2011New Member Kit

Through your investment in the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce you have joined forces with 2,700 like-minded businesses committed to strengthening the West Michigan economy.

We connect businesses to the people and resources that get things done and create an environment for business to grow. We speak the language of business, can engage the right people, and we are not afraid to ask the tough questions and fight for your business. We shape an inclusive and magnetic community that people and businesses love.

We are standing behind your business as your ally, your advocate, your change agent.

I encourage you to attend one of our New Member Connections meetings to learn how you might take full advantage of your Chamber membership.

We sincerely appreciate your investment in the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

Best Regards,

Rick BakerPresident & CEO

In this kit you will find:Member Checklist

10 Steps to Membership SuccessMembership Perks

Volunteer Opportunities

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATIONWelcome to your Chamber!

2011New Member Kit

Here is a list of actions to help you make the most of your Chamber membership.

Review all the materials provided in your New Member packet.

Sign up to receive our monthly Chamber print and electronic communications at www.grandrapids.org/sign-up

Submit press releases and “good news” stories to the Chamber at editor@grandrapids.org.

List your special events, business seminars and other activities open to the community on the “Community Calendar” at www.grandrapids.org/chamber-calendar.

Attend New Member Connections to find out more about the Grand Rapids Chamber, meet Chamber Staff, and fellow new members. Use the Chamber’s online membership directory to find vendors, market your business and connect with fellow Chamber members.

Add upcoming Chamber events and activities to your calendar to get actively engaged.

Participate in the Chamber’s Member-to-Member Discount Program. Cut your overhead while fostering new business relationships and bring in more customers with special discount packages.

Sponsor one of the Chamber’s signature events or programs to prominently display your company to the business community.

Come learn something new that you can implement in your organization through Chamber educational and leadership development programs.

Get involved with Chamber volunteer committees. Or get one of your coworkers involved if you don’t have the time.

If you’re still not sure where to begin or would like to learn how to get the most out of your Chamber membership, contact Janet Hentges, Membership Development Coordinator, for a one-on-one meeting at hentgesj@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0315.

MEMBER CHECKLIST

2011New Member Kit

Your membership packet is a valuable resource that contains the information you will need to make your Chamber membership work for you. Keeping it nearby with easy access will allow you to review all the benefits based on your membership investment level, and share it with other staff members who may benefit from this information.

Included in this packet is a window decal for you to display proudly for instant recognition and credibility.

Whether you’re looking to build relationships with peers and potential customers, develop professionally through educational workshops and programs, raise your profile as a community leader, or utilize discounts that drive dollars to your bottom-line, the Chamber is the place for you and your employees to get connected.

The Chamber staff and volunteers are here to help shape your membership into something specifically designed for you and your business.

Step 1

Step 2

Review your membership packet

Identify what you hope to gain from your membership

Your membership includes your entire staff, and the more they are involved, the more your membership will blossom. The Chamber offers a variety of events and programs that will benefit individuals in all types of positions within your organization. Visit www.grandrapids.org/events for a list of Chamber events and programs.

Step 3 Include your entire staff in your membership

Step 4

Be a part of conversations that move business forward through committee opportunities, legislative affairs meetings and community conversations.

Lend us your voice

STEPS TO MEMBERSHIP SUCCESS

2011New Member Kit

Stay informed on Chamber events and happenings by visiting our website at www.grandrapids.org and reading our print and electronic newsletters including The Chamber News and Member-2-Member eNews.

You can also use Chamber communications to market your business to a targeted audience. Contact Diane Cisler at 616.771.0357 for more information and to place your ad.

Step 7 Read Chamber communications

Step 5

Make meaningful connections with your business peers and prospects through member events, peer-to-peer roundtables and business celebrations. Extend your networking opportunities by joining the Chamber’s online communities on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and connect with diverse professionals by participating in the Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP) activities.

Connect with fellow members

The online directory contains a list of chamber members with main contact information. These companies share your interest in making our community thrive and we encourage you to take a look at their businesses when making purchasing decisions.

The online directory also allows you to enhance your listing to prominently promote your products and services to web visitors. Visit www.grandrapids.org/advertising-opportunities to learn about advertising opportunities.

Step 6 Use online membership directory and do business with Chamber members whenever possible

STEPS TO MEMBERSHIP SUCCESS

2011New Member Kit

Step 8

Step 9

The Grand Rapids Chamber offers many cost-saving products and services to help reduce your bottom line.

You can save big on human resources services, office supplies, college tuition and much more. Need health insurance? Take advantage of insurance programs only available through Chamber membership. See complete list of benefits at www.grandrapids.org/save.

