Ambassadors
Program Introduction
Program Mission
It is the mission of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program to promote member commitment and increase retention by:
- Educating members about the services and benefits of Chamber membership
- Fostering new member engagement in Chamber programs, events and committees
- Serving as a liaison between Chamber staff and the general membership
Who Are the Chamber Ambassadors?
The Ambassador Committee is representative of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s diverse membership. These dedicated volunteers donate their time and talent to assist the Chamber with a variety of activities and initiatives throughout the year.
Program Benefits
- Increased name and face recognition for individual/business
- Connecting one-on-one with new and existing Chamber members
- Gaining referral opportunities through other Ambassadors
- Presenting a business introduction at an Ambassador meeting
- Opportunity to get an insider’s perspective of the local business community
- Opportunity to meet local business and community leaders
- Potential media coverage from attendance at Chamber events
- Increased visibility within the community
Ambassador Roles & Responsibilities
Requirements
Ambassadors are required to:
- Be a current member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
- Participate in the quarterly Ambassador meetings
* Missing meetings must be communicated 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, absence will count towards the 3-strike removal policy.
- Serve for a period of at least one calendar year
- Always promote the Chamber in a positive manner
Service Opportunities & Responsibilities
Ambassadors are required to stay involved in the relationships with their paired members. Other interactive opportunities outside paired members are optional and encouraged.
- Attending ribbon cutting / grand opening celebrations
- Serving as a mentor for new Chamber members and connecting with existing members as they renew
- Delivering Chamber materials to members as necessary throughout the year, such as plaques, awards, event materials, etc.
- Recruiting new members
- Referring potential Ambassadors to Chamber staff
- Promoting upcoming Chamber events
- Other varied duties
Removal & Replacement
To ensure the best impact for the program, ambassadors are required to stay involved in quarterly meetings, communications with the chamber, and take initiative in communicating with members. Removal of an ambassador will follow 3 strikes such as missing meetings without communication or consecutively, failure to comply with ambassador requirements or expectations, and/or exhibiting unsavory behavior that could negatively impact the program, the chamber, and any professional relations.
Ambassador Role in Detail
Attend Ambassador Meetings
To help facilitate communication, the Committee meets quarterly. These meetings present an excellent opportunity to network with fellow Ambassadors. Past events, upcoming opportunities, and on-going projects are also discussed.
Attend Chamber Events Regularly
Ambassadors are encouraged to attend Chamber events, even if they are not officially “working.” Being an Ambassador means showing support for the organization and should be viewed as an opportunity to network, not as an obligation.
Understand and Articulate Chamber Membership Benefits
Through Ambassador Orientation and on-going training, Ambassadors should become familiar with everything the Chamber has to offer. If members or potential members have questions about membership, Ambassadors should be prepared to provide answers or direct them to the appropriate Chamber staff member.
Facilitate Communication Between Chamber Staff and Membership
If an Ambassador encounters a member with an issue or sees a trend (positive or negative) during interactions with members, always communicate this information to Chamber staff. Likewise, make sure to communicate messages from the Chamber to members as appropriate.
“Network” for Fellow Chamber Members
The Chamber’s first priority is to its members. Whenever possible, recommend Chamber member products and services by promoting their products and services to others.
Serve as a Liaison Between the Chamber and New Members
New members often have interesting perspectives. They may offer ideas from other Chambers they belonged to in the past or may share expectations as a new member. Always listen to what they have to say and assure them that their comments will be shared with Chamber staff.
Represent Your Business or Organization as Well as the Chamber
An important part of being an Ambassador is representing your business. Ambassadors are encouraged to wear their business nametag as well as their Ambassador badge. Ambassadors should use their business or organization name when making an introduction and add that they are also a Chamber Ambassador.
Ambassador Responsibilities
- Be positive about the Chamber and take pride in your role as an Ambassador and a Chamber member.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Tasks will vary based on the location and host for the event, but may include unloading and loading Chamber materials, setting up the registration table, helping with decorations and signage, assisting the host or sponsor with last-minute preparations, etc.
- When people arrive at the registration table, Ambassadors should:
- Be welcoming
- Invite them to drop a business card in the basket/container for door prize(s)
- Encourage nametags and offer a blank one (provided by Chamber staff) if they do not have one
- Direct them to the main event area (usually where the food and drink is located)
- Chamber staff may call upon Ambassadors in attendance to meet and walk around with new or potential members or other special guests. The Ambassador should make them feel welcome, answer questions and help them recognize the benefits of the Chamber. Some tips:
- Introduce yourself and your business
- Ask them about their business or organization
- Ask them if they have any questions about the area or the Chamber
- Sometimes a potential member will be invited to an After Hours — point out the benefits of Chamber membership, introduce them to Chamber staff or Board members, and introduce them to 2–3 current members that would be good referral partners
- Network, but don’t be over or underwhelming
- Other tasks requiring personal expertise may arise. Please provide assistance to Chamber staff, hosts, and sponsors, as needed.
Interested in taking an important role in the efforts of advancing the mission of the Chamber? Register to become an Ambassador for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
Amanda Parrish
First Federal Bank
Marcia Croom
Jennie Ann Dean
Dr. Michelle Gamble
Cheri Gilmore
Nicole Lamar
FL Department of Education
Maryann Roberts
NWF Health Network
Jimmy Turner
Brian Walker
Jackson County TDC
Chastity Sheffield
Jackson County TDC
Shannon Rodriguez
Gulf Coast Childrens Advocacy
Zach Gilmore
SBDC
Raina Brown
The Wharf Casual Seafood
Meghan Holly
Marianna Health & Rehab
Kelsey Davis
Northwest Fl Health Network
Jackson County Chamber Chairman's Circle
Our Chairman’s circle represents those business leaders in Jackson County who commit to actively engage in programs, initiatives, events and services that promote the economic vitality of the region.
