About The Chamber of Commerce

"Business is great in Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara is great for business"

The Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce is a California non-profit corporation. The organization was founded in 1878 and incorporated in 1899. The Chamber is a business association representing some 2,000 local businesses. Governed by a 20 person volunteer board of directors and managed by a professional staff, the chamber operates a visitor center and a resource center. The Chamber's mission is to foster a vibrant economy and improve the quality of life for all who live and work in the region. Through it’s programs the Chamber generates more than $80 million in annual local business referrals. The chamber visitor center hosts 300,000 annual customers. The chamber website generates 14,000 hits per day. The Santa Barbara Chamber is the oldest and largest business organization in the Tri-County Region. In 2008, the Chamber will sponsor a trade mission to China, a speaker’s conference, an expanded virtual business environment, radio and television programs, a book and author festival and youth mentoring opportunities.

Committee Descriptions

1. Board of Directors -
The government and policy making responsibilities are vested with the Board. The Board of Directors is the fiduciary and representative agent of the dues paying Chamber members. The members are volunteers and serve up to four year terms

Board Committees

2. Executive Committee -
Acts for and on behalf of the Board when the Board is not in session, but is accountable to the Board for its actions. President, Past President, Vice President, President Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary.

3. Finance Committee -
Responsible for the deposit and disbursement of all Chamber funds. Supervises annual balanced budget and annual audit. Chief Financial Officer appointed by Board. No membership limit.

4. Nominations Committee -
Meets as needed. Reports to the Executive Committee; 5 members. Members are appointed by the President. At the regular February Board meeting, the President shall appoint, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, a Nomination Committee of five(5) members of the Chamber. The President shall designate the Chair of the Committee. Prior to November, the Nominating Committee shall present to the President a slate of eight (8) candidates to serve three-year terms, and seven (7) candidates to serve one-year terms, to replace the Directors whose regular terms are expiring. Each candidate must be an active member of the Chamber in good standing and must have agreed to accept the responsibility of a directorship. No Board members who has served consecutive three (3) year and one (1) year terms is eligible for election for a third term. A period of one (1) year must elapse before eligibility is restored. The Board reserves the right to amend the minimum qualifications necessary to become a Director

5. Compensation Committee -
Reviews and recommends to Executive Committee policies on employment practices. Reviews insurance and benefit policies. Reviews employee job descriptions and incentive programs. Chair appointed by President. No member limit.

6. Ambassadors -
Meets monthly. Reports to the Board of Directors; 15 - 25 members. The Chair is selected annually by members of the Committee. Membership is open to all Chamber members. The Ambassadors serve as hosts at all Chamber special events. They are assigned new members for a one year period to introduce the new members to Chamber benefits. The Ambassadors recruit new members to the organization and make periodic renewal calls.

 

Councils

7. Tourism Council -
Meets monthly. Reports to the Executive Committee; 5 - 10 members. The Chair is appointed by the President; members are selected by the chair. The Council directs the operations of the Chamber's Visitor Centers. It makes recommendations for publication production. It conducts and promotes seminars to assist the hospitality industry. It makes recommendations, through the Chamber board, to government agencies.

8. Government Relations Council -
Meets weekly. The Chairman is appointed annually by the President; 15 - 25 members. Committee members are approved by the Board of Directors. The Council works for and supports responsible and cost effective government that provides a climate conducive to business and an improved quality of life. Among the responsibilities of the Council are local government, State legislation ,water development and local land use planning. Monitoring of federal legislation occurs on issues that may affect the greater Santa Barbara area.

 

Strategic Planning Committee

The Chamber is committed to an annual financial and operations review. These reviews will be conducted by the Finance committee with assistance from professional consultants. A five year strategic plan was developed in 1998 and is updated on an annual basis. The strategic plan builds on the work done in 1990 and 1996 in crafting the existing plan.