This question comes up quite often. According to Merriam-Webster, a chamber of commerce is an association, primarily of people in business, to promote the business activity and commercial interests of the area while representing chamber members.
Chamber of Commerce are not run by county or state governments. They are independently run 501c (6) organizations that operate by the membership fees and funds raised via fundraising efforts.
In rural communities Chambers may be a bit different. Here they are primarily seen as the group that assists in coordinating community events like parades and festivals. In these communities with fewer businesses, Chamber members include churches, farmers, individuals and other small civic organizations.
In these areas guiding the business community into other business offerings and services can be a challenge as the community is busily making ends meet and the mere thought of doing things differently often does not have time to surface.
Recently hearing a message about how ‘living’ hope in the scriptures equals an ‘active’ hope; the correlation of how chambers work in small communities was clear. Regardless of your position on the scriptures, having an active hope for a community to build prosperity for all and the future of the children, is certainly admirable. The mission of the Caswell Chamber of Commerce includes being a leader in positive change in the community…creating the best community in which to live, work and do business.
People often say, ‘That won't work here, Caswell is different’ often implying a negative slant. Refusing to believe in a negative, the Chamber here is different too, in a very positive way. And we invite everyone to be a part of the ‘active’ hope for Caswell County’s future.
As published in The Caswell Messenger August 18, 2021
AC Hodges
