Supporting Our Community
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce believes that a strong business community and a strong local community are deeply connected. Businesses do not operate separately from the people, families, nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, volunteers, and public institutions around them. They are part of the same community, and when that community becomes stronger, businesses, organizations, residents, and families all have an opportunity to benefit.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce approaches its role as more than an organization that brings businesses together. Supporting local businesses and professionals is important, but our purpose extends beyond creating commercial opportunities. We believe a Chamber can help connect people, identify community needs, increase awareness, introduce organizations to resources, and encourage businesses and professionals to become active participants in making their communities better.
Supporting our community is one of the most meaningful ways we can put those principles into action.
What Community First Means to Us
When The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce says that community comes first, we mean it. Community is not simply a word that appears in our mission statement or something we discuss when it is convenient. It influences how we approach our organization, our events, our relationships, and the opportunities we pursue.
A Chamber of Commerce can certainly help businesses meet one another, develop professional relationships, increase visibility, exchange knowledge, and discover new opportunities. Those are important functions, but we believe there is an opportunity to accomplish considerably more when people are brought together around a shared commitment to their community.
Businesses and professionals possess valuable resources beyond the products and services they provide. They have knowledge, experience, relationships, creativity, professional expertise, facilities, equipment, influence, and connections to other people and organizations. When some of those resources can be connected with a genuine community need, even relatively modest individual contributions can collectively make a meaningful difference.
Community involvement also creates opportunities for people to discover organizations and needs they may never otherwise encounter. Someone may attend a Chamber event expecting to meet other professionals and leave having learned about a local food pantry, nonprofit organization, volunteer opportunity, or community initiative that becomes important to them.
That is one of the reasons we believe a Chamber can serve as a connector not only between businesses, but also between businesses, professionals, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and the people they collectively serve.
Making Our Community Better One Day at a Time™
Meaningful community improvement does not always require an enormous initiative or a large financial commitment. Sometimes lasting progress begins when people consistently identify opportunities to help and contribute what they reasonably can.
One business may provide a needed resource, while another may contribute professional expertise. Someone may volunteer time, make an important introduction, donate an item that an organization needs, or simply share information with someone who has the ability to help.
Individually, those actions may appear modest. When people participate together and continue doing so over time, however, the collective impact can become significant.
That is the thinking behind our commitment to Making Our Community Better One Day at a Time™.
We are not suggesting that The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce can solve every community challenge, nor would it be responsible for us to make that promise. Instead, we believe our responsibility is to remain attentive to the needs around us, listen to the organizations doing important work, use our relationships responsibly, and identify practical opportunities where the Chamber and the people associated with it can make a meaningful contribution.
A History of Community Support
Community involvement is not something The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce is introducing simply because we have a new website or because community service makes for a good organizational statement. The Chamber has supported community serving organizations in the past, and we intend to continue building upon that commitment as our organization grows.
Our past community support has included OASIS, Bergen County CASA, and the Center for Food Action.
Each of these organizations serves people and communities in different ways, and our support reflects a broader belief that a Chamber should be willing to look beyond traditional business activity and recognize important work taking place throughout the surrounding community.
We are proud of that history, but we also believe it is important to represent our relationships accurately. When we have supported an organization in the past, we describe it as past support rather than suggesting there is an ongoing formal partnership when one does not currently exist. When we are actively working with an organization, as we are today with Ponds Food Pantry, we make that distinction clear.
Integrity applies to how we describe our community involvement just as much as it applies to how we conduct business.
Our Past Support of OASIS
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce has previously supported OASIS as part of our commitment to the broader community.
Organizations serving people and families frequently depend upon a combination of professional staff, volunteers, donors, advocates, businesses, and community organizations. A Chamber can contribute to that ecosystem by helping increase awareness, providing support when appropriate, and introducing more people to important work being performed within the communities around them.
Our past support of OASIS represents one part of the Chamber's history of looking beyond business transactions and recognizing organizations working to improve people's lives. We believe that history matters because it demonstrates that our commitment to community is grounded in action rather than simply being language placed on a website.
Our Past Support of Bergen County CASA
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce has also previously supported Bergen County CASA as part of our community efforts.
Important work performed by nonprofit and community organizations can sometimes take place outside the everyday awareness of business owners and professionals. A Chamber is in a unique position to help bridge those worlds by connecting people and increasing awareness of organizations and causes that might otherwise remain outside someone's normal professional circle.
Our past support of Bergen County CASA reflects our belief that the business community can remain engaged with meaningful work occurring throughout Bergen County and that professional organizations should recognize appropriate opportunities to contribute.
Not every form of community support needs to become a permanent Chamber program. Sometimes the right response is to recognize a need, support an organization when an appropriate opportunity exists, and continue looking for other ways to make a difference.
