A chamber of commerce is an organisation of business owners and entrepreneurs who promote the interests of their local business community.
Chambers seek to further their collective business interests while advancing the economic well-being of their community, region, state, or nation.
While a chamber of commerce works with the government, it is not a government entity. Chambers operate as individual organizations and do not receive any government funding.
The Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) was founded in 1926 and provides its members access to valuable resources, discounts, and relationships that help businesses save money and market their products. Read more about our History (click here).
Joining the ZCCI can boost sales and significantly improve a local business’ visibility and credibility.
Benefits of Joining a Chamber of Commerce
Joining a chamber of commerce provides businesses with access to resources, discounts, and relationships that enable them to save money, market their products, and streamline their processes. Whether your business is looking for B2B partners and sales, help with customer acquisition, or guidance on HR processes, a chamber of commerce can help.
View our list of services to see the benefits we offer (click here)
President - Government & Business
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Community - Richards Bay Division Chairperson
Executive Member - SMME CHAIRPERSON
DEPUTY PRESIDENT - Executive Member - Safety & Security
Chamber of Commerce Structure and Organization
A board of directors governs each chamber of commerce, overseeing the organization’s strategies and policies. The board also manages daily affairs and updates the chamber’s policies. Board members, also referred to as the executive council, are elected within each organization. Most chambers have an acting president and CEO, for example. Members of the board are elected based on their leadership experience, business background, and ability to execute the organization’s goals.
In addition to a governing board of directors, a chamber has at least one employee. Chamber employees perform marketing tasks, oversee memberships, and track finances.
In addition to employees, a chamber has committees that execute the organization’s goals, such as education, environment, or healthcare. Chamber members can volunteer to participate in these committees.
How a Chamber of Commerce Functions
A chamber of commerce maintains membership dues. Each organization offers different levels of membership and a fee-based structure. This means an organization is a nonprofit entity with the authority to represent its membership in matters of policy and debate (unlike charitable organizations that do not act on behalf of members).
Each member must contribute dues to the chamber’s overall operating costs. In addition to dues, a chamber can raise money to cover additional costs through fundraising activities and charging fees to chamber events.
The Local Impact of a Chamber of Commerce
A chamber’s impact on the local economy can be difficult to measure. A report states that once consumers know that a local business is a chamber member, they are more likely to patronise that business.
A chamber of commerce can impact a local community through celebrations, gatherings, or event sponsorships. Additionally, a chamber can advocate for various local issues — from education to criminal justice — that can positively impact communities.
Many organizations work with other groups involved in the community, such as tourism groups and economic development teams, to bolster their initiatives. For instance, a chamber focusing on economic development could help bring new businesses to a community.
Impact on Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Many consider small businesses the heart of a chamber of commerce — with good reason. Small businesses can potentially boost their own bottom line by aligning with a chapter chamber.
