U.S. Chamber awards Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce with four-star accreditation

 

The United States Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce with four-star accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community, a press release said.

“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement, the press release said. In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology.

This extensive self-review can take six-nine months to complete, the press release said.

Parker Hardy, president and chief executive officer of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce said: “I’m very proud of our volunteers and staff at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. In order to achieve a four-star accreditation, we performed an intensive self-assessment of our operations in nine areas of work. This designation puts the Oak Ridge Chamber in the top 3 percent of chambers of commerce in America.”

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members, the press release said.

“The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce enhances the economic vitality of the greater Oak Ridge community and provides exceptional business and leadership opportunities for our members,” the press release said.

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce is the community’s recognized business voice, representing our members and leading in advocacy for quality growth, convening pro-growth partnerships, and mobilizing business and community leadership to assure the economic vitality of the Oak Ridge community, the press release said.

This press release was submitted by Kathy Gillenwaters.