The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce a 5-Star Accreditation rating for its sound policies, effective procedures, and positive community impact.
“Chambers of Commerce nationwide play a vital role in their communities every day,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President, Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “From connecting business owners with needed resources, to advocating on behalf of their region with lawmakers, these chambers convene thought leaders to strengthen the collective voices of their members. Achieving Accreditation is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff, and its leadership. This designation recognizes the positive impact these organizations have on their communities and honors their ongoing commitment to serving local businesses.”
The U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program promotes excellence in the chamber industry and fosters a probusiness environment across America. To receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet standards in governance, government affairs, communications, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.
“The accreditation process is lengthy and happens every five years,” said Natalie Hawn, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “While it is an investment of time, it ensures we’re staying up to date on policies and procedures, and it’s also an avenue to highlight to the U.S. Chamber ways that we’re being innovative.”
Local chambers are rated as accredited or accredited with 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. The Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members, makes the final determination. There are only 187 accredited chambers in the country and only five in Missouri.
“This is the fourth time in a row we’ve received 5-Star Accreditation,” Hawn said. “That is a not an easy task and not an accomplishment many can say they’ve achieved. It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, and also our members and volunteers. We are very proud of the work we do in helping businesses thrive and the St. Joseph community to prosper, and it is nice to see that recognized by our peers.”