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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
In order to help you navigate your way through our many services, programs, events and opportunities for doing business, we have provided answers to some of our members' most frequently asked questions.
Also included is an index of benefits by category, with contact numbers for easy reference, as well as tips for networking, marketing and making your voice heard at City Hall, or our State and National Capitols.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If my company is a member, does that mean I am a member, too?
- What does the Chamber's board of directors do? How can I get on the board?
- Who are Chamber Members?
- How can the Chamber help me save money?
- How can I use the Chamber to market my business?
- What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business network?
- How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
- How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
- How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
- How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
- How can I help shape and support the Chamber's policy positions and agenda?
- How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that affect my business?
- How can the Chamber help my company get involved in community issues?
- How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
- Does the Chamber have publications that can be of use to my business?
If my company is a member, does that mean I am a member, too?
Yes! When a company becomes a Chamber member, all employees of that company's local branch/offices are considered Chamber members and have full access to our programs and benefits.
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What does the Chamber's board of directors do? How can I get on the board?
The board of directors is a valuable asset. Our directors bring with them a sophisticated level of experience and expertise. They set the strategic direction of the Chamber and oversee the finances of the organization. The board serves as a sounding board for ideas and policies, and reflects the thinking of a broad spectrum of businesses in the North Hennepin County Area.
The Board Development Committee first nominates new board members; a recommendation is then made to the full board for final approval. The committee actively seeks people who are successful in their businesses, represent the diversity of the North Hennepin Area, have demonstrated leadership skills and have an interest in helping guide the Chamber for a minimum of three years.
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Who are Chamber Members?
The North Hennepin Area Chamber has a membership of more than 350 companies, representing businesses of all sizes, from the largest multinational firms to growing mid-size companies and small businesses. Many people are surprised to learn that more than 80 percent of member companies have fewer than 50 employees.
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How can the Chamber help me save money?
Through professional partnerships, the Chamber is able to offer members several bottom-line benefits. Our membership department will help you learn more about our value-added benefits that can save you money.
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How can I use the Chamber to market my business?
The Chamber offers comprehensive marketing-benefit packages through our publications, website, programs and special events that can help your company achieve multiple objectives. These include increasing your visibility and exposure within the Chamber membership and the area's business community, standing out from your competition through exclusive sponsorship opportunities, using promotions and merchandising opportunities, entertaining valued clients at prestigious events and driving sales.
Through the Chamber, you will reach businesses of all sizes and from every industry group. Depending on your company's target audience, you can choose those events, programs and publications that reach identified segments, such as small businesses, mid-market firm, women in business, international companies and large corporations. Through our well-established partnerships with the leading business media and other professional organizations, our programs are widely promoted to increase your reach.
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What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business network?
The best way to build your business network is to develop relationships with other Chamber members. All Chamber programs are designed to give you an opportunity to make new contacts and strengthen existing relationships. The more events you attend and the more actively you participate, the faster and deeper your network will grow.
We produce a number of programs that are specifically designed for networking, such as Business Card Exhanges and the Chamber's networking Groups. Another way to build your network is through volunteering for the Chamber by joining a committee. This is an opportunity to increase your visibility and demonstrate your professionalism and expertise to a wide audience.
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How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
The Chamber has a number of programs to help you develop the skills you need to excel in business. Program offerings are updated on an ongoing basis to ensure we are matching what we have to offer to members' needs. We want to hear from you about what you would like to see in the way of new offerings.
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How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
Most of the Chamber's programs have planning committees that help create the content of the programs. You can contribute as a member of the committee or, depending on your level of expertise and experience, as a committee chair. For more information on how to join a committee, call the Chamber Office or contact the Committee Chair.
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How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
The Chamber is always looking for good speakers. We book speakers on topics that are relevant to our ongoing series, and we always look to our membership. Contact our Programs Director. Send him or her an outline of your proposed presentation, a profile of your target audience and an overview of your speaking experience, including references.
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How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
As you attend Chamber events and programs and expand your network, you will have access to people who are in a position to provide you with business leads. As you get to know them and they gain trust in your professionalism, your fellow Chamber members can become an important source of referrals for your business.
If you are looking for leads, be sure to check out the Chambers Networking Groups, the Chamber's leads-exchange program. Three groups meet at least twice a month, giving you the structure and the time to develop relationships that will directly result in business leads.
In addition, the Chamber publishes the North Hennepin Area Chamber Resource Guide.
Each week, the Chamber receives calls from all over the country looking for referrals on businesses or services in the North Hennepin Area. Our customer-service representatives will always refer a Chamber Member first.
Finally, our entire Membership Directory is online. Log on to look up member businesses by name or business category or by Member Representative.
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How can I help shape and support the Chamber's policy positions and agenda?
The Chamber's public-policy agenda is shaped by input from many sources, including the results of regular polls that tell us about which issues Members are most concerned.
The Chamber's position on any given state or local ballot initiative is determined via a multi-step process that starts with our Government Affairs Committee. At these meetings, presentations are made by Chamber staff and guest speakers representative of proponents and opponents of the initiative. Chamber members may take the advisory vote that is then passed on to the Chamber's board of directors.
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How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that affect my business?
The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee provides several communication vehicles to keep members in the know. Most current are the Public Policy pages on the Chamber's website. Regular updates are published on essential issues that affect you and the rest of the business community, as well as the full story behind what is going on in North Hennepin Area business and government.
Information about our programs, our involvement with various community forums and our presence at City Halls are regularly disseminated by the Chamber's monthly newsletter.
Attendance at Government Affairs Committee meetings is strongly encouraged for members who wish to keep abreast of the latest issues and the Chamber's activities at City Hall and in the community.
The Government Affairs Committee Co-Chairs and Chamber President/CEO are reachable by phone and e-mail to respond to your specific questions and to help you stay informed.
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How can the Chamber help my company get involved in community issues?
The Chamber is involved in a number of community-serving initiatives. Call the Chamber Office or check the Chamber's Website for ways to be involved.
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How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
The Chamber has a variety of communication tools designed to keep members informed about what is going on in and around the Chamber and the business community. Members receive the weekly updates via e-mail and the monthly Chamber newsletter. The Chamber's website will tell you everything you want to know about the Chamber and doing business in North Hennepin Area.
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Does the Chamber have publications that can be use to my business?
The Chamber publishes the North Hennepin Area Resource Guide and the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce Map, and the Chamber's monthly Newsletter.
All these publications offer advertising opportunities for you to promote your business. In addition, we stock the Community & Resource Guides for Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Maple Grove and Osseo. We also have on hand the phone books for Minneapolis & St. Paul as well as the Sprint and Verizon phone books.
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The Chamber Salutes These Signature Sponsors
