Membership Benefits
  • Networking opportunities through periodic "Meet & Greet" socials at local establishments
  • Representation of the business community on local issues
  • Informative lecture series on topics designed to improve your business
  • Membership plaque
  • Advertising opportunities to reach both your local and out of area marketing through our free website listing services and advertising, ad journals, "Village Center" supplement to the News-Record.
  • Community events that contribute to the quality of life in South Orange such as: our Annual Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony, Halloween Costume Contest, among others.
  • Monthly meetings of our Membership-Elected Board of Directors which, plans activities and addresses concerns that affect the local, business community.
Membership

The membership of the Chamber is the backbone of the organization. This Chapter will explain the membership process, types of membership the Chamber has, and what and how a Membership Drive works.

The membership of the organization is the single most important part of the Chamber. The Chamber is here to benefit the membership and to recruit as many as possible of South Orange businesses to become members to increase revenues and expand the networking community.

Membership Qualifications

  • A person of good character representing a business firm of good reputation engaging in business in the Village of South Orange shall be eligible for membership in the Chamber provided such person is:
  • Engaged as proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or manager of any worthy and recognized business;
  • Or holding an important position in an executive capacity with discretionary authority in any worthy and recognized business;
  • Or acting as the local agent or branch representative or any worthy and recognized business having entire charge of such agency or branch in an executive capacity;
  • Or engaged in any worthy and recognized profession.
  • Any business firm represented in this Chamber shall only be entitled to one vote.

Types of Members:

Life Member: Any member of the Chamber who has rendered outstanding service to the Chamber or who has otherwise distinguished himself through his membership in the Chamber may be elected a life member of the Chamber at any regular or special meeting of the Chamber. Life members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges and be subject to all the duties and obligations of a regular member, except that life members shall not be required to pay.

Honorary Member: Any person who has rendered outstanding service to the Chamber or to the Village of South Orange and any person resident in the Village of South Orange who has performed some noteworthy achievement or who has attained a meritorious position in his field may be elected an honorary member of the Chamber at any regular or special meeting. Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of admission fees and dues, shall have no vote, shall not be eligible to any office and shall have no interest in the property or assets of the Chamber, but they shall be entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all other privileges of the Chamber. The "Honorary Member" shall be on a yearly basis and shall be renewable at the option of the Board of Directors.

General Member: Any person who has paid the membership dues and meets the criteria under the membership qualification.

Resignation of Membership

The resignation of any member from this Chamber shall be in writing addressed to the Chamber and shall be acted upon by the Board of Directors, provided all unforgiving indebtedness to the Chamber be paid.