Posted by AnneSoCa on 8/16/05 1:13pm
Msg #59415

Chamber of Commerce

Does anyone belong to their local Chamber of Commerce? And if so, has it been beneficial to you?

I was thinking of joining my local Chamber, but it's $275 a year and I just don't know if it's worth it. I guess it depends on the area you're in and who belongs to the Chamber. The one hear me is pretty big, I checked out their member list.

Any comments would be appreciated!

Reply by Roger/OH on 8/16/05 1:24pm
Msg #59418

I belong to my local Chamber under my company name; it's about half the cost you mentioned.

They have monthly lunch meetings, a golf outing, and Business After Hours events that are great for networking (many local RE professionals and TC are also members). The Chamber publishes a directory of members (where I'm the only mobile notary listed), and I get a number of business to business calls for general notary stuff from it, as well as my having my name out.

If the cost is too much for you, consider trying another smaller suburban chamber that's still in your area. I've found it to be well worth the membership cost, and besides, it's tax-deductible anyway.

Reply by AnneSoCa on 8/16/05 1:33pm
Msg #59422

Roger,
Thanks for the input.

Reply by JaneB_CA on 8/16/05 1:54pm
Msg #59432

My husband belongs to 2 Chambers, there are many networking opportunities.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/16/05 6:26pm
Msg #59500

I belong to my community's COC (less expensive than the city's). However, I'm not very active in it since the meetings are in the evenings (once a month) and I usually have a signing scheduled. I joined a networking group called BNI (Business Network Int'l) that meets every Tuesday morning at 7AM - 8:30AM. I have found it invaluable in that once you join the particular chapter, no one else with the same profession can join that chapter (they can join another one). The comradarie (sp?) is good, the networking is great, referrals are there, and it gets me communicating with other people in the business world. This type of networking isn't for everyone - you have to be comitted to it! If you are interested in finding a chapter in your area check out http://www.bni.com

Reply by Charles_CA on 8/16/05 8:08pm
Msg #59518

Re: BNI

I have to agree BNI is great. I have been to a number of meetings as a guest of friends of mine. One of the great networking systems as far as I am concerned. I've never been able to join because one of the requirements is to attend each week or provide a substitute. Since I travel a lot it would be just too difficult for me. But if you can make the comitment I strongly recommend it.

Reply by AnneSoCa on 8/17/05 12:17am
Msg #59561

Re: BNI

Charles,
I'm definitely going to check into the BNI group in my area. I assume, though, that they already have a notary in their group. There are a lot in my area of CA. But it sounds like a great way to make some contacts!

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/17/05 1:19pm
Msg #59657

AnneSoCa - what part of SoCal?

I'm in San Diego La Jolla chapter - there are quite a few other chapters in the San Diego area that i know do not have notaries.

Reply by Charles_CA on 8/16/05 6:51pm
Msg #59508

I belong to my chamber of commerce. I also use the chamber of commerce to be able to contact businesses in the area. Our chamber has a lot of activities such as open houses, ribbon cutting ceremonies and various other functions. This puts me indirect contact with the people in the community who are most likely to need my services. Of coursebesides being a notary I am also a commercial real estate agent. I can't quantify how much of my business I get as a result of my membership in the chamber but I knwo that I do business with a lot of chamber members. I think it is a good investment and $275 is not a bad amount to belog to the chamber I know of others that are much more expensive. I also belong to other business organizations in my area including the Farm Bureau, and the local lodging association.