Blog
US Chamber Myths
By: Steve
November 2, 2011
Taos News Chamber Page-8/5/10
Taos County Chamber and U.S. Chamber: Myths and Facts
By Steve Fuhlendorf
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been in the news a great deal of late due to the views of their Washington based leadership on a wide range of subjects. Because we share part of the same name some in our community have questioned the Taos County Chamber of Commerce’s (TCCC) affiliation with the national organization. Below are some myths and facts in regard to the two organizations, plus facts about our relationship with government entities.
Myth: The Taos County Chamber of Commerce is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Fact: We, at the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, decided in early 2009 to drop our membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Therefore we are no longer affiliated in any way with the national chamber.
Myth: Chamber of Commerce is a brand name that can’t be used by non-members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Fact: The first chamber of commerce established in the United States was the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, which was founded in 1768. By 1870 there were 40 chambers of commerce in the U.S. However the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was not founded until 1912. The term chamber of commerce is descriptive of the activity performed rather than a brand for the organization.
Myth: The TCCC is affiliated with a government entity.
Fact: One of many reasons the TCCC moved out of the Taos Visitor Center on the south end of town was to break our perceived ties with the Town of Taos. The Town of Taos owns the Taos Visitor Center building and paid the TCCC to run the Taos Visitor Center. In fact, the Taos Visitor Center was built specifically for the TCCC to run. In 2007 the TCCC board of directors made the decision to move out of the building to our present location at 108F Kit Carson Road. We now have no financial ties with the town, county or state government. The TCCC is now completely funded through membership investment and several sponsored events throughout the year.
Myth: The policies and views of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are shared by the TCCC.
Fact: Nothing could be further from the truth. The TCCC bases its policies and views on input from our Taos business community, not on what might score points in the political arena. Our job is to advocate for the best interests of our members and the business community at large. A national organization has no way of being in tune with what is important to Taosenos. Because many of the views of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are opposed to the views of our membership and the business community we decided it would be in our best interests to sever our relationship with the national organization.
All of this is not to say that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce does not have some very good programs and policies. The USCC has been fighting for the interests of the national business community for many years. They have educational programs such as the Institute for Organization Management, of which I’m a graduate, which are great opportunities to learn from some of the best industry professionals in the country. The organization also has great training for working with government officials and promoting a business agenda. At some point they may back off their stands on environmental issues and health care, plus their political endorsements. When that happens we may entertain joining again. Until that time we will continue to listen to our business community and fight for what will benefit their interests.
