Fact Sheet about Chamber of Commerce for East Baton Rouge Parish

Purpose: To advance the best interests of the business community of East Baton Rouge Parish and the best interests of the people of the parish.

Type Entity: The Chamber EBR is a non-profit organization, but contributions are not generally tax deductible.

Mission To promote free enterprise, individual rights, limited government, traditional family values, character, education, patriotism, national security, and high ethical standards for business.

Affiliation: The Chamber EBR is an affiliate of the United States Chamber of Commerce

Motto: We Stand for Small Business.

Who Can Join? Locally-owned, family-run businesses. Members are for-profit business enterprises which meet the following requirements:

• Office or location in East Baton Rouge Parish. This includes home-based businesses.

• A major owner of the enterprise must reside in East Baton Rouge Parish or an adjacent parish.

• No more than 10% of revenue from government.

• Revenue must not come directly from gambling, pay-day loan business, pornography, or abortion.

• Good reputation in community.

• Support Mission Statement of the Chamber

Governance: 11-member Executive Committee, which elects the Board of Governors. Board of Governors will elect one-third of Executive Committee at Annual Meeting each year.

Membership-Driven Organization:  Membership driven, rather than staff-driven with no full-time, paid staff.  Like a Rotary Club, a Lions Club, or a Kiwanis Club, the members do the work themselves.

Equality of Membership: There is only one category of membership, and the Annual Dues are the same for all members — $150 — or $50 for July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.  There are no “investors.”  While donations beyond the Annual Dues are gratefully received and recognized, the Articles of Incorporations provide that “No appointment, committee membership, or position of authority shall be made in connection with or in recognition of financial contributions to the Chamber.  All appointments shall be made in consideration of the equality of all members of the Chamber and the fact that the Chamber is primarily an organization of small business enterprises.  The Chamber shall not solicit or accept government funds.”  Membership application: http://chamberebr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Chamber-EBR-Membership-Application-6-19-18.pdf

Monthly Chamber Membership Luncheon Meeting:  The Chamber of Commerce EBR holds its Monthly Chamber Membership Meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at 12 noon.  The event features newsmakers, local business owners telling their success stories, and one-minute reports from a dozen business owners at each meeting.

Executive Committee Meetings: The Executive Committee on the Chamber EBR meets at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month prior to the Monthly Membership Meeting at Café Américain.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies:  As a service to new business enterprises opening in East Baton Rouge Parish, the Chamber helps with Grand Openings by sponsoring Ribbon-Cutting ceremonies and officially welcoming the new firm to the EBR business community.

Taking a Stand: The Chamber of Commerce EBR takes a stand on important issues of interest to the business community, which come before the Metro Council, Louisiana Legislature, Congress, and the general public.  Of particular interest are fair and equitable taxation, limits on government spending, free enterprise and government regulation, crime, and education.

MAIL: 910 North Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806  PHONE: 225-921-1433