CLEARWATER REGIONAL CHAMBER & CLEARWATER BEACH CHAMBER BOARDS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTATIONS TO UNIFY THE TWO CHAMBERS INTO ONE CONSOLIDATED ENTITY WITH INCREASED VALUE FOR MEMBERS
It is TRUE! My counterpart at the Clearwater Beach Chamber and I have been tasked by our boards to create the structure and process that will allow us to operate as one with a target date of January 1, 2020. Amanda and I are well into the process of comparing data, services, and all other details required to run a business. (As Mike Sutton says: “Not for Profit is a tax status NOT a business model!”). Our goal is to ensure that every level of member investor across all industries feels embraced and enhanced by this new unified chamber. It will take weeks and months to shore up all the details and to allow time for the assimilation of two unique cultures. Our recommendations back to the boards will include deliberate preservation of the essential elements of history and culture important to each member group.
The unification of our two memberships may be perceived as a reconciliation of a marriage. We were once one and we shall be again in the future. Once accomplished, members will find that our strengths are complimentary and will yield a more robust entity positioned to deliver consolidated expertise, diversity and services.
We will update you appropriately as progress is made toward elements critical to the target date of January 1, 2020 for the “Unification” to be official. In the interim, the Clearwater Regional Chamber (and the Clearwater Beach Chamber), need to provide uninterrupted services to respective members throughout 2019 until the unification is inked and official. We need to execute our Work Plan and Budget for 2019 and move forward individually in 2019 and we need the full uninterrupted support of our respective members and the community until we are operating under the same umbrella in 2020.
The Clearwater Regional Chamber team and volunteer leaders anticipate that Unification in 2020 will be a catalyst not only for members and the community, but also for the business environment of North Pinellas County. We are more committed to growth and change than at any other time during the past two decades. We appreciate your continuing support and PLEASE offer your input as it will be instrumental for us crafting better value and opportunity for you and your business.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE CLEARWATER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – THE VOICE OF BUSINESS.
SINCERELY,
CAROL HAGUE
PRESIDENT & CEO, CLEARWATER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