Our Past Support of the Center for Food Action
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce has also previously supported the Center for Food Action.
The need for food assistance can exist in communities where it is not always readily visible. Individuals and families may experience circumstances that create a need for assistance even when the surrounding area is generally considered prosperous. Organizations working to address food insecurity therefore provide an important service that may extend far beyond what many people encounter during an ordinary business day.
Our past support of the Center for Food Action reflects our belief that businesses, professionals, and community organizations should remain aware of needs throughout the communities around them.
It also reinforces something that is important to our approach to community involvement: effective support begins with understanding what is actually needed. We should not assume that we know what an organization requires simply because we want to help. We should listen to the people doing the work and respond appropriately when we have an opportunity to contribute.
Our Current Community Partnership With Ponds Food Pantry
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce is currently working with Ponds Food Pantry of Oakland, New Jersey as part of our continuing commitment to supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference within our surrounding communities.
Our relationship with Ponds Food Pantry represents the type of community involvement we believe a Chamber is particularly well positioned to encourage. A Chamber brings together businesses, professionals, guests, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and people with different experiences and resources. When a specific need is identified, that network can help bring attention to it and provide people with an accessible opportunity to participate.
Our relationship with Ponds Food Pantry is more than a single contribution. It is an active community partnership in which both organizations are helping increase awareness and participation. Ponds Food Pantry has helped share information about The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce through its bulletin and community communications, helping more people learn about Chamber activities and opportunities to become involved. At the same time, the Chamber can use its events, relationships, and growing community presence to help bring attention and resources to needs identified by the pantry.
This is the type of relationship we mean when we talk about community partnership. It is based upon organizations recognizing that each has a role within the broader community and finding practical ways to support worthwhile efforts.
Bring at Least One Carton of Shelf Stable Milk
One of the specific needs identified through our work with Ponds Food Pantry is shelf stable milk. In response, The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce encourages members and guests attending participating Chamber events to bring at least one carton of shelf stable milk for Ponds Food Pantry.
The request is intentionally simple because we want community participation to be accessible.
Helping should not always begin by asking someone to make a substantial financial contribution or undertake a major commitment. Sometimes an effective community initiative begins by identifying a specific need and giving people an easy, practical way to respond.
One attendee may bring one carton of milk, another may bring one, and a local business may decide to bring several. A guest attending a Chamber event for the first time can participate just as easily as someone who has been involved with the organization for years. When those individual contributions are collected together and the effort continues through Chamber activities, something that begins with a single carton can become a meaningful collective contribution.
The initiative also demonstrates our philosophy in a very tangible way. Before someone exchanges a business card, discusses a service, makes a professional introduction, or explores a potential business opportunity at a Chamber event, that person has an opportunity to walk through the door carrying something intended to help someone else.
For The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce, that order has meaning because community comes first.
Why Shelf Stable Milk Matters
Food pantries and community organizations frequently have specific needs, and those needs can change. Effective community support therefore begins by listening to the organization that is actually doing the work rather than deciding for them what they should need.
Shelf stable milk provides a practical way for Chamber members and guests to respond to a need identified by Ponds Food Pantry. Because it can be stored without refrigeration before opening, it is particularly practical for pantry collection and distribution.
The initiative demonstrates a larger principle that will continue to guide our community efforts. The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce does not want to assume that it knows what a food pantry, nonprofit organization, or community group needs most. We want to listen, understand the need, and determine whether there is a responsible and practical way for our organization and community to help.
Our work with Ponds Food Pantry follows that approach.
One Contribution Can Become Part of Something Larger
There is an important lesson within the shelf stable milk initiative that extends beyond the milk itself.
People sometimes believe they cannot make a meaningful difference unless they have substantial money, large amounts of free time, or specialized resources to contribute. That perception can prevent people from becoming involved at all.
We want to demonstrate another possibility.
When many people make manageable contributions toward a clearly identified need, those individual actions become collective action. If twenty people each bring one needed item, twenty items are available that were not there before. When the initiative continues over time, the cumulative impact can become considerably greater.
Some people may choose to contribute more, and that generosity is certainly appreciated. Others may simply bring the one carton requested. Their contribution matters too.
Community involvement should create opportunities for people to participate rather than creating unnecessary barriers that discourage them from becoming involved.
Community Support Takes Many Forms
Financial contributions can be important, but writing a check is only one way to support a community.
A business may have equipment or supplies that an organization needs. A professional may possess expertise that can help solve a problem. Someone may know the person an organization needs to meet. A company may have employees interested in volunteering. A member may be able to help increase awareness of an initiative, while an event participant may be able to contribute a particular item that is urgently needed.
Sometimes an organization simply needs more people to know that a need exists.
