News

Orlando Chamber awarded highest honor by U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Over the years, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce (ORCC) has strived to provide a high level of leadership and sound guidance to the community. As a result of accomplishing this task, the ORCC recently has been awarded Reaccreditation with Five Stars by the Accrediting Board of the U.S. Chamber's Board of Directors.

This Five Star appointment is an "outstanding tribute," according to Thomas Donahue, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and something that the entire Chamber Volunteer Leadership Team and Staff should be "highly complimented on."

"This news validates what we have been trying to achieve as a Chamber," says Jacob Stuart, President of the ORCC. "I couldn't be more proud of the Chamber Leadership and Staff and more motivated to become an even better community resource."

What is Accreditation?

The Accreditation Program defines standards of excellence in chamber planning and performance and shows chambers how they can reach and maintain these standards. It also helps chambers measure achievement while giving recognition and encouragement to chamber members, volunteers and staff who meet high standards of operation and who are contributing in an effective way to the good of their chamber and community.

The criteria and standards used in the guidelines become tools for management control and self-discipline _ guiding the organization by helping it upgrade and improve the basic effectiveness. Chambers that have earned Accreditation value the process as a worthwhile experience. It has helped them focus attention on the many important factors that add to successful chamber performance.

The Accrediting Board gave the following general assessment of the ORCC in its final report:

The ORCC has a large, diverse and balanced Membership reflecting the diversity of its employment base. The ORCC plays a leadership role in bringing the many regional and local players together to solve problems and capture opportunities. That 'convener" leadership is a competitive edge. Providing the facilitation to move diverse interest forward is much more impactful than positioning for the credit. It is more important to solve problems than to claim credit for the solution. The ORCC is a role model for building trust, providing leadership, and stepping forward for the common good.

The ORCC faces the same market challenges as do all chambers in today's competitive business environment. Protecting and growing the Membership needs to be a top priority. Without a growing and vibrant Membership, the challenges only increase.

The myregion.org initiative is a bold and daring partnership that has the potential to create a unique framework for success. To quote from the SourceBook, "The region is poised for great success, but whether it will achieve that success largely depends on the ability of its greatest asset _ its people _ to set clear priorities and work together to accomplish them."/

Accreditation Eligibility

The Accrediting Board evaluates eight areas, or sections, of chamber expertise. Out of a possible total point value of 170, the ORCC earned 156 points including 5 additional discretionary points.  Of these 45 points were awarded for meeting minimum requirements and 112 points were earned from additional criteria.

I. Governance

The chamber has defined the architecture of its governing system. There is a clearly developed purpose and mission that is shared by board members and staff. The organizational structure is defined, and the board of directors and staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities.  In this section, the Accrediting Board examined the ORCC Mission Statement, Organizational Structure, Bylaws, Board Meeting Minutes and Committee Goals and Activities.  The Chamber received 18 of the 20 points available.

II. Finance

The chamber conforms to all IRS and state accounting regulations, and generally complies with the Statements of Financial Accounting Standards. The chamber operates on a budget approved by the board of directors, and a recognized auditing firm makes an annual review of the chamber's records.  The Chamber received 22 of 23 available points in this section.

III. Human Resources & Staff

Chamber meets all federal and state regulations governing employers, and acts as a catalyst in the professional development of its staff. Chamber staff recognizes its responsibility for implementing the decisions of the board of directors.  With a Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual in place, and distinct roles and job descriptions set up for volunteers and staff, the Chamber earned 13 of 17 available points.

IV. Government Affairs

Participation in public policy decision making affecting economic and business issues earned special recognition.  “The ORCC should be proud of its legislative efforts,” including the fact that a grassroots network is established, the top 3 - 5 priority issues are adopted/shared with elected officials, it actively shares State/U.S. Chamber information with its membership, and the Chamber has fostered a direct relationship with local/county/state/federal officials. Seventeen of the 18 available points were awarded.

V. Program Development

Chamber has formal system in place to plan, document, and exercise short-term and long-range goals/plans; methods to monitor and evaluate chamber's status on goals are used throughout the year.  Earning 19 of the 20 points available in this section, the Chamber

has an understanding of its membership, attempts to collect member feedback, and the relevancy of the chamber and its programs within the community is understood.

VI. Communication

Chamber has identified target markets within its membership and has devised clear plans to communicate with them, using both traditional and diverse forms of media to promote chamber, its services and events, and the Web site is frequently updated and used to communicate basic chamber information at least every two weeks.  Or the 25 points available in this section, the Chamber earned 21.

VII. Technology

Chamber has technological ability to effectively communicate with membership and can efficiently implement its program of action, including up to 15 pages of static Web page information, including contact information (address, phone, fax, e-mail) on home page, Web information/updates administered by volunteer, staff member, or Webmaster and basic search engine registration earning the Chamber 24 of 27 available points.

VIII. Facilities

Chamber conforms to all federal, state and local building, fire, health and safety regulations, meeting accepted OSHA regulations, with a facility projecting an appropriate business image that is easily accessible to the public. In this category, the Chamber was awarded 17 of 19 available points.

Special areas of note highlighted in the report stated that “The Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce has demonstrated a unique commitment to providing regional leadership – no easy task given the fragmented patchwork of vested interest.”

In its final comments, the Accrediting Board stated that, “The Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce has a long history of regional leadership.  We recommend Accreditation with Five Stars for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.  It was apparent their team took a very serious view of the accreditation process and their application demonstrated that professionalism.  Thanks to the entire team who worked so hard on assembling the accreditation application.  We feel a great sense of opportunity for the future of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and expect they will capitalize on this great opportunity to grow and improve.”

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our Volunteer Leadership who worked diligently to prepare our Reaccreditation Application,” says Chamber President Jacob Stuart, “Thank you for making our community stronger and Congratulations on a job well done.

To learn more about Chamber programs and events, go to www.orlando.org.