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Chamber of Commerce

Committees

A number of organized committees work to assist the Chamber in carrying out its goal of maintaining a focused approach to improving the business vitality in the Greater Merced area.

The Business and Economic Development Committee makes an outreach to business owners to learn what concerns them and how the Chamber can help. They hold regular meetings of local manufacturers to exchange ideas. The committee holds quarterly Wake Up Merced Breakfasts that inform the entire community about local issues such as the annual state of the community, law enforcement updates, healthcare, and business development issues. The Chamber works with state and federal legislators to improve the business climate through its cooperative association with the Merced County Associations of Governments and its recently developed “One Voice” program.

This committee also brings information to the membership concerning health, safety, and other workplace issues.

The Government Review Council (GRC) meets twice monthly to review federal, state, and local business issues. On occasion, the GRC will bring in speakers/presenters that describe their position and reasoning on the issues. Discussion leads to policy positions recommended to the Chamber board for approval. When necessary, the Chamber will appoint a spokesperson to speak before local government on an issue that has an impact on a number of our member businesses.

The Chamber Education Committee works with the school system and both the City and County of Merced to provide assistance and recommendations regarding improvement of the upcoming workforce. One of the many programs developed by the Education Committee is the Junior Leadership Program. This program targets high school juniors and seniors from Merced high schools and is patterned after Leadership Merced, the Chamber’s successful 22-year adult leadership training program. The committee is also responsible for the selection and distribution of its local scholarship program.

The very active Ambassador Committee serves as goodwill liaisons of the Chamber with the general membership, but particularly with the new members. They meet, greet, and introduce new members at various functions. They are the volunteer base for the Chamber.

The Leadership Merced Committee plans and organizes the Leadership Merced Program.

The Finance Committee oversees the financial health of the Chamber.

The Special Events Committees plan the Golf Tournament, the Springtime Reunion Car Show, the Cioppino Dinner, and other special events.

Throughout the Year

Quarterly Wake Up Merced Breakfasts inform the community about timely issues.

Quarterly luncheons are held featuring key speakers in the community discussing issues pertinent to business.

A series of Quarterly Senior Breakfasts are held to provide an opportunity to reach this important group with information on issues impacting seniors and the people who care about them.

The Chamber teams with Merced College to present the Customer Service Academy and the Thrive and Survive classes. These two classes offer, both our businesses and the public, quality training for a better workforce. Other classes such as Leadership Training and Workplace Harassment Awareness training are offered.

Business Connectors are held on the third Thursday of each month. These are popular mixers where current and potential members can meet, exchange information, and talk business in a relaxed informal atmosphere. Bring your business cards and interact with other business contacts. Opportunities exist where you can sponsor a mixer and promote your business.

Ribbon Cuttings and Opening Celebrations are held for new businesses in the community.

The Chamber offers trips with a business slant to its members. These trips have included China, other U.S. regions, and Europe.

Collaborators

The Chamber works with many other community and government organizations to enhance local businesses. Here are just a few:

• California Chamber of Commerce
• City of Merced
• County of Merced
• Merced Conference and Visitor’s Bureau
• Merced County Association of Governments
• Merced County Chamber of Commerce
• Merced County Economic Development Corp. (MCEDCO)
• Merced County Office of Education
• Merced Hispanic Chamber
• UC Merced
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Western Alliance of Chamber Executives

Benefits of Membership

• Your voice is heard through advocacy efforts of the Government Review Committee

• The Chamber represents you on the various Business and Development organizations in the County

• The Chamber partners with the One Voice program to take your issues to State and Federal levels

• Referrals of Chamber members to business inquiries

• Receipt of the monthly Business Journal

• Mid-monthly update through the online Business eXpress

• Monthly news page in the Merced Sun-Star

• Business Development opportunities through participation in Chamber Committees

• Your company listing in the Chamber’s annual Merced Today

• Your company listing in the Chamber’s online business directory

• A listing of the entire membership, including addresses, for contact by mail

• Monthly mixers to meet and network with other members

• Exposure through Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening ceremonies

• New member orientation

• Marketing and Promotional Opportunities

• Your company name on the Chamber Web site (www.merced-chamber.com) with a direct link to your site

• Advertising in Merced Today

• Advertising in the Business Journal

• Sponsorship of many of our major community events

• Display of information in our lobby

Be part of a dynamic alliance of business partners. Join the Greater Merced Chamber and open new opportunities to promote your business, be heard in local, state, and federal government, and become a steward of your community.

LEADERSHIP MERCED

The Chamber positions its members to meet the exciting challenges of the areas developing economic-base through its unique educationally-focused Leadership Merced Program.

The Leadership Merced program began in the 1980s to enhance the skills, resources, and civic involvement of community leaders. The Mission of the Leadership Merced program is to develop a diverse network of dynamic business and community leaders, who, individually and collectively, are catalysts for advancing long-term views and actions on issues critical to the quality of life in Merced County. This is accomplished by:

1. Developing leaders who know and understand Merced County and are committed to its future.

2. Presenting a program of leadership training, which increases in the candidate an understanding of Merced and of themselves as future leaders.

3. Affording access to community leaders, gaining first-hand experience, knowledge, and encouragement for greater business and community involvement.

4. Offering an opportunity for the graduates of the program to maintain affiliation and involvement with and establish a commitment to the leadership program and to the leadership opportunities of the community through performing day chair functions.

Leadership Merced begins with a “Get Acquainted” reception of members and spouses in September and concludes with graduation in June. The participants meet for a full day each month, with “Setting the Stage” starting the first session, followed by days regarding agriculture, health and human services, business economics, government, education, law and justice, the media, arts and communication, and ending with “Future Day.” There is a full two-day “retreat” over a weekend.

Leadership Merced is a program supported by the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce. Participants are generally sponsored by their place of employment, with a portion paid by them. Tuition includes seminars, resource materials, meals, and transportation during the regular sessions and the retreat.

For more information and an application, please contact the Chamber at (209) 384-7092.

JUNIOR LEADERSHIP MERCED

Mirroring the Leadership Merced Program is “Junior Leadership Merced” (JLM), which is going into its sixth year. This program looks for high school juniors and seniors who have leadership potential and provide an assortment of mentors and networking opportunities to help youth improve their skills while learning more about their local community.

The goal of this seven-month program is not only to provide leadership training to our youth, but to open their eyes to the potential of returning to Merced County as adults and becoming a viable member of our communities.

Students involved in the program are enrolled in two Merced Community College courses, which are held during their once-a-month meetings that begin in September. Other sessions include Business and Community Day, College Day, Government Day, and Law and Justice Day. In addition, they also participate in a two-day leadership retreat held at the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School. Ending their seven-month program is graduation, which is held in March.

Unlike the adult program, there is no charge to the student for this. JLM is currently sponsored by Chamber member, Farmers Federal Credit Union, as well as other member businesses that host meals during the sessions.

To learn more about this program, contact the Chamber
at (209) 384-7092.