Doing things the right way — for all
There's no question that the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce is a great organization. It promotes the city. It brings in visitors. It helps local businesses grow.
And the number of businesses that are members of the chamber increases all the time. In the past two weeks alone, ribbon-cutting ceremonies have been held for a hair salon, a consulting business, new ownership at a bookstore, and a new mini-storage business.
Lots and lots of businesses — and lots of businesses whose services overlap.
Hillsboro has more than one real estate agency. More than one bank. More than one place to buy dishwashers. More than one newspaper. More than one trailer manufacturer.
These businesses are competitors. Yet they're all members of the chamber alongside each other.
Does that seem a little strange — business competitors working side-by-side in the chamber? Maybe so, but it's the way it's always been. And working together, this cohesive force, helps Hillsboro grow.
But with that situation of similar businesses in the chamber, there's got to be another element: The chamber must be fair.
Here's a few synonyms for fair — just. Equitable. Impartial. Unbiased. Dispassionate. Objective.
All of these things are needed in the chamber. One business must not receive any more preferential treatment than any other business.
If the chamber isn't careful, these items may dissipate.
Put yourself in a business's position. Say you run a gas station — one of a few gas stations in town. And say you're named to a leadership position in the chamber.
You're a business owner, and you've got to look out for your own business. That's natural and normal.
But in your leadership position, not only must you look out for the good of your business, but it's your duty to look out for the rest of the chamber businesses.
Fairness. Impartiality. These are characteristics the chamber must have. The chamber has got to do what is right for every single member, not just one member.
We are all in this together, every single one of us. Let's make sure that, in our efforts to succeed, we do that in a just and fair manner.
In this Christian community, it's the only right way to do things.
— JENNIFER WILSON
