In recent months, and particularly during the 2010 election period, the Chamber has received calls and comments about the Chamber of Commerce of the US…and our affiliation or lack thereof. Unless they choose to do so, and pay an annual membership fee, local Chambers of Commerce have NOaffiliation with the national…unlike other organizations such as the United Way or the Red Cross. The Chamber of Commerce of the US has a clear and important mission with respect to advocacy on behalf of large business interests, taxes, monetary policy and trade issues as well as labor legislation. Most of these issues at the federal level are beyond the scope of our Chamber’s legislative involvement.
Although the local Chamber was affiliated with the national for many years starting in 1927, we parted ways on policy and budgetary grounds over a decade ago and we remain unaffiliated. The public tends to connect the national and state and local Chambers strictly on the basis of names and it is a completely incorrect association. In fact, many local Chambers existed long before the Chamber of Commerce of the US was established in 1912 partly as the result of a suggestion by President Taft. Your regional Chamber, The Chamber of Commerce, Inc./Windham Region, traces its roots back to 1887 and is getting close to celebrating its 125th year proudly representing business, professional and institutional employers in our 13-town region.