The Bossier Chamber of Commerce joins elite company with 4-star accreditation
Sean Green
sean@bossierpress.com
After three years of constant self-improvement, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce has been awarded with a 4-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.
Achieving what only three percent of chambers in the United States have done, the certification from the United States Chamber of Commerce shows the Bossier Chamber is meeting the needs of the local business community.
“I’m very excited because it shows the growth of the Bossier Chamber and as a partner of our government entities to grow the economy of northwest Louisiana,” said Bossier Chamber President Lisa Johnson.
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology.
“We put in certain policies and procedures to go through the processes and that takes a little more time,” said Johnson.
This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete, but the Bossier Chamber’s desire to receive an elite accreditation meant they took more time.
“When you take each of these nine areas in detail and you really look at the questions to make sure you have the best practices in place, you can’t do that in six months,” Johnson explained. “It’s not an outsider coming in, it’s internal shared practices and those best practices rising to the top and us going ‘We at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, what are we doing and how can we provide a better membership and investment?’”
Formed in 1947, this was the Chamber’s first time to apply for any accreditation.
“Achieving four star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber is a huge compliment to not only the staff and leadership of the Bossier Chamber, it is a testament to the growth and innovative thinking of our business community, local government officials, school systems and their collective commitment to the area,” said Jason Smith, V.P. of Citizen’s National Bank and Chairman of the Bossier Chamber Board of Directors.
Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.
This new designation shows prospective and new members that the Chamber has their best interests in mind.
“I think having an accreditation gives you that little more edge of wanting to join the Chamber and become an investor because it gives you the trust that your Chamber is doing everything it should to take care of you and make a positive change in the community,” said Johnson.
