Mission

Mission

Growing, engaging and connecting businesses and leaders in our community.

The Chamber works within these CORE VALUES:

 

  • Membership - Support of the business community and partner organizations through investment and volunteerism.
  • Accountability - Ensuring transparency in how and why programs are implemented and providing equal opportunity for engagement.
  • Respect - Knowing that all members bring their expertise and experience to the table.
  • Integrity - Keeping with internal and industry standards to ensure proper reporting and during times of transition.
  • Optimism - Maintaining positive attitude to ensure growth and partnerships.
  • Networking - providing engaging opportunities for members to connect and build their business network.


Our 2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan is focused on:

  • Working with Community Partners to Address Business Concerns on Economic Vitality and Quality of Life
  • Internal Focus for the Chamber's Sustainability; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Increase Member Engagement of Benefits & Resources
  • Create measurables to gauge program effectiveness. 

 

We invite every business/industry and individual to join our organization and help make a difference in the community today for tomorrow and the future. Learn more about Membership.

Member Engagement Opportunities

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

Details about marketing opportunities are available at: https://www.marionillinois.com/marketing



CHAMBER PROGRAMS and GROUPS FOCUSING ON ADVOCACY & MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

This aspect of the Strategic Plan is focused on issues concerning the business community and informational sessions to provide business resources. This includes workshops, seminars, and the Chamber's monthly luncheons which feature timely topics that echo the Chamber's Strategic Plan. 

The goals of the Business Advocacy Task Force are to focus on getting elected and community leaders together to work on concerns facing the business community, economic vitality, and quality of life - including workforce, professional development, and business resources. The task force is a non-partisan organization and shall neither endorse candidates for public office/political parties. The Committee meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month at 8 am. 

The Member Impact Group meets quarterly to develop member marketing resources, create effective member networking experiences, and build a stronger membership core to align with the Strategic Plan. The Committee meets quarterly, usually on the third Tuesday of the month at noon.


Our Ambassadors contact new and current members to help grow the connection between the member and their Chamber. This is through encouraging members to attend various Chamber networking/events, discovering ways the Chamber can fulfill member needs, encouraging Committee service and Member-to-Member Programs, and showing new members other ways to get involved and get the most of out their Chamber membership. 


CHAMBER PROGRAMS and GROUPS FOCUSING ON SUSTAINABILITY & GROWTH

This aspect of the Strategic Plan is focused on the events and work groups that ensure the growth and sustainability of our organization  - while providing engaging networking opportunities around the corner and around the world. 

The Marion Chamber of Commerce hosts an Annual Banquet and Awards Program in January to celebrates the previous year. This event also marks the transition of the Board of Directors and leadership for the upcoming year. The event includes a silent auction, dinner, entertainment, speakers, and awards. The Committee is responsible for coordinating the choosing of members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce for the Business/Industry of the Year, Distinguished Business, Distinguished Chamber Member, Citizen of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Mayor's Service and other awards, which are awarded at the Annual Dinner. The Committee meets as needed from August - February. Event is January 19.

https://www.marionillinois.com/awards

The annual Golf Scramble in September is a fundraiser for the Chamber. The Committee is responsible for organizing the event, securing sponsorships, securing entertainment, and promoting team registrations. The Committee meets as needed from June-October.  Event is September 20. https://www.marionillinois.com/golf-scramble

The Sister City Committee  works to celebrate the relationship between Marion and Kanie Town Japan. The committee works on the alternating visits between the two communities and student/host family experiences. The committee begins to meet 6 months prior to an upcoming visit  or trip.

https://www.marionillinois.com/sister-city-program


CHAMBER PROGRAMS and GROUPS FOCUSING ON TALENT & EDUCATION

This aspect of the Strategic Plan is focused on education, career engagement of our  youth, and multigenerational professional development to create effective leaders, mentors, and employees.

The APOGEE professional development series brings businesses together with innovative and entertaining speakers. This event is designed to mentor and expand the roles of leaders in our community. The Committee meets monthly from February - November. The event is in the Fall.

https://www.marionillinois.com/APOGEE

The FBLA Career Fair is an event organized by the Marion High School FBLA program and the Chamber. Students visit the Career Fair during their PE period - 7 sessions of around 100 students each.  Event is February 16th. 

Bite of Reality is a financial literacy program for teens that give them a taste of real-world financial realities. They are given a fictional occupation, salary, credit score, spouse and a child, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. The teens then walk around to various table-top stations to “purchase” housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other needs. Fortunately, the game also includes a “credit union” to help with their financial needs.​ 


Event will be in the Fall 2024.

https://www.marionillinois.com/bite-of-reality

The Bass Tournament Committee is responsible for coordinating the annual Bass Tournament, which usually takes place in the spring. Proceeds from this event go toward the Chamber's Scholarship Program.  The Committee meets as needed from February - May. Event is in the Spring. https://www.marionillinois.com/bass


This is a Chamber Foundation Program and will be invoiced separately from other Chamber Projects. Payments must be directed to the Chamber Foundation.

The Grad Spree Committee is responsible for all planning, fund-raising and coordination of activities for the drug/alcohol free celebration for the Marion High School graduating seniors. The Grad Spree event takes place on the night of Marion High School Graduation. The Committee meets as needed from January-June.  Event is in May. https://www.marionillinois.com/grad-spree


This is a Chamber Foundation Program and will be invoiced separately from other Chamber Projects. Payments must be directed to the Chamber Foundation.


Grad Spree is funded by event sponsorships and traditionally pays for itself without having to dip into other Foundation funds.

The Scholarship Committee is responsible for awarding the Grad Spree Scholarship, John A. Logan One Year Tuition Waiver, and two Trades/Apprenticeship scholarships based on the amount of money generated by the fundraising efforts from the previous year. The committee has a set of guidelines for each scholarship. The fcholarhip funds are provided by the Chamber Foundation.  The Committee meets as needed September – May.  https://www.marionillinois.com/our-foundation

The Marion Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501c3 with seperate funds from the Chamber (which is a 501c6). You can make a charitable donation to the foundation that will go to our scholarships and youth based programs.


Since this is a Foundation donation, it will be invoiced separately from other Chamber Projects. Payments must be directed to the Chamber Foundation.

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