whatothers are doing. Know the history of your Chamber. Know what
your members want, or at least what thebig members expect. Be what
you are and be the best you can be at it!
2. You cant expect them to know what you do, when theyhave no
clue what you do. So tell them. Help them be better board members:
Train them Roberts Rules Have them sign off on what they are doing
Make them feel like they are in charge Make them look good Robert
Harris www.rchcae.com 3. If everyone is happy,you probably
arentdoing your job. Get a thick skin 4. Control your emotions
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Coleman Have a good core group of
mentors in the community If you make a mistake.Own IT! Someday
youll be confronted with that definingmoment in your career. 5. You
have been put in a position in your community asa leader.always act
that way! Are you leading or following. Are you a facilitator for
change or hindering change? Are you thinking ahead or looking
behind? If someone was asked to describe you in a couplewordswhat
would those words be? Speak for the members you represent! 6. Q:
What are nonprofit bylaws? A: Bylaws are your organizations
operating manual. They define: Size of the board and how it will
function Roles and duties of directors and officers Rules and
procedures for holding meetings, electing directors, and appointing
officers How monies will be distributed Other essential corporate
governance matters 7. What is the health of your association? Are
there checks and balances? How are you going to sustain? Non Profit
is a tax structure, not a business plan. How are you going to make
sure you get more moneyin your pocket? 8. Most likely someone else
has had a program, event,seminar, fund raiser or promotional idea
that you areconsidering. Ask for copies of what they did. Collect
from a widearea. Take what best works from you. Change the names
and make it yours! Make yourself look good. Learn from others
mistakes. 9. They didnt hire you to sit behind the desk! You better
be visiting your members. People are always watching you. Are your
actions illustrating what your association isabout? Be visible on a
local, state and national level. 10. You cant communicate too much!
Get your message out in the community. Let all the media have a
welcome door. Build thatrelationship. Every month you have an
opportunity to tell yourmessage in your newsletter. Are you
listening? Are you up on the latest communication technologies. Who
communicates for your association? 11. Your first step is being
here today. What other conferences can you attend. Yourchambers
investment will pay huge dividends. When is a good time to go? Dont
let time keep youfrom building your career. What magazines are you
subscribing too? What areyou reading? Take a tripYoud be surprised
what you learn and howit can energize a group! 12. I cherish my
network contacts! Nurture those contacts. These people can be your
life line. Dont ever burn a bridge. You never know what job a
contact might have someday! Why is this helpful in the Chamber
World? 13. Youre job is to know a little about a lot. Thus why the
Networking is so important. We connect businesses and members to
financing,marketing, surveys, transportation,
communications,technology, customers, media, permits,
zoning,councils, legal, bookkeeping, governmental issues onthe
local, state and federal level, lobbying, shipping,exporting,
ethics, tourism, economic development,downtown development, urban
development, regionaldevelopment, and on and onand on 14. I always
try to have a CPA and Lawyer on my boards atall time. Have a good
mix that represents what your chamberand community are about. Who
are the players in your community? Are they arethe board? Who are
the visionaries? You want someone that will run your board like
theyrun their business. Do you really want someone on your board
whos ideaof success is making $15,000 a year? 15. You are in a rare
and wonderful position where you willhave an opportunity to leave a
legacy in yourcommunity. What will it be? Will what you create
stand the test of time? 16. If you dont love what you do and arent
having fun atit, then get out now! This job is tough enough if you
arent enjoying thejourney. At the end of the day, if you are having
fun in thechamber world and you are loving what you are doingin the
communityI promise you that you wont find ajob that is more
rewarding then the Chamber ofCommerce. 17. If you have any
questions or would like copies of the reports I discussed simply
email me at: [email protected]
