The Greater Bakersfield Chamber is a member-driven and professionally staffed not-for-profit association of business people committed to improving the economic climate and quality of life in the greater Bakersfield area. The Chamber's strength lies in its membership. With a solid base of more than 1,100 members representing 70,000 employees, the Chamber is representative of all sizes and types of business. Corporate giants are represented, but over 85 percent of the Chamber's membership is made up of small businesses (classified as 10 employees or less). Chamber members are bankers and beauticians, communications consultants and caterers. Members have varied interests and concerns, and underlying all is the common desire to improve the local business environment and enhance the socio-economic and cultural well-being of our community. The Chamber is organized to focus attention and initiate private sector action on the major issues affecting the economic well-being and quality of life in the area. The Chamber is supported entirely by its membership and receives no government funding or contracts. The policies and programs of the Chamber are determined by its membership through the Board of Directors. They, in turn, select a paid full-time chief executive whose basic function is to organize and execute the Chamber's program of work. The chief executive assembles a professional staff to assist in supporting the membership.