Traditionally, a chamber of commerce was a membership organization that supports the interests of its business members. It is not affiliated with the government, nor is it a charity. The chamber is separate from the Better Business Bureau. Now that we’ve explained the traditional notion of chamber membership, let’s dive into what it means to be a member of a chamber of commerce today. If you think chambers are outdated, it’s time you take another look.

As a chamber member, you are represented by a powerful organization. Because they are not government-affiliated, chambers weather the political storms, cannot get voted out of office, and always represent the business community. And since healthy communities are good places to work with strong employment opportunities, a chamber helps all members of a community.

Chamber members are a critical part of the following work in your community.

What Does it Mean to be a Chamber Member?
There is a long list of benefits to chamber membership. But those benefits are only the surface of what you and your employees receive from joining. If you want to be part of something larger than yourself and your business, striving to improve opportunities in your community, chamber membership is an ideal way to do that.

Volunteerism and Cause-based Marketing
There are many ways to volunteer in the chamber. From assisting with events to running educational webinars to serving on the board and more. Your skills or sponsorships will be leveraged in a way that helps you increase your network, your knowledge, and your business exposure.

When you volunteer—and the chamber shares that information with others—your business is aligned with the cause in the eyes of community members. Chambers embrace many causes to improve the quality of life for the communities they serve. Check with your chamber to find out what its goals are or view its strategic plan. You may be surprised by what community efforts it’s championing such as:

• Affordable housing solutions
• Workforce development
• Safe streets
• Tax-reduction legislation
• Mental health initiatives

Many people who question membership have a narrow-minded view of the chamber as a “business only” entity without realizing that every issue in the community affects business. If the community is not seen as a prosperous one, people won’t want to live, work, or open a business there. Being pro-community is pro-business.

You can likely help with the causes that are important to you through chamber work, while also strengthening your business and growing your network with cause-based marketing.

Community Leadership and Responsibility
Chamber members are viewed as reputable and dedicated to creating (or continuing) a flourishing community. When you become a chamber member, you are announcing to the community that your business is here to stay and you’re investing in the success of the area. Through membership, you are choosing to be part of an organization that has championed the cause of business for many years.

Pro-Diversity
At first glance, you may assume the chamber is comprised of a very homogenous mix of business owners. That is no longer the case. In many communities, the chamber is leading diversity initiatives. Chambers understand the importance of representing every aspect of business and ensuring each voice is heard. Representing minority- and women-owned businesses is a responsibility that chambers take seriously because a chamber can affect change. By amplifying the business owners’ voices and convening community leaders, business owners, and employees, chambers are leading diversity initiatives across the country. They’re advocating for legislation, hosting town halls, and providing educational DEI programs.

Chambers often recognize what the business community needs before individual businesses can address it themselves. As a member of the chamber, you are part of helping traditionally underserved populations discover the joy, opportunity, and challenges of business ownership.

Being a chamber member in the 21st century goes beyond the list of benefits you’ll see in the membership brochure. Sure, those items are good investments for your business, and they can save you money and help you grow but the chamber offers much more than that. The chamber is leading the efforts to make your community a better place to live, work, and play for everyone. And membership offers you a highly visible opportunity to be part of that excitement.

Jonathan Jahnke is the Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located at 2702 Hwy. 29 N in Alexandria. Good Shepherd is a Missouri Synod Lutheran church. The congregation teaches Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. Worship services are Sunday's at 10 am.

This proposal currently in front of the Legislature would create a new, mandatory 24 week paid leave program for all MN employers and employees. The program would begin taking effect in 2025, with implementation starting in 2023.

• Every MN employer regardless of size is mandated to participate. “Covered Employment” can include extraterritorial employment outside of MN so long as some work is performed in MN and the employer is a MN employer.· Two main types of leave are required to be available. Leave may be taken in increments: 1) Paid medical leave – up to 12 weeks paid leave for a serious health condition or pregnancy; 2) Paid family leave – up to 12 weeks paid leave to care for a newborn, adopted or foster child; safety leave; or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition.
• The leave can be stacked together for a total of 24 weeks. An additional up to 12 weeks is available for a military exigency. This is in addition to existing unpaid federal Family and Medical Leave Act requirements in some instances.
• Employers will be charged a .7% payroll tax to fund the program. There is no cap on the tax, meaning if program costs exceed the amount collected, the state will raise the tax. Employers may “charge back” employees for up to 50% of the tax, but must do so under proportion, contract, or wage requirements.
• Employees will be paid a partial wage replacement based on their income on a progressive scale. For lower income workers, the wage replacement rate will start at 90%.
• Employees have reinstatement rights – meaning their jobs must be held for them upon their return from leave.
• Employers may opt out of the mandate if they provide a leave program at least as generous as the state required mandate. Employers must submit their plans to the state for approval for opting out. Employers who opt out will be assessed a fee.
• Employees are eligible 90 days after hire.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS:
Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R) District 9
(218) 205-5062 | sen.jordan.rasmusson@senate.mn
Senator Torrey Westrom (R) District 12
(651) 296-3826 | sen.torrey.westrom@senate.mn
Representative Mary Franson (R) District 12B
(651) 296-3201 | rep.mary.franson@house.mn
Representative Tom Murphy (R) District 9B
(218) 640-1707 | rep.tom.murphy@house.mn