| Description |
Semi-structured interviews with business leaders were conducted to determine best practices for starting a regionally based chapter of an independent business association. The research and resulting guidebook are centered around one Salt Lake City based non-profit organization, Local First Utah, whose mission is to educate business leaders and community members on the economic and cultural importance of supporting local business. Leaders of this organization were interviewed on their individual experience in regional chapter development. Sample included board members and staff members for the organization, grassroots leaders of the Local Movement, as well as regional business leaders who have started chapters under the umbrella of Local First Utah. From their combined experiences and thoughts, three models of chapter development were manifested: Identity Alignment Model, Sparkplug Model and Grassroots Model. The resulting guidebook lays out findings of the interviews in an informational context: how and why one would go about starting, leading and maintaining a regional chapter of Local First Utah. Keywords: Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, Community Organizations, Independent Business, Local Movement, Sense of Place. |
