This site was set-up as an area to improve on and gain insight as to where to make changes or additions to how we now do business. My brother in-law a CFO of a large company downstate posed the very question to me last week..."What actually has the chamber done for you since joining a few years back?". It was a good question and honestly a hard one to answer.

I had to be honest in that other than being listed on their website...I had yet to gain anymore business and or clients from being a member. He went on to tell me that years ago, their company had done well from being a member of their local chamber of commerce mainly because it's members looked inward first to see if any other member were selling a product and or service they needed prior to looking elsewhere.

He also went on to say they each member actually actively promoted other chamber members while engaging in their own daily business practices. I told him that it was actually starting to sound like a sorority or brotherhood of such. He went on to say that it was actually that...businesses promoting each other and if you were lucky enough to get in, your business usually excelled.

I went on to tell him that we had joined hoping to become part of something bigger, increase revenue and honestly give merit that we were a legit company and not an on-line fly by night. He went on to say that their chamber had become just that...a recognition of a legit company and that they were looking at pulling out as a way to save money in this economy.

So this brings us back to ways to improve on what we have already. The chamber needs to change the focus of its members. Honestly....the only time I hear from the chamber is when my dues are due or they are looking for more monies to place an advertisement on a board at a local event. Yes I get the monthly newsletter, but I find it has little to offer in the way of gaining more business or promoting me as a member. The only time we were ever mentioned was at the time of joining and being seen as a blip on the radar screen.

This is not meant as a dis on the chamber but more of a wake-up call before members start pulling out. Your asking for honesty here on ways to improve and better serve its members and the community, so here goes...

Either step up and actively engage members or hire someone that is willing to spend the time connecting members to each other. I as a member offer a service that other members could benefit from and could offer a discount to other members if approached. Go back to the basics of why would any business want to join the chamber. What are you doing for its members on a daily bases or do you find you are spending the majority of the time trying to promote the chamber itself for other business to join?

Word of mouth is still king in that our present members (me included) are better equipped at bringing in other businesses to join by what we say. If I am only saying it only legitimatize us as a business...why would you join if you were a business looking at the prospect of joining? The chamber could also hire someone to actively peruse grants and funding to its members. The majority of the members lack the ability, time or monies to actively engage in this area. There is a lot of monies out there that could be brought in locally to businesses if we had someone out there looking.

Working to bring manufacturing to the area...the chamber needs to be actively involved with the communities and village, state and town officials. Why is this important? Because these folks will be the determining factor of if a company relocates here or not. Tax breaks and incentives need to be on the table to bring in jobs and the chamber can act as a go between in a lot of these cases and gain new members from the effort.

I know Tourism is a big push and does provide seasonal jobs...but we really need the bread and butter and that is year round jobs in the area provided by manufacturing and telecommunication companies. Just my two cents for what its worth

I convene the Business Action Team of the North Country Symposium which is hosted by St. Lawrence University. This year what arose within the group is the desire to create an environment of support among local businesses.

We want to do something outside of the Chamber because not everyone is a member, and we want it to be inclusive of all. We are in the very early stages of discussion, but have set up a Facebook page for interested parties. Go to North Country Sustainable Business Initiative on Facebook to join. If you are interested in furthering this idea, please let me know.

WE NEED YOUR INVOLVEMENT!!! Forums like this are great, but we need participation and committment from people to get things done. Make your ideas count by dedicating yourself to a committee.

Hello, All -- Thanks for your thoughts and opinions on the future of our county. Very shortly this site will be dismantled and your postings will be compiled into another format to help clarify next steps. Stay tuned for more information. Thanks again, Pat