The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is changing its one-size-fits-all approach for collecting dues to a system tailored to better suit each company’s individual needs.

Gone will be the existing system, which for years has charged members based on the number of employees they have. Instead, for the coming year, members will choose from as many as eight membership levels, each carrying a different structure both for costs and for benefits.

Members will be able to pay up front for an annual membership that will include, say, a specified number of individual memberships, luncheon tickets, event sponsorships or any number of other chamber benefits.

Or members can stick with a base-level plan, which would keep certain employees on the chamber’s membership rolls and provide printed directories and access to general networking events.

While specific details still are being worked out, chamber leaders are counting on the plan to improve service and boost membership.

“It’s easier to see the benefits you would get by joining the chamber,” said Jane Bateman, owner of Jane Bateman, The Interiors Store, and the chamber’s vice chairwoman for member services.

“Instead of just saying, ‘Here’s a flat price: Use it or not,’ I think this way will get people more involved in the chamber and allow them to become a part of it,” she said.

“And once you’re a part of something, then you’re more likely to be more invested in it and get to know other members, and that would be good for your business as well as good for Lawrence.”

The chamber has about 1,200 individual and employer members. The organization handles economic development efforts for the city of Lawrence, and it provides networking and educational events, leadership programs, reference materials and other resources to members and others.

The dues structure is being rolled out this month and will be part of a membership drive Nov. 27-29, when volunteers will be looking to sign up 200 new members for the chamber.

The plan is not intended to significantly affect chamber revenue, said Lavern Squier, president and CEO. Instead, the idea is to give employers a better sense of what they’re getting for their investment.

“It’s to make the transaction a more understandable one,” he said.