The Intrinsic Value of Your Chamber Membership
The Intrinsic Value of Your Chamber Membership
Peter Beronio, CFP®, Founder,
Beronio Wealth Planning Solutions
I don’t know one, single business owner who can quantify the return-on-investment (ROI) they achieve by being a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Not one.
This may seem counterintuitive–to make that statement, and expect it to be published in a Chamber of Commerce publication; however, there is a method to my madness here….please read on.
I’ll begin with a metaphorical question: why does anyone participate in the PTA? Because one wants to be the most popular parent in school? Because one feels an overwhelming desire to have yet another after-hours/weekend commitment? Because one aims to have a voice in the direction of the programming and events available to their child and his peers? Or, perhaps one feels a compelling sense of duty to support the program whose purpose is to support the entire student body.
Most parents I know participate in their child’s PTA out of duty, deriving a deep intrinsic value from being part of the organization that supports their child’s school community. They pay the membership fee. They buy the t-shirt. They pick up supplies at WalMart for the Fall Carnival and pay for them out of their own pockets. They spend countless hours volunteering, expending much energy on an effort that will never help them pay their mortgage. They meet other parents who share common values, and potentially make lifelong connections. They develop deeper relationships with their child’s teachers and administrators by being an enthusiastic advocate. They are known among their child’s peers as a pillar of their school’s community; a leader and a mentor. As it is, they enjoy the resulting pleasure of having been part of something their children can remember and admire.
The Chamber is no different than the PTA. If you joined the Chamber of Commerce to achieve ROI dollars, then you joined the Chamber of Commerce for the wrong reason. The Killeen Chamber organization, through my lens, is comprised of an active group of local leaders who share a common value system which aims to support the local business community-at-large (which is the same community that supports their businesses).
They pay the membership fee. They buy the t-shirt. They provide swag for the Hood Howdy bags. They spend countless hours volunteering for ribbon cuttings, for downtown revitalization projects, for festivals and other local events. They meet other business leaders who share common values, and potentially make lifelong connections. They develop deeper relationships with their employees and vendors by sharing their enthusiasm for community happenings, and encouraging them to participate, too. They are known among their fellow local leaders as a pillar of the business community; a leader and a mentor. As it is, they enjoy the resulting pleasure of having been part of something the next generation can remember, admire….and aspire to one day continue the legacy.
Your membership and participation in the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce is a vital and very significant component in the effort to foster the healthy growth of our community. It is an active and fluid organization which is constantly evolving, and the value you receive from your membership directly correlates with the energy you contribute. Pay close attention to the meaningful relationships you make along the way, as you continue to network and be exposed to new ideas and the mechanical inner-workings of this continued evolution.
Do you find that you’re a better professional, having worked alongside our community’s finest? Do you think your business has benefitted from some of the new ideas you’ve acquired while attending Chamber-sponsored workshops? Has your enthusiasm for your community inspired someone else since you became an active member of this organization of business and community leaders?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then I encourage you to participate….harder. I encourage you to explore new avenues within the Chamber organization, as there are plenty of ways one can make a mutually beneficial (and professionally fulfilling) contribution. Below, is a short list of some lesser-known Chamber resources which have had a lasting impact on my professional development, and positively influenced Team Beronio as a whole.
Leadership Killeen: a series which focuses on identifying, educating and motivating community and business leaders to engage the various elements of local and state governments, and improve the quality of life foundations for the Greater Killeen area. The purpose of this program is to link community leaders with business leaders to produce a shared vision toward our community’s future.
Business Resource Center: a collaboration between the Killeen Chamber, Central Texas College and the Killeen Workforce Center. Provides high-quality business counseling, training and assistance to potential and existing small business owners.
Place Design Team/Embrace the Place Initiative: an identity campaign dedicated to promoting a positive and constructive viewpoint of Killeen. It sponsors projects which celebrate our diversity, authenticity, culture, history and future.
Greater Killeen Young Professionals: an organization within the Chamber aimed at hosting events and community service projects that appeal to a younger audience. Monthly events include one business luncheon with a guest speaker, and an after-hours social.
If any of these opportunities pique your interest, call the Chamber at 254.526.9551 and ask how you can get plugged in. I promise, you’ll be glad you did!
Peter Beronio serves as the Sector Chair of Investor Services on the board of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce.
Peter Beronio, CFP®, Founder,
Beronio Wealth Planning Solutions
I don’t know one, single business owner who can quantify the return-on-investment (ROI) they achieve by being a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Not one.
This may seem counterintuitive–to make that statement, and expect it to be published in a Chamber of Commerce publication; however, there is a method to my madness here….please read on.
I’ll begin with a metaphorical question: why does anyone participate in the PTA? Because one wants to be the most popular parent in school? Because one feels an overwhelming desire to have yet another after-hours/weekend commitment? Because one aims to have a voice in the direction of the programming and events available to their child and his peers? Or, perhaps one feels a compelling sense of duty to support the program whose purpose is to support the entire student body.
Most parents I know participate in their child’s PTA out of duty, deriving a deep intrinsic value from being part of the organization that supports their child’s school community. They pay the membership fee. They buy the t-shirt. They pick up supplies at WalMart for the Fall Carnival and pay for them out of their own pockets. They spend countless hours volunteering, expending much energy on an effort that will never help them pay their mortgage. They meet other parents who share common values, and potentially make lifelong connections. They develop deeper relationships with their child’s teachers and administrators by being an enthusiastic advocate. They are known among their child’s peers as a pillar of their school’s community; a leader and a mentor. As it is, they enjoy the resulting pleasure of having been part of something their children can remember and admire.
The Chamber is no different than the PTA. If you joined the Chamber of Commerce to achieve ROI dollars, then you joined the Chamber of Commerce for the wrong reason. The Killeen Chamber organization, through my lens, is comprised of an active group of local leaders who share a common value system which aims to support the local business community-at-large (which is the same community that supports their businesses).
They pay the membership fee. They buy the t-shirt. They provide swag for the Hood Howdy bags. They spend countless hours volunteering for ribbon cuttings, for downtown revitalization projects, for festivals and other local events. They meet other business leaders who share common values, and potentially make lifelong connections. They develop deeper relationships with their employees and vendors by sharing their enthusiasm for community happenings, and encouraging them to participate, too. They are known among their fellow local leaders as a pillar of the business community; a leader and a mentor. As it is, they enjoy the resulting pleasure of having been part of something the next generation can remember, admire….and aspire to one day continue the legacy.
Your membership and participation in the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce is a vital and very significant component in the effort to foster the healthy growth of our community. It is an active and fluid organization which is constantly evolving, and the value you receive from your membership directly correlates with the energy you contribute. Pay close attention to the meaningful relationships you make along the way, as you continue to network and be exposed to new ideas and the mechanical inner-workings of this continued evolution.
Do you find that you’re a better professional, having worked alongside our community’s finest? Do you think your business has benefitted from some of the new ideas you’ve acquired while attending Chamber-sponsored workshops? Has your enthusiasm for your community inspired someone else since you became an active member of this organization of business and community leaders?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then I encourage you to participate….harder. I encourage you to explore new avenues within the Chamber organization, as there are plenty of ways one can make a mutually beneficial (and professionally fulfilling) contribution. Below, is a short list of some lesser-known Chamber resources which have had a lasting impact on my professional development, and positively influenced Team Beronio as a whole.
Leadership Killeen: a series which focuses on identifying, educating and motivating community and business leaders to engage the various elements of local and state governments, and improve the quality of life foundations for the Greater Killeen area. The purpose of this program is to link community leaders with business leaders to produce a shared vision toward our community’s future.
Business Resource Center: a collaboration between the Killeen Chamber, Central Texas College and the Killeen Workforce Center. Provides high-quality business counseling, training and assistance to potential and existing small business owners.
Place Design Team/Embrace the Place Initiative: an identity campaign dedicated to promoting a positive and constructive viewpoint of Killeen. It sponsors projects which celebrate our diversity, authenticity, culture, history and future.
Greater Killeen Young Professionals: an organization within the Chamber aimed at hosting events and community service projects that appeal to a younger audience. Monthly events include one business luncheon with a guest speaker, and an after-hours social.
If any of these opportunities pique your interest, call the Chamber at 254.526.9551 and ask how you can get plugged in. I promise, you’ll be glad you did!
Peter Beronio serves as the Sector Chair of Investor Services on the board of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce.