Photo: Nacogdoches County Chairman of the Board Scott Waller, left, Chamber President/CEO C. Wayne Mitchell, center, and Chamber Vice Chair of Membership Services Claire Robbins are creating Power Partnerships to mentor new members and learn more about the issues and challenges area businesses face.  (Photo by Kelly Daniel)

Chamber of commerce creates power partnerships for members
by Kelly Daniel
To better serve the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce members, chamber leaders are pairing the organization's experienced chamber members with the newest members or those who are unfamiliar with chamber activities in a new mentoring program called Power Partnerships.
For chamber members, discovering all of the membership benefits and understanding the opportunities the chamber offers can make a big difference in the amount of their return on investment. The Power Partnerships program was created so that more in the community realize the value of chamber membership.
"I'm excited about the launch of this new program," said Scott Waller, Chairman of the Board of Directors and owner of XETX Business Solutions. "Having an experienced Chamber member team up with a new member is an idea that makes sense. Communication lines are open for new members to better understand the benefits available to them in the Chamber, and for the Chamber to better understand the needs of each business. We can learn from each other to create a better Chamber."
Waller has a personal story to share with his business membership and how he bridged the gap between making his annual membership dues payment to finding real value in being a member of the Nacogdoches County Chamber. "I volunteered to participate in the Chamber's Total Resource Campaign, and that campaign gave me the information I needed to utilize the tools that were available to me, I just didn't know they were there.
Using the Chamber's resources as tools for business success is exactly what Chamber President/CEO C. Wayne Mitchell would like for all members to do.
“It is critical for the Chamber to remain relevant that we hear about issues impacting our members," Mitchell said. "With that in mind, we urge our members to let us know about any issues impacting their business. We also want to know about potential opportunities.”
The Power Partnerships program is designed by Vice Chair of Membership Services Claire Robbins, who has been a member of the Chamber with Manpower Group for more than a decade.
When she started in the company's Nacogdoches office, Robbins noticed that they were Chamber members but involvement was low. She made the decision to increase her participation in Chamber programs and soon realized the benefits.
"We saw an increase in the bottom line due to the number of new contacts I was making," Robbins said. "Manpower Group has continued to move in a good direction, and I have gained professional and personal friends that I would not have if it weren't for the Chamber membership."
Robbins cites a quote by John C. Maxwell that captures the purpose of the program by identifying "a great value of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination."  She also believes that by creating stronger relationships among Chamber members and by more members increasing their involvement in Chamber activities, the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce will increase its positive impact in the community for all to enjoy.
"Each business owner, manager or employee is seeing a part of our community from a unique perspective and probably forming ideas to improve their areas in our County," she said. "When more find their places in our Chamber's committees, events and programs, they will find an effective way to voice these ideas and make good things happen. We all work here, and we live here, too, with our families and friends. With Power Partnerships in place, we can expect to see notable improvements in the new year."
For more information about Power Partnerships or becoming a member of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, please call the Chamber at 936-560-5533.