Introduction
In most nations of the world today, belonging to chambers of commerce is compulsory under state laws, with dues paid under certain sections of the business authorizations. These setups are known as “public law” chambers. Most of these organizations have members running into thousands since it is a must for every genuine business organization to join. But in some countries, membership of these organizations is voluntary. Chambers of commerce are more commonly found in the European Union. It is thus imperative to state that these organizations have in the last few years contributed immensely to the growth of the businesses of its members, and have contributed to public policy formulations, which have impacted positively not just on the lives of its member organizations but on the society at large.
The Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce is the umbrella body for many chambers of commerce residing in that region of the world. The association of chambers of commerce around the world is referred to as the international Chambers of Commerce, with its headquarters in Paris. The WCF comes together after one year to hold a general congress. Issues bothering on the effective operations of the various chambers are discussed. And collective positions are taken on global issues, which every individual chamber of commerce is expected to promote on return to its own region or state.
Chambers of Commerce
There are a lot of misconceptions, on subjects relating to brands and organizations. These misconceptions are encountered on a larger scale when the expression “chambers of commerce” is used, even though the term is not new. The misunderstanding of these terms by a lot of people is self–inflicted, there is as a result of the mode of operation of these organizations in different countries of the world.
Daniel (57) defined it as “an organization of businesses seeking to further their collective interests while advancing their community, region, state or nation”. People who own business organizations in cities, or countries come together to form these organizations to speak for their communities, and to promote the welfare of their business. Different chambers of commerce have different missions (Nyagba, 67). Some of the missions embarked upon by a few of the chambers of commerce are
- To enhance the development of the state or Nations.
- The promotion of certain areas in a region investor is likely to be attracted to.
- To serve as a community voice in public policy debates.
- Encourage efficient business transactions and as a result, remove common client frictions with business organizations.
Membership of Chambers of Commerce
There are different membership models of chambers of commerce, in the volunteer model of joining chambers of commerce, which is commonly found in the USA, and practiced in many countries of the world, organizations are not under compulsion to register with a chamber. The mode of operation of chambers of commerce differs from that of trade unions, under which registered members are bound in a strict doctrine of operation. In trade union organizations, business organizations and individuals pay certain sums of money as dues to become members, and the members thus expect to reap the benefits of registering.
It is significant to note that in chambers of commerce, it is the organization that is registered as a member and not the employee. A request is then sent to registered organizations to get their top management involved in the operations of the chambers. A business organization has the freedom to belong to as many chambers of commerce as they wish to enhance their market share and organizational connectivity. The number of dues that are paid by a particular company is dependent on the size of the company, and not based on the organizational or company members that are involved with the activities of the chamber.
Service Territory
The geographical location of a chamber of commerce is popularly known as a “Service territory”. The assigning of a service territory is based on political jurisdiction. It is oftentimes distinguished by the catchment area of the members of the organization (chambers). The set up of Borders by organizations is based on official or unofficial understanding (Agir, 45).
Relationships in Chambers of Commerce
The chambers in a particular country are not bound under contractual agreements. There is no contractual agreement existing among the members. The relationship existing among the members of the chambers is informal. And nobody is answerable to the other; the operation of the chambers is based on understanding.
The Structure of Denver Chambers of Commerce
The Denver chambers of commerce carry out their activities as non-profit entities referred to as 501(c) (6) organizations. This co-operation is given the opportunity of standing in for its members in public policy discussions. They negotiate and state their own positions on planned legislation. Regarding public policy issues, sometimes they recommend candidates for assignments (public office). The modes of operations of different chambers of commerce differ with their missions. A chamber of commerce may make arrangements with an organization to provide services to its members at a reduced cost. Commonly, large chamber organizations, like the Denver Chambers of Commerce depend less on the dues collected from its members for operation. Basically, all chambers of commerce have alternative sources of income; mostly realized from their seasonal or annual events.
