Get Involved

Chamber committees are made up of volunteers working together to enhance business opportunities for themselves while providing leadership in community growth and development. Join us and get involved!

MEMBER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Business Before Hours/Business After Hours
Provides members with the opportunity to expand their contact base through informal networking events. Morning and evening events are planned to meet the needs of members’ schedules and commitments. Members can gain additional exposure as a host or sponsor. Business After Hours feature monthly drawings for “Business of the Month,” featured in The Sound newspaper.

Education Committee
Provides educational opportunities for members that facilitate business growth and benefit the community. Its efforts include an educational seminar series, the annual Read Aloud Program coordinated with local elementary schools, Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon, School to Career Shadowing Program, and the Branford Chamber High School Scholarship.

Holiday Business After Hours
This annual networking event is held in December, and is coordinated with other shoreline Chambers of Commerce. Includes entertainment, food provided by local restaurants, door prizes, and contributions to Toys for Tots.

Program Development
The mission of this committee is to “Embrace the Impossible.” Its primary objective is to develop new and interesting programs, events, and opportunities for members. It also helps to evaluate current programs and committees, making recommendations for improvements and new approaches.

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Business Development
This committee utilizes the resources of the Chamber to address the economic development needs of the business community. It works with Branford’s Economic Development Commission and other appropriate organizations to enhance business opportunity in the area; maintains the Chamber’s Relocation Guide in print and on the Chamber’s Web site; hosts the annual State of the Town Breakfast, coordinated with the Town of Branford.

Craft & Community Expo
More than 150 vendors—from local businesses and community organizations, to craftspeople and artists—participate in the Expo. This annual event brings more than 5,000 people to the Branford Green each June during the Branford Festival.

Tourism
Efforts of this committee help to promote Branford as a tourist destination, and focus on such local resources as the town’s scenic attractions, restaurants, downtown center, and local retailers. Publishes the Branford Visitor’s Map and Boater’s Guide and the Branford Shopping, Dining and Lodging Guide. Also coordinates a Familiarization Tour of local attractions for representatives from area hotels.

Shoreline Harvest Dance
This annual community event is coordinated by the Chamber and encourages members of the Branford community to participate. The event includes entertainment, food, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the efforts of the Branford Chamber.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Government Relations
The Government Relations Committee evaluates and addresses issues which affect the ability to conduct business. It regularly meets with local and state representatives, and coordinates a number of events and programs including regular Legislative Breakfast meetings, and a moderated Candidates Forum.

Shoreline Chambers Government Relations Committee
Visit the Shoreline's website at www.ctshoreline.org

This multi-Chamber committee strives to educate the Connecticut General Assembly about issues that affect the communities of the Shoreline region. This regional committee presents events with guest speakers, including local and state representatives and business leaders, to keep members informed on regional matters. It also coordinates the Business Day at the Capital event each spring.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Ambassadors
The Ambassadors Committee helps to improve communications to and from members, and strives to enhance member retention. The committee actively connects with members for feedback and input.

Award Nominations
This committee meets in conjunction with the Annual Membership and Awards Dinner to identify and nominate members who support the Chamber and the community. Four awards are given out each year: Val Karlawish Service to the Chamber, Community Advancement, Company of the Year, and Volunteer(s) of the Year.

Communications
This committee develops communications to keep members and the community informed about programs, opportunities, and accomplishments. Its efforts include the Chamber web site, www.branfordct.com, the annual Membership Directory and Town Guide, the monthly Chamber page in The Sound newspaper, a quarterly Chamber page in the Branford Review, as well as a variety of other promotional efforts. The Committee also coordinates the Small Business Resource Center, including publications and seminars.

Leadership Development
This committee determines ways to identify, recruit and develop potential leaders of the Branford Chamber of Commerce. Its recent efforts include the creation of an extensive Leadership Development program, a series of targeted, educational workshops for Chamber volunteers.

Membership and Awards Dinner
This committee coordinates the annual Membership Dinner which celebrates successes, elects new directors, and recognizes outstanding achievement within the Chamber and the community.

Membership Development
This committee works to ensure a growing membership base to strengthen the effectiveness of the Chamber and to enhance the ability to deliver value. It welcomes members and prospective members to the Chamber and provides insight into the opportunities, benefits, and programs of the organization. It also maintains contact with new members as part of the Chamber’s Retention Program.

Nominations
This committee identifies, interviews and nominates candidates for the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Planning
This committee coordinates the annual Planning Conference, and helps to identify issues, opportunities and goals of the Chamber. It recommends a course of action and develops a plan for the future or the organization. The results are published in the Plan for Progress and Chamber newsletter.