Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Job of our Ambassadors

Chamber Ambassadors do a lot to help make our events warm and welcoming. You'll find them in a variety of roles at our events.

GREETER
First Impressions are lasting! Your role in greeting our members and helping everyone feel sincerely welcomed, happy to be at our event—is essential to setting the tone for everything we do.
· Arrive early at an event and greet attendees with a smile and their first name (if you know it). Welcome them to the event.
· Help them find their name badge.
· Identify first timers or shy attendees and pair them with a Matchmaker Ambassador.
· REMEMBER not to get involved in long conversations while greeting, your job is to keep people moving into the group.

MATCHMAKER
With your knowledge of Chamber members, events, programs and projects you are the air traffic controller helping members land good contacts, connections and relationships.
· Working with Greeters and Chamber Staff you will arrive early at events and position yourself near the check in area.
· When a first timer or newbie attendee is identified they will be handed off to you.
· Your job is to help move them, courteously away from the entry door, into the event.
· Start a conversation, about THEM. Help them get comfortable and feel welcome. Ask questions that help you learn about their business, hobbies, networking objectives.
· Utilizing your expertise and understanding of who is at the event, introduce them to other Chamber members.
· REMEMBER—your job is to focus on the other person, help them feel comfortable, welcome and included. You do not need to stay by their side for the whole event, but check up on them periodically to make sure they are not standing alone in a corner.

GROUP FACILITATOR
You are the leader—welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable and organized.
For some BOBs we utilize small group rotations.

· Plan to arrive on time (events start at 7:45 a.m.)
· Work with Chamber staff to be briefed on the format and questions that will be utilized. Because we receive so many last minute registrations, the actual networking activity may not be finalized until the night before an event. You most likely will not have advanced warning of the questions/theme—but you will receive easy to follow printed directions.
· As facilitator, your job is to welcome the group and get them started on each rotation question.
· ALWAYS start with the person on your left.
· ALWAYS speak last. (This is a code to the Chamber staff, so we can follow how close your group is to finishing it’s assignment prior to the next rotation.)
· Keep everyone to the time limit in a cheerful manner. (remember you set the “networking temperature” for the group.
· Do not let any one person dominate the conversation.
· Make it friendly and comfortable for shy people to participate.

TABLE FACILITATOR
You are the Master Connector—the Maven of knowledge
At Mixers and WIB events we try to seed every table with one or more Ambassador or Board member.

· REGISTER EARLY--When you tell us you’re planning to attend, we count on you to be there and can make table assignments accordingly
· Plan to arrive to the event on time (events start at 11:45 or 10:45 a.m.)
· When it comes time to take your seats, you become the “host” of the table.
· Facilitate introductions
· Draw people out
· If you already know everyone around the table, try to find out something new.
· Don’t let one person dominate the discussion
· Your goals for your table are to:
o Set the “networking temperature” for the group.
o Learn something new about the people seated at your table
o Take the information you’re learning, match it with what you already know and help the people at your table connect with other Chamber members who could be good strategic referral partners, help for their business or potential customers/clients.

EVENT BOOSTER
You are the front lines of our Grassroots, Guerilla Marketing and Social Media Network

· Your enthusiasm and network of connections helps us get the word out quickly and with credibility to members and non-members.
· Carry some extra registration forms with you so at another function, or on a sales call, you have the opportunity to share information on an upcoming Chamber event.
· Add the Chamber’s website or a tag line about an upcoming event to your signature area of your email. (If company policy allows)
· Personally invite someone you’ve recently met, welcomed to the Chamber or haven’t seen in awhile to attend an upcoming event.
· Join the Chamber’s fan page on Facebook and post comments, photos, links or photos.
· Follow the Chamber on Twitter to be “in the know” on up to the minute information—SHARE that information by ReTweeting it.
· Post the Chamber’s logo link on your own webpage.
Sometimes you can’t make every Chamber event. You still have an important role to play as an event Booster!

RIBBON CUTTINGS
Smiling faces and a big hearty welcome from the Chamber’s Business Community
Dropping everything at the office to run out quick for a 15 minute photo opportunity welcoming a new business is very important.

· We need you to act as greeters to officials, community members and the new business.
· We need you in the photograph
· And we need you to spread the good news about a new business opening in town.

Being an Ambassador is fun and exciting. You work with a group of other Chamber members who are upbeat and professional. If you'd like to consider being an Ambassador contact Teri@clarkston.org and we'll line you up for a 3 month test drive.





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