The Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce is making history this election season by endorsing business-friendly political candidates. We are pleased to announce that in July your board of directors approved the Government Affairs Committee’s recommendation to endorse Tom Hughes for Metro Council President. His leadership, strong record of economic development, and his ability to bring people together made him the best choice for the Wilsonville business community.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce. Oregon’s businesses are the economic engines and job creators for our region,” said Hughes. “I look forward to working with you to help grow our economy and create new jobs in Clackamas County.”
While both Tom Hughes and Bob Stacey, former director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, are impressive candidates, Hughes’ understanding of the interconnection between Metro and business issues such as transportation, urban growth, and livability will be critical to the economic vitality of the south metro region.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Governmental Affairs Committee
by:
Wendy Buck and Elizabeth Peters
This year, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce will begin endorsing political candidates. This process not only provides recommendations to members of candidates who are friendly to small and large businesses, but it also allows those candidates to use the power of our name in their campaigns. Having the Chamber’s endorsement means a candidate has been thoroughly reviewed, interviewed, and tested as the right choice for business in our community.
The chamber underwent an extensive process in making this decision. Throughout 2009, volunteer leadership sought ways to utilize advocacy as a means of fulfilling its mission – To create and promote economic vitality for business in the south metro region. During the 2010 planning process in January of this year, the board set as its third highest priority to “improve the political voice for business through candidate advocacy.” On March 10, the members overwhelmingly approved bylaws amendments that paved the way for the chamber to endorse candidates. The board of directors approved a detailed endorsement policy, and a plan was created and approved by the Executive Committee for the 2010 election season.
Wilsonville will now join other area chambers that endorse candidates, such as Beaverton, Canby, Hillsboro, North Clackamas, Salem, Newberg, Vancouver, and Portland.
During July and August we will be hearing from candidates for seven races: State Senator, State Representative, Metro President, two Clackamas County Commissioner, and two Wilsonville City Councilor positions. These races were selected because they have the greatest impact on our member businesses.
A fair and open process has been established to evaluate every candidate who wishes to have the endorsement of the Chamber. First, a completed questionnaire must be received and reviewed in order for a candidate to be considered for endorsement. Completed questionnaires will be distributed to all voting members (Voting eligibility is determined by a Chamber member representative attending two meetings within the last six meetings and the current meeting) of the Government Affairs Committee in advance of review panels on July 14 and August 4 (held during a regularly scheduled meeting). All GAC members in good standing will participate in the review and discussion, and a private vote will be taken at the meeting. Candidates winning the majority of voting GAC members will be recommended to the board for endorsement.
This new step is an important way that the chamber can deliver greater value to our members. Many choose to be involved with the chamber because of its potential to represent their interests in the public policy arena. We know that successful business organizations have a strong advocacy component. Without a doubt, a chamber that can endorse candidates is able to become engaged in policy on behalf of its membership at a higher level.
Wendy Buck and Elizabeth Peters
This year, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce will begin endorsing political candidates. This process not only provides recommendations to members of candidates who are friendly to small and large businesses, but it also allows those candidates to use the power of our name in their campaigns. Having the Chamber’s endorsement means a candidate has been thoroughly reviewed, interviewed, and tested as the right choice for business in our community.
The chamber underwent an extensive process in making this decision. Throughout 2009, volunteer leadership sought ways to utilize advocacy as a means of fulfilling its mission – To create and promote economic vitality for business in the south metro region. During the 2010 planning process in January of this year, the board set as its third highest priority to “improve the political voice for business through candidate advocacy.” On March 10, the members overwhelmingly approved bylaws amendments that paved the way for the chamber to endorse candidates. The board of directors approved a detailed endorsement policy, and a plan was created and approved by the Executive Committee for the 2010 election season.
Wilsonville will now join other area chambers that endorse candidates, such as Beaverton, Canby, Hillsboro, North Clackamas, Salem, Newberg, Vancouver, and Portland.
During July and August we will be hearing from candidates for seven races: State Senator, State Representative, Metro President, two Clackamas County Commissioner, and two Wilsonville City Councilor positions. These races were selected because they have the greatest impact on our member businesses.
A fair and open process has been established to evaluate every candidate who wishes to have the endorsement of the Chamber. First, a completed questionnaire must be received and reviewed in order for a candidate to be considered for endorsement. Completed questionnaires will be distributed to all voting members (Voting eligibility is determined by a Chamber member representative attending two meetings within the last six meetings and the current meeting) of the Government Affairs Committee in advance of review panels on July 14 and August 4 (held during a regularly scheduled meeting). All GAC members in good standing will participate in the review and discussion, and a private vote will be taken at the meeting. Candidates winning the majority of voting GAC members will be recommended to the board for endorsement.
This new step is an important way that the chamber can deliver greater value to our members. Many choose to be involved with the chamber because of its potential to represent their interests in the public policy arena. We know that successful business organizations have a strong advocacy component. Without a doubt, a chamber that can endorse candidates is able to become engaged in policy on behalf of its membership at a higher level.
Exec. Corner
By:
Steve Gilmore
CEO
The Wilsonville Chamber just wrapped up a very successful Wilsonville Open Golf Scramble, presented by West Coast Bank. I would like to thank all of our sponsors for this event and to our sponsors throughout the year.
Through sponsorships and marketing opportunities, the Chamber aims to create and maintain win-win partnerships with our members. By helping businesses in the south metro region achieve their marketing objectives through sponsored events, publications and web pages, the Chamber helps fosters the growth of business. Every sponsorship dollar invested in the Chamber goes immediately back into our membership through additional no-cost networking events, educational forums, programming, and governmental affairs.
