Chamber celebrates strength in numbers

By Monica Nolan Executive Director, Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Last month, PRCoC’s Board of Directors took a leap of faith when they trusted me to engage the services of a wacky guy in a colorful suit to energize our membership and increase our numbers. (See related story page B-11.)

If I had told them that Your Chamber Connection’s co-owner, Jimmy Cusano, in wardrobe stolen from a Guys’n Dolls set, would be hurling pepperoni-flavored insults, making our board members do push-ups and the Caddy Shack dance while slandering of the sensitivity of Californians, I think they would have balked, at the very least. You need a sense of humor for this job—fortunately, my Board has one.

Jimmy is a superstar in the industry, with performative communications talent matched only by a passion for the advancement of chambers of commerce. When not at work with PRCoC, Jimmy was out exploring the Ridge, speaking with business owners, and causing a sensation at Fastrip with his sartorial splendor.

Jimmy’s efforts and those of

Why don’t you join the Chamber?

You’re in luck! While the Chamber Board meets once a month, member and business events are non-mandatory ribbon cuttings, mixers and lunches—just the fun stuff! No roll call! We ask nothing of you except your nominal dues investment. Regardless of your participation, whether or not you ever attend a single event, participate in a single committee, or read a single piece of Chamber information, the Chamber is a force behind the quality of life in our community.

“I can’t afford it.”

Most members pay tax deductible dues of about $20 a month for the best marketing deal on the Ridge. All members appear in ParadiseChamber. com’s online business directory, which received 141,518 hits last year. Members also appear three times per year in directories printed in the Ridge Business Journal and Ridge Rising Guide, and may provide submit for these publications. We also promote and facilitate member business celebrations, including ribbon cuttings.

The Chamber is not asking for a donation, but an investment. The IRS classifies Chamber membership as an ordinary and necessary business expense—part of any reputable company’s marketing budget.

“I did belong, but didn’t get anything out of it.”

The Chamber is a dynamic organization, changing with the needs of the business community. While our mission remains the same, our programs evolve. It is hard to measure the impact of the Chamber’s work on your bottom line, but that doesn’t mean that your business doesn’t benefit. Many of our members belong to the chamber because they believe in our work. Imagine what it would be like if there wasn’t an active pro-business organization to advocate on behalf of commerce and attract newcomers and visitors. Your immediate benefit may be hard to quantify, but most will see long-term gain as the Chamber brings people to town.

46 volunteers garnered 120 new members—a gain of almost 35%. This gives the Chamber a financial boost, but more importantly, it amplifies our voice and provides more resources to support our mission.

With membership at a robust 460, we could not be more satisfied—or could we? In our follow-up and debrief, we asked about reasons for not joining, so that we could refine our “overcoming objections” pitch and so that I would have fodder for this column.

“I had a negative experience with PRCoC or another Chamber.”

With singular energy and style, Jimmy Cusano of Your Chamber Connection helped grow the Chamber to 460 members.

If you’ve seen one chamber, you’ve seen one chamber. Chambers are unique, flexible organizations adapting to emerging community needs. Our Board is available to speak with you and address any concerns or unmet expectations. Visit the “Board of Directors” page on ParadiseChamber.com for contact info.