The Chamber has many ways for members to get involved. Whether it's through a committee, ambassador, board or networking event. There is something for every business.

Volunteer and Involvement Opportunities

Ambassadors Group
Area Business Councils
Business Advocating Change Political Action Committee (BACPAC)
Board of Advisors
Business Continuity Planning Council
Business Education Summit Planning Committee
ChamberWatch
Charleston Young Professionals Sub-Committees
Developers Council
Economic Outlook Board
Environmental Committee
Innovation Working Groups
Latin American Expo
Membership Retention Committee
Military Relations Committee
Power of Partnerships Campaign
Public Policty Committee
Return on Investment Committee - The Education Foundation
Total Resource Campaign
By Invitation

AMBASSADORS GROUP - These volunteers serve as the Chamber's liaisons to the business community.
This group of professionals helps develop and grow the Chamber's membership by making good will calls
on existing Chamber members. They also attend Chamber programs and events to help welcome members,
facilitate networking and support the overall success of these programs and events. This group meets the
first Friday of every month.
Chairman: David Cole, Mass Mutual
Contact: Alex Glasgow, 843.805.3087

AREA BUSINESS COUNCILS -  Members can serve as a representative for their area of interest on the Joint Area Business Council Steering Committee. Committee members plan the speakers and topics for the monthly Chamber Area Business Council meetings as well as solicit sponsorships. The Chamber currently represents three Area Business Council regions: Charleston Area, East Cooper Area, and North Area. Committee meets monthly quarterly.
ABC Chairman: Marsha Hassell, CUSPIDS Inc.
Contact: Corrin Hoffmann, 843.805.3116

BUSINESS ADVOCATING CHANGE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BACPAC) - Join the Chamber's Political Action Committee - BACPAC. BACPAC, established in September 2000 as the political arm of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, is a political action committee organized to support candidates at the local level who contribute to the region's economic vitality and prosperity. BACPAC was created to enhance the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce's public policy initiatives and to create an avenue for the region's business community to have a louder voice in the halls of government. Any member of the Chamber can join BACPAC by making a financial contribution of $100 or more.
Chairman: Neil Whitman, Dunhill Staffing Systems
Contact: Mary Graham, 843.805.3043

BOARD OF ADVISORS - The Board of Advisors provides lead investor member company CEO's,
owners and principals an avenue for valuable input on critical Chamber and community issues. The strong
support of our Board of Advisorshelps the Chamber to shape the future of our region through
the benefit of their advice and wisdom.
Chairman:  Bobby Pearce, Nelson Mullins Law Firm
Contact: Janet Newham, 843.805.3025

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING COUNCIL - Members determine ways to assist the business community
in preparing for and recoverning from a man-made or natural disaster.
Chairman: Joe Stringer, Anderson Insurance Associates LLC
Contact: Jill Galmarini, 843.805.3015

BUSINESS EDUCATION SUMMIT PLANNING COMMITTEE - The annual Business Education Summit
has a long track record of convening educators and leaders from the business community to engage in active
dialogue about significant issues regarding the preparation of today's students for tomorrow's workforce. The
Planning Committee identifies the theme, goals, speakers and content for each year's event.
Chairman: Terry Hardesty, Carolina One Real Estate
Contact: Allen Wutzdorff, 843.805.3058

CHARLESTON YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SUBCOMMITTEES - CYP was created to help local young
professionals get involved, get informed and gain infl uence in the Charleston community. Any 22 to 39 year
old, career minded person living in or relocating to Charleston who is interested in becoming involved in the
business community to advance their career as well as the region is encouraged to join. Volunteers are encouraged
to share their ideas and time to help further the mission of CYP. Active CYP members can further their
involvement by joining one of the subcommittees listed below.
Sponsorship Outreach, Events, Idea, Member Relations, Community Resources, Sustainability and Mentor/Mentee
CYP Chairman: John Osborne, Osborne & Osborne
Contact: Lindsey Pakkala, 843.805.3102

CHAMBERWATCH - Join the Chamber's public policy efforts and help ensure the issues important to you
and your business are advocated at the local, state and federal levels.
Chairman: Scott Woods, South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Contact: Corrin Hoffmann, 843.805.3116

DEVELOPERS COUNCIL - The Developers Council is comprised of members of the Chamber who represent
various sectors of the development community - from residential developers and builders to commercial
and industrial real estate firms, land planning and environmental engineering firms, bankers, attorneys and
others. The mission of the Developers Council is to provide leadership to balance between growth and quality
of life by utilizing our collective expertise to guide change positively in our community. Currently, participation
on the council is free to companies who are members of the Chamber. The Developers Council meets on a quarterly basis.
Chairman: TBD Bill McKenzie, The Daniel Island Company
Contact: Graham Drayton, 843.805.3034

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BOARD - The Economic Outlook Board is comprised of representatives of each sector of the region’s economy. The Board reviews the economic forecast produced by the Center for Business Research and College of Charleston for the Economic Outlook Conference and adds the real-time or real-knowledge insight into the actual performance of the local economy.
Chairman: Stuart Whiteside, Seamon Whiteside & Associates
Contact: Mary Graham, 843.805.3043

