General Info:
A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary federation of the business community uniting the efforts of business and professional individuals to ensure a healthy economic base to benefit the entire community. The Chamber harnesses the tremendous potential of the private enterprise system and enables its membership to accomplish collectively what no one could do individually. The Chamber represents and promotes the area's economy and encourages business and industrial investment, broadening the tax base providing employment. To business prospects and new comers, the Chamber represents the community's self image. Chamber s of Commerce are increasingly involved in non-commercial areas, such as education, human relations, environmental, cultural and governmental concerns. These challenges have caused Chamber s of Commerce to become viable force s in seeking solutions to today's social problems. Chamber s of Commerce educate and add value to national, state and local legislation and policy affecting the business community. The policies and programs of your Chamber are determined by the Board of D irectors, elected by the membership. They, in turn, e mploy a paid chief executive officer whose responsibility is to organize and execute the Chamber's program s and carry out its policies. The Chamber is a businessand it incurs cost of operation and expenses similar to any other type of business. Those expenses are apportioned among its members, individuals and firms, representing all types of business, industry and professionals. All share mutual desire to achieve a better community for all its citizens. Your membership in the Chamber is an investment in the present and future welfare of individual s and their community. Basic to all activities of the Chamber is its unifying influence. The Chamber utilizes multiple committees to address the needs of the community and the organization as a whole. Through your membership, you will chose what committee you would enjoy being involved with and quickly you will see the benefits of networking and strategizing with your peers. Through committee involvement, every member contributes to an organizational effort that is mutually beneficial to the community and to business. The possibilities are endless. Over the years the Chamber of Commerce operations and programs have changed to meet today's challenges. However, one premise remains intact, the role of involved and concerned citizens to protect and preserve our free enterprise system. The Chamber meets once a month and committees meet as needed. Today, as it was in 1768 when the first Chamber of Commerce in America was formed, the basic concept of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry remains the same: a voluntary organization representing the business community enhancing the energies and efforts of its membership toward the accomplishments of common goals. The Chamber of Commerce is the salesperson for our community and businesses - unceasingly promoting the products and services our members offer. A t the same time, we are the watchdog protecting your interests, particularly in the political arena. The benefit of belonging to the Chamber is full-time representation and year round results. T ODAY! The opportunitiesavailable to you as a Chamber member are valuable and profitable. The benefits are tangible for the individual as well as the community.