An Investment With 3 ¼ Percent Interest?

My oldest grandson will be 9 years old in May, of this year. All five of the grandsons still live a pretty guarded life. But, when I was 9, my sisters and I played with matches, spent unsupervised time playing with pointy tipped arrows shot from real bows, didn't wear helmets while riding our bikes, and shot targets with our BB gun. I was 9 in 1962. That is the year I started cutting grass with a power mower. Mrs. Colour lived across the street from us. She still wanted to have her grass cut with a push mower and was willing to pay a whopping fifty cents for me to do so. Mrs. Eckmann paid me $1.00 as did the Richardson's and the Frier's. Mom and Dad expected our lawn to be cut for free.

With my newfound grass cutting business I became a fairly rich kid. That's the year I opened my first savings account. With $13.00 in hand I went down to the American Trust Company Bank where my dad worked and deposited my money. The interest on savings that year was 3 ¼ percent. Each week I deposited more and more money and watched my savings grow. After getting married, I pretty much forgot that old account. As the years passed and interest rates declined my return on investment did not keep growing.

You are probably wondering where I am going with this. Well, a savings investment is similar to belonging to the Chamber of Commerce. Annual dues once paid will only guarantee a return if you continue to invest. People join the Chamber for various reasons, but one thing is common - each business person expects some return for being a member. Those who join just to have a ribbon cutting and then drop after a year without taking advantage of other membership perks certainly get a short-term return. The problem is many first and second year businesses fold. Those first two years are critical to continuing in business. By participating, a new business could learn more about marketing, legal and financial issues, social networking, how to save money, and public policies affecting business.

They also miss out on networking and the opportunity to tell fellow members about their business. They miss trading information about struggles in their own business and learning from experienced business persons how to overcome problems. They miss meeting community leaders and sharing ideas on how to make the business community stronger and what needs to be changed to help business thrive in the area. They miss out on receiving requests for proposal from City and School District purchasing departments.

We see it on a daily basis "I am not going to renew membership because the Chamber hasn't done anything for me". The staff and I are always perplexed by this because we are sure we've upheld our end of the bargain. As a matter of fact, we are the only local Chamber offering a money back guarantee. The Chamber's guarantee for new members states - if after participation in two luncheons, two BAH's and mentoring by the staff within 90 days they are still dissatisfied their investment will be refunded.

I am sure the Board of Directors has not let them down. The board meets on a monthly basis to discuss ways to make membership more valuable. The Ambassadors make new members feel welcomed and assist in introducing members to others they need to know to grow business. Committees haven't failed. Committee members make sure every event is carried out in a professional manner and beneficial to participants and attendees alike. The directory and website are kept up to date as a useful tool for members and visitors to the site. The Chamber keeps up to date on laws and ordinances that may affect business. Legislators speak to members to get feedback on what they are doing. Sponsorships assist in the making of useful programs and services. Vacant buildings are filled, inquiries about the area are answered and referrals of member businesses are made on a daily basis. Each person or group mentioned in this paragraph are "The Chamber". Members must realize the amount of time and effort volunteers and staff spend each month to strengthen the business climate.

Coming up in May is Small Business Week, sponsored by Express Employment Professionals. Quality speakers from throughout the United States will share their experience with members of this and two other Chambers. Marketing Monday, sponsored by Des Peres Hospital, features Chris Westmeyer, the principal and strategic leader for Traffic Flow SEO. Chris sat on both the Google and Microsoft Search Councils representing client interests and helping guide the future of search engines. These events will produce a real return on investment and amazingly the opportunity to hear these speakers is FREE, included in your membership.

Even at 3 ¼ percent interest my original $13.00 investment wasn't worth much because I failed to continue to put money into the account. What about you? Are you investing in your Chamber membership? Are you assisting fellow business owners by sharing your expertise and wisdom? Are you so dedicated to the community that you want to make all business here successful? Are you not in need of growing your knowledge of what makes businesspersons successful? Now is the time to reap the benefits of this fine organization. Get active. Our events are held at different times of the day throughout the month to allow your participation in something. Thanks to those who "get it" and assist the board and staff with your time and talents. The Chamber is YOU.