What is a Chamber?

The Chamber: The Myth vs. the Reality

The Victoria Chamber of Commerce turned 82 years old this year.  My how time flies!  And in those 82 years, many things have changed about the organization- but some things still remain the same.  The Victoria Chamber of Commerce is, and always has been, a business MEMBERSHIP organization.  That’s what a Chamber is.  Businesses invest (pay membership dues) in an organization that represents them and provides them a vehicle for having a “voice” in the community.  The Chamber is the “Voice of Business” in Victoria.  And a cornerstone for progress and economic development. 

Common misconceptions heard on the street about the chamber:

1) MYTH: It’s “part of the city government” - or funded “by the city”.   REALITY: Business owners and individuals pay “dues” to belong to the organization. Those dues and fundraisers are the primary source of operating income for the organization.  And while the Chamber is housed in a city owned building, it pays rent for that space, just like any tenant would.

2) MYTH: It’s “A Bank”.  REALITY:  We hear this a lot on the streets these days but are not sure why.  Maybe it’s the “Of Commerce” in our name.  So many banks today end in that phrase as well.  Again, the Chamber is a business membership organization.  It’s not a bank. 

3) MYTH: “Its members are stuffed shirts that control the city and it (the Chamber) is not open to new ideas.” REALITY: HA! Nothing could be further from the truth.  The chamber is a very progressive part of this community and its members come from every race and religion, big business to small, women and men owned businesses and so on.  Our requirements for membership are simple: to pay a very reasonable membership investment annually and to care about this community.  Chamber members are the people that care and they are definitely the kind of people you WANT to do business with.  Look for the membership plaque!

In reality, the chamber is as strong as its members want it to be. Right now, with over 1000 business members, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a strong voice of business in our community.  Concerned members work on issues relating to agriculture, youth leadership development, adult leadership development, education, transportation, retail development, business development, community beautification, and many other areas that make a difference every day in the business climate of our community.  They speak out on the issues, take the time to get informed and commit themselves to making a difference in their community. 

The Victoria Chamber of Commerce is for ALL the people of Victoria and for ALL businesses that love this community and choose to make it their home.  And with the continued hard work and efforts of its members, we hope to see it around for another 82 years!