What Is Your Chamber?

What Your Chamber Is NOT.

Your Chamber is NOT a part of the city, county, or state governments; a political party or faction; a civic, service or social club; a social service or welfare agency.

Who Leads Your Chamber?

Your Chamber of Commerce is run by its members. They elect a Board of Directors that determine policies and set goals. The Board consists of 21 members. Seven directors are elected each year for three-year terms.

The Executive Committee is elected by the Board of Directors. A Chairman presides over all Board meetings.

The day-to-day operations are handled by a paid professional manager and staff.

What Your Chamber Does

As your Chamber works to improve Terrell's economy and quality of life, broad objectives are set and a program of work is established to accomplish these objectives.

Your Chamber has four major divisions:

• Economic Development
• Community Development
• Internal Operations
• Tourism Division

Specific activities of your Chamber of Commerce and the Vice-Chairmen of each Division are listed in the annual Program of Work.

What Your Chamber Does for You. . .

The Chamber of Commerce can put you in touch with people who may become new clients or customers. As a Chamber member, you will expand your new business contacts by attending regularly scheduled activities organized by the Chamber to bring the business community together.

Some of those activities are:

• Board of Director's Luncheon - The Executive Committee reports on the activities of the Chamber at the lunch meeting beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the third Monday of each month. These meetings are open to the membership.
  
• Committee Meetings - Various committees and numerous projects provide avenues for your ideas and leadership.
  
• Small Business Development Center - Working with Trinity Valley Community College, we develop seminars geared toward small businesses. Programs for individual businesses can also be arranged.
  
• After Hours Mixers - One of the most popular Chamber programs, quarterly After Hours Mixers provide members with an opportunity to exchange business cards, make new contacts, and have a lot of fun.
  
• New Member Orientation - Meet your fellow new members, learn about the Chamber and put in a "plug" for your business at these meetings.
  
• Annual Membership Banquet - A gala event where members review the past year and look to future opportunities.
  
• Business Referrals - We refer to member businesses exclusively through walk-in customers, phone and e-mail requests. You are encouraged to provide the Chamber with your business cards, promotional literature, and any other advertisement that can be distributed on your behalf.
  
• Ribbon Cutting - The President’s Club will welcome you into the chamber with a photo opportunity either at your business or the Chamber office. Photos will be published in the Terrell Tribune.
  
• Newsletter – The bi-monthly newsletter provides you with upcoming events, new membership announcements, community news, chamber activities and accomplishments.
  
• Business Referral Guide - The directory is exclusive to the businesses that have joined the Chamber. You’ll be included in both the alphabetical and categorical sections and will be offered advertising space. The Guide goes to visitors and residents.

What Part Does Your Chamber Play In History?

The modern chamber of commerce movement traces its origin to Marseilles, France, where an independent voluntary organization was formed in the early seventeenth century to represent the commercial interests of that Mediterranean seaport.

Nearly a century later, the British formed the second chamber of commerce at St. Helier on the Channel Island of Jersey as an independent voluntary business organization representing the interests of that small island town.

The first American chamber of commerce was established in 1770 in New York City. By 1870, chambers were operating in 40 major American cities. In 2000 approximately 5,000 local and state chambers were operating across the United States.

It was during the first half of the twentieth century that United States chambers of commerce dramatically increased in numbers, growing from 100 in 1901 to nearly 3,000 in 1950.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was founded on April 22, 1912, at the suggestion of President William Howard Taft, to develop a strong link between business and government.

By 1986, the U.S. Chamber's membership had grown to include more than 2,700 chambers, 54 American Chambers of Commerce Abroad; 1,200 trade and professional associations and 180,000 business members.

For over three centuries, business and professional people have joined together in chambers of commerce to shape the future of their communities and the world.

The Terrell Chamber of Commerce was organized in the late 1800's as the "Business Men's Club". The conversion to an official chamber occurred around the turn of the century with the first Chamber Banquet being held in 1908. Terrell became part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on October 14, 1916.

Links for:

• Chamber Welcome
• Chamber Board of Directors
• Benefits of Chamber Membership
• Committees
• Membership List

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