I'll agree with Kevin saying that COMs tend to be conservative business organizations.  But if they can be convinced to support cycling development (esp. with infrastructure), they have a big influence among storeowners in commercial districts.  They might convince owners to support bike lanes on commercial streets because it has been shown that cyclists shop more along the way of a commute than motorists do, for example.

So trying to influence them is a high-barrier/high-payoff kind of situation.  If you have the capacity & patience, I'd say go for it and report back!

Jean-François

On Oct 17, 2016, at 20:00 , Kevin Dwyer <kevidwyer@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi-

In my experience, chambers of commerce tend to be conservative, business interested organizations. Here in Utah, we are members of the state nonprofit association which provides workshops, trainings and other resources for professional development, HR, bookkeeping, grants, etc. Maryland has one, too:

http://www.marylandnonprofits.org/AboutUs/MissionValuesHistory.aspx

Kevin
The Bicycle Collective

On Mon, Oct 17, 2016 at 9:25 AM, Stephen Andruski <swandruski@gmail.com> wrote:
All,

Our organization, The Rockville Bike Hub, has off-and-on discussed connecting with the local Chamber of Commerce. I was wondering how many other collectives/community shops out there have actually joined their local Chamber of Commerce and what value you've gotten out of it.

Steve Andruski
The Rockville Bike Hub
Rockville, MD

--

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

~ Abraham Lincoln

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