Points from those nine categories are added to determine the level of accreditation a chamber receives. A chamber can be simply accredited or accredited with a star rating. Chambers that score at least:
“[Being in the chamber] takes you from having just a business in Grape- vine to being like part of this commu- nity,” Townsend said. Leonard said the chamber has given him the opportunity to connect with some of his largest clients. “I have a lot of business with very large customers—DFW [International] Airport, American Airlines—I mean, big, big companies that you probably wouldn’t get in the door [of] unless you had some of those chamber part- ners advocating for you.” Hessel said the chamber is meant for those connections, whether they be new such as Townsend’s or long- standing such as Leonard’s. “I always say one of the reasons I work for the chamber is because it is the best of all of our businesses,” Hessel said. “Businesses that join the chamber [are] not only joining to grow their business, but they’re join- ing to support their business commu- nity, and what better people are there than those that are there to support each other.”
of not only membership dollars, but membership investment in time and resources as well,” Rose said. The Southlake Chamber of Com- merce is not seeking accreditation but is open to the idea in the future, CEO Mark Guilbert said. “Right now we have some other projects and new initiatives in the works that are our priority,” Guilbert said. Chamber’s e ect onmembers Rachel Townsend joined the Grape- vine chamber in April as she opened her own business, RTown Studio + Showroom, which showcases art and o ers artists a place to work and create. Townsend said her goal was to cre- ate a space for artists that she herself had been looking for. “I’m trying to make my own as a safe space for emerging artists,” Townsend said. Townsend said she hopes the cham- ber will help her connect with other artists. She has already connected with some chamber members willing to support her business, including Grapevine’s Sauce’d Pizza, which sup- plied food for her April 27 ribbon-cut- ting event.
Chamber Ratings
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce evaluates local chambers seeking accreditation in nine categories.
of the total points possible receive a 3-star rating of the total points possible receive a 4-star rating
Governance
Technology
70%
Finance
Communication
Human resources Government a airs Program development
80%
Facilities
Benchmarking
or above of the total points possible receive a 5-star rating
90%
SOURCE: U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
“We’ve tried to maintain a very low membership dues rate so that any business in our community has the opportunity to participate,” Hessel said. The Colleyville Chamber of Com- merce has begun the process of apply- ing for the accreditation, CEO Chelsea Rose said. “Currently, we have a leadership committee for our board that [has a] couple other duties, but for the
most part, they are preparing us for accreditation,” Rose said. “There’s a very robust checklist that is just for [determining], ‘Are you ready to even apply?’ We’re working on those pieces right now.” Rose said the accreditation shows businesses and citizens that a cham- ber is operating at its best. “Being accredited shows that you’re adhering to those best prac- tices, and you’re being a good steward
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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