It amazes me how many small businesses (like ours) do not belong--or haven't thought to join--their local Chamber of Commerce. My local Chamber, Tuolumne County Chamber--Tons of Info has been extremely helpful to me and my business. If you haven't checked out yours, you SHOULD. The costs is usually very small compared to what you'll get in RETURN. Here's just a few things YOUR Chamber can do for you:
1.Member Discounts:
from local business who are members, and offer discounts on anything from restaurants to printing services.
2. Networking: The Chamber holds a monthly "Mixer" for members and guests to meet and network. The host firm must be a Chamber member in good standing at the time of the event. This MIXER provides business contact opportunities for members and invited guests in a relaxed setting on a regularly scheduled date each month. We normally have yummy food provided and raffle drawings.
3.ADVERTSING 
with The Chamber offers you an opportunity to position your company's name and message on The Chamber of Commerce business website. With over thousands of individual "visits" per month, your chamber website is a super place to let people know about your business or service.
These are just a FEW!!! things your local Chamber of Commerce can do for you!
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That sounds like a good way to network and advertise. Thanks for the Info Kathy.
I disagree
I've been to many chamber events - from breakfasts to ribbon cuttings to business card swaps to dinners...
The problem is that most chamber leadership does not understand the service from the membership side of things.
Mixers - for instance - down here, Mixers are after work events at a local eatery/bar. 90% of the people there come to socialize and NOT talk business.
Networking - most of the die hard networkers really realize very little from chambers for one reason - saturation. I went to one function where there were 40 people at a luncheon. I kid you not - 32 people were realtors, title or mortgage. Why do we need to hear the 1 minute pitch from 18 realtors?? Are they going to convince another realtor to call THEM with a listing? No... because people get cliquey and combattive.
I have closed exactly ONE transaction from all the chambers I've joined/attended/visited. It was a big one, but if you stretch all the hours in that transaction and add all the hours I attended for networking and the money I put out, I may have made minimum wage.
If you really want to network, you have to be more active and less passive. Chambers say leads come to us... but you need to go out and get leads, the good ones are never easy to find.
I used to belong to the Chamber, this was when I was in another business, I believe the Chamber, like any other association; is primarily a voice for you with the legislators. Yes, there is a possibility of getting leads, but the more valuable benefit from being a member of the Chamber is some of the knowledge and voice with government that you receive.
Gary
Michele: It really is a good investment! You can invest as much or little time as you wish, just like we do in Real Estate. Check it out. Thanks for commenting.
Dan: I hope you check out your local Chamber...see for yourself. Thanks for commenting!
David: I am so sorry you've had such a negative experience with your Chamber. That's too bad. Our Chamber does NOT meet in bars, etc. We actually meet (mixers) at businesses who are trying to "get exposure" and new clients/business. We have had a lot of fun, met some great people and it has helped my business a lot. NOT by closing an escrow every other week. I don't expect that from any organization. But, rather, by getting my name out there, shaking new hands, etc. Members who wish to come to Chamber meetings are Welcome anytime. We try to come up with new suggestions for IMPROVING our Chamber services. Maybe that is what you need to do; attend a meeting and tell them how unhappy you are and what you think may help to improve services. IF it's broken, then it needs fixen. Thanks for commenting...this is how we learn. I really appreicate it the feedback.