Roundtable Talk | 143 | Rockfish Chamber 101: Advocacy, Networking & Real Help

Streaming live from Christian 105.7 (WCLN), Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland sit down with Rockfish Chamber of Commerce president Erlene Harper for a practical look at how a small chamber drives big impact.

We cover: what a chamber really does (advocacy, education, networking), opportunities for micro-businesses and pop-ups, veterans advocacy, and the path toward group insurance. Erlene walks us through Backpack Buddies—a trusted-food-source program delivering 120 weekend meal bags each week to local students—plus how community forums and committees (government affairs, environmental) keep residents informed and involved. We also discuss the recent book-sale/fall-festival dispute, why clarity matters, and how to join or support the mission.

Highlights:

• Chamber benefits for 1–50-employee businesses
• How “trusted food source” standards protect families
• Practical on-ramps: events, training, internships, advocacy
• Ways to connect: Facebook Messenger or email (as mentioned in-episode)

If this conversation helps, share it with a neighbor, small-business owner, or school leader who cares about Rockfish and Hoke County.

Sponsors:

• Raeford Guns
• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.