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U.S. Chamber awards Minot Area Chamber of Commerce with 3-Star Accreditation

The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded 3-Star Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce at its board meeting earlier this month.

John MacMartin, president of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce, said the organization has had accredited status for at least the past 15 years but the 3-Star Accreditation is a higher rating than it had previously achieved.

“We’re just doing things better and more efficiently,” said MacMartin about the milestone.

MacMartin said in information provided by the Chamber that Minot is one of only two accredited chambers in North Dakota.

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction, according to information provided by the Chamber of Commerce. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

To achieve the 3-Star Accreditation, employees with the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce filled out an extensive questionnaire with multiple sections about its activities and provided a narrative. The questionnaire was e-mailed back and forth to members of the Accrediting Board. No travel is possible this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but MacMartin said in past years members of the Accrediting Board have visited in person.

In order to receive the rating, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. The whole process can take up to nine months.

MacMartin said the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce has about 700 businesses as members. The organization promotes business, leadership and growth with an emphasis on population, quality of life, education and entrepreneurship. It also has a committee that works with military affairs and on retention of the Minot Air Force Base. When members are able to visit in schools, they teach children about civics through the Junior Achievement Program.

“We always hear that we’re doing a good job,” said MacMartin, but this is recognition by an outside organization that validates their efforts.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations, according to information provided by the Chamber.

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