Definition
The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is the energizing and vitalizing force of the community. The Chamber seeks to unite all the industrial, commercial, and civic interests for the purpose of bringing together concerned action in supporting those activities which are broader than any one single business or industry, but which promote the welfare of the area as a whole. Our area includes Wetumpka and surrounding portions of Elmore County.
The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is a working partnership of business and professional people who know the wisdom of coordinating their efforts under effective leadership for advancement and development of the area.
Purpose of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce
The purpose of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is to advance welfare and prosperity of our area so that its citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper. All necessary means of promotion shall be provided and particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial, recreational, and educational interests of the area.
How the Chamber of Commerce Functions
Who is Responsible? All Chamber activities, policies, and programs are governed by a Board of Directors. Five directors are customarily elected each year for three year terms.
Executive Director: The business management of the Chamber is the responsibility of the Executive Director, who must operate within the framework of budgets, programs, and policies developed by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director shall perform all duties incidental to the office of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and he/she shall have charge of the office and general supervision of the employees.
Staff: A capable Chamber of Commerce staff is essential, but the true effectiveness of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is measured by the extent to which the membership furnishes the leadership and carries their share of the workload. Therefore, one measure of the effectiveness of any staff member is how well that staff member can encourage such participation of members. Chamber staff members should not only master all the methods and techniques of their particular task, but should also learn all they can about the Chamber and its Program of Work. Each member of the staff should become familiar with the chambers by-laws, program of work, organization chart, and should acquaint themselves with its other publications and read new ones as they are published.
Financing the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce
The largest source of revenue for general operating expenses of the Chamber is the membership who pay dues of varying amounts depending on the schedule. Programs, budgets, salaries, and promotions are dependent upon them. Therefore, every employee should be interested in increasing the membership base at every opportunity.
Recommendations Policy
Since the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is supported by many firms which are in competition with each other, our policy is not to make recommendations regarding products, services, etc. The best policy is to give the names of all members in the particular market sector in question.
It should be made clear to the inquirer that our provision of names, services, products, etc. in no way constitutes a recommendation or preference. Recommendations are not furnished regarding the moral or financial standing of individuals or firms. It is not considered the function of the Chamber to serve as an employment agency nor do we assume responsibility for securing sales or other representation for either local or out of town concerns.
Endorsements Policy
The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce does not provide letters, phone calls, or other types of endorsement to companies or individuals. As a matter of general practice, the Chamber makes no endorsement by letter, through the press or otherwise of any private product, scheme, project, company product, individual, or agency for such endorsement is obviously for the benefit of the persons requesting such endorsements rather than for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Standard of Performance
The public expects very high standards of performance from the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. Our employees should be the most accurate, alert, courteous, pleasant and cooperative of any in the community.
Affiliate Organizations
Our Chamber is informally affiliated with other organizations designed to provide services of a specialized nature to Chambers of Commerce.
These organizations are:
- U. S. Chamber of Commerce - www.uschamber.com
-
Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) - www.alabamachambers.org
-
Economic Developer’s Association of Alabama (EDAA) - www.edaa.org
-
Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) - www.prcaonline.com
-
Central Alabama Hospitality Association (CAHA) - www.cahaonline.com
-
Business Council of Alabama (BCA) - www.bcatoday.org
-
Travel and Tourism Research Association South Central States Chapter (TTRASC) - www.ttrasc.org
