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Letter from the Chair

I am very honored to have been selected to serve as the Chair of the Board for 2009. I don’t know of any other association that represents the business community, especially small businesses, with more commitment and enthusiasm than the award-winning Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.

As I reflect on my goal for 2009—Member Value—I am reminded that our Chamber will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2010. That is almost 125 years of representing business and working to improve the business climate as well as our community. Just imagine the number of issues that have been supported, regulations that have been fought, and relationships that have been formed in that time span!

Fast forward to today. Our country is seeing some of the most challenging times in its history. We have new leadership about to take office at the federal and local levels at a time when government spending is out of control, banks have tightened up lending, Wall Street is very volatile and government is continuing to create obstacles at every level for business. There is no better time than now for you to join with us to help protect small businesses and to take advantage of the value your Chamber membership provides.

Opportunities to promote your business and to meet other professionals occur frequently at a variety of events. In addition, the Chamber sifts through hundreds of bills and issues on the lookout for legislation that will harm your business. We “storm” the Capitol to “kill” bad legislation, educate elected officials regarding the challenges of business, work to promote a vibrant downtown, lobby for transportation dollars to improve our roads and highways, facilitate efforts to integrate public safety, and fight to control government spending, and more. More than any other group, we understand the challenges of small businesses, and we know that you are the backbone of our economy.

For these reasons, and more, it is critical that we join together to support the work of the Chamber through membership and participation. We all know there is strength in numbers. And, we also know what happens when we are complacent. With 1,950-plus members representing more than 30,000 employees, the question should not be “Why am I a member of the Chamber?” but “Why wouldn’t I be a member of the Chamber?”

In 2008, our Chamber was the only Chamber in the state to be awarded the Advocacy Partner of the Year Award, presented each year by the California Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, we shared this same award with the Riverside Chamber. With over 500 Chambers in the state of California, this is quite an honor. It began in 2005 under the leadership of Ruth Evans, and has continued through the leadership of Steve Geil, 2006; Victoria Salisch, 2007; Ray Dunn, 2008; and will continue under my leadership in 2009.

While advocacy has always been a part of what your Chamber does for you and business, it was in 2005 that the leadership declared, “We will, again, be the 800 pound Gorilla,” when it comes to advocating and fighting for small business. I do believe that Gorilla has arrived and is gaining weight each passing day!

This year will bring many challenges. The way I see it, 2009 will also bring opportunities, many of which already exist within your Chamber today.

If you haven’t already done so, or you haven’t done so lately, now more than ever is the time to reacquaint yourself with your Chamber and the value of your Chamber membership. Whether it is our important discount programs that save you money, cost-effective opportunities to promote your business, networking events where you meet other professionals, or our advocacy efforts on your behalf–your Chamber membership adds value to your bottom line.

You have my personal commitment that The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to make your membership rewarding on a personal and business level.

See you at the Chamber!

Sincerely,

Debbie L. Hunsaker
Chairman of the Board