Guest Editorial: Great Shelby Chamber’s recent accreditation not an 'overnight' achievement

Earlier this month, the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama — which represents more than 120 chambers of commerce across the state — bestowed its inaugural statewide accreditation (“Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce”) to seven chambers of commerce. The prestigious program sets standards of excellence for chambers in Alabama and recognizes chambers that have achieved those standards.

That your Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce was one of the first seven chambers to attain this designation is a positive achievement for its investors — and every organization in Shelby County. What’s more, it is a testament to the work of volunteers engaged in developing ShelbyOne, the Chamber’s five-year strategic plan, and the hundreds of volunteers who work annually on the organization’s program of work.

The “Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce” designation recognizes six areas within a chamber of commerce: organization, mission focus, professional administration, financial management, communications and advocacy. Qualifying chambers were asked to submit detailed information on these areas. 

During the accreditation process, three things became abundantly clear: 1) The hundreds of volunteers working for the Greater Shelby County Chamber’s investors are an integral part of this achievement. That’s because in every area the chamber submitted information, volunteer involvement and leadership were essential. 2) This achievement was the direct result of the organization’s process and development of ShelbyOne. 3) By working together we can accomplish so much more than working alone. 

The development of ShelbyOne came about thanks to the more than the community and business leaders who met in the fall 2011 to discuss where they wanted Shelby County to be in the next five years. As a result of those discussions, four key areas were identified: business development and support, community and workforce development, governmental relations and marketing of the county and the organization.

What’s more, the plan encouraged collaborative partnerships with public and private sector leaders working together to provide excellence in education, offer quality employment, retain existing businesses, attract new business and development and enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Shelby County.

Beginning in 2012, under the leadership of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and hundreds of volunteers participating in the Chamber’s six work groups, the Chamber launched several new programs designed to achieve the tangible and measurable goals set forth by that first — and subsequent — annual Business Plan.  

As your Chamber completes the fourth year of ShelbyOne programming this year, programs developed and launched in 2012 and the collaborative partnerships we have established are an integral reason for the organization’s growth and this positive recognition.  

Moving into its 2017 program year, your Chamber is committed to growing our county, our municipalities and our businesses through the initial ShelbyOne principles of collaboration, community and commerce. 

- Submitted by Kirk Mancer, President & CEO of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce