LAYTON — “It’s a relationship – not an event.”

That’s how Davis Chamber of Commerce President Jim Smith likes to describe activities in the chamber.

“How do you get the most out your membership? Get involved,” he said, speaking during a membership luncheon last week at The Castle, in Layton.

“There are people who join, then they do nothing else. It breaks my heart that they give their money and then they get no benefit,” Smith said.

He recalled the experience of former membership chair Brad Wilson, CEO of Destination Homes.

Through his interaction with chamber members, he was able to find a banker who was willing to help the firm through troubled times, particularly for contractors.

There are many committees that could directly or indirectly benefit members and their businesses, while assisting others in a voluntary way, as well, Smith said.

For example, the Military Affairs Committee works closely with Hill AFB, “which has a dominant influence on our area,” he said.

“We don’t want them (military) to think they could be elsewhere. We take the airmen to ball games, picnics, want them to have a great quality of life” while they’re here, Smith said.

Women in Business is probably the most “hyperactive” group, he joked, but there are many other ways to get involved.

He cited the Legislative Affairs Committee, that is particularly active during the legislative session, the Lakesiders, who are business ambassadors, particularly to newly opening businesses; or the leads luncheons, held regularly in both north and south Davis, that allow for more focused, intimate interaction between business members.

The Leadership Institute, which was to feature a visit with Lt. Gov. Greg Bell Monday as part of a visit to the Capitol, is a year-long effort to acquaint chamber members with a variety of important aspects of the county and state.

Preparations for the upcoming chamber golf tournament, or the upcoming Northern Utah Business and Economic Summit and Business Expo are other ways to get involved, he said.

“The Davis Chamber is about us,” Smith emphasized. “It is a group effort. We try to be positive, promote ourselves, our members.”

Round table discussions with key community members are among upcoming efforts planned, particularly with a desire to include as many South Davis businesses as possible, he said.

The chamber can make a huge difference to people’s everyday lives, Smith continued.

Such was the case with a concerted effort to get the Legacy Highway under construction, moving out of its once-mired legal quagmire.

Similar efforts will now be undertaken as the West Davis Corridor study commences, and plans continue for its eventual construction from Farmington north to 12th Street in Ogden, Smith said.

He said the chamber has about 800 members – but has experienced about a 20 percent attrition rate.

“That is not acceptable,” Smith said. “We’re trying to reduce that to 10 percent, trying to be better at communication.”

He noted that 16 people had attended a recent new member training. “We want you to come to be a part of the changes that are happening, want you to be proud to live and work in Davis County.”

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com