1. Helloandhappyspring!Last monthI spoke aboutPMAC,the new chamberof commerce,andhowit
was establishedtohelpallowgreateropportunitiestobe foundforPennsauken,Merchantville,the
surroundingareasandthe local businesses. Opportunities, like the springthathasthankfully arrived,
that will allowustogrowas a community,asbusinessesandasindividuals.
While mostof us have heardabouta chamberof commerce,many do not know whatit doesor whois
involved. Isurelydidn’t,untilIbecame involvedwithourlocal chamber. WhatI learnedwasthata
chamberis a groupof local businessandgovernmentindividualswhocome togetherforthe greater
goodof the area businesses,the communityandlocal government. Forthose whobecome involved,
there existsmanyopportunitiestohelptheirbusiness,the communityandthemselvesasindividuals.
First,there isthe benefitof networkingwithinthe chamber. Networkinghelpslocal businesses
exchange information,make contactsandultimately gainnew sales. Thisnew businesscanhelp,not
onlythe companyitself inthe formof workand profitability,butalsothe local communityinthe formof
newjobs,communitygrowth,charitabledonationsandcommunityinvolvement.
Secondly,there isthe benefitthat the individualbusinessowners,facingsimilarchallengesina
constantlyevolvingeconomicenvironment, receivewhenthey are able tositdownwith one another.
Challengeswhichbytheirnature,onlyanotherbusinessownerhasthe abilitytotrulyunderstandand
appreciate. Givingthe businessownerthe abilitytospeakcandidly toanotherpersontryingto
overcome andfigure outsimilar daily trials.
Thirdly,the businesswhojoinsthe chambercanworktogetherwiththe local governmenttohelpcreate
a partnership thatallowforthe two entitiestoworktogetherinasmoothermore economical wayfor
all involved. Workingtoovercome andmove forwardpastcommunityandbusinessproblemsand
issuesina waythat bothpartiesfeel comfortableandempowered.
Fourth,membersof the chambercan worktogetherwithotherbusinesses,local governmentandthe
communitytobringnewimpactful ideastolightthatwill helpmove bothourbusinessandthe
communityforward. Ideaswhich mayor maynot be possible,if one personorone businesstriedto
move forwardontheirown,but withinthe group,itcan be possible andsuccessful. Ideasthathelp
enrichandgrow our community,ourbusinessandusasindividuals.
Finally,the businesspeople thatinvesttheirtime andeffortintojoiningandengagingthe chambercan
give backto the community,notonlyasan individual,butalsoasa group. Givingbackin a more wide
rangingand impactful waystothose individualsorcausesinneed. Thus,allowingthatbusinessandthe
individualbusinessowneraricherand more rewardingexperience of communityinvolvement,notonly
as a business,butasan individual.
All these pointsof benefitare waysinwhichabusinessoran individualhasthe abilitytogrow. Soin
conclusion,aswe turnour thoughtstowardthisnew spring and leave the winter,thankfullybehind,we
all can lookforwardto healthyandsuccessful growthbyjoiningandbecominginvolvedwithPMACour
local chamberof commerce.