Member Driven vs. Member Responsive

When I started at the Chamber, my goal was to be a Member Driven organization.  By this, I meant that I firmly believed that through asking our members what they wanted from the Chamber and listening to their responses, we would be able to create programming and opportunities that would benefit both our members and the Chamber - a win/win that would keep our organization strong.  However, looking back at the words "Member Driven", I realize they may have inadvertently conveyed the idea that the Chamber is “driven to attain members”.  The phrase I have come to like a lot better is being a Member Responsive organization.  
Our print Membership Directory is a great example of being Member Responsive.  The Chamber heard loud and clear that our businesses wanted and needed customers.  So last year we took a chance and flipped our directory on its head!  Instead of printing 2,000 copied that were passively located at various locations for pick up, we printed over 30,000 copies and mailed them directly to area homes and businesses.  We turned the directory into a major visibility opportunity and a tool to get our members potential customers...and we are doing it again this year!  Just by being a Chamber Member, they receive the benefit of this increase in business exposure.
Another example of being Member Responsive is this year’s Business Expo.  We heard from our past participants that:  they wanted it closer to Salem, they were tired of attendees just grabbing their goodies (“trick or treating”), they liked the business to business portion that happened before the doors opened to the public, and some folks had price concerns.  We listened and made changes - "responded",  if you will.  This year’s event is at a local venue (Castleton), is being promoted to area businesses to attend, is focused entirely on Business to Business, and we even reduced the rates for participating and sponsoring!
The Chamber knows we are a service industry.  We only exist as long as we are helping businesses and providing value.  We promise to listen our members and adapt as needed.  It’s nice to be Driven, but being Responsive communicates the true heart of our Chamber's intent.