Press Kit

The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has determined that the organization will not engage in the current discussion involving STR’s in the Town Of Conway.  To further the understanding of WHY and to eliminate as much interpretation of our position as possible we offer the following:

The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is governed by 15 voting members of the board who represent the geographic area and the varied business entities that make-up our membership. The Mission as stated in our by-laws is two fold:

Strategically market the Mt. Washington Valley as the premier New England vacation destination by enticing tourists with our year round attractions and natural resources. This fosters a business climate that promotes growth and collaboration in member communities, while protecting the area’s natural beauty.

This mission inherently suggests that a balanced response to any issue including the current one surrounding STR’s is fiduciarily required from the MWVCC Board of Directors. The individual board members are bound by A Conflict of Interest policy consistent with the provisions of New Hampshire RSA 292:1. Their response needs to consider not only the economic impact of an issue but all potential impacts such as community interests in terms of our social structure, etc., public safety, zoning and an unbiased understanding of an issues pros and cons, therefore:

We believe in the democratic process which requires honoring a legally established voting process and its result.

We believe in supporting the community in which our members do business and raise their families.

We believe in a fair playing field for businesses to grow their organization which in turn provides for employment and tax revenue to improve our communities.

We believe in citizen involvement in engaging in a responsible and respectful manner with those who govern.

We believe that any process will have pros and cons to the outcomes and that individuals and groups have the right to advocate their respective position(s).

We believe that this is best done when individuals and groups are well versed in law and process and control rhetoric that indicates a lack of this basic knowledge.

We believe in an individual’s responsibility when determining the fiscal management of their personal wealth and do not subscribe to the idea that a Town’s governance should take this into consideration when governing.

We believe in the rules of voter registration as prescribed by state law.

We believe in responsible management of individual businesses as defined by Law, the Business Code of Conduct and Duties of Membership.

We believe in supporting the tourism industry while balancing the needs of residents and our environment according to the Master Plans, policies and ordinances established by the town(s) governing body.
We believe in transparency.

We support a “grace” period through Columbus Day weekend to allow STR owners and those who have made their vacation plans to include an STR stay time to adjust to the new rules passed by majority vote at the April Town Meeting. We feel confident that the Town of Conway Board of Selectman will approach this issue with fairness as they begin the process of administering the will of the voters.
We believe that on balance when one value such as Economic Growth is impacted by proper governance other values will shine as needed and in hind sight positive results will occur.

Finally, it is important to acknowledge that the chamber is a membership based organization representing 700 businesses in 28 communities.

Knowing that the chamber has no legal standing in requiring adherence by membership in following the Code of Ethics and Duties of Membership presented we none the less present them as a best practice:

DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIP:
A. To abide by the Consumer Relations Code as defined below.

B. To abide by the by-laws of the corporation and the lawful rules and regulations of the Board of Directors as published on MWVCC.org

SECTION 2 – CODE: The Association is committed to advancing the eight (8) basic rights of the consumer - Championed by President John F. Kennedy on March 15, 1962 to the US Congress
The right to satisfaction of basic needs – to have access to basic, essential goods and services such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation.
The right to safety – to be protected against products, production processes and services that are hazardous to health or life.
The right to be informed – to be given the facts needed to make an informed choice, and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labelling.
The right to choose – to be able to select from a range of products and services, offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.
The right to be heard – to have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy, and in the development of products and services.
The right to redress – to receive a fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
The right to consumer education – to acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about goods and services, while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them.
The right to a healthy environment – to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations.

In furtherance of the foregoing rights, the responsibilities of the membership shall include:

1. Strive to protect the health and welfare of consumers in the design and manufacture of the products and the provision of consumer service

2. Seek out the informed view of consumers and other groups to help assure customer satisfaction from the earliest stages of product planning and the rendering of services

3. Make every effort to honor product and service warranties, guarantees, and service commitments

4. Strive to create a healthy, pleasurable atmosphere for visitors

5. Eliminate fraud and exceptions from the marketplace, setting as our goal not only strict legality, but honesty in all transactions

6. Ensure that sales personnel are familiar with product service capabilities and limitations and that they fully respond to consumer needs for such information

7. Provide sound value across the widest range and choice of products and services

8. Provide effective channels for receiving and acting on consumer complaints and suggestions utilizing the resources of associations, chambers of commerce, better business bureaus, recognized consumer groups, individual companies, or other appropriate bodies.