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Understanding the Chamber and Chamber Foundation
The Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cortland Area Chamber Foundation share a commitment to strengthening the Cortland Area, but they are separate organizations with different purposes, governing boards, finances, and responsibilities.
The Foundation was created to further our Chamber Causes through charitable and community-focused initiatives, with particular emphasis on education, leadership development, and workforce development. The Parker Early Childhood Education and Community Hub is the Foundation’s first major initiative, but the Foundation was not created solely for Parker. It may undertake additional initiatives—including more than one at a time—that advance its mission and address important community needs.
As the Chamber prepares to hire a Director of Member Engagement—and as the Foundation continues its work related to Parker—we want our members and community to clearly understand how the two organizations operate.
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A Message from Chamber Board Chair Eric Brown
The Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce exists to support our members and strengthen the environment in which local businesses and organizations operate. That mission remains our priority.
Bob Haight remains President and CEO of the Chamber and continues to have complete responsibility and accountability to the Chamber Board of Directors and our membership. Although a portion of his time is now dedicated to work for the Chamber Foundation, his leadership responsibilities to the Chamber have not been reduced.
The Chamber Board has authorized the hiring of a Director of Member Engagement. This new position will add dedicated staff capacity for member visits, recruitment, follow-up, sponsorships, programming, and other direct member services.
This is an investment in our membership. It will give members an additional point of contact while Bob continues to oversee the Chamber’s operations, advocacy, strategic direction, community partnerships, and service to our members.
We believe this structure will allow both organizations to accomplish important work while strengthening—not diminishing—the Chamber’s connection to its members.
Eric Brown
Chair, Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors -
A Message from Foundation Board Chair Nick Pizzola
The Cortland Area Chamber Foundation was created to further our Chamber Causes through charitable and community-development initiatives, particularly in the areas of education, leadership development, and workforce development.
The Foundation is a separate organization governed by its own Board of Directors. The Foundation Board establishes its priorities, oversees its finances, and directs the work performed on its behalf.
The Parker Early Childhood Education and Community Hub is the Foundation’s first major initiative, but it is not the Foundation’s sole purpose. As the Foundation grows, it will pursue other opportunities that align with its mission. Some of those initiatives may take place at the same time as the Parker work.
Parker represents an important first undertaking and demonstrates how the Foundation can bring together charitable resources, community partners, and long-term planning to address needs that affect our workforce, families, and regional economy.
The Foundation plans to enter into a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber for a portion of Bob Haight’s professional time. The Foundation Board is responsible for directing and evaluating Bob’s Foundation-related work, while the Chamber remains his employer and retains authority over his Chamber employment.
The Parker project is a Foundation initiative. Chamber membership dues are not being used to fund the project. The Foundation is responsible for securing grants, donations, government support, and other resources for its work.
We are committed to transparency, responsible planning, and keeping our members and community informed as this work moves forward.
Nick Pizzola
Chair, Cortland Area Chamber Foundation Board of Directors -
Chamber and Foundation at a Glance
Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce
Cortland Area Chamber Foundation
Primary purpose
Serve Chamber members and strengthen the local business environment
Further the Chamber Causes through charitable and community-focused initiatives
Areas of focus
Member services, advocacy, connections, programs, events, and business support
Education, leadership development, workforce development, and related community needs
Governance
Chamber Board of Directors
Foundation Board of Directors
Finances
Separate financial records and bank accounts
Separate financial records and bank accounts
Primary funding
Membership dues, sponsorships, programs, and Chamber activities
Grants, charitable contributions, government support, and Foundation resources
Parker responsibility
Parker is not a Chamber project
Responsible for studying and developing plans for Parker
Oversight of Bob’s work
Oversees Bob’s Chamber employment and Chamber responsibilities
Directs and evaluates Bob’s Foundation-related work
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Are the Chamber and Chamber Foundation the same organization?
No. They are separate legal and financial organizations. Each has its own Board of Directors, responsibilities, financial records, and bank accounts.
The organizations share a commitment to strengthening the Cortland area, but decisions for each organization are made by its respective Board of Directors.
Why was the Chamber Foundation created?
The Foundation was created to further our Chamber Causes through charitable and community-focused work. Its primary areas of emphasis include education, leadership development, and workforce development.
The Foundation provides a structure through which charitable contributions, grants, partnerships, and other resources can be used to address significant community needs. Its work complements the Chamber’s business and membership mission but is governed and funded separately.
Was the Foundation created specifically for Parker?
