The Benefits of Membership

 

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

·   FREE listing on Chamber website in up to four categories with FREE link to your website. 14,000 hits monthly!

·   FREE mailing labels of chamber members (once per year upon request) to promote your events and specials

·   FREE advertising opportunity due to advertising donation from a local business – to reinforce shopping locally

·   DISCOUNTED ad opportunities via Chamber underwriting in Marin media like the Marin IJ and Network Success

·   New Members Only: FREE one-time ad in NorthBay biz magazine and Network Success—that’s free publicity to 80,000 residents in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa

·   For Retail Businesses: “Click & shop” access to your free listing in our online San Anselmo Shopping Guide

 

PUBLICITY & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

·   FREE access to post your own business promotions and events on the Chamber website

·   FREE e-blasts promoting your business events and promotions to over 300 subscribers

·   FREE member coverage in bi-monthly Network Success (member submitted)—exposure to 5,500 readers

·   FREE phone referrals for member businesses

·   Member promotional brochures mailed to relocating families and visitors

·   Discounted admission to Chamber Breakfast Mixers

·   Members invited to join Chamber Committees and network with business community: Ambassadors Committee, Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Holiday Window Decorating, San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival, Disaster Preparedness Committee, Marin Valentine Ball Benefit, Marin Women in Business Conference, Marin Workforce Housing Trust, Marin Convention & Visitor Bureau Member, Marin County Council of Chambers, Flood Mitigation Committee, Facility and Advisory Committee for Ross Valley School District, Southern San Anselmo Avenue Vision Committee, Sir Francis Drake High and College of Marin Internship Program

·   Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new members or business refurbished or under new management

 

INFORMATION SOURCE AND EDUCATION

·   FREE subscription to Network Success and regular Chamber e-blasts on issues relevant to your business

·   Assistance with city permits, signage and navigating the public process

·   Assistance finding business interns through internship programs at Drake High and College of Marin

·   State & Local workshop information

·   Free consulting with the Small Business Development Center

EVENTS

·   Sponsorship and participation opportunities for all chamber-sponsored events: Marin Women in Business Conference, San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival, State of the Town & Business of the Year Dinner, Mixers, etc.

·   Monthly networking events to share ideas and network with other members and community leaders 

 

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

·   Representation at Town City Council meetings to monitor issues, town policies and procedures that may impact local business (such as sign ordinances, beautification, schools, parking, etc.) and to ensure decisions protect and promote member’s economic sustainability and growth

·   Working with Town and agents exploring potential anchor retailers for San Anselmo

·   Working with professionals to enhance and vitalize Southern San Anselmo Avenue

·   Working with Greenfield Ave. merchants to make the area a viable shopping and business district

·   Working with Disaster Preparedness Council and Flood Mitigation Committee  

 

We want you to get the most of your chamber membership. Visit our website’s Membership section for a handy Benefits Checklist—and take advantage of our valuable programs and opportunities all year long!

2006-2008 Chamber Accomplishments

 

INFORMATION SOURCE AND EDUCATION

·   Launched “Economic Survival Workshop” program—bringing together financial experts with individuals, homeowners and businesses citywide to provide vital info for overcoming the economic downturn and to strengthen community business

·   Developing a detailed demographic profile of San Anselmo’s business statistics including retail and professional facility square footage, staffing needs, hours of operation

·   Developing a detailed demographic profile of San Anselmo’s parking grid, all-day parking passes issued, all-day parking passes available versus all-day parking spaces available, and detailing revenue potential for San Anselmo

·   Produced the Town’s first San Anselmo Shopping Guide—as an online gift guide available all year

·   Produced Destination San Anselmo, the Town’s only Business Directory & Visitor’s Guide, and distributed it to 9,000

·   Offered members free access to post own events and job opportunities online, and to list business in up to four categories!

·   Produced the Town’s first Restaurant Guide and only street map (featured in Destination San Anselmo)

·   Contributed, produced and distributed Disaster Preparedness materials to all businesses

·   Provided free business services, counseling and info through sponsorship of the Small Business Development Center

 

PRO-BUSINESS GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY & REPRESENTATION

·   Worked at the State level on several bills that would positively impact small businesses

·   Serving on the Marin County Council of Chambers (as Executive Secretary); Ross Valley School Facilities & Site Planning Advisory Committee (helping our schools maintain their high levels of standard for the district); San Anselmo Disaster Preparedness Committee and Flood Mitigation Committee; San Anselmo Economic Committee; Southern San Anselmo Avenue Vision Committee (to help improve the economic sustainability of our Town)

·   Developed SCRIP program to promote shopping locally using SCRIP at member businesses

·   Served as a liaison between members and Town to serve and protect the San Anselmo business community

·   Attended every Town Council and Planning meetings to monitor issues affecting business community

·   Worked to fill vacant stores/offices in town with businesses that would complement the community and actively referred interested businesses to landlords/realtors

·   Worked with the Town and the listing realty agent to prevent the opening of an adult store

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

·   Hosted 2^nd Annual State of the Town & Business of the Year to sold-out crowd of businesses, residents and town dignitaries

·   Elected new chair of the “Marin Women in Business” conference

·   Organized/sponsored San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival, Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Holiday Window Decorating Contest

·   Co-sponsoring 1st Annual San Geronimo Golf Tournament with the Corte Madera Chambers of Commerce

·   Sponsored Film Night in the Park and the “Meet the Candidate’s Forum” for San Anselmo Town Council

·   Helped find interns for members thru the internship programs at both Sir Francis Drake High School and College of Marin

 

FLOOD & DISASTER RELATED ASSISTANCE

Note: In 2006, the Chamber was awarded Congressional Medal of Honor due to its aid and recovery efforts after flood.

·   Initiated and participated in the San Anselmo Disaster Council

·   Issued flood alert to all merchants (member or not) by phone and email prior to flood on 12/29/2005

·   Created web page with flood assistance information within 36 hours of flood

·   Gathered contact info for Telephone Emergency Network System (TENS) to notify businesses during natural disasters

·   Created “Merchant Emergency Preparedness Guide” with police, fire and Town; delivered to all flood-zone businesses

·   Launched ad campaign “How Can You Help—Shop San Anselmo,” and subsidized newspaper ads, cab signs, and banners

·   Collaborated with SigndeSign, who donated “status signs” (open for business) to all flood-zone businesses (member or not)

·   Compiled and hand-delivered to all flood-zone businesses a list of professionals offering pro bono and discounted services

·   Two chamber attorneys consolidated 24 pages of FEMA and SBA Disaster loan info into two-page flyer and distributed

·   Secured the Local Disaster Assistance Center (LAC–FEMA/SBA) in our town versus Napa or Santa Rosa by working with Governor's office, Marin Office of Emergency Services, Sheriff's Office, and Marin Recovery Operations Center

·   Set up a San Anselmo Disaster Relief Fund at Wells Fargo Bank in San Anselmo