Volunteer Opportunities

The Chamber has a number of rich and rewarding volunteer opportunities. You'll not only grow personally and professionally when you volunteer, you'll make a lot of new friends and business associates. Find a committee that addresses your passion and sign on!

Small Business Growth Committee
Staff liaison:  Michael Varney, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 131
Committee members actively participate in designing programs to help small businesses make money, save money, gain access to business development opportunities, and gain knowledge to help them run a profitable business. This group has three subcommittees.

Chamber XChanges
Six times a year members of the Tucson Metro Chamber gather purely just for fun -- and to make some important new connections. Chamber XChanges are a relaxed and informal way to expand your network of contacts and referrals. Many executives use Chamber XChanges in place of cold calling because making new connections is so easy

Small Business Growth Series
Nine times per year from September through May you'll have the opportunity to learn how to run a more profitable company from local experts. Member research tells us that you want help with sales, marketing, digital media including social media and finance. Check out the entire Small Business Growth Series workshops and seminars and make more money!

Government Affairs Committees
Staff liason: Robert Medler, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 129

Government Affairs
Carefully monitors the legislative process and analyzes proposals, ordinances, and bills brought before lawmakers at the local, state, and federal level.

Candidate Evaluation
Conducts interviews of candidates running for office, analyzing their qualifications, evaluating their agendas and reporting the results to the membership.

Economic Development Committee
Staff liaison: Michael Varney, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 131

The Tucson Metro Chamber’s Economic Development Committee is working hard to support local companies and grow new ones. Healthy local companies translate into well-paying jobs for local families. The Chamber’s economic development agenda includes the following initiatives:

• Improving the interface between government and business in important areas such as zoning, permitting and building inspections.

• Promoting the development of Tucson’s downtown urban core.

• Solving problems faced by local companies so they don’t
relocate to other cities.

• Promoting the growth of emerging businesses

• Promoting a local purchasing preference by local government
procurement offices.

BEAR Committee
Staff liason: Michael Varney, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 131

Experts agree that 40-60% of all new jobs created in the coming decade will come from businesses already operating in our community. To ensure that we retain those businesses and help them grow, the Tucson Metro Chamber created the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Committee. BEAR Committee volunteers survey local employers about their needs and the potential for growth. Red flag issues are addressed by appropriate authorities and data is archived to identify trends that need attention.

Education Committee
Staff liason: Michael Varney, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 131

Provides workforce development programs to link business with education. The committee promotes higher education with selection of annual scholarships awarded through the Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment. Members are kept abreast of current local and state legislation impacting education in the community.

Military Affairs Committee (MAC)
Staff liaison: Shirley Wilka, CPS (520) 792-2250, Ext. 132

The United States Air Force has a major presence in Tucson and Southern Arizona. So does the 162nd Air National Guard Fighter Wing. Our men and women in service to our contry deserve the support of the business community. Military Affairs Committee activities include attendance at important military functions and workshops to help small businesses do more with the $1.5 billion of economic impact the Air Force brings to our community.

Community Affairs Committee
Staff liaison: Laura Nagore, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 139

Quality of life is important to all citizens of Southern Arizona. The Chamber is working on ways to improve our quality of life in meaningful and tangible ways. The First Impressions program is working on transforming the six-thenths of a mile of Tucson Blvd. between Tucson International Airport and Valencia Blvd. into a positive landscape, art and cultural experience for visitors leaving TIA. Of course, that "first impression" is also a "last impression" when that same visitor leaves Tucson.

Los Compadres Committee
Staff liaisons: Jackie Chambers Bond, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 127 and Tammy Jensen, (520) 792-2250, Ext. 134

Los Compadres volunteers are the Chamber's ambassadors. They regularly meet with new members to ensure they have all they need to maximize their Chamber membership. Los Compadres volunteers also greet members at Chamber events and conduct those important ribbon cuttings. There is no question that members of the Los Compadres lead the league in fun!