Getting Connected

The Evanston Chamber of Commerce displays one of the most important benefits of membership-political clout. The group was instrumental in helping change home zoning ordinances in the Illinois community, according to chamber executive director Jonathan Perman.

"Two years ago, when Evanston revamped its zoning ordinances, we lobbied very heavily to get homebased businesses recognized and legitimized in the code," explains Perman, who says the abundance of homebased enterprises in the city prompted his chamber to get into the zoning fray.

After the success of its lobbying efforts, the chamber created the Homebased Business Network. Members meet regularly to discuss concerns ranging from how to buy office equipment to designing a business card.

Clearly, chambers of commerce offer advantages far beyond long-distance phone discounts and the exchange of business cards. But if you really want to benefit from chamber membership, you must do your part to benefit the chamber in return.

"Our chamber does a lot of work in promoting the image of Montgomery," says Vaughn at Benefits Options. "I find most outsiders know very little about our city and have a negative image of it. I want to do my part to change that."

Vaughn does his part through paying his membership dues and getting involved in civic activities such as Partners in Education, a program that offers local schools everything from newspaper subscriptions to entrepreneurs willing to teach classes.

"You only get out of membership what you put into it," says Vaughn. Whether your chamber has programs tailored for homebased entrepreneurs or focuses on small businesses in general, you, too, can realize enormous benefits if you make the effort.

This article was originally published in the February 1996 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Getting Connected.