Launching a Chamber of Connection
One day soon, every city and town will have a civic institution to build and sustain social connection - a Chamber of Connection.
Two Paths to Local Connection
1. Launch a Chapter
FOR CIVIC LEADERS & INSTITUTIONS
Local Chambers of Connection are independent and locally funded members of the US Chamber of Connection.
They begin by forming a Connection Council (example) that brings together leaders from across sectors (government, business, healthcare, education, arts, nonprofit, faith, etc.). The Council meets quarterly and serves as the coordinating and awareness-building body for the region.
As a first act, the Council then commissions a State of Connection report to uncover the current opportunities and challenges. It provides the data-driven dashboard to focus the region. These studies are conducted annually with our partner Murmuration.
From this study, the chapter begins to roll out city-wide initiatives in partnership with the local institutions, employers, community leaders, and the government.
Investment Required
The chapter serves as a backbone organization and requires at least one full time executive by the end of the first year. The team and programs will grow over time as determined by local leadership.
The US Chamber of Connection membership is $12,500 per year which includes the annual study, branding, measurement, learning community, annual conference, national partnerships, and national programs (e.g. Welcome Committee, Welcome Week, Community Builder Program, Best Day Ever, etc.). This membership investment and signed affiliate agreement is required to launch a chapter.
We recommend incubating the chapter with a mission-aligned nonprofit but we can provide start-up fiscal sponsorship to enable you to start raising investment locally if necessary.
As the network grows, the US Chamber of Connection will work to develop national funding programs to generate additional funds for the local chapters (philanthropy, corporate, government, etc.).
Will you be the leader who founds your city’s chapter?
2. Create a Local Welcome Committee
FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS
Community leaders in 80 cities and 25 states are building volunteer teams to reconnect neighborhoods.
You don’t have to open a chapter to play a leadership role in reconnecting your community. Our Welcome Committee program is looking for members who want to be the catalyst of a volunteer movement in their neighborhood or city. It can be in any size town or city and within cities where there is a local chapter.
The first step is to join the Welcome Committee and be trained to be a leader in the program.
There is no investment required beyond your time and passion for connection.