By Mitsie Benton
Happy Paws Pet Services 2009-10 Ambassador Chair, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce
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Being an ambassador is a commitment that should not be taken lightly. As Ambassador Chair, I often get asked the question, “Why should I become a Chamber Ambassador?”
San Marcos Chamber Ambassadors promote membership in the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce and represent the chamber as goodwill ambassadors and delegates for the organization.
Ambassadors are the frontline for the chamber as they outreach to fellow chamber members and to the community.
Ambassadors represent the chamber at ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings, and serve as greeters at functions such as the Eggs & Issues breakfasts, Business after Hours mixers, Annual Awards Gala, Speed Networking events, Legislative Luncheon and the San Marcos Business Expo.
Ambassadors also serve the community at large by participating in local events such as the Hays County Food Bank's annual fall food drive, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kid's Sake, the Cottage Kitchen and many more community activities.
Being an ambassador is very rewarding because you get to meet many people, make new friends and business contacts and gain recognition for yourself and your business along with assisting other businesses in our community to succeed.
The San Marcos Chamber gains strength through increased membership numbers, increased revenues and new ideas, and the community gains from the many positive programs that are made possible by a strong chamber of commerce.
In today's busy world one might ask, “How can I find the time to be an ambassador?” To really get it, you have to look outside of yourself and see the opportunity to be a part of something.
It's really about helping others, knowing that sooner or later, that effort will be rewarded. I like to paraphrase JFK and suggest to new ambassadors that they should ask themselves “What can I do for the chamber and the community?” not “What can the chamber and the community do for me?”
For me, being an ambassador has afforded me with numerous avenues to reach out to others in positive ways.
Serving as an ambassador has enabled me to move into a place of leadership within the chamber and the community and has allowed me an opportunity to connect people that may need each other's services.
Being an ambassador has assisted me in the growth of my own networking skills and also taught me the importance of mentoring others.
We have all heard the saying that to reach the top you have to take others with you. As an individual strives to help others reach their goals, taking his or her eyes off of himself, that individual will find that it all will come back around to him or her. It works on the same biblical principles of giving and tithing without expectations thus finding one has been blessed in more ways than one could ever have possibly imagined.
In closing, if you are not already a chamber member I want to encourage you individually or as a company to join the chamber. By growing the chamber we help make our community stronger. If you are already a member of the chamber, I encourage you to get involved and make a difference. A chamber can only be as strong as its weakest link. Together we can make a difference in San Marcos.
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce is focused on business … focused on you. Check us out on the Web at http://www.sanmarcostexas.com.
