SEARCY, ARKANSAS, DECEMBER 3, 2009 The United States Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce with Accredited status for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.
“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Executive Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 3-6 months to complete.
“I’m very proud of the chamber for receiving this honor from the United States Chamber,” said Jim House, Chairman of the Board. “This accreditation signifies our organization’s strength and excellence amongst chambers across the nation.”
Raymond Burns from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accrediting Board and President and CEO of the Rogers/Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce was on hand at the chamber’s annual banquet to make the presentation.
“It is an honor to be recognized as one of the elite chambers of commerce in the country” said Buck Layne, President of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Of the 6,936 chamber in the United States, 288 of these are Accredited. This designation places our chamber in the top 4% of all chambers in the U.S. and we are 1 of 4 Accredited chambers in Arkansas. This is the third time our chamber has been Accredited and I want to thank the committees, board and the staff for their hard work in attaining this designation.”
Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
The Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization representing over 650 businesses in the Searcy region and has served the area as the premier business organization and the voice of the business in Searcy/White County since 1946. The purpose of the organization is to advance and promote the industrial, commercial and civic interests of the City of Searcy, Arkansas, and its vicinity and thereby secure and preserve a high quality of life for its citizenry.
