The chamber
Our mission
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to working with all members
of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist the
professional growth of Hispanics in West Michigan.
La misión de la cámara hispana es impulsar el desarrollo económico de negocios Hispanos y apoyar el desarrollo de profesionales Hispanos en el oeste de Michigan.
Who We Are
- Core Values
- Core Functions
Empower
Educate
Innovate
Collaborate
Advocate
Advocacy
Issues and action development
Business Service
Cost savings, revenue development, and member support
Innovate
history
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2004 by a group of Hispanic business leaders and business owners with the goal to support the economic advancement of the Hispanic owned businesses and to assist in the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan.
At first, like many grassroots organizations, the Chamber relied on other established entities for support. Davenport University and Grand Rapids Community College provided physical space to run office duties. At the same time, the Board hired the first part-time executive director to manage the growing demand for services to members. In 2008 the Chamber reached an important milestone by moving to its own office space at 1251 Century Avenue in Grand Rapids and hired a full time Executive Director and a part-time Membership Coordinator who managed the day-to-day operations of the Hispanic Chamber.
Goals and Community Involvement
- Increase business networking
- Facilitate trade through public and private contracting
- Access economic development programs,
services, and resources - Provide business education to members
- Support economic and cultural understanding
- Remain a visible part in civic-business related activities
- Increase the involvement of the Hispanic business community in improving the social and economic climate of West Michigan
- Represent Hispanic business interests
- Increase membership on boards and commissions that have a direct impact on Hispanic-owned business
- Advocate for the professional growth and insertion into the local workforce of Hispanic students, recent graduates, and professionals.
Leadership Team
Staff
Gabriella Hill
Bilingual Membership Services & Programs Coordinator Gabriela@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960
Become a Member
We work with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan. Together, the Chamber and Foundation promote economic development by fostering the next generation of new businesses and creating related employment opportunities.
We’re working together to further
the Mission & Vision of our organization.
Committees are chaired or co-chaired by Board members who serve as liaison between the Board and the Committee. The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has six different teams working to further the Mission and Vision of the organization. Amongst the committee Chair responsibilities are:
- Committee member recruitment
- Scheduling of meetings as needed
- Champion the work of the committee
- Work with the Executive Director on the implementation of the committee’s work
- Follow up with committee members on their assigned responsibilities
- Develop monthly progress report to the Board and annual report
Ambassadors & Membership
The Membership committee is responsible for maintaining a close relationship with Chamber members: identifying and monitoring the needs of the membership and responding with solutions that will ensure satisfaction, member recruitment and retention, and return on member’s investment.
Programming & Events
The Events team plans and executes all Signature Events of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Annual Awards Gala, Golf Outing, Latino Health 5K, and collaborative events with other organizations. The committee identifies opportunities for new, innovative events to complement and increase networking amongst members of the Chamber.
Finance
Chaired by the chamber’s Treasurer, the committee oversees and reports the financial position of the organization and makes recommendations on membership dues structure, accounts receivable, accounting practices and tax issues. The committee also provides assistance in the development of cost/benefit analyses for new programs, services and sources of income.
Governance and Nominations
The Governance and Nominations committee will, as it relates to governance: identify, review and revise, and/or create and establish key governance policies with the purpose of creating best practices. The committee will, as it relates to nominations: identify and/or create criteria for recruiting, interviewing, nominating and maintaining Board and Committee candidates. This Committee will create a pipeline of qualified board candidates with an eye toward succession planning.
