What is the Chamber, and what does it do for me????
The Chamber is your connection to a world of information and assistance that would otherwise not be available to you, the citizens of Bolivar County. The Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, organization made up of members who pool their resources to improve the local quality of life and build a strong, healthy economy.
We realize from the number of phone calls received at the Chamber that the general public thinks the Chamber exists to do the following: 1) Issue maps to newcomers and visitors or give directions; 2) issue phone books to those who did not receive one; 3) give out phone numbers and addresses to other Chambers for travel purposes; 4) supply phone numbers of businesses or organizations you cannot seem to find in the phone book; 5) register a complaint against a local business; 6) answer questions about local businesses where they are located, are they hiring, who is the owner, etc.; 7) answer questions about events going on in the community such as when the circus is coming to town, what night is armband night, who to contact for a booth at the Crosstie Festival, etc.; 8) provide tourism information local hotels, restaurants, Blues sights, interesting places to visit, etc.; 9) help with housing, furnish apartment lists/real estate guides and provide apartment and housing costs; 10) provide information on population, race ratios, number of communities in the County with their mayors and form of government, types of recreation available, who to contact to sign up for various sports or events, where to go to get various licenses, where and when civic clubs meet and how to contact an officer, etc.; 11) supply student information packets for school projects; 12) supply newcomer packets for new residents; 13) conduct ribbon cuttings for new businesses; and 14) serve as a hospitality center for the City and County. Yes, this is what we do; but, we also do much, much more!
This is what the Chamber primarily does...
The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization organized for the purpose of advancing the civic, commercial, industrial, economic, social, and general interest of the people of Cleveland and Bolivar County. It encourages the growth of existing industries and businesses, while giving proper assistance to any new firms or businesses seeking to locate in the City or County. It supports all activities believed to be beneficial to the community and opposes those which might be detrimental. It is designed to determine the needs and accomplish the goals of the business community. It serves as a legislative representative, an information bureau, and a business resource tool.
How does the Chamber operate?
The Chamber is run by a director called the Executive Director, who is hired by the Board and is responsible for the administration and operation of the Chamber. The Executive Director directs the actions of the Chamber according to the wishes of the Board of Directors, who are elected by Chamber members and serve without pay. The Board determines policy and sets yearly goals, as established in its Program of Work. The Board consists of 19 elected members, 6 ex-officio members, and 3 appointed members who meet the first Tuesday of each month at noon. The Executive Committee meets the last Tuesday of each month at noon to prepare for the full Board meeting by obtaining reports from the Chamber staff.
How many staff members are there, and what are their functions?
The Chamber staff are as follows:
Executive Director, Judson Thigpen III
Team Cleveland Manager, Anne Dilworth
Tourism Director, Cheryl Line
Office Manager and Special Events Coordinator, Frances Janoush
Marketing and Communications Director, Brian Blansett
How do Chamber Committees function?
The Chamber's fiscal year begins in October of each year and runs through the end of September of the following year. Therefore, preparations are begun during the summer months for the new fiscal year. The new year's Program of Work is established for the upcoming year, and an annual report is published outlining the accomplishments of the past year. This report is given to Chamber members at its Annual Membership Banquet, which is held on one of the last two Thursdays in September. Members are given a Preference Sheet in which they can list the committee or committees they would like to serve on in the upcoming year, according to preference. It is then up to the Committee Chair to determine how many of these members he/she would like to have serve on that committee to maintain its effectiveness . It is the desire of the Chamber to utilize its members in the best possible way to achieve its designated goals. The variety of Chamber activities is virtually unlimited and is determined on an as-needed basis. Committees are the driving force of the Chamber and accomplish the organizations goals and objectives.
How is the Chamber financed?
The Chamber operates through a budget that is financed by dues from community-minded citizens and businesses that wish to volunteer their time, money, and energy toward improving the quality of life in Cleveland and Bolivar County. The dues are assessed according to a schedule of investment based on the average employment and classification of a business. The Chamber makes payment of your dues easy, as follows: 1) On an annual basis due October 1 each year, or 2) On a semi-annual, or quarterly basis (account billing is available); or 3) On a monthly basis by bank draft. The Chamber is also given a yearly budgeted amount from the City of Cleveland and Bolivar County.
How do I join the Chamber of Commerce? How much does it cost?
We ask prospective members to submit an application for membership and contribute what we consider to be a "Fair Share Business Investment." The amount of this annual investment varies according to the size and type of your organization.
What are the Councils and Departments associated with the Chamber?
The Chamber of Commerce serves as the umbrella for the following:
Chamber Councils:
- Member Services Council
- Communications and Marketing Council
- Community Development
- The Economic Development Foundation (EDF)
- Tourism
- Team Cleveland (TC) /Main Street Council
Each of these departments are financed separately in addition to Chamber dues--as follows:
- EDF - financed by EDF membership dues based on the size and type of business or industry;
- Tourism - financed by City tourism tax revenue; and
- Team Cleveland (TC) - financed by Team Cleveland dues, which is a flat fee (currently $50).
You must first be a member of the Chamber to belong to EDF or Team Cleveland.
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