TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP 

Regular Membership
One representative of your organization will be the designated member. That person is entitled to all rights, voting privileges and benefits of membership where all current employees have an opportunity to participate in chamber events. The membership is organizational not individual.

Associate Membership
Associate membership is offered to individuals who are retired, have no business affiliation and want to maintain their relationship and communication with Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce. This membership is individual. Special terms and conditions apply.

Affiliate Membership
Affiliate membership is offered to individuals who are "independent contractors" who have a relationship with a "current" chamber member in good standing. The Affiliate membership will allow the individual to maintain their relationship and communication with Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce. This membership is individual.

Note: For annual chamber dues for any membership level, please contact the Chamber office at 269-757-0227.

MEMBER BENEFITS 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Health
Designed for every size of business, the chamber umbrella program offers healthcare insurance, short-term disability, long-term care plans, and even a dental plan.

Ribbon Cutting Assistance
Celebrate with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - the Chamber would be delighted to help facilitate this event to celebrate the opening, relocation or expansion of your business. Having participated in hundreds of ribbon cutting ceremonies, we know how to get optimum exposure for your company.

A ribbon cutting is an important part of your overall marketing and advertising plan and is a great way to kick-off a grand opening of a business. It offers an opportunity to meet key leaders in the community and get acquainted with your neighbors, Chamber members and potential customers.

Whirlpool Perks
In an effort to broaden and strengthen our business economy and compete with the Internet and outside vendors, Chamber members can now offer discounted products and services through this new pilot program to the more than 3,000 local Whirlpool employees. Criteria for inclusion and a one page application process can be received by contacting the Chamber. Help support our "Shop Locally" campaign.

Whirlpool Restaurant Finder
Whirlpool has extended its partnership with our Chamber to provide its employees with a list of local restaurants serving lunch within easy driving distance of its offices, and those establishments offering delivery of individual meals to the local Whirlpool office and facilities in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area. Our Chamber will provide content from its members that will be  posted on Whirlpool's internal web site for employees.

Recycle Rewards
An environmental “business-to-business” recycling initiative designed to make office recycling simple and highly profitable while protecting the environment. Collect your used cell phones, empty inkjet and laser cartridges and give cash back to the Chamber.

Member-To-Member E-Mail Marketing
Distribution of your 8-1/2” x 11” flyer with our weekly e-newsletter to over 825 email addresses.

Chamber Web Site Banner Ads Discounts
Banner ad design and creation from Maxon Graphix.

Celebration! Cinema Discounted Movie Tickets
Members and their employees are eligible to purchase discount "gold" tickets - $7.00 per ticket - any quantity, no limit, for any regular scheduled movie. Not valid for 3D movies, concerts, Imax or sporting events EXCEPT as partial payment.

Automobile, Home and Business Insurance
Discount rates through certain independent insurance providers.

Broadwing Long Distance
The Broadwing program offers special member discounts

Certificate of Origin
As a valuable service to the local business community, the Chamber certifies documents required in the shipping of goods and services to foreign countries. The certification is officially recognized by overseas customs offices, foreign governments and international businesses. Documents are approved by signature and Chamber seal.

Notary Public Service
Members have an opportunity to have critical documents notarized "free" of charge. The following guidelines need to be followed:

• Call in advance to set a time to come to the Chamber office - contact Regina at 757-0227
• All signers must sign the papers in the presence of the Notary
• All documents must be complete with no blanks
• Unknown persons will be asked for a photo I.D. (driver's license, passport, military I.D., etc.)

Southwest Michigan Symphony
Two free tickets to anyone who purchases a home through one of our local realtors.

Drugs Don’t Work
A pre-packaged, drug-free workplace initiative with discounted rates for local businesses.

First Choice
Through this two-step, customized, personal process, we can help you recruit and assimilate your “first choice” candidate and help their families quickly assimilate into our community, saving you substantial retention costs. The “dual career program” is available to assist the trailing partner with tools to provide employment resource opportunities.

Chamber Resources
Community information, telephone directories, maps, area demographic profile – all at your disposal.

Mailing Lists
Purchase labels, on disk or have them emailed.

Top 100 List
Top 100 employers by number of employees

Chamber "Proud" Logo
The Chamber encourages you to display our logo on your web site, in publications & brochures, on advertising, letterhead, business cards, etc. The Chamber logo brands your company with the long history, credibility and reputation of Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce.

NETWORKING

Business After Hours
Free monthly informal receptions for members that provides an opportunity to get acquainted, while showcasing a member business.

Annual Combined Reception
Join approximately 700 business representatives to celebrate our success of the past year and receive our “Champions of Commerce” business awards.

Annual Chamber Outing
Picnic buffet with all you can eat menu, soft drinks, beer and wine. Door prizes donated by members are distributed at the event.

Annual Fall Trade Fair
Business-To-Business and Business-To-Consumer networking opportunities are provided for members as they exhibit products and services in professional display space at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College.

Community Leadership Academy
In partnership with Lake Michigan College, United Way of Southwest Michigan, Whirlpool Corporation and the Berrien Community Foundation, this program presented by community leaders and experts throughout the region to provide an intensive learning experience.

Business Education Seminars
Protect the profitability of our members by providing practical information on compliance with state and federal requirements. Seminars feature the "hot" topics of the day, presented by top experts.

VISIBILITY

Web Sites
Company listings on our Chamber web site (www.cornerstonechamber.com) - option to choose a primary and secondary business classification for your organization. 

Free link to the community site - Michigan's Great Southwest (www.michigansgreatsw.com), and participate in Careermind.org (www.careermind.org) by adding your company information to recruit professional and technical candidates for employment.

Referrals and Recognition
The Chamber continually gives hundreds of referrals on member firms at no cost. Let your customers know you are a member and that you support the community by proudly displaying your membership sticker. 

Chamber Newsletter
Periodically, we distribute the "Cornerstone Chamber Insider", our member newsletter. To receive this publication via e-mail (in PDF format), please go to the "member only" section of our web site and select "newsletter options" to register.

Publication
The Cornerstone - this quarterly publication is a source of news, trends, and contacts for members and is sent to over 35,000 homes.

Literature Display/Information
Chamber members have an opportunity to display promotional pieces at the Chamber office.

Sponsorships
Promote your business through sponsorship of Business After Hours, Annual Reception,  Annual Chamber Outing, Annual Trade Fair, Eye Opener Breakfasts, etc.

Customer Service Recognition Program
Customer Service pins are awarded to individuals who provide excellence in customer services.

Front Door to the Community
The Chamber promotes the local business community and businesses by answering thousands of requests for information.

Good News Public Service Announcements
Good News radio spots make the community aware of the area's positive activities.

Business Recognition
Each year, we honor the accomplishments of those businessmen and women who have provided increased investment, jobs, and opportunities in our community.

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

Eye Opener Legislative Breakfasts
Eye Opener Breakfast meetings keep members informed about legislative and business topics that may affect their companies or the community-at-large.

Legislation, Issue Alerts & Public Policy
This identifies proposals beneficial to helping meet the challenges of operating a business competitively. We support regulatory and legislative issues that are pro-business.

Legislative Agenda
Government Affairs annual strategic plan highlight business advocacy on regulatory & legislative issues that are critical to the success of our business community.