Ambassador Team Guidelines ​VOLUNTEER: A person who performs or offers to perform a service willingly QUALITIES OF AN AMBASSADOR: Enthusiastic, outgoing personality, possess good organizational skills, dependable, and an honest person. Individuals who make successful Ambassadors believe in and support the efforts of the Chamber. They are able to balance the necessary time commitment of the committee with the demands of their jobs. They are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people and providing positive support and encouragement to colleagues. They are sociable, strong contributors to any group and enjoy spending time with other professionals. Membership is by application only. The Team’s goal is to represent a wide variety of industries and businesses. AMBASSADOR'S MISSION STATEMENT To promote general membership services and enhance goodwill for The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County in the community as well as build recognition for their business endeavors through volunteer opportunities at events and Chamber functions. WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER OF GADSDEN & ETOWAH COUNTY’S AMBASSADOR TEAM The objective of the Ambassador Team is to have fun and work as a an extension of the program, sales and retention staff. We accomplish this objective by providing assistance by serving in various positions at Chamber activities, such as: ribbon cuttings, Business After Hours and Chamber mixers, Chamber events, and new member receptions and communication, as well as assisting the Chamber in the promotions of special events. As an extension of the sales and retention staff, we accomplish this objective by making phone calls, visits and sending emails to existing members that are new to the Chamber or may be at­risk for non­renewal and making referrals for prospective membership. As you can see, this committee provides a great service to the Chamber members and the Chambers image. It is important that you attend as many of these functions as possible. How will this help me, you ask? Excellent networking opportunities; business leads; and exposure. REQUIREMENTS ALL AMBASSADOR TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD PLAN TO DO THE FOLLOWING THINGS: Select a committee or committees on which you prefer to serve; activities will be based on committees and could vary, but can include any or all of the following: ●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Attend ribbon cuttings/award ceremonies Attend monthly Ambassador Team meetings Serve monthly in a volunteer position at Chamber events such as Business After Hours, Business and Gravy Networking Breakfast, Knowledge Bites Lunch and Learns/Network at Noon luncheons and Business Builder classes Serve periodically in a volunteer position at periodic Chamber events, such as Emerging Issues luncheons, Pastries and Politics, member forum roundtables, etc. Serve annually in a volunteer position at the Chairman’s Gala and Annual Dinner (January), the Business Expo (August) and Small Business Awards Luncheon (October) Attend Chamber events and activities as an Ambassador Team representative Make phone calls, visits and send emails to at­risk or new members to invite them to engage in Chamber activities, find out what their needs are and relay any information gathered to the Chamber Identify prospects for membership Keep regular communication with the Chamber office at all times Maintain a positive personal image in the community and on social network at all times Be yourself! UPDATES Ambassadors will receive emailed updates, meeting notices and reminders on a regular basis. SPECIFIC TASKS: ●
●
Attend ribbon cuttings, appear in ribbon cutting photos upon request of new business Volunteer positions at Business After Hours include but are not limited to: o Greeters: These individuals welcome and greet everyone as they enter, and they collect business cards for door prize drawings o Registration Table: These individuals are seated at registration tables and administer the registration process to ensure that attending members are documented, as well as that prospective guests are accurately identified and noted for the staff sales associate o Photographer: This individual is tasked with candid photography at events and is required to pay special attention to making photographs of all participating sponsors, ensuring diversity in photography and ensuring that no alcoholic beverages appear in photography o Set­up and/or clean­up crews: These individuals assist in either the set­up or breakdown of the event and may be asked to help load and or unload Chamber materials into/from Chamber vehicles. ● Volunteer positions at Business and Gravy include but are not limited to: o Greeter o Registration Table ● Volunteer positions at Knowledge Bites/Network at Noon include but are not limited to: o Registration Table ● Volunteer of various other events and functions could include: o All tasks previously outlined. COMMITTEES Committees may be formed as needed by the team. Team captains will be assigned by the Chair of the Ambassador Team. Current committees include: Outreach, Social Squad, Events, Leadership and Training. TEAM MEETINGS 1. The Ambassador Team shall meet on the first Thursday of each month at noon. 2. A quorum will consist of the majority vote of those members present. Any changes in meeting time, place, etc., Ambassador­sponsored events, etc. shall be brought to a vote with prior meeting notice to the membership. CODE OF ETHICS & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible and to actively represent The Chamber as an Ambassador, the following ethics and requirements must be met. 1. Your business must be a Chamber member in good standing and have been a member of The Chamber for at least one year. 2. Each Ambassador should attend as many of the monthly Ambassador meetings as possible. Training and other information sharing will be provided during these meetings, so it is essential to carrying out your duties as an Ambassador. Understanding that schedules sometimes do not permit for 100% attendance, Ambassadors are allowed three (3) missed meetings during a calendar year (or 75% of prorated time). If an Ambassador Team member should miss two (2) consecutive meetings, the Chairperson will need to review the cause for the absences. 3. Each Ambassador should attend as many of the Business After Hours events as possible. Understanding that schedules sometimes do not permit for 100% attendance, Ambassadors are allowed three (3) missed meetings during a calendar year (or 75% of prorated time). Business After Hours is the primary regularly recurring showcase event for The Chamber. Members of The Ambassador Team are the individuals who are best equipped to help present The Chamber in the best light. In addition to Business After Hours, Ambassadors are encouraged to attend as many other Chamber events as possible each year. Those events include ribbon cuttings, festivals, golf tournament, educational opportunities, the annual dinner and the small business awards luncheon. 4. Each Ambassador must respect the business of the Chamber of Commerce and, keeping that in mind, the confidentiality thereof. Discretion must be used when discussing Chamber matters. At no time is an Ambassador to speak on behalf of The Chamber to media or to a civic group without the expressed written permission of the Chamber Board Chairperson and/or the Chamber President. Information discussed at Ambassador Club meetings should never be shared outside of the Club. 5. Each Ambassador must represent the Chamber by wearing the Ambassador badge at Chamber sponsored events or events where the presence of a Chamber representative has been requested. Each Ambassador will represent the Chamber in a professional manner at all times. This includes personal time and activities on social media, and includes personal demeanor, dress and activities. A positive, professional attitude is expected at all times. At no time may an Ambassador relay negative remarks to the public about businesses, including on social media. It is imperative to understand that the activities of an individual participating in the Ambassador Club can influence the public opinion of the Chamber as an organization. AMBASSADORS COMMITMENT MISSION: To promote general membership services and enhance goodwill for The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County in the community as well as build recognition for their business endeavors through volunteer opportunities at events and Chamber functions. ●
●
●
●
Participation in events Outreach and extension of goodwill of The Chamber and the Ambassador Team Prospect referrals Professional development and training Monthly Meetings​ – ​Monthly Ambassador Team meetings will be held at noon on the first Thursday of each month. ​If you fail to attend three meetings, your participation in the Ambassador program will be reassessed. The Ambassador Team shall be limited to 20 Ambassadors at any one time. Ambassadors are expected to be active in Chamber activities and should familiarize themselves with all aspects of the Chamber to truly be recognized as an “Ambassador” of our organization. ​I have read the full obligations of The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County Ambassador Team and pledge that I will do my best to fulfill these expectations as I serve as an Ambassador. Signed: _________________________________________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________________________________________________ Email:
Phone: ___________________________________________
_____________________________ Date: ___________________________________________