Corona Chamber of Commerce - Chairperson's Message

How we support our members

Being supportive is, in the words of Martha Stewart, a good thing. However, it is not definitive, and so it can mean almost anything – or sometimes, nothing. Support as a sentiment certainly may have some value, but for business, we know that support without action is meaningless.

At the Chamber, we take supporting our business members seriously, and know that actions speak louder than words. We have worked to develop a clear understanding of what our members need and expect from the Chamber, and we continue to strive to improve our programs and benefits to meet those needs.

We make it our business to know what our members want, when they want it, and why. And while our members’ needs and expectations change, we make sure that all of our actions – our programs, events, and marketing tools – are geared toward meeting the needs and expectations of our members, which is the way it should be.

Of course, every benefit offered by the Chamber will not suit every business, but I am confident that given the depth and variety of the Chamber’s offerings, you will absolutely be able to find those benefits that will work best for your particular business.

Because the Chamber’s programs are always changing and improving, even long-term members may be surprised at some of the new programs and benefits in store for them. Here are just three of the “tried and true” as well as “new and improved” privileges of member-ship in your Chamber of Commerce that you might not be familiar with:

Exposure for your business

The use of the Chamber Logo, is a simple but effective marketing tool. In addition to saying that you support your community, displaying the “Proud Member of CCC” (shown below) also says that you are part of a group of business owners who have clout and influence with community leaders, policy makers and legislators.

It also means that you have credibility. Beginning immediately, when you renew your membership, we will send you a decal that proclaims that you are a proud member, and a member in good standing, of the Corona Chamber of Commerce. This is also available in electronic format, for inclusion in your marketing materials.

Through the Corona Business Monthly, advertising opportunities are available, helping us reach over 5,000 members as well as non-member businesses on a monthly basis. Special issues (Green Issue in April, Women in Business in June, etc.) give us a chance to promote different aspects of our businesses.

Day at the Capitol
Once a year in May, the Chamber of Commerce goes to Sacramento to participate in the California Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Summit. This is an excellent opportunity for us to meet with our elected state representatives, and talk with them about issues that affect our businesses. This year’s trip is scheduled for May 20 and 21. If you have not participated before, I invite you to join our delegation this year. I think you might find it very enlightening.

Health Insurance for Small Businesses
Providing health insurance has always been a major challenge for small businesses, and your Chamber of Commerce would like to help find a solution. This year we are going to introduce a program that we believe will help address part of this need. Designed for businesses with at least five employees, this program will give Chamber members the opportunity to offer their employees affordable health insurance with improved access to quality health care for their employees, while managing the cost and risk that they would be exposed to. Please keep an eye out for more details about this program, which we should be able to roll out this month.

These are just a few of the benefits that you, as a member, are entitled to; and we are working on more. By taking a little time to learn about what the Chamber offers to your business, you can maximize the benefit of your membership, and know that when the Chamber says, “We support our member businesses,” we mean it!

We Support Our Troops
On another note, May is Armed Forces appreciation month, and the Corona Chamber of Commerce joins the rest of our nation in saluting these brave men and women who are risking their lives – courageously and in our name. At the Quarterly Membership Meeting/Luncheon, scheduled for this month, we will feature a tribute to the Armed Forces. On that day, several of our Executive Partners and Sponsors for this luncheon will host one or two veterans at their tables.

We are a diverse Chamber, and the ways we show our support are as many and as different as our members.

Some of our members or their sons or daughters have answered the call, and are currently serving, and may return for a second tour of duty.
Some of our members have called or have written their elected representatives, asking them to make sure that our soldiers are well supplied, well-armed,well-treated or deployed in sufficient numbers to minimize risks to which they are exposed.
Some of our members have taken up the task of lobbying their representative to make sure that our soldiers are taken care of when they are in combat and when they return home.
Some of our members ask questions, and want to know when our military personnel will come home safely.

While some of our members are for, and some are against war, we are all united in supporting our troops. If you want to show your support and are not sure how, there are many ways to take action, and I would be happy to share resources with you. One excellent way to help is through the USO, at www.uso.org, where we can help them help those who serve – Until Everyone Comes Home.