Chamber urges small companies to become members

Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Douglas Brennan is urging small companies to become members of the business organization that he said has continued to provide “collective representation with the CNMI government,” workshops, seminars, and the chance to participate in the re-establishment of benefits from reduced rate of health care premiums later this year, among other things.

Brennan said yesterday that while older, established companies like DFS Galleria, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Pacific Islands Club, IT&E, Docomo Pacific Saipan, Coca-Cola Company, Tan Holdings, Joeten Enterprises, and many other companies that “support the Chamber’s mission, fair trade practices and just doing the right thing in the community” will always be within its membership, “it’s the smaller companies that really make up the backbone of the Chamber.”

He said smaller company participation is crucial to funding the work the Chamber does on behalf of the entire business community. 

“It’s just not perfect when the same, older, and established companies foot the bill for the Chamber’s recognized work on behalf of all business,” Brennan said in a statement yesterday.

Some representatives of small businesses said yesterday they either don’t have the time to attend Chamber meetings and activities, or have difficulty paying membership dues at a time when they barely make money.

But the Chamber said a central benefit of Chamber membership “is the voice that dues buy, a voice that is dedicated to overcoming impediments to the conduct of commerce in the CNMI.”

 Moreover, the Chamber said it conducted the CNMI’s first prevailing wage survey and its summary reports are now being used by all businesses. 

Commercial membership dues range from $250 to $2,500 a year, depending on the company’s gross revenue. 

Non-commercial memberships, including associate membership, non-profit, and government, is $250 a year.  Honorary members don’t have to pay dues.

The Chamber said it continues to speak collectively with the Legislature and the Office of the Governor and took a solid position and educated all businesses on the recent federal mandates on wages and immigration authority.   

It has also taken positions on Article XII or the land alienation provision of the NMI Constitution, taxation issues and the Retirement Fund. 

Brennan, who will take the oath of office for an unprecedented third straight year on Jan. 21, restated the Chamber’s mission during what has been argued as the economy’s toughest challenges ever in the CNMI. 

He said that original mission brought forward by early businessmen like Jose Tenorio (Joeten) and Manny Villagomez was a simple one: to develop and expand the business community on Saipan and have businesses contribute to community improvement projects.  

Brennan, general manager of Microl Corp., said some of the Chamber founders including David M. Sablan and Juan “Pan” Guerrero still believe that although economic indicators are looking down these days compared to those early formative years, the solution to today’s economic downturn is still the same original Chamber mission.  

“Cooperation between industry and the public and private sectors is even more vital today to a healthy economy. The Commonwealth government continues to actively seek dialogue and advice from the business community, giving the Chamber an important voice in policy making,” he said. 

The Chamber, still the largest single private business organization in the CNMI with 151 members, marks its 53rd year on Saipan, having been founded in 1959 and officially incorporated in 1976.  

Brennan also said the Chamber is dedicated to the growth of the Saipan community through interaction with fellow members, the surrounding islands and the diverse international business community.  

“We know most business people are just too busy attending to their own companies, so we work on their behalf. We work hand in hand to promote business interests. Most importantly, we know the answer lies in our membership,” he added.
 
[B]Membership drive [/B]

The Chamber said it is critical to bring in new members. 

Work has begun to get other organizations involved, including the Chinese Association, the Korean Association, and other similar groups.  

“Other smaller companies need to step up and take their turn…Chamber membership enables individuals to accomplish work collectively that might be prohibitive or impossible on an individual approach. The Chamber involves itself in the economic issues affecting the community, including active participation in education, labor, legal, environmental, small business, human relations, cultural, and other business and philanthropic concerns,” said Brennan. 

Besides having a collective voice and access to workshops and seminars that help improve business operations, Chamber members can also choose from the Education, Events, Armed Forces, Small Business, Membership and Government Relations and Economic Development Committees to make their community contributions. 

The Chamber said it provides access to the Chamber’s member network via fax, newsletter and electronically, as well as the resources of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, under the Chamber’s membership in these organizations.  

Membership with the Chamber office will also allow companies to participate in the re-establishment of benefits from reduced rate health care premiums later this year, it said. 

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 233-7150/7152, or email coordinator@saipanchamber.com for membership inquiries.