To better improve the benefits and services we provide, we rely on your feedback to guide our efforts. If there is something you are looking for in your membership that is not being provided please let us know.

Share feedback on your membership experience through surveys as well as personal contact with Chamber staff members.

Make your membership pay for itself

Provide us with feedback

STEPS TO MEMBERSHIP SUCCESS

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce offers many EXCLUSIVE membership perks designed to help grow your business and reduce your bottom-line. You can save big on office supplies, insurance, college tuition, and much more - offerings only available through Chamber membership.

Through Accident Fund you can receive 5% upfront savings on workers compensation

insurance, with no minimum premium to qualify and dividends ranging from 7 – 14% of premiums returned (dividends cannot be guaranteed). Contact the Chamber at

616.771.0348 for an agent referral or visit www.accidentfund.com.*

Windstream is a Fortune 500 technology company that specializes in voice, data, IP/network equipment, security and cloud solutions. New clients – Chamber members qualify for Chamber volume discounts and credit subsidies through Windstream’s “For Services” program. Contact Mike Hemmingsen 616.389.1002 or Mike.Hemmingsen@Windstream.com for information.*

Receive up to 45% on 500+ items that businesses purchase most often. Save up to 10% on just about everything that Office Depot stocks in stores. Deep discounts on printing and copy services everyday! For additional information contact Tim Dolphin at 616.304.2735 or tim.dolphin@officedepot.com .*

Your employees (including part-time) and their dependents receive a 20% discount on Davenport University tuition and the application fee is waived. For additional information contact the Chamber at 616.771.0315 or visit www.grandrapids.org/davenport.

Save up to 30% on package shipping and receive discounts starting at 70% on freight shipping! UPS is pleased to help members save time and money through special services and shipping discounts. For additional information, please contact Mark Allen at 616.771.0348 or visit http://savewithups.com/gracc/ to start saving today!*

2011New Member Kit

Save up to 7.5 cents per gallon on your fuel costs. Van Manen Petroleum has more than 130 Pacific Pride locations across Michigan to serve you. Contact Glenn or Dan at 616.453.6344 or 800.654.4244 for more information.

Take your clients on the golf course using the free corporate membership at The Highlands Golf Club. Contact Steve at 616.453.1504 for more information.

Don’t have a human resources department? Save 25% on your payroll processing and human resources services. For more information, contact Ashley Barnes at 616.260.2191, or ajbarnes@paychex.com.*

Mutual of Omaha offers affordable life and disability insurance choices for employers to make educated decisions for their employee benefits packages. Contact the Chamber at 616.771.0348 for an agent referral or visit www.grandrapids.org/moo.

Reduce absenteeism, address conflict, prevent stress and provide employees with individual and confidential support through Encompass. Save 10% on services. Contact Allison Brown at 616.459.9180 or abrown@encompass.us.com for more information.

MEMBERSHIP PERKS

2011New Member Kit

Membership Ambassadors Committee Ambassadors serve as liaisons between the Chamber and its members, encouraging involvement and assisting with member retention. Chamber contact: Mark Allen allenm@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0348

Membership CommitteeAn advisory committee for new membership development and member retention.Chamber contact: Mark Allen allenm@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0348

Events & Programs The Chamber Open Committee Help plan, market and secure sponsorships and donations for our annual golf outing. Chamber contact: Noelle Frost frostn@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0344

EPIC Awards Committee Help plan, market and secure sponsorships for this annual event. Chamber contact: Mercedes Cowpercowperm@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0341

DiversityMultiracial Association of Professionals Council Develop programs and networking events to help connect diverse professionals to the Grand Rapids community.Chamber contact: Sonya Hughes hughes@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0321

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESGovernment AffairsTax and Regulatory Affairs Committee Reviews issues as they relate to tax and regulations that increase the cost of doing business. Chamber contact: Allie Bush busha@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0311

Education & Workforce Development Committee Works to ensure the development of a better educated and productive workforce. Chamber contact: Allie Bush busha@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0311

Environmental Affairs Committee Advises the Chamber membership on significant environmental issues and works to influence lawmakers to prepare and support cost-efficient, yet effective regulations. Chamber contact: Josh Lungerlungerj@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0336

Health Care & Human Resources Committee Advocates a basic level of health care and encourages communication between the business and health care communities. Chamber contact: Andy Johnston johnstona@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0335

Transportation Committee Analyzes issues and advocates for infrastructure policies and projects that make efficient use of each dollar spent on transportation. Chamber contact: Josh Lunger lungerj@grandrapids.org, 616.771.0336