The role of the Chamber of Commerce is to encourage businesses to work together for their collective best interest and that of the local community, while continuing to project a positive image of the Portuguese community in California. This is done by encouraging community unity, a more active political participation, and a better informed membership.

1. Provide a strong, unified voice for Portuguese American commercial, professional, agricultural and industrial businesses.
2. Assist Portuguese-American businesses in achieving their full potential.
3. Undertake projects, whether in the private or public sector, which are of the general interest of the membership.
4. Promote increased participation in the economic, political and social life of the entire community.
5. Cooperate with public officials and public institutions, organizations and individuals in activities of mutual interest.
6. Encourage the establishment of economic and cultural trade with Portugal and other Portuguese speaking countries.

• The Chamber is a bastion of private enterprise
• Supports a dignified community image
• Promotes personal fulfillment and satisfaction
• Enhances ties to one's heritage and culture
• Involvement in the business/political processes
• Provides privileged opportunities at trade shows
• Assists in the establishment of new businesses
• Helps increase awareness of the contributions of the Portuguese Americans in California
• Recognizes members' accomplishments
• Acknowledges academic educational excellence
• Assists with small business loan packaging
• Supports a mentor program and a Portuguese language camp
• Publishes information about the Portuguese American Community in California
• Provides a community activity calendar
• Makes Chamber meeting rooms available
• Helps create a greater sense of community
• Supports community values and traditions
• Offers scholarships to university candidates
• Assists members with access to elected officials
• Provides reference publications
• Offers newsletter advertising
• Celebrates community achievements
• Hosts visitors and dignitaries
• Encourages expansion of economic and cultural ties with Portugal
• Provides Internet information from local, state and national organizations Social activities designed to Expand contracts among businessmen and women in our community, as well as with other business people in our region
• The Chamber is an information resource about the Portuguese-American community

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Publicity
Business Referrals
Seminars and Workshops
Affiliate Organization Membership
Membership Plaque
Member Welcome Lunch/Event
Membership Roster/Business Mailing Lists
Minority Certification
Marketing and Research Information
Professional Counseling
Group Medical and Dental Plans
Mixers & Networking

• California Chamber of Commerce San Jose
• Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• World Confederation of Portuguese Business People (CMECP-Lisbon)
• Association of Portuguese-American Chambers of Commerce (APACC)
• ICEPI - Portuguese Trade Commission: The Portuguese Chamber of Commerce has been for the past few years the official representative of this agency of the Portuguese government responsible for the development of trade and tourism.
• FLAD (Luso-American Development Foundation): provides grants and assistance to PCC for various programs and activities.

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Benefits Description

Publicity

All members may receive publicity in the annual membership printed directory (3,500 copies), in our monthly newsletter (1,000 copies) and our Web site, www.portuguesechamber.com. In addition our site is exposed through links to such sites as www.portugal.com (350,000 hits/month).

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Business Referrals

We receive many requests each month for names of local businesses, professionals, services, etc. Only chamber members will be referred. . Chambers are widely and highly regarded institutions for their economic clout and political advisory input.

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Seminars and Workshops

During the year, many programs are provided in areas of business management, financial planning and skills development. The schedules for these seminars can be obtained by calling the chamber at (408)288-7655 or by accessing our web site.

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Affiliate Organization Membership

The Portuguese Chamber of Commerce of California belongs to the following organizations and, in doing so, makes available to you all of their information and applicable benefits:

• Official Representative of ICEP-Portuguese Trade Commission/Tourism, www.portugal.org
• California Chamber of Commerce
• Wold Confederation of Portuguese Business People (CMECP)
• Portuguese-American Leadership Council of U.S. (PALCUS)
• Association of Portuguese-American Chambers of Commerce (APACC)
• Azores Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• American Chamber of Commerce in Portugal
• Hawaiian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce
• PBA-Portuguese Business Association Fall River
• Portugal-US Chamber of Commerce in N.Y.
• Portugal-Canada Chamber of Commerce

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Membership Plaque

All members receive a beautiful membership plaque identifying their association with the Chamber.

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Member Welcome Lunch/Event

Members have an opportunity to participate in a complimentary lunch/event to introduce themselves to other Chamber members become familiar with the Chamber's activities and objectives.

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Membership Roster/Business Mailing Lists

The chamber will make membership roster and contact lists available to members for legitimate expansion of their business.

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Minority Certification

The Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will assist members wanting to benefit from the special provisions established by law to enhance the development of the minority/disadvantaged business incentive programs.

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Marketing and Research Information

The Chamber makes available extensive information regarding business trends and forecasts, business opportunities, available financing and employment opportunities.

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Professional Counseling

The Chamber facilitates secial free counseling services for solving business related problems through our resources with Small Business Administration, SCORE and U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Group Medical and Dental Plans

The Chamber offers all its members insurance plans at reasonable rates available through United Chambers Insurance.

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Mixers & Networking

The Chamber facilitates and promotes several Business Mixers. The members can benefit from the business and social contacts, valuable and interesting programs and augment their visibility and network of contacts. Food and refreshments are served during these events.

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