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce can help by using its relationships and communications responsibly to connect people with those opportunities. The Chamber itself does not necessarily have to be the source of every solution. Sometimes our greatest contribution may be helping the right people find one another.
Connecting Community Needs With Resources
One of the most valuable assets a Chamber possesses is its network of relationships.
Within a Chamber community are people representing different professions, businesses, experiences, skills, resources, and connections. The Chamber may not have the direct ability to solve a particular problem, but someone within or connected to that network may know exactly what is needed.
A nonprofit organization may need professional expertise. A business may have useful resources available. A community organization may need volunteers. A food pantry may have a specific material need. Someone may simply need an introduction to the right person.
Connecting those pieces can sometimes accomplish considerably more than attempting to solve every challenge ourselves.
Our Grow & Connect Networking Breakfast reflects the same relationship centered philosophy. The more people genuinely know one another, the easier it becomes to identify opportunities to help, make appropriate introductions, share knowledge, and strengthen connections throughout the community.
How Chamber Members and Guests Can Participate
Community involvement through The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce is not intended to become a competition, nor do we believe every member must participate in exactly the same way.
People have different resources, responsibilities, schedules, expertise, and abilities to contribute. What one person can provide may be entirely different from what another can offer.
Our role is to create opportunities.
A Chamber member may participate by contributing an item to a collection, volunteering when an appropriate opportunity arises, sharing professional expertise, making an introduction, supporting an organization directly, helping increase awareness, or participating in a Chamber community initiative. Guests can also participate in appropriate initiatives, including our current request to bring shelf stable milk for Ponds Food Pantry to participating Chamber events.
Someone may even attend an event, learn about an organization for the first time, and decide later to become involved independently. That is another positive result.
Our Why Join Our Chamber page explains why Chamber membership can represent more than obtaining a business listing or attending networking events. Becoming part of the Chamber creates opportunities to become more connected with businesses, professionals, nonprofit organizations, community initiatives, and the people who make our area stronger.
Businesses Are Part of the Community
A healthy local economy and a healthy community reinforce one another.
Businesses depend upon residents, customers, employees, vendors, infrastructure, public services, schools, nonprofit organizations, and many other elements of community life. Communities, in turn, benefit from businesses that create employment, provide products and services, contribute professional expertise, support organizations, sponsor activities, and participate in civic and community life.
The relationship works in both directions.
For that reason, The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce does not view community involvement as something separate from the role of a Chamber. We see it as part of creating an environment in which businesses, organizations, residents, and professionals can succeed together.
This philosophy is reflected throughout our Mission & Vision and in the leadership perspective shared through our President's Message.
Relationships Make Communities Stronger
Strong relationships make it easier for communities to respond when needs arise.
When people know one another, communication becomes easier. When organizations have established relationships, cooperation can develop more naturally. When businesses understand the work being performed by nonprofit and community organizations, they are better positioned to recognize ways they may be able to contribute.
This is one reason relationship building occupies such an important place within our Chamber philosophy.
We do not build relationships solely because they may eventually produce business. Relationships also strengthen the community's ability to respond, connect, and work together.
Someone you meet today may become the person who helps solve a community problem tomorrow. An introduction made through a Chamber event may eventually connect an organization with a resource it needs. A conversation may make someone aware of a community need they had never previously encountered.
Relationships matter because people can often accomplish more when they genuinely know and trust one another.
Community Involvement With Integrity
Community involvement should be genuine.
We believe organizations should be able to talk about the work they are doing because increased awareness can encourage other people to participate. Sharing information about a community initiative can help an organization receive additional support, demonstrate what is possible, and show others how they can become involved.
However, recognition should never become the only reason for helping.
Our Code of Professional Conduct emphasizes integrity, professionalism, respect, and responsible relationships. Those principles apply to community involvement just as much as they apply to professional networking and business.
We do not want to turn every act of community support into a sales opportunity. We want people to participate because the need matters and because helping strengthens the community we share.
If positive recognition follows, that recognition can help increase awareness and inspire additional involvement, but the community should remain at the center of the effort.
Working With Community Organizations
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce welcomes opportunities to learn about legitimate nonprofit organizations, community groups, initiatives, and needs that may align with our mission and our ability to contribute.
Contacting the Chamber does not guarantee financial assistance, sponsorship, promotion, volunteers, resources, or participation. Every opportunity must be considered according to the circumstances, our mission, available resources, existing commitments, timing, and our ability to make an appropriate contribution.
Sometimes our role may involve direct support. In another situation, we may be able to increase awareness of a need, make a useful introduction, encourage participation, or connect an organization with a resource.
There will also be situations where an opportunity may not be appropriate for the Chamber or where we simply do not have the resources to become involved at that particular time. Responsible community involvement requires a willingness to help while remaining honest about what our organization can reasonably accomplish.
Organizations with a legitimate community need, initiative, or opportunity are welcome to reach out through our Contact page and tell us about their work.
Building Meaningful Community Relationships
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce wants community relationships to develop because they are meaningful, not because we want to accumulate a long list of organizational names.
Our current work with Ponds Food Pantry provides a good example. The relationship creates an opportunity for the Chamber to increase awareness of a specific community need while giving our members and guests a straightforward way to respond. Ponds Food Pantry, in turn, has helped share Chamber information through its bulletin and community communications.
There is a genuine exchange of community support and awareness.
As appropriate opportunities arise, we hope to continue developing meaningful relationships with organizations throughout Franklin Lakes and the surrounding communities. The measure of success will not be how many organizations we can say we know. The measure will be what those relationships actually accomplish.
Recognizing Those Who Make a Difference
Communities are strengthened every day by people who contribute without necessarily expecting recognition.
Business owners volunteer their time. Professionals share expertise. Organizations donate resources. Residents organize initiatives. Nonprofit leaders devote tremendous energy to their missions, while volunteers quietly perform work that may never receive widespread attention.
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce believes meaningful contributions deserve recognition.
As our Chamber, website, and community programs continue to develop, we intend to highlight businesses, professionals, members, organizations, and individuals whose actions make a positive difference.
Recognition can accomplish more than thanking someone. It can introduce others to an important organization, inspire additional participation, bring attention to a community need, and demonstrate that meaningful involvement is valued.
Frequently Asked Questions About Supporting Our Community
How does The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce support the community?
Community support can take many forms. Depending upon the circumstances, the Chamber may support an organization or initiative directly, collect needed items, increase awareness, encourage participation, connect people with resources, make introductions, or help communicate a legitimate community need.
What organizations has the Chamber supported?
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce has previously supported OASIS, Bergen County CASA, and the Center for Food Action. We are currently working with Ponds Food Pantry of Oakland, New Jersey through an active community partnership that includes our shelf stable milk initiative.
What is the Ponds Food Pantry shelf stable milk initiative?
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce encourages members and guests attending participating Chamber events to bring at least one carton of shelf stable milk for Ponds Food Pantry. The program provides a simple way for many people to make individual contributions that can collectively provide meaningful support.
Do I have to be a Chamber member to contribute?
No. Our current shelf stable milk initiative encourages both Chamber members and guests attending participating events to contribute. Participation opportunities for other community initiatives may vary depending upon the particular program.
Does supporting the community always involve donating money?
No. Community support can include needed goods, professional expertise, volunteering, introductions, communications, awareness, resources, or other forms of assistance. The appropriate response depends upon the actual need and the resources available.
Can a nonprofit or community organization contact the Chamber?
Yes. Organizations with legitimate community needs or opportunities that may align with our mission are welcome to contact The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Reaching out does not guarantee assistance, but it gives us an opportunity to learn about the organization, understand the need, and determine whether there may be an appropriate way for the Chamber to become involved.
Does the Chamber guarantee support for every request?
No. We must consider our mission, available resources, existing commitments, timing, and whether the Chamber can make an appropriate and meaningful contribution. Being responsible about what we can and cannot do is itself part of operating with integrity.
How can Chamber members become more involved?
Members can participate in Chamber community initiatives when opportunities arise, support organizations independently, contribute resources, volunteer, make useful introductions, share professional expertise, and help increase awareness of legitimate community needs. Members interested in becoming more involved can also use our Contact page to reach the Chamber.
Making Our Community Better Together
The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce is proud of the community organizations we have supported in the past, including OASIS, Bergen County CASA, and the Center for Food Action. We are equally proud to continue that commitment through our current community partnership with Ponds Food Pantry of Oakland, New Jersey and our initiative encouraging members and guests to bring at least one carton of shelf stable milk to participating Chamber events.
We know there will be additional organizations, needs, ideas, and opportunities ahead. We cannot predict exactly what every future community initiative will look like, and we do not believe we need to. What matters is continuing to build a Chamber that is willing to listen, willing to connect people, willing to help when it reasonably can, and always willing to remember that business exists within a larger community.
When someone brings one carton of milk, makes one useful introduction, volunteers some time, shares professional knowledge, contributes a resource, or helps an organization reach someone who can make a difference, that action has value. When businesses, professionals, members, guests, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders begin doing those things together, the collective impact can become much greater than any single contribution.
That is how community becomes more than something we talk about. It becomes something we participate in.
It is also the kind of Chamber we are continuing to build, as explained throughout About the Chamber, our President's Message, our Mission & Vision, our Code of Professional Conduct, Why Join Our Chamber, and the relationship building philosophy behind our Grow & Connect Networking Breakfast.
Community First. Relationships Second. Business When the Need Arises. Integrity Always.
Making Our Community Better One Day at a Time™.