The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce with its designation of Accredited with 5 Stars for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.
“Chambers of commerce that achieve an Accreditation designation are truly leaders in their industry,” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber Vice President, Federation Relations and IOM. “This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations and programming. When chambers of commerce earn the distinction of becoming Accredited, it is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff and its leadership. Accredited chambers are recognized for their ability to serve as a resource to their region’s businesses while maintaining transparent governance practices, sound financial controls, safe work environments, effective communications and value in programming. They are commended for their continued advocacy of free enterprise, and for their commitment to serving members and their local businesses.
The purpose of the U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, communications, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.
“Communities with strong chambers of commerce prosper. There are over 6,500 chambers in the US, with fewer than 3% having a 5-Star Accreditation,” said Chris Abadie, St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Chairman. “Since the last reaccreditation five years ago, our parish wide chamber has continued to grow and has taken on an increasingly important role. Organizational leadership is very important, and our volunteer board members and outstanding staff have done a great job of absorbing that growth while maintaining a high standard of excellence. Now, we are better positioned than ever to act as the voice of business with the public, our community partners, and local and state elected officials. This contributes to the high quality of life for everyone who lives or does business in St. Tammany.”
Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.