You may think of this organization as just a stuffy referral service.
You pay your dues grudgingly, but think you're giving more than you're getting from your membership.
You may be right - unless you know how to use it.

       According to chamber executives from around the country, networking is the number-one tactic for increasing revenues. "Chambers offer many opportunities to meet other people," says Mary Bontrger, senior vice president of organizational development at the Greater
Des Moines (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce Federation. "You have to take advantage of as many networking opportunities as you can"
       Even though some businesses have been known to build huge customer lists from contacts made at chamber events, simply attending
a chamber's breakfasts or evening mixers - and assuming networking opportunities will be served to you on a platter - doesn't work.
"If you wait for business to come to you, you are going to stay hungry" says Loren Mitchell, of theSpokane Chamber. "You have to do some work. That means actively reaching out and forging relationships with other chamber members".
Here are the best ways to do just that:

Join a Committee.
       Volunteer membership in any kind of committee will help you increase your contacts, but to meet the greatest number of business owners, target the Mixer Committee (see David Green) or Events Committee (see Gail McTune).
"Members of a committee develop strong business referral services among themselves," says Nancy Ploeger, of NYC. "The committee becomes a business support group".
       But does participation in committees take lot of time? Not necessarily, according to Ploeger. "Most committees meet once a month, "she says. "Sometimes, if it is a small enough committee, members do their work via a conference call. So all in all, you are talking perhaps two hours every few weeks."

Munch your way to money.
       Bagels and bucks: The chamber mixers are a great place to network with other members. When attending chamber mixers, go out of your way to meet new people. Human nature makes people clump together in familiar groups. You have to break that habit to network.
        "Many people come to the breakfasts and pass out their business cards, but then make a key mistake; They sit down at table with the same people every time," says Mitchell. " Do they enlarge their circle of business acquaintances? Not one bit." Much better, he says is to sit at a different table every time. "When you walk into the room, look around and ask yourself: Okay, where is a table where I do not know anyone?" Mitchell says. "Then make a beeline for it".

Toot your own Horn
       Most chambers have some form of "toot your own horn" event where you are invited to describe your business to everyone else in the room. You don't have to give a stuffy presentation. "We get a wide variety of exhibits," she says "One individual got a guitar and sang a song about his business because he wanted to stand out. Be creative and clever". If you would like to be a presenter at one of the mixers please Contact us or call 455-0790.

Make sure the Chamber Office has your (correct) information on file.
       Chambers of Commerce are not agents for their members. That said, it's also true that chambers respond to questions from the people in the community by giving them lists of (or referrals to) chamber members. Since you want to make sure that you are on the short list of names passed along to inquirers, forward the chamber your brochure every time it is updated. Also, make sure you are (correctly) listed on the chamber's Website, (check the Directory) and exchange links if you maintain your own site.
       "We get many requests in a year for information and referrals," says Bontrager. "Outsiders want to know who in the community provides this or that service. We keep files on members so let your chamber know what you do and what is unique." The Topanga Chambers annual brochure has all the names and phone numbers of our members, who are active (paid up) as of each February 1st., and is distributed throughout the area.

Attend the Seminars
       Seminars are another networking opportunity while offering valuable information to small businesses. (The Topanga Chamber intends to continue to offering educational business seminars…any volunteers or ideas?
Contact us or call 455-0790

Join the Roundtable
       Many chambers set up business roundtables composed of members in non-competing fields. "Our typical table has about 25 members," says Timothy Sheehy of Milwaukee. "They develop business for each other through referrals. We measure the success of the program based on the leads that people generate from one another."(this is an opportunity the Topanga Chamber is hoping to provide in the near future…any volunteers or ideas?
Contact us or call 455-0790

       Just remember that you have to get involved if you expect to benefit from membership. "So many people join chambers with the best of intentions," Minard says "Then they don't participate. They wait for business to come to them. You'll get more from your chamber just by becoming acquainted with other chamber members."
       Make your chamber membership pay off, network with enthusiasm, and you'll mine some real gold to fortify your bottom line.