About The Chamber

GREATER MASSENA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
What We’re About…a brief overview

INCORPORATION – May 29, 1931
MEMBERSHIP – Approximately 360 members to include businesses, non-profit agencies, and individuals. The vast majority of the members are within 10 miles of Massena, but some are from further away, to include Canada.

OBJECTIVES

Promote Massena – Relocation packets, direct mail, newsletter, membership directory, website, community events, media advertising, and special interest directories.

Economic Growth – Promoting business-friendly policies and legislation working with local, regional, and statewide partners (Business Development Corporation, County Chamber, Chamber Alliance, NYS Business Council). Promoting tourism in and to our own community – Events, publications, directories, website, etc.

Partner with Local Government – Tourism promotion agent for town and village. Provide publicity services for town and village. Provide input and planning.

Information Clearinghouse – Coordinate and publish monthly/yearly calendar of events (paper and website), provide answers to questions posed by residents & visitors by phone, e-mail, or mail.

BENEFITS

Membership Directory	Referrals
Hotel & Dining Guides	Insurance Program
Website Listings	Low-Cost Advertising
Monthly Newsletter	Networking

WHAT’S IN THE OFFICE?

Brochures and info on most of the 50 States, 62 NY counties and many local and regional attractions. If you are taking a trip please stop in and pick up any free tourism information you would like including maps. Seasonal guides, maps, literature promoting many of our local tourism hot spots, and staff members eager to help. Pins, ornaments, shirts and other souvenir items are for sale.
Conferencing facilities perfect for small meetings.
Storage space for our records, office supplies, most event equipment.

WHO’S IN THE OFFICE? WHAT DO WE DO?

Executive Director – Oversees day to day operations of chamber. Delegates many of the daily duties to include but not limited to correspondence, record keeping, and bookkeeping to the office staff. Makes sure the policies of the Board of Directors (BOD) are carried out. Ensures the objectives and goals of the organization are met. Keeps members informed of what’s happening in the Chamber with state legislation, business issues, etc. through newsletter, e-mails, etc. Prepares annual budget and assures that the budget is followed in conjunction with Finance Committee. Retains and increases membership. Recruitment of new members and encouraging BOD to recruit new members. Develops membership programs that attract and retain members. Supervising event preparation and execution, serve on County Chamber BOD and Tourism Committee. Represents the Chamber in the media and at community events. Keeps the Chamber visible in the community. Organizes and directs committees for events and BOD.

Office Manager – Keeps books and financials records, accounts payable and receivable, directly supervises office secretary, produces newsletter and other correspondence, paper and computer filing systems, maintains membership records, acts as recording secretary for board meetings, prepares minutes, organizes and prepares bulk mailing, customer service on phone or in office, works events. Assists Executive Director in accomplishing goals and objectives of organization. (35 hours a week)

Event Coordinator– Assists with office work, correspondence, record keeping, accounts payable and receivable, mailings, etc. at direction of Office Manager. Primarily responsible for the ordering of new brochures and other materials for display in the office. Answers phone, e-mails, mail and in-person inquires, and works events. Does internal advertising sales for annual directory. Coordinates all aspects of events hosted by the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce.(25-30 hours a week)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Consists of 17 members. Ten of these members are elected and the other seven are appointed by local industry, agencies, and government. Appointees include representatives of ALCOA, GM, NYPA, Town and Village of Massena, Seaway and Whalen, Davey and Looney (Chamber accounting firm).

Committees – Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating and Awards, Government Affairs, Volunteer Committee, and Event Committee.

Board Member Duties – Attend monthly meetings. Serve on at least one event committee. Volunteer to work events and encourage co-workers, friends, family, etc. to work them. Act as “Ambassadors” of the Chamber and community. Recruit new members (try for 2 a year, but more is better). Every so often, call and ask “What can I do?” Find out whom your fellow Chamber members are (Member Directory) and do business with them to the greatest extent possible. Encourage others to do the same.

ANNUAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Annual Dinner – (January-March) this is a semi-formal social evening for the business community. Guest speaker, auction and annual awards handed out. This is a moderate fundraiser for the chamber, approximately $3,000-$3,200.

