The Untapped Power of Chambers of Commerce

In the first three episodes of Star Wars, we see the emergence of an organization that was strong enough, big enough and had sufficient resources to challenge the old Republic. No, I’m not talking about the Sith.  I’m talking about the Trade Federation - a coalition of interstellar businesses that felt the Republic’s policies were getting in the way of their profit-making. Anticipating their conflict with the Republic to escalate, the Trade Federation engaged the services of General Grievous (or built him?), created a robot army (much more efficient, I say, than building a clone army) and blockaded entire planets. They were strong enough to challenge (with the help of some friends in the Sith) depose an existing regime. That must qualify as a kind of reform.

But that happened in a galaxy far far away. Closer to home, businessmen’s organizations are not quite as antagonistic - they’re more like gentleman’s clubs, old money and new money coming together to represent the business community’s interests. They’re usually called Chambers of Commerce.

I am learning that Chambers can be effective agents of reform.  In a recent project called PBI. the Bohol Chamber of Commerce identified roads that are important to the Province’s tourism industry. They presented their case all the way up to the Secretaries of Public Works and Highways, and Tourism. They got the support of both executives to  secure significant funding for these roads. 

Whether that kind of intervention can be sustained remains to be seen - and is, for me, beside the point.  What is significant is they have learned to influence Government planning and budgeting processes all the way up to the national level to secure funding that could increase tourism business in their Province. If they can do it for tourism, surely they can apply what they learned for other sectors. And if the Bohol Chamber can do it, why not other Chambers?

For now I see three distinct characteristics of Chambers that make them effective reform agents.  The first is that, as a group of businessmen, Chambers are attuned to the needs of the people. An experienced associate who sits on the Board of a Chamber puts it this way: businessmen and politicians are alike in that they care about the people.  For businessmen, population centers mean markets. For politicians, population centers mean votes. So both pay attention to what people need or demand, are always looking for ways to meet those needs, and can compare notes with each other.

Second, Chambers can work with the entire political spectrum. For every politician in the land, there’s always a Chamber member who is a good friend or business ally - and who can approach that politician to represent the Chamber’s advocacy.  This way, the Chamber can deal with the entire local political spectrum - even when the politicians are on different parties.  

Third, Chambers - or their members - have their own resources, their own contacts. Each businessman has his own scope of operations, areas where he or she can get things done or make things happen.  They can use their resources and influence in specific ways to pursue the reform that their Chamber wants.

On the other hand, Chambers are challenged to building a functional, regular organization.  All Chambers retain some core personnel to organize their events and keep the books. Some Chambers have a considerable standing organization and a good number of regular, paid employees.  Most Chambers take on personnel for a specific project, then let go of them once the project ends. 

They don’t have to build robot armies, but Chambers do need to invest in personnel who can develop competence in specific reform areas. They can hire experts who can then train own employees, or find a Member who can serve as a resource person in this area. Chambers can also partner with other non-government organizations to push for specific reforms, in the process training their own personnel.  When the power of Chambers is effectively tapped, they can be effective partners for development with this Republic.