This week on my social media sites I shared a small piece of a recent conversation I had with someone who was “concerned” that I wasn’t supporting our local Chambers enough since they had not seen me at any recent events.

Sigh. Yes, I could have said a number of things in response but instead, I offered this:

I’m not unsupportive. I have social anxiety and I’m working through it.

You see, the old me (nonprofit director) worked a room full of executives and board members and donors because that was my job and I did it well. The old me also sometimes came home from those nights in tears, feeling miserable and not knowing why. It took years of that happening (and some serious therapy) to discover what I had was actually social anxiety (and that I was a closet introvert).

Most didn’t (or still don’t) understand it. I can teach in a room of hundreds or speak on a stage at a conference with the confidence and energy of someone who absolutely thrives in that environment. But put me in a group of 12 and I’m eyeing the closest exit as soon as I arrive.

I’m thankful I had the chance to reintroduce myself to this person in that conversation. I explained that I can join membership groups and not attend every event. I can pour into my clients and teaching opportunities and yet not be at the after-hours event or opening ceremonies.

I won’t apologize for the unhealthy behaviors I’ve left behind just because others haven’t met the healthy version of me.

This also got me thinking about how I think it’s completely possible to be a great member of your local Chamber of Commerce, even if you can’t attend all of their events or programs. (But by all means, if you can support their programs and events in person, do it!)

Here are four other ways to be a great Chamber member:

1. Pay your dues. This seems like common sense but I’m guessing Chambers might disagree! Get your payments to the Chamber office on time and save them the hassle of sending follow-up emails, reminders, etc. Plus, the sooner you pay, the sooner they can put those dollars to work!

2. Refer others to your local Chamber. Even if you can’t attend everything, you can tell your friends and colleagues about your local Chamber and invite them to join! Explore a little and see if your Chamber offers a referral program, too! But even if not, it’s still a great thing to do.

3. Display the Chamber logo on your website as a proud member. Be sure to get a nice, high-res version of the logo from your Chamber! For bonus points (for them and you), link the image to the Chamber’s website. Having outbound links on your website helps boost your SEO and the Chamber will appreciate the backlink to their site. It’s a win-win!

4. If you are able, offer free or reduced-fee services to other Chamber members occasionally. Or, contact your Chamber office to see how you can be of service to them or other members. There may be opportunities for you to lead a training, a seminar, host an event, etc.

To be honest, I’m not always nailing these four items but I’m resolving to be better about it in 2020. To get me started, I’ll invite those in the Mid-Ohio Valley area to join one of the two Chambers I belong to (linked below). I find immense value in my memberships and rarely go more than a week or two without either chatting with another member about our respective industries, making new connections, or receiving referrals.

Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley
The Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce

Here’s the bottom line: choose to honor the you that you’ve learned to love. Sure, go out on a limb sometimes. But not out of loyalty or guilt or God forbid, the expectation of others.

It’s true that good things come outside your comfort zone but only if those things happen within the healthiest version of you.

Until next time, keep making a great first impression online,

Andrea