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Five Things You May Not Know About the Chamber
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Laura Bertolli.
Chair, Board of Directors
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Your San Rafael Chamber of Commerce does its best to stay relevant to its members, but occasionally a business will drop its membership. An exit interview/call is placed and "no time for involvement" is one of the most common reasons given for dropping membership. While we encourage members to take advantage of the networking opportunities provided by the chamber, your chamber membership offers so much more.
The recent membership survey showed that members expect their chamber to offer programs and services in five areas: strengthening the local economy, promoting the community, providing networking/referral opportunities, representing business to government, and political action. As you can see, providing networking/referral opportunities is only 20 percent of what members expect. The other 80 percent of what your chamber does goes on while members are working in their own businesses.
Did you know that San Rafael Chamber leadership meets face to face with San Rafael City leadership once a month? Business issues are discussed and the City gets to hear the business community's voice on major issues.
Chamber involvement is considered community service for many businesses. Some businesses want to give back to the San Rafael community that has helped their business succeed, and chamber membership is one way. These members appreciate the fact that the chamber interviews local candidates and reviews pending legislation in order to endorse those candidates and measures that promote a strong local economy -- which goes hand in hand with a strong education system, safe neighborhoods and cultural diversity, all factors necessary in making San Rafael a great place to be.
Representing business to government, political action, strengthening the local economy and promoting San Rafael -- these are the other 80 percent of what your chamber investment offers you behind the scenes. Please consider chamber membership as a great way to say "Thanks" to San Rafael, the biggest and hardest working city in Marin!
Yours in good business,
Laura Bertolli, Chair
Board of Directors
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Spotlights
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MGH: Full Service, Widely Awarded Marin General Hospital, opened in 1952, is an acute care, 235 bed, not-for-profit and locally governed Hospital. As the only full-service acute care hospital in Marin County, its major services include the area's only trauma center, cardiac, and neurological surgery programs, labor and delivery services, and a comprehensive cancer care center. Read more. 
Dutra Group Combines Four Vital Companies Nestled in East San Rafael on the shores of San Rafael Bay, The Dutra Group is a West Coast leader in dredging, marine construction, transportation and aggregate manufacturing. It supports and partners with a wide range of customers ranging from governmental agencies to private industry members. Read more.
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Strengthening the Local Economy | | |
Member2Member Discount Plan Benefits ALL Chamber Members and their Employees
The San Rafael Chamber Member2Member Discount Savings Program is aimed a supporting our Chamber members' businesses and keeping shopping dollars local. Information and sign-up.
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Gain More Prospects and Sales by Promoting Your Business as a Chamber Member
"When consumers know that a small business is a member of a Chamber of Commerce, they are 44 percent more likely to think favorably of it and 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future." --The Schapiro Group Study
Click here to download the Chamber logo and place it on your website, Facebook Page and print advertisements.
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Missed the Annual Forecasting the Future Conference?
Click here to access downloads of the Marin Economic Bulletin 2011 and Dr. Eyler's and Dr.Haveman's presentations.
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Showcase Committee is Committee of the Month
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2011 Business Showcase Committee |
After organizing and implementing the successful 2011 Business Showcase in September, the Business Showcase Committee was honored by the Chamber as Committee of the month. In the photo from left to right: Laurie Vermont, Rick Goldfien, Karen Killian, Ginny Kuhel, Jeanne Friedel, Homa Rassouli, Gina Marr, Jerry Tallman, Joanne Webster, Lorenzo Jones and Pat Sorber. Not in photo: Ray Schlitzer, Elizabeth Korondy, Matthew Broadway, Carolyn Kohler, Shawn Spalding, Michael LeValley.
Click here for additional Chamber News. |
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City News
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Downtown San Rafael Kicks Off Holidays with Annual Parade of Lights
Downtown San Rafael will present the 32nd annual Parade of Lights, Winter Wonderland, and the special Holiday Market on Friday, November 25. Free snow sledding will continue on A Street through Saturday, November 26, weather permitting. Read more.
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View City of San Rafael news and events here.
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Representing Business to Government
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Remember to Vote!
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. The Chamber has endorsed economic vitality candidates Gary Phillips for Mayor and Andrew McCullough for City Council. Read more.
More information about the Chamber's advocacy with government on behalf of local business.
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| Promoting and Connecting the Community |
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 The Marin Independent Journal opened its new offices, located at 4000 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, with a ribbon cutting by Mayor Al Boro.
Everyone had a good time at the celebration.
Office Depot is offering Chamber members a FREE wall calendar with qualifying purchase of $125 or more. Prior to checkout add coupon code 292999326 to select your free item. Click here to customize your 2012 calendars with Office Depot's Copy and Print. Coupon expires 11/30/2011.
Learn about archaeological findings at Mission San Rafael-Arcangel on Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mission. Read more.
San Geronimo Golf Course offers free live entertainment at San Geronimo Restaurant & Bar on Friday evenings. See entertainment schedule.
 Shop Local for Schools on Tuesday, November 29 will support Downtown Fourth Street San Rafael businesses and benefit San Rafael City Schools through HeadsUp, San Rafael's Public Education Foundation. Read more.
More Member News
Chamber members: Please send your business news for this section to frontdesk@SRChamber.com. Deadline for the November issue is Tuesday, November 29. Please put "Member News" in the subject line.
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