The Denver Chambers of Commerce and Public Policy
The Denver Chambers of Commerce promotes an optimistic operational environment that is comfortable for the creation of jobs, conducive for business investments, and recreational activities or tourism purposes. These objectives, the Denver Chambers of Commerce go about accomplishing them with the assistance of community-based and business organizations, to enhance the standard of living of the Denver citizens. Below are some of the policy statements of the Denver Chambers of Commerce.
- The Denver Chambers of Commerce advocates for tax incentives that are strictly anchored on organizational performance and ongoing aggressive scrutiny of such programs, many of which emphasized the realization of economic growth strategies.
- The Denver Chambers of Commerce encourages financial accountability at all levels of government and it also seeks to do away with the repetition of services and programs.
- The Denver Chambers of Commerce supports the actualization of government efficiencies, which are realized via mergers.
- The Denver Chambers of Commerce supports the assessment, and the discretion, of the overall tax scheme impacts.
- The Denver Chambers of Commerce supports scheduled governmental reviews of the successes of the government and it stands against the creation of new tax schemes that are not in consonance with the reviews.
- The Denver Chambers of Commerce encourages competition, as an effective method of comparing business organizations to offer clients good service and ground-breaking services.
The Denver Chamber of Commerce and its Effect on public policy
The Denver Chambers of Commerce has in the last few years featured prominently in lending its voice in the state’s major policy formulations and has also succeeded in establishing itself as a most heard voice on policy issues. This, the chamber goes about achieving by formulating strategies to let its members, and those saddled with the responsibility of policy making educated of essential business matters. By utilizing available communication media, especially electronic the chambers publish their view on public debates and send to members and at the same time set up committees that go out and lobby legislators. As a result of the massive campaigns embarked upon by the organization, most of the resulting decisions on public issues are not far from the organizations’ views.
The Effect of Public Policy Contributions on Denver Chambers of Commerce
As a result of the increasing impact of the Denver Chamber of Commerce on public policy discussions, the membership of the organization has increased greatly. This is because of the public trust it has succeeded in gaining over the years. The increase in the membership of the organization has also improved the chamber’s revenue, thus making it easier for the organization to pursue its strategic objectives.
Improved patronage of member business organizations is another important impact the chamber’s contribution to policy issues has created (denverchamber.org).
The Effects on Denver
Adhering to contributions from the Denver Chambers of Commerce, by the lawmakers and public policy formulators has resulted in a thriving and conducive business environment as it is presently observed in the state. The hearts of more investors are being stirred towards Denver, as they currently see it as a city of opportunities.
Conclusion
Chambers of Commerce in general and the Denver Chambers of Commerce in particular, are today seen as veritable tools for the growth of business organizations and society. The importance or impact these organizations have exerted on public policy debates can never be overemphasized. Though the membership of Chambers of commerce is not compulsory, businesses must avail themselves of the opportunity of the benefits derivable as registered members. The Denver Chambers of Commerce has in the last couple of years positioned itself as a un negligible voice in public debates. As a result of the activities of the organization which have impacted positively on the lives of its members and the society, members of the organization now enjoy better patronage from the public, as a sign of the public’s identification with the organizations’ success. It is also noticed that recently most businesses are getting registered with the Denver Chamber of Commerce as a business strategy, to improve their operations. Improved quality of service rendered by business organizations is one important impact of the Denver chamber of commerce that is worth mentioning, and increased accountability on the part of the government. As a result of the activities of the Denver chamber of commerce and similar other organizations, the society or people are now indirectly involved in the decision-making process of government policies that impact directly their lives.
Works Cited
Agir, Martins. Establishment and Operation of a Chambers of Commerce. Cape Town: Aloom, 2002.
Daniel, Jones. The impact of Chambers of Commerce on Public policies. Nairobi: Alam, 1994.
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Web.
Nyagba, Joshua. Chambers of commerce and policy Formulations.Dublin: Menac, 2007.