No. Parker is the Foundation’s first major initiative, but the Foundation was not created solely for Parker.
The Foundation expects to undertake other projects that support its mission, and it may work on multiple initiatives at the same time. Those future initiatives will be selected and overseen by the Foundation Board.
Which organization is responsible for Parker?
The Cortland Area Chamber Foundation is responsible for studying and developing plans for the Parker Early Childhood Education and Community Hub.
The Foundation oversees the planning, partnerships, fundraising, grant activity, licensing considerations, and evaluation associated with the project.
Has a final decision been made about Parker?
The Foundation is actively studying and planning for the potential use of Parker as an Early Childhood Education and Community Hub. This includes evaluating the building, possible classroom capacity, renovation costs, regulatory requirements, partnerships, and long-term financial sustainability.
The planning process is intended to give the Foundation Board and community partners the information needed to make responsible decisions as the project moves forward.
Are Chamber membership dues being used to fund Parker?
No. Chamber membership dues are not being used to fund the Parker project, its capital improvements, or its future operation.
The Foundation is responsible for securing project funding through grants, charitable contributions, government support, and other Foundation resources.
The Chamber is providing limited administrative support as an in-kind contribution under the agreement between the organizations. The two organizations maintain separate financial records and bank accounts so that their respective funds and expenses can be properly tracked.
Why is Bob working for both organizations?
Bob has extensive experience in organizational leadership, community partnerships, government relations, fundraising, and project development. The Foundation determined that his experience and established relationships make him well suited to lead its Parker planning and other Foundation work.
Rather than creating a separate full-time executive position, the Foundation entered into a formal agreement with the Chamber for a defined portion of Bob’s professional time over 12 months.
How is Bob’s time divided?
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, approximately 60% of Bob’s time is assigned to Foundation responsibilities and approximately 40% to his direct Chamber responsibilities.
The Foundation reimburses the Chamber for 60% of Bob’s salary and the related employment costs defined in the agreement. This arrangement is in effect from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, and may be extended only by mutual written agreement and Board approval.
Is Bob stepping away from his Chamber responsibilities?
No. Bob remains President and CEO of the Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce and retains complete responsibility and accountability to the Chamber Board of Directors and membership.
His time allocation does not change his responsibility for the Chamber’s leadership, operations, advocacy, strategic direction, staff, and service to members. He will continue to be accessible and responsive to Chamber members.
Why is the Chamber hiring a Director of Member Engagement?
The Chamber wants to ensure that members receive additional—not reduced—attention.
The Director of Member Engagement will provide dedicated capacity for member visits, recruitment, follow-up with existing members, sponsor relationships, programming, and other direct engagement activities.
This new position will allow the Chamber to expand its member outreach while Bob continues to lead the organization and remains fully accountable to its Board and membership.
Does the Foundation reimbursement pay for the new Chamber position?
The Foundation reimburses the Chamber for the portion of Bob’s salary and related employment costs associated with his Foundation work. This ensures that the Foundation bears the personnel cost of the time devoted to Foundation responsibilities.
The Chamber determines how to budget its own resources. The Chamber Board has chosen to invest in the Director of Member Engagement position to increase direct service, outreach, and responsiveness to Chamber members.
Who supervises Bob’s work?
The Chamber Board retains responsibility for Bob’s employment and his performance as Chamber President and CEO.
For work performed on behalf of the Foundation, Bob reports to and is accountable to the Foundation Board. This provides each Board with clear authority over the work and responsibilities belonging to its organization.
What does the Memorandum of Understanding accomplish?
The MOU puts the arrangement between the two organizations in writing. It establishes:
- The division of Bob’s professional time.
- The Foundation’s reimbursement responsibilities.
- The authority of each Board of Directors.
- The separation of the organizations’ finances and records.
- Accountability for Chamber and Foundation work.
- The duration of the agreement and the process for extending it.
The MOU will be reviewed and authorized by both Boards of Directors. The Chamber attorney has already approved the MOU.
Will Chamber members notice a difference?
Our goal is for members to experience more direct contact and engagement.
Members will continue to have access to Bob and the entire Chamber team. The Director of Member Engagement will add another dedicated professional focused on understanding members’ needs, strengthening relationships, increasing participation, and connecting businesses and organizations with Chamber opportunities.
How can I ask a question or learn more?
We welcome questions from our members and the community.
For questions about Chamber membership or services, please contact the Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce at 607-756-2814.
For questions about the Foundation or Parker project, please contact the Cortland Area Chamber Foundation at 607-756-2814.