Small Business Collaborators (SBC)

Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Small Business Collaborators

The Grundy County Chamber has established a Small Business Collaborators (SBC) group, which meets twice a month to help member businesses flourish.  Specifically, participation in SBC offers:

1. A chance to learn from other professionals and bounce ideas off of one another
2. The active exchange of business referrals (leads)
3. A platform for forming strong relationships with other professionals
4. Continual and higher level of involvement in the Grundy County Chamber

Eligibility
All SBC applicants must agree to the following terms and conditions, and be approved by the Grundy County Chamber staff liaison. Participants of the SBC must meet the following criteria:

1. Be current on SBC dues. Dues are $100 for the first year and $75 upon renewal.  
2. Maintain consistent attendance (see Attendance requirement)

Member Requirements

1. Possible SBC members are invited to visit SBC once as a guest and then may return to the group, as a paying member, if space is available.  
2. Guests must be a prospective member of SBC, not a coworker or business partner.  
3.  An SBC member may have a coworker or business partner attend a meeting in his or her absence.
4. Each member is responsible for providing a supply of business cards for distribution to other members.
5. ATTENDANCE to meetings shall be considered the same as any other business appointment. If an individual is unable to attend, they must notify the Chamber liaison prior to the meeting. 
6. If a member leaves the organization there will be no refund of dues paid.

Topics Discussed in Round-Table Sessions

Delegation, small business tools, and resources, project management, dealing with difficult customers, marketing and advertising, etc.

Chamber Responsibilities

1. Maintain a current and accurate waiting list of interested applicants.
2. Secure meeting space.
3. Provide a Chamber staff person as a liaison per each meeting. A staff person will attend meetings and provide updates on upcoming Chamber activities.
4. Keep records of attendance, payment of dues, guest speakers, and other schedules.
5. Contact members who are delinquent on dues or falling short of attendance requirements and informing the member of their responsibilities.
6. Sends guests follow-up evaluation surveys about the meeting they attended. 

Meetings Format

Meals are not provided, though, members may purchase or bring their own meal to the meeting (however, it is arranged with the meeting facility).

1. Meetings are held biweekly at a predetermined time and place.  
2. Members state their name and describe their business (30 seconds each).
3. Any current or new business is discussed.
4. The Chamber liaison presents upcoming events and news.
5. The ‘Business Spotlight’ member stands and presents their prepared 10-minute presentation in front of the group or we start the round-table discussion on that meeting's topic.
6. Each member then either presents a referral, testimonial or gives the group more information about another business in the group which may help to educate others on the full extent of that business.
7. The Business Spotlight schedule is determined.
8. Meeting is adjourned.

Business Spotlight Requirements

As a benefit of membership, each Network member will be offered the opportunity to give a “spotlight” talk to the group on a rotating basis. As such, the speaker is responsible for:

1. Preparing a 10-minute presentation of their business.
2. Providing copies of brochures, flyers, etc (if appropriate) to group members.