Chamber Committees
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber invites community members to get involved and make a difference by joining one of our committees. These committees offer a unique opportunity for volunteers to contribute to essential initiatives that support local business growth, community development, and regional advocacy. By participating, you’ll have a direct hand in shaping policies, fostering economic progress, and addressing the needs of our area. Engaging with our committees is a meaningful way to give back, connect with other leaders, and create a positive impact on the Santa Maria Valley.
Committees members are selected through an application process and serve a 12 month term beginning in January. By applying to serve on a committee, you are committing to attending in person at every monthly commitee meeting.
Applications for our 2026 committes are now open and close December 14th - we encourage you to apply and be a part of building a stronger, more vibrant community!
Below you'll find an outline of each committee, including meeting information and committee member requirements. Please review prior to completing the committee application.
Chamber Ambassador Committee
- Purpose: The Santa Maria Valley Chamber Ambassador Committee serves as the public relations arm of the Chamber. Chamber Ambassadors assist at Chamber functions and help promote the Chamber to prospective members and the community as a whole. Additionally, Chamber Ambassadors assist the Chamber in connecting with new and existing members so that they maximize their use of Chamber programs and other benefits and remain engaged with the Chamber.
- Areas of focus: Member engagement, networking, member retention
- Meeting Frequency: Monthly, 4th Tuesday of the month, 12:00pm-1:00pm, at a local member restaurant in the Santa Maria Valley (location varies, must attend in person)
- Other committee requirements: Chamber Member in good standing, attend Chamber Mixers, BYB and Ribbon cuttings
Business & Government Roundtable
- Purpose: The Business & Government Roundtable brings committee members together to explore key issues impacting our community and share perspectives that shape the Chamber’s action around these issues. This forum encourages open dialogue on important topics, helping guide thoughtful, proactive decisions by Chamber leadership that benefit the Santa Maria Valley.
- Areas of focus: Local policy & legislation, economic & community development, workforce, housing
- Meeting Frequency: Monthly, 3rd Friday of the month, 8:30am-10:00am, Location to be determined
- Other committee requirements: Chamber Member in good standing
Military Affairs Committee
- Purpose/Role: The Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee helps maintain and strengthen the Chamber’s relationship with Vandenberg Space Force Base & provide input to Chamber leadership. The committee also stays actively informed of military-related news, events, programs, and partnerships within the Santa Maria Valley community. Each month, the committee hears from different military-related speakers and topics. They then discuss and provide input on any direction they feel the Chamber should take on these issues.
- Areas of focus: Community engagement, economic development
- Meeting Frequency: Monthly, 2nd Wednesday of the month, 9:00am-10:00am, Chamber Office (614 S. Broadway, Santa Maria)
- Other committee requirements: Chamber Member in good standing, Military background preferred
Hispanic Business Alliance Committee
- Purpose/Role: The Hispanic Business Alliance Committee's mission is to build a thriving, inclusive, and culturally rich business community in the Santa Maria Valley—where Hispanic-owned businesses are recognized as essential to the region’s prosperity, leadership, and long-term economic growth.
- Areas of focus: Community engagement, economic development
- Meeting Frequency: Monthly, 3rd Wednesday of the month, 2:00pm-3:00pm, Chamber Office (614 S. Broadway, Santa Maria)
- Other committee requirements: Chamber Member in good standing
Chamber Committee Expectations & Requirements
Committee policies guide our work to ensure that all actions and recommendations align with the Chamber’s values and goals. Members are expected to uphold confidentiality, attend meetings consistently, and act in an advisory capacity, offering insights to strengthen the Chamber's programs and advocacy efforts. Committee Members are expectd to adheare to the below expectations:
- Representation: Committee members are expected to consider issues on behalf of the entire Chamber membership, not individual business, organization, or personal interests. Members represent themselves as individuals, and no substitutes are permitted to attend in place of an absent member.
- Appointments & Terms: Committee members are selected to serve a one year term. Committee membership is reviewed annually by Chamber staff and the Board of Directors, with new committee members and chair appointments presented to the Board for approval at the December meeting. Committee chairs serve a term of one year unless reappointed.
- Advisory Role: All committee action is advisory only and does not become official policy until approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
- Confidentiality: All discussions, deliberations, and decisions made during committee meetings are confidential. Members must not disclose any committee information to the public or outside parties without authorization from Chamber leadership.
- Mandatory Attendance: Committee members are required to attend every monthly committee meeting in person.
- Guests: Guests are not allowed at committee meetings unless approved in advance by the committee chair and Chamber staff.
Through your service, you are helping to represent the interests of our local businesses and community members, contributing to meaningful progress in the Santa Maria Valley. Applications for our 2026 committees close December 9th.
Other Committee Information
Individuals who join a Chamber Committee will be asked to sign the following documentation.
Questions about Chamber Committees? Contact Molly Schiff, Vice President of Operations & Membership, at molly@santamaria.com.