Chamber Membership FAQs
How many members are in the Eau Claire Chamber?
Currently, the Eau Claire Chamber has approximately 1,200.
Is the Chamber made up of only large businesses?
84% of the members have less than 25 employees.
Does the Chamber receive any funding from the government?
Other than membership dues from government members, the Chamber does not receive any type of
funding from the government.
How does the Chamber generate its revenue?
Less than 50% of the Chamber’s revenue is generated from membership dues. The remaining revenue
is from programs and services.
Do members have to actively volunteer?
Only 20% of Chamber member representatives are active volunteers.
Since our company doesn’t do business in the area, why should we become members?
Over the past years, the Chamber has been instrumental in working on key issues affecting the business community in the Chippewa Valley. Without revenue derived from our members, this could not be done. Examples are:
How are membership dues calculated?
For most business and non-profit organizations, dues are based on the number of full-time equivalent
employees, which includes owners and managers. Financial institutions, professionals and unemployed. individuals fall under a different dues structure.
Our business is quite small and thus, there isn’t time to attend networking events. What other benefits are there for businesses?
Although some of the Chamber’s member see great benefit from networking events, there are others
that never attend the events but take advantage of a variety of other benefits that come along with
membership at no additional charge:
Currently, the Eau Claire Chamber has approximately 1,200.
Is the Chamber made up of only large businesses?
84% of the members have less than 25 employees.
Does the Chamber receive any funding from the government?
Other than membership dues from government members, the Chamber does not receive any type of
funding from the government.
How does the Chamber generate its revenue?
Less than 50% of the Chamber’s revenue is generated from membership dues. The remaining revenue
is from programs and services.
Do members have to actively volunteer?
Only 20% of Chamber member representatives are active volunteers.
Since our company doesn’t do business in the area, why should we become members?
Over the past years, the Chamber has been instrumental in working on key issues affecting the business community in the Chippewa Valley. Without revenue derived from our members, this could not be done. Examples are:
- Assisted with passage of ECASD referendum (1999)
- State computer tax exemption on business computers (2000)
- Storm water utility fee reduction (2000)
- Advocated the .5% county sales tax increase for property tax relief (2000)
- Advocated the passage of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan (2004)
- Highway 53 bypass (2007)
- Advocated for members on the Eau Claire electronic sign ordinance (2008)
How are membership dues calculated?
For most business and non-profit organizations, dues are based on the number of full-time equivalent
employees, which includes owners and managers. Financial institutions, professionals and unemployed. individuals fall under a different dues structure.
Our business is quite small and thus, there isn’t time to attend networking events. What other benefits are there for businesses?
Although some of the Chamber’s member see great benefit from networking events, there are others
that never attend the events but take advantage of a variety of other benefits that come along with
membership at no additional charge:
- Telephone referrals by the Chamber
- Referrals from website directory listings under three business categories Referrals to your business’s web site from the online Chamber business directory
- Referrals from listing in the Chamber’s Community Profile/Business Directory
- Market your business in The Update newsletter via the Small Street Journal and Member Spotlight
- Market your business with a coupon on the Chamber’s web site
- Market your business by posting your events on the community calendar on the Chamber’s website
- Market your business by accepting Chamber Buy Local Bucks
- Market your business through a Ribbon Cutting or Groundbreaking ceremony
- Opportunity to attend some seminars at no charge
- Opportunity to present at Chamber Lunch & Learn seminars
- Opportunity to be listed on the Chamber’s Speakers Bureau
- Opportunity to post job openings on the Chamber’s online Job Bank
- Opportunity to be part of the Chamber’s SOHO (Small Office/ Home Office) group