Golf Tournament – (May) Held at the Massena Country Club. Major support from Massena Savings & Loan, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Northern Insuring Agency and Massena New Car Dealers Association. This is a major fundraiser for the chamber, approximately $5,000-$5,500 on avg.

Heritage Festival – (June) Located at the Massena Arena. Consists of a craft show, games, carnival rides, parade, and food. This event requires dozens of volunteers. This is the largest fundraiser in the year for the chamber, approximately $6,500+.

Concerts in the Park – (July & August) Held normally on Thursday or Friday nights. Free public concerts sponsored by local businesses. Donations are accepted to benefit the seasonal Christmas display in Veteran’s Park.

Blues Bash – (July) Blues Bash Event sponsored by Clopman’s and North Country Savings Bank, Alcoa located at the Massena Spring’s Park band shell. Small musical event fundraiser for the Chamber.

Car and Truck Show – (August) Sponsored by GM Powertrain. Olde Car Club assists. 15+ divisions with trophies awarded. Moderate fundraiser for the chamber.

HarvestFest – (September) Downtown Massena, Vendor Festival geared toward Harvest activities for youth, ex: Pumpkin painting, scarecrow making.
Small fundraiser for the Chamber.

WildLife Festival @ NYPA – (September) A NYPA event. Massena Chamber sponsored Food Booth. Moderate fundraiser for the Chamber.

Oktoberfest – Chamber event associated with the Massena BPO Elks Lodge 1702.
German festival combined with fall activities. Beer & Wine Tasting, German Food
Small Fundraiser for the Chamber.

Membership Directory – (December – March or April) each year we produce a major brochure promoting the membership and assets of the Massena community. Supported by $8,000-$10,000 in member advertising (enclosed).

Community Link Map – (Sales in October-November) the map is done every other year by a national Chamber publisher; Community Link and is printed in May. They produce a large fold-out map targeted toward visitors; distributed widely throughout the area. The map is also supported by Chamber-member advertisers. Chamber gets a royalty payment based on gross sales, approximately $2,300-$2,400.

OTHER CHAMBER-SPONSORED OR SUPPORTED EVENTS THAT ARE NOT FUNDRAISERS

Farmer’s Market (July-October)
Downtown Car Show and Block Dance (July)
Political Candidates Forum (October) BPW
Santa Comes Downtown
Scholarship (Late Summer)
Old Fashioned Christmas Downtown (Early December)
Christmas Decorating Contest (Mid December)

FINANCIAL REPORT

Balance Sheet – a monthly “snapshot” of the Chamber’s assets and liabilities compared to the same month the previous year.

Monthly Financial Report – report on all income and expenses for the month, compared to same month last year. Also lists budgeted amount for comparison purposes.

INCOME CATEGORIES

• Annual Dues – a little more than ¼ of annual budget. Dues range from $45.00 to a $1,000 for large companies…based on number of employees and type of organization.
• Public Revenue – contracts for publicity services with town and village.
• Event Income – most, if not all of revenue from above referenced fundraising events.
• Donations – Includes donations made at the office for tourist info, as well as some larger things like our map royalty payments.
• Sales – pins, ornaments, maps, and souvenirs sold at office, and other promotional materials sold.
• Advertising – Membership directory & Newsletter advertising, other services we are paid to do that benefit members. Also includes revenue sharing from Chamber Health Insurance plan.
• Miscellaneous income

EXPENSE CATEGORIES

• Payroll expenses – includes gross payroll, taxes and insurance. Employees are not provided with health or pension benefits.
• Insurance – General Liability and Officers & Directors Liability coverage
• Professional Development – Training, seminars, conferences, etc.
• Office Expenses – General office supplies, paper products, cleaning items, copier maintenance contract.
• Postage, internet, phone, rent all self-explanatory
• Meals and travel – mileage, hotel, meals, etc.
• Membership expenses – Money spent on items that benefit the organization. Membership plaques some paid advertising, etc.
• Advertising & Marketing – Advertising done outside of regular events & fundraisers, and cost of design and printing of membership directory.
• Event expenses – all costs related to staging events.