10-14-2024 4:03am

Eileen Dautrich, President of TriCounty Chamber, Builds Relationships to Build Businesses

Lesley Misko Editor

Ed.: Learning about Eileen's upcoming retirement (December 31, 2024) from the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, it seems a perfect time to share her journey and our history.

By Jane Stahl

Eileen Dautrich, president of TriCounty Chamber of Commerce serving Berks, Western Montgomery, and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania, found her niche close to her hometown not long after graduating from Boyertown High School in 1989.

And she loves it. “It’s almost like a class reunion whenever I go to the grocery store. It’s a small town; everybody knows everybody. Many of us who grew up in Boyertown stayed or returned,” she offers.

(And, in fact, Eileen was a student at the high school at the time I was teaching; her father and I graduated from Boyertown High School together; her uncle coached my son, and her cousin was a student of mine and now my co-host on a podcast titled “Both Sides Now.” It is a small world!)

A graduate of Bloomsburg University, Eileen prepared to teach business education in secondary schools. But after her first year at Bloomsburg, during a required shadowing experience at Boyertown High School, she was contacted about assuming an intern position with the Boyertown Chamber of Commerce to help the director with administrative work.

She recalls that her office was in the basement of a local bank and that her boss often teased her about her habit of giggling whenever she answered the telephone.

Serving the local chamber of commerce became her summer job; but, once she graduated from college, because she trained as a teacher, she felt it necessary to try teaching and accepted several one-year contracts over several years to teach. “But I learned that teaching wasn’t for me,” she shares. I enjoyed some of the experiences, but the number of different preparations was overwhelming. I had no life. And, as business courses were elective courses, the students weren’t totally committed.”

“And so, when a position opened, I left teaching and have been with TriCounty Chamber ever since. Then, when the Chamber reorganized in 2010, I took on the presidency. Yet, just like in teaching, I take home work with me every night.”

Eileen is the TriCounty Chamber; her passion and the culture she has created is apparent as she speaks about watching the Chamber’s business members succeed. “The Chamber is membership-based; our job is to help the businesses of our members grow. That growth happens in different ways. Where I find satisfaction is if I can introduce a new service to a business or introduce members with one another in ways they can benefit one another.”

She adds, “We’re connectors—we connect people and resources. One testimonial stands out as a favorite. One business owner who initiated a new business told her that one day when he got home, his wife asked why he was smiling. “Did you win the lottery?” “No,” he offered; I joined the TriCounty Chamber of Commerce; that’s even better.”

Looking at how to serve the membership best, examining the programs and determining the impact those programs and services have on the members and their communities in order to increase their impact is the Chamber’s on-going mission.

One program, begun in 1993, offers a 10-month program in leadership development in both the profit and non-profit sectors. The individuals spend time in the community, becoming oriented to what happens behind the scenes.

Eileen explains that some of the participants, who may have been living and doing business in the area their entire lives, were surprised to learn how things worked in the community. She is proud that having graduated the chamber’s 20th class, there has been no criticism of their experiences.

“Some folks come in at the urging of their employers—sometimes a bit closed-minded; but by the second session, they’re ‘all-in.’” She recalls that one of those participants who had earned a Master’s Degree in organizational leadership felt that she really didn’t need what the Chamber was offering. But, after her experience, she became an advocate.

The course focuses on professional development, personal development, building relationships within the community—relationships that stick with them.

“The pandemic changed things for us. We operate with a smaller staff and now utilize a professional development trainer. We’ve switched the emphasis to a community-based program that offers more self-discovery opportunities.

“We bring in people, build in specific topics, and stress the value of communication with others--co-worker and higher-ups because it’s the relationship-building that is key to the program. Our trainer has added a benefit in meeting with each person’s team members at the end of the program to integrate more fully the key points and goals that have been stressed in the program.”

Another program was established in the early 2000’s for women members only known as WOW. The program was re-branded in 2019 as REACH. “REACH is not an acronym,” she explains. “’REACH’ is what we do. We reach to ask for help or reach to help others. We reach for goals, reach to learn.

“And so, we invite speakers to these half-day quarterly luncheons for business-oriented, professional development opportunities. Networking happens, and there is access to information, to topics, to stories. More important, however, is the bonding and support the women offer one another.”

Queried about the absence of a men’s group, she adds that men don’t generally attend these kinds of functions; and, besides that, every other program is filled with men. “It’s the women’s turn,” she quips.

In the end, as the Chamber examines its mission, the cornerstone is revealed. “It’s about the relationships, making time for them and providing opportunities to build them,” Eileen insists. “We are a community and want to support other members of our community.

“Networking events are great; they work. But our activities must do more for our members than sharing business cards or making the sale. We must develop ways to build strong relationships that last, that support one another, and then build in additional services, the extra stuff, to make real conversations happen.

“We know we can’t be everything to everybody, but concentrating, finding our focus, giving the best resources for small businesses is why we’re here.

“I always encourage new businesses to try joining a Chamber of Commerce. There are many, not just ours. But I tell folks that meeting the right people, building the right relationships will make all the difference. Of course, I like to share our benefits, resources, and programs to help each business grow.

Professional and personal development. Building relationships. Support. Communication. As BASH graduates and former teachers who have known one another and spent time in one another’s orbits for decades without realizing our bonds, we recognize common purpose. It is a small town.

The conversation with Eileen from which this article was created can be found on the "B Inspired" podcast, available on your favorite podcast platform including Spotify, Google, Castbox, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic, and Apple.