If someone wants to waste time, the Newberry Springs Chamber's social group is a good option.

    The Chamber's board and the members appear to lack knowledge of what they are doing. They don't understand their organization's purpose.

    The Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) organization. Not one board member seems to know what that means or how a 501(c)(6) should operate.

    In the case of the Newberry Chamber, it shouldn't be focused on bettering the community. It should be about bettering the membership.

    With an IRS 501(c)(6) Code designation, it is supposed to be about the business members only. It is not a 501(c)(3) organization, which can be about social community improvement. The awarding of scholarships and stuff.

    If you read the recent Facebook postings, Chamber president, Renee (Peace Out), believes that the Chamber's activities should be what they are, scattered all over the place. Cadiz water, BNSF, road jingles, lithium mining, truck stops. The busybody involvement is ridiculous.

    Yes, the Chamber tries to do everything, but nothing meaningful is ever achieved. That's because the Chamber, like NSEDA, thinks small. The Chamber rushes around, engaging in activities beyond its 501(c)(6) scope, claiming, "Look at all that we are doing," but nothing in Newberry actually changes. No improvement for its members, no progress for Newberry.

    The Pistachio Festival is a grand social event. Few vendors are Chamber members. A 501(c)(6) is about the membership, and few, if any, members benefit from the festival.

    It is highly questionable if the Pistachio Festival falls within the scope of the Chamber's 501(c)(6) charter. History substantiates that the festival does not benefit the membership body.

    The Chamber may make money, but where does that go? Currently, the Chamber's financials are a mess, and income and expenditures are not being shared. For a non-profit, this is a serious problem.

    The Chamber is spending over $18,000 on a new Route 66 monument sign to be placed along National Trails. The County will match half of the total price ($35,000 + extras).

    Reportedly, without serious input from the membership, it was decided that the sign would be placed in front of the Chamber's President, Renee's business. This sounds shady.

    Why not have the sign placed outside of Fred Stearn's real estate office, which is at Newberry's entrance to Newberry's gateway to Route 66?

    A 501(c)(6) purpose is to serve a classification of people. A Chamber of Commerce is to serve business owners. The Newberry Chamber accepts anyone willing to pay dues. Business owner or not.

    President Renee has stated repeatedly that I should join the Chamber (and pay dues). I won't. Renee knows that I am retired. I do not operate a business in Newberry. It would be improper for me to join a Chamber 501(c)(6). Unfortunately, Renee doesn't have a clue of what she is asking.

    When Renee and others don't understand the basics of the organization they operate, then there is mismanagement.

    The Chamber must be aware that after 32 years, it continues to be a failure. My commentary is to assist, as an outside observer, by highlighting some areas where Chamber adjustments can be considered.

    Rather than welcoming, understanding, and accepting public feedback, some Newberrians are defensive-minded rather than benefiting from what they can learn.