Benefits of Membership
Hundreds of
businesses in the Fall River Area are experiencing the
benefits of Chamber Membership. These benefits are designed
to increase productivity, efficiency, business volume and
more. These businesses are your competition. Here are some
benefits that others are realizing:
 •
THE VOICE OF BUSINESS IN THE FALL RIVER AREA SINCE 1911
The Chamber represents the membership in matters regarding
local, state and federal legislation. Progress is
continuously monitored through our Government Affairs
Committee. The Chamber provides a unified voice for business
and industry on issues affecting our community.
• CHAMBER’S ELECTRICITY COST SAVINGS PROGRAM!
The Fall River and New Bedford Area Chambers of Commerce
have built a collaboration of larger energy users to
purchase Electricity at a reduced rate. We recently created
an energy cost savings program for smaller business users.
Both plans have significantly reduced to cost of electricity
for Chamber members. Please contact The Chamber for more
information. You must be a Chamber member to participate in
this cost savings program!
• MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Our Member-to-Member Discount Program allows
employees of each member business the opportunity to receive
at least a 10% discount from the dozens of participating
businesses just by presenting their Chamber Membership Card.
Employers can offer this valuable perk to every employee for
just the cost of membership, and we all help to strengthen
our member businesses by “buying local.”
• SHOP SOUTHCOAST
Shop SouthCoast is tailored for area consumers. The
concept is very simple as it is based upon our highly
successful Chamber of Commerce Member to Member Discount
program.
Save money and help support our local economy by choosing
Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry member
companies for your personal purchases! All you need is an
authorized Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce Shop
SouthCoast discount card that gives area consumers special
discounts at participating Chamber member stores,
restaurants, and businesses. To take advantage of the
savings, simply present your Shop SouthCoast card and ask
for the Chamber discount on your transaction with any
participating merchant. A list of the participating
companies and the discount that they offer when you show
your Shop SouthCoast card will be made available on the
Chamber of Commerce website and will be updated in the
Chamber’s Business News and Views monthly newspaper that is
circulated throughout the SouthCoast region.
The Shop SouthCoast
cards can be purchased for $25 at the Fall River Area
Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 Pocasset Street, Fall
River, MA. To feature your business in either the Shop
SouthCoast or the Member-to-Member Discount programs, please
call the Chamber at 508-676-8226.
• BUSINESS
NETWORKING EVENTS
A variety of business networking/social events are held
throughout the year. These events offer occasions for
introductions, camaraderie and information sharing,
providing opportunities for new business leads and growth
potential.
• PUBLICATIONS
The Chamber’s monthly newspaper, Business News & Views,
keeps members informed of all business happenings in and
around our community. It also provides a free Member
Spotlight Section, as well as member announcements also free
of charge. In addition, BN & V provides members with an
affordable business to business targeted advertising
opportunity. The new WebLink Website brings Chamber Members
hundreds of leads and referrals each month.
• CONSULTING
Through a Development Grant the Chamber offers free
technical assistance to small business with less than 20
employees and to individuals wishing to start a business in
the area. Free small business consulting is also available
through the Small Business Development Center, which is
located on the second floor of the Chamber building.
• MANY MEMBER ONLY MONEY SAVING PROGRAMS
Free Employment Ad Listings, Affinity Programs, Discounts,
and much more…
 •
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Your Membership Investment expresses your concern in making
the Greater Fall River Community a better place to live and
work. It is your desire to work with our community leaders
in supporting and improving our quality of life here on the
Southcoast. And please remember, all these benefits are not
only available to you, but all your employees as well.
• TRAINING
SEMINARS
The Chamber works with a variety of partners to offer
seminars and forums, which are focused toward training you
and your employees for increased efficiency, business
knowledge and productivity.
• INSURANCE &
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Many of our members find that the advice and services
offered through the Chamber with respect to insurance and
related benefit products is well worth becoming and
remaining a Chamber member. Chamber members, especially
smaller companies, enjoy easier access to plan information
from chamber member agents and to health plan
representatives than non-member businesses trying to go it
alone.
• CERTIFICATE
OF ORIGIN SEAL
Many times a Certificate of Origin is required for products
exported outside the United States. By filling out a
Certificate of Origin, a shipper is certifying that the
covered goods meet the rules of origin. The Fall River Area
Chamber of Commerce will place a stamp, a seal and a
signature on all completed certificates. We also have a
general Certificate of Origin form available for this
purpose. This is a FREE service for Chamber members in good
standing. There is a $10.00 cost, per page for all
non-members
• NOTARY
PUBLIC SERVICES
The Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce offers Notary
Services, FREE of charge to its members in good standing.
There is a $5.00 cost, per page for non members. A Notary
Public is a public official appointed by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts to witness the signing of important documents
and administer oaths. You must present a current
identification document or card with a photograph, physical
description and signature to have a document notarized.
Notary services are performed at the Chamber of Commerce by
Atty. Robert A. Mellion. Please contact the Chamber at (508)
676-8226 to schedule in advance all notary services.
• THE STRENGTH
OF REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
The Chamber is involved in a number of very important
regional initiatives – often in conjunction with other
chambers, The University of Massachusetts and Bristol
Community College. These include SRPEDD, the SouthCoast
Education Compact, Vision 2020, Leadership SouthCoast, and
the Center for Marketing Research at UMass Dartmouth, the
FREE initiative and the SouthCoast Energy Power Group.
 •
PUBLICITY: GETTING THE WORD OUT!
The Chamber offers a variety of advertising avenues for
business branding and getting the word out. Members begin
with free listings in our Business Directory and on our
Chamber Website. Your promotional message will reach Chamber
Members, economic development prospects, newcomers, business
groups, associations, and more. |
