Best Practices

Best Practices If you want to know what makes an organization successful, go straight to the source. and Canada.

Not only have we had our own personal experience in organizational management, the Best Practices staff has met face to face with more than three hundred Chambers Ellie Braxton began her career in the Chamber of Commerce Industry in 1995 with the Modesto, CA Chamber of Commerce. Her first assignment, develop a retention program for a Chamber that was in an upheaval due to a sudden drop in membership. With input from the Board of Directors, Ellie developed and implemented a retention strategy that decreased the Chamber attrition rate by 10% and from there, Ellie’s lifelong passion for Chambers of Commerce as well as other Membership driven non-profit organizations began. She then spent one year implementing the Annual Fund for California State University – Stanislaus, followed by a five-year engagement as the Director of Membership and Marketing for the Telecom Corridor’s ® Technology Business Council and the Richardson, TX Chamber of Commerce. It was in 2006 while working in Richardson that Ellie hired and then joined one of the top Membership Development companies in the U.S. For ten years, Ellie traveled the US and Canada meeting with more than three hundred Chambers of Commerce, learning their best practices, gathering data, and teaching top leadership of each community the value and importance of their Chamber of Commerce. Equipped with the right tools and information, the leaders of the Chamber learned just how easy it is the sell Chamber membership and even easier to involve others in bringing in new members. Today, Ellie serves as an information and training resource for Chambers of Commerce and other non-profit staff, Board of Directors and volunteers. This accumulation of knowledge gathered from Chambers, Pharmacy Associations, Technology Councils, Economic Development Associations, YMCAs, Alumni Associations and other specific non-profit organizations is now the basis of Ellie’s Best Practices. This information is used to train Chamber Staff, Boards, and key volunteers on how important the Chamber is to the quality of life in their community, how to recruit new members, and how to build more revenue and support for the organization. Call today, to see how Best Practices and the resource of successful processes gathered and implemented can help you improve your membership sales and retention as well as educate your staff, Board, and volunteers on the sales and retention process.

Small Chamber, Strong Voice: Why Size Doesn’t Limit ImpactOur Chamber went from a small Chamber of Events to a small, p...
03/04/2026

Small Chamber, Strong Voice: Why Size Doesn’t Limit Impact

Our Chamber went from a small Chamber of Events to a small, powerful Chamber of Commerce. Ask me how. You can do it too!

It’s easy for small Chambers of Commerce to feel overshadowed by larger organizations with bigger staffs, budgets, and visibility. But influence in a community isn’t determined by size—it’s built through strategy, consistency, and relationships.

A small Chamber has a unique advantage: proximity. You are closer to your members, more in tune with local business challenges, and better positioned to respond quickly. That connection is powerful—and when leveraged effectively, it becomes your greatest asset.

Today, there are more tools than ever to help small Chambers amplify their voice. From data-driven advocacy resources to digital communication platforms, even lean teams can deliver meaningful value. By clearly defining your value proposition and aligning your programs with member needs, you can demonstrate a strong return on investment that keeps businesses engaged and invested.

Equally important is your role as a connector. Building relationships with local and state government officials doesn’t require a large staff—it requires intentional outreach, credibility, and consistency. When you show up informed, collaborative, and focused on solutions, your Chamber becomes a trusted partner in shaping policies that impact your business community.

Small doesn’t mean limited. It means focused, agile, and deeply rooted. And when you embrace that, your Chamber doesn’t just participate in the conversation—you help lead it.
Visit my website at

Former Chamber President helping Chambers of Commerce grow membership, strengthen boards, and increase community impact through practical, real-world strategies.

01/17/2019

As a Host City and Community Partner with the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the Coppell Chamber of Commerce is proud to share that DFW Airport has been awarded the Global Airport of the Year!! Congratulations DFW. Let's share the news!

04/19/2018
What an honor and a privilege to be invited to serve as one of the instructors for W.A.C.E. Academy in Sacramento, CA: M...
04/05/2018

What an honor and a privilege to be invited to serve as one of the instructors for W.A.C.E. Academy in Sacramento, CA: Membership Retention Essentials, my first love. I just can't wait!

What a fabulous 2 days in Boerne, TX.  A small group of volunteers generated over $28,000.00 in revenue in 1.5 days.  Di...
03/29/2018

What a fabulous 2 days in Boerne, TX. A small group of volunteers generated over $28,000.00 in revenue in 1.5 days. Did you know that members can recruit, retain, and upgrade other members in one hour what takes even a powerhouse staff like Boerne to accomplish in two weeks? What fun with this crazy group!

02/15/2018
I must say, this is one of the best Chamber websites I have seen. It encompasses everything a Chamber should be and it's...
02/08/2018

I must say, this is one of the best Chamber websites I have seen. It encompasses everything a Chamber should be and it's extremely attractive! What a great example! Yep, I love it, check it out!

Creating a Community Where Business Thrives.

02/06/2018

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. - Zig Ziglar (another one of my faves!!)

02/05/2018

“Brand ambassador marketing.” You’ve been hearing the term for quite some time now, and by now you’re wondering — what’s all the fuss about?

Before we get any further, let’s clarify one thing: Yes, you do need ambassadors for your brand. This type of word-of-mouth marketing helps you make an effortless connection with your audience. The audience gets an impression that your brand is attractive, trustworthy, and trendy when they see recommendations from people they admire and trust...."

- From FairyGodBoss, Joan Selby

Brand ambassador marketing applies to your organization too!

Address

Richardson, TX
75083

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Best Practices posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Best Practices:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram