How to Craft a Compelling Mission Statement for Your Chamber

In this two-part series, we’re going to cover how to draft effective mission and vision statements that will help you clearly communicate what your chamber is, what you do, and where you’re going. This week we’ll tackle the mission statement and next, we’ll talk about vision.

Mission statements are changing. They’re no longer paragraphs filled with high-point value Scrabble or SAT words. They’re down-to-earth and evocative. They drive action.

Or at least they should.

If yours doesn’t, it’s time for a redo.

But how do you create a mission statement that sounds professional and lights people up? We have some tips and examples from chambers across the country.

What is a Mission Statement?

Mission and vision statements are often confused, one seems to overlap with the other. A mission statement is a concise description of the chamber’s (or an organization’s) core purpose. It outlines what the organization does, who it serves, and why it exists. Ideally, it’s short and memorable, enduring and inspiring. However, as enduring as the message might be, the words may have to be tweaked from time to time as your chamber (and who you serve) evolves.

Before we get into the chamber mission examples, here are a few mission statements from popular brands:

Google: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
American Red Cross: “To prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
Mayo Clinic: “To inspire hope and improve the health of every person.”

Ideally, mission statements are 1-2 sentences (like these examples) and could fit on the back of a business card.

Now, let’s talk about how you might craft (or update) one for your chamber.

Crafting an Awesome Chamber Mission Statement

There are three tips to keep in mind when crafting a chamber mission statement:

Focus on Purpose: You want a clear and concise statement outlining the chamber’s core purpose and what it aims to achieve for its members and the greater community. This is high level, not everything you plan to do this year or the next. The how isn’t as important as the what when designing a mission statement for the chamber.
Be Action-Oriented: Use strong verbs to convey the chamber’s active role in supporting businesses and economic growth. Verbs command attention and instill confidence.
Keep Your Target Audience in Mind: Consider who the chamber serves (businesses, community) and tailor the language accordingly.

The Process of Drafting an Effective Mission Statement

It’s essential to keep the following things in mind when creating these statements:

Keep Them Short & Sweet

This is not the time to wow people with your extensive vocabulary or ability to string words together. Ideally, your board and staff can easily commit your mission (and vision) statement to memory. If the statements are long and exhaustive, the meaning behind the words will be lost.

Involve Stakeholders (not just your board)

Gather input from chamber members, board members, and community leaders to ensure the statements resonate with everyone. Understanding what people are seeking and how you can help will yield a much more effective mission statement than just trying to use annual report language.

Make Them Memorable

Again craft statements that are clear, concise, and easy to remember. Think–back of business card, not a novel or report.

Align with Chamber Values

Ensure the mission and vision statements reflect the core values of your chamber. Tailor the statements to your specific chamber’s goals, community, and aspirations. Below we’ve compiled many chamber mission statements. Some may resonate with you and cover the work you’re doing. Others may not fit. That’s good. Because your mission statement should be a reflection of who you are as it fits in with the needs of your community.

57 Examples of Chamber Mission Statements

When we asked chambers across the country to share their mission statements, we were surprised by the response. Take a look at these to inspire your own creative work.

To promote responsible growth for Greater Soldotna through representation, education, and advocacy for our members.
Advancing the Regional Agenda through Business Leadership by empowering our members to success.
Support, promote, and provide resources for the Chino Valley Area.
To bring individuals, businesses, and organizations together to enrich our community. We create, promote, and enhance annual events that are fun for the whole family. We work to strengthen the local economy and serve as the voice of business in community affairs while recognizing that a healthy community is a requirement for a healthy business climate.
Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of the business community in matters that affect the ability of local business to prosper and grow, and the ability of Henderson and Vance County to attract new businesses.
To support businesses and build community partnerships.
We passionately strive to develop a pro-business climate, drive economic growth, and promote travel and tourism through community advocacy, attracting visitors and industry, retaining, and growing local businesses, and building a vibrant place to live, work, and play.
To engage in and promote projects that have a positive economic impact on the Longview Trade Area.
Advancing economic growth and prosperity in our community.
The Morden & District Chamber of Commerce is the bridge that connects business, community and government for the common goal of growing business. We are a respected voice, a strong connection and a resource to business.
The relentless pursuit of a vibrant and prosperous business community.
To Serve, Protect and Promote Business in the Fulshear-Katy Region of Texas.
The Marion Chamber of Commerce works to promote commercial and economic growth and to foster civic improvements that benefit those who live in and around Marion.
To serve our membership and community through proactive leadership that builds a Positive Business Climate while enhancing and protecting the quality of life for all.
To help businesses in the Petoskey region succeed while enhancing our community’s quality of life.
Promoting business and unifying efforts to enhance economic and community development.
To promote business, enhance economic well-being, and foster community development.
Promote and support our member businesses (profit and non-profit), help to foster a strong economic environment, and build a vibrant community.
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining the high quality of life in Oakdale through collaboration and facilitating connections between local businesses and the community.
Serving as a leader in creating a vibrant and diverse business community that drives economic opportunity and well-being.
The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce serves to connect our investors and partners to resources that will allow them to drive growth and change in our community.
Maximize the opportunity for success of Wellington area businesses, to promote the growth of Chamber members and new businesses, and to enhance the quality of life in our community.
The Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce serves as an organization to unite and support the citizens of the community in their endeavors to create a greater quality of life.
To be a business advocate and to promote economic progress for the betterment of our communities, municipalities, and parish.
To attract, support, and represent the business community and improve social and economic development in the Benzie Area.
The Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce creates a stronger, more supportive business community in the Greater Fountain Inn area through Advocacy, Tourism, Economic & Professional Development.
Connect Members. Advocate for Business. Promote the Community.
The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is the regional voice that advocates for the business community, works to improve local and regional business environments, and helps cultivate vibrant communities.
We build, strengthen, and support economic and community vitality.
To create an inclusive platform that helps business better market their products and services. To facilitate the creation of relationships between those organizations and individuals that want to make Barstow a better place to live, work, and have a business. To help organizations navigate business law, economic changes, and new marketing techniques now and into the future.
Empowering the business community and fostering connections that improve the quality of life in Cordova.
To be the resource of choice for businesses and organizations in our community.
To help Yuma County businesses prosper and grow.
Provide leadership and foster efficient growth of the Yankton area economy.
Building and Connecting Businesses, Growing Leaders and Shaping Our Community
The Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce exists to advance and promote businesses in the Anderson area, enhancing our communities, where people live, work and prosper.
To improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley.
As an affiliation of business and community service entities, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce advocates for a pro-business environment and supports the success of its members, while collaborating with network partners to drive Shelby County forward as a highly desirable community in which to work, live, and play.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst for business growth and entrepreneurship by providing quality programs, education, connections and advocacy for our members and organizations in the Dulles Corridor.
To promote business, enhance economic and community development and serve as a beacon through fostering relationships.
To enhance the business climate and quality of life in the community.
Promote community involvement, business leadership and member prosperity.
Be a catalyst for growth and development in Greater Harrison County.
As an essential catalyst for business growth, convener of leaders and influencers, and champion for a stronger Bonne Terre, we connect, inform, and influence business success.
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce promotes economic growth in the community through leadership, support, and service to our members.
Building Community. Growing Business. Creating meaningful connections through our community of members.
Advocate for and lead businesses in our community to success and prosperity.
Provide leadership and resources in order to advance business development in partnership with civic, cultural and educational interests for the benefit of its members and the community.
Connect Members. Advocate for Business. Promote the Community.
The Mesa Chamber of Commerce exists to Improve, Promote, and Advocate for business in Mesa.
Engage, Promote, and Support Chamber Members and the Hutchinson Community.
The Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce is a member driven organization, promoting a healthy and vibrant economic environment by welcoming and enhancing tourism and business while honoring the area’s diverse cultural and natural heritage.
The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is devoted to the civic and economic development of the Loveland, Miami, and Symmes Townships of Southwest Ohio. Our mission is to serve as a leading advocate for the business community and as a catalyst for business development and growth.
Together, we are the catalyst for a stronger business community.
To form strategic partnerships that create, advocate for, and grow a thriving business community.
Create and maintain a prosperous local economy, community and quality lifestyle.
We are Lebanon Valley’s leading business organization providing education, networking, services, and advocacy to support and develop our members and business community.

This one combines the idea of a mission and a vision:

Today and into the future, the Chamber is energized about the opportunity to bring innovation and progress to the community by being a Catalyst for business growth, a Convener of leaders to implement positive Change, and a Champion for strong communities.

In Summary

The mission statement describes what the organization does now and encompasses a little bit of the why behind it, while the vision statement describes what the organization aspires to be in the future. These statements work together to provide a comprehensive picture of the chamber’s purpose and goals.

They’re not just fancy words. They are a call to action. A well-crafted mission and vision statement assists the community in realizing you are their kind of organization; one they can get behind and support.

Next week, we’ll move onto what goes into drafting a strong vision statement, and how it helps your chamber (and community) focus on the future.

By: Christina Metcalf