MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: What is a chamber of commerce? Wikipedia defines it as “a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber. The board or council then hires a president, CEO or executive director …”

Indeed you’ll find that definition fleshed out in the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s (SMMC) Vison and Mission Statements:

— Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s vision is to increase prosperity in our region.

— Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s mission is to champion the growth, success and quality of life in our region.

SMMC is governed by a Board of Directors, elected from and representative of the overall membership. The board meets regularly to set policy and hires an executive director to produce programming and hire staff for the organization. The SMMC is a 501c-6 tax-exempt organization supported by members’ dues, sponsorships and event income.

What else is a chamber? If you sat in the office for a day with the task of answering the phone, you might be surprised with what a chamber does that doesn’t directly fit into our vision and mission or the Wikipedia definition.

Here’s a sampling of phone call inquiries received in the past two days:

— How many inches of snow have fallen this winter in Bath, Maine? What are the rental car companies that I can use after I get off the Amtrak train? “XYZ” company has some of my property but they don’t answer their phone and won’t respond to an email, what do I do next? Is there a farm where my family can vacation this summer? How would you answer?

We hope this gives you a peek inside the day-to-day functioning and how SMMC fulfills many needs in our region.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

— Hear updates for Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park from Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Steve Levesque. The luncheon is March 11, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Brunswick Hotel & Tavern, 4 Noble St., Brunswick. It is sponsored by Mechanics Savings Bank, RE/MAX Riverside, Mid Coast Health Services and The Brunswick Hotel and Tavern.

— Learn what to do should a disaster strike your business or organization at the Small Business Success Seminar on March 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. April Caron, of the American Red Cross — Central and Mid Coast Maine Chapter, and Barbara Rapoza, Serpro of Bath/Brunswick, are the presenters.

— Take part in the best networking in the region is Chamber After Hours. Three Chamber members host the March 25 event (5-7 p.m.): ServPro Bath/Brunswick, American Red Cross (Mid Coast Chapter) and Simply Susie’s Catering. Chamber members invite other business people to their location to promote their business. It’s also a time to make new connections, gather business leads and reconnect with business owners.

Please pre-register for all events at www.midcoastmaine.com.

OUR MEMBERS: Welcome Maine Dance and Fitness to the membership. This lower village Topsham business offers lessons, dance fitness classes and event services.

SMMC proudly serves 700 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich. Our members represent 132 varied business sectors. Find them all on our website, wwwmidcoastmaine.com.