Community Outreach

The “Buy Local Commitment” supports the Buy Local movement, emphasizing the value of local activities on Guam to grow Guam’s economy. Buying Local means to purchase products and services offered by local businesses that are the backbone of our island’s economy. This commitment is a company's pledge to "Think Local, Support Local, Buy Local," whenever possible. Think local would ask companies to think about a local product, company, or organization before any other; Support Local by contributing to major non-profit organizations on island; and, Buy Local by shifting at least 10% of a company’s on-line or off-island purchase to local businesses. This is a program developed by the Guam Chamber of Commerce, Guam Economic Development Center and the University of Guam’s Pacific Center for Economic Development.

A program of the Chamber that brings women professionals together once a quarter to enhance personal and professional growth, allowing for participants to connect with other women of all career levels to strengthen professional networks and engage in the Guam business community.

Dave J. Santos Scholarship

A scholarship fund was established in 1993 to assist business students enrolled in the University of Guam’s School of Business. The scholarship was named in honor of the late Dave J. Santos, past Chamber Board Chairman, Guam’s 1993 Small Business Person of the Year, and a strong advocate of local entrepreneurship. The scholarship is available to eligible juniors and seniors in the undergraduate business program and to eligible graduate students in the School of Business.

The Chamber, in partnership with the Superior Court of Guam’s Juvenile Drug Court, developed a program of basic skills workshops designed for youth participants. The courses are grouped into four categories: Work or Job Oriented Skills, Life Skill or Personal Interest, Self-Esteem and Goal Oriented Skills, and Sports & Health Development Oriented Skills. The categories are further broken down into specific topics, which are focused and short in duration such that success can be readily achieved. Life skills activities offer necessary skills to encourage self-reliance, access to resources, and engagement into the community. Courses are conducted by the owners and top managers of the more than 300 companies that are members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

Through its partnership with the Judiciary of Guam, the Chamber has joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Guam Red Ribbon Week Committee to promote safe, healthy, drug-free lifestyles throughout the month of October, which culminates with the nationally recognized Red Ribbon Week. This campaign provides an opportunity for communities to unite by bringing together parents, schools and businesses as we look for new and innovative ways to keep kids safe and drug free. The Chamber encourages business members to participate in school outreach programs, place a Red Ribbon message or logo on their advertisements, wear Red Ribbons and distribute ribbons to their employees, and support the island wide “wear red day.” The event includes community outreach at shopping malls, education outreach at schools, a poster contest, a 5K run, and ends with the “Say Boo! To Drugs” event at Agana Shopping Center at the end of October.

This annual recognition, honors one Chamber member company, group, or organization who makes or has made a noteworthy contribution to the growth of small business in Guam with the development of sustainable practices, products and/or services. The recipient of the award is announced at the Annual Small Business Expo event. The Small Business Excellent Award program is a component of the Small Business Focus & Development Committee.

A series of monthly seminars developed by the Chamber’s Small Business Focus & Development Committee in cooperation with the Guam Small Business Development Center, and presented by Chamber members. Initially developed with small businesses in mind, each seminar provides guidance and instruction on a variety of topics to assist all companies, including customer service, tax issues, fraud and economic trends.

View our event calendar here.

Toys for Tots is a seasonal endeavor in which Chamber member companies support Marine Corps Activity Guam's effort on island to ensure that a variety of toys and gift items are distributed in the community where they will do the most good. Toys for Tots has been popular among the membership and the generosity and support for this program is well supported by the employees of a variety of Chamber member companies.

Companies interested in participating as a drop off site or in collecting gifts from among your employees are encouraged to contact the Guam Chamber of Commerce to arrange to be added to the list and to receive a wrapped box to accept gift contributions. A list of suggested gifts for youth ages 0 –17 is available for download below.

This year, local Guam high schools are encouraged to participate in a contest to collect the most gift items for youth ages 13 – 17 during the Toys for Tots campaign season from October 6th to December 12th. The winning high school will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and have their school name placed on a perpetual, traveling plaque that would be presented to the Student Body President of the winning high school prior to the holiday break. The second and third place schools would also receive cash prizes ($500 and $200 respectively). Please call the Chamber office for details.