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE - Monthly committee events for environmental managers, attorneys and
consultants with an emphasis on environmental and health safety regulation and issues impacting business and industry. Issues identified will be added to both the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce's legislative agenda as well as proposed to the S.C. State Chamber. The committee meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8
a.m.
Chairman: Duane Mummert, Kapstone
Contact: Graham Drayton, 843.805.3034

INNOVATION WORKING GROUPS - These groups are based on individual expertise in one of the following
areas:
Small Business Innovation Summit Committee - Members execute the event, determine the topics covered and secure speakers
for the annual conference to educate and showcase those in and serving small busiinesses
Chairman: Ray Schipani, Business Development Solutions and Derek Willis, SCRA
Contact: Jill Galmarini, 843.805.3015

Homeland Security Innovation Conference Task Force - Members execute the event, determine the topics,
and secure speakers for the annual conference to educate and showcase the Charleston community's public and
private partnerships, innovations and business opportunities in the homeland security arena.
Chairman: Debbie James, SAIC
Contact: Jill Galmarini, 843.805.3015

New Ideas SC Business Idea Contest - A business idea contest designed to facilitate entrepreneurs in the commercialization of their ideas.
Contact: Mary Dickerson, 843.805.3089

LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS EXPO - The Latin American Business Expo works to enhance and support Latin American owned businesses in the Charleston region. This event also strives to increase the interaction of Latin American business owners with other local businessleaders, legislators and community officials. This committee will help plan, secure speakers and sponsors as well as help promote the event.
Chairman: Pedro De Armas, El Informador Spanish Language Newspaper
Contact: Emily Brown, 843.805.3042

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION - As businesses focus on retaining and growing their clients, the Chamber focuses on retaining and growing our members. Bring your expertise in client retention to the Chamber.
Focus Leader: TBD
Contact: Jonna Palmer, 843.805.3031

MILITARY RELATIONS COMMITTEE - The Military Relations Committee plays a significant role in enhancing the
relationship between the business community and the military and in promoting a patriotic attitude throughout the
region. In addition to quarterly meetings, held at various military commands, the Committee works on a number of activities and events to support the Armed Forces including the annual Armed Forces Dinner, the Military Discount Program, the Veterans Day Celebration Event and the Deuce in the Window program that provides romantic dinners at some of Charleston's finest restaurants to enlisted personnel returning from active duty in the Middle East. Salute to the Military Event .The $100 annual fee to participate on the Committee also helps supports the Chamber's events to retain and expand area military facilities.
Chairman: Tommy Pruitt, Force Protection
Contact: Graham Drayton, 843.805.3034

POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS CAMPAIGN - Focusing on growing the ranks of Chamber Lead Investor/Board of Advisor Members through peer to peer calls to business leaders in the region.
Chairman:  TBD
Contact: Janet Newham, 843.805.3025

PUBLIC POLICTY COMMITTEE - The Public Policy Committee is comprised of representatives of various committees, task forces and sectors of the Chamber’s membership in an effort to ensure all types, sizes and business interests are involved in the public policy process. Through our Public Policy Committee, issues are brought to the Chamber for consideration, researched and then presented ultimately to the Chamber’s Board of Directors for action. 
Chairman: Scott Woods, South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Contact: Mary Graham, 843.805.3043

RETURN ON INVESTMENT COMMITTEE - THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION - The purpose of the ROI committee
is to assess the impact of The Education Foundation's programs on students and teachers, school systems and the
business community. Volunteers from businesses, school districts and area colleges meet monthly to meets monthly to help set clear benchmarks and measurable goals for each Foundation program and initiative. The committee directs and coordinates evaluation activities, examines results and makes recommendations for program improvement and new initiatives. The committee welcomes volunteers who are interested in facilitating The Education Foundation's positive impact on the business community.
Chairman: Joan K. Ustin, Joan K. Ustin & Associates
Contact: Allen Wutzdorff, 843.805.3058

TOTAL RESOURCE CAMPAIGN - This campaign assembles more than 80 corporate teams with over 300 volunteers
from businesses throughout the tri-county area. During this annual 12-week campaign, volunteers solicit new
memberships, sponsorships and advertisements throughout the business community for the Chamber and its events,
programs and initiatives.
Chairman: TBD
Contact: Janet Newham, 843.805.3025

BY INVITATION

• Board of Directors (Nominated by Nominating Committee / elected by the membership)
  
• Developers Council Steering Committee
  
• Economic Outlook Board
  
• Executive Committee (Nominated by Nominating Committee / elected by the Board)
  
• Finance Committee (appointed by the Chairman)
  
• Leadership Charleston Steering Committee
  
• Military/Federal Facilities Issues Council
  
• Public Policy Committee
  
• Quarters Task Force
  
• ThinkTEC Advisory Board
• World Trade Center Steering Committee

Contact: Please call 843.577.2510 and ask to speak to the person managing the specific committee/council.

The Education Foundation

• Board of Directors
  
• Executive Committee

Contact: Allen Wutzdorff, 843.805.3058

By Application

Leadership Charleston (Applications accepted May-July)

Contact: Graham Drayton, 843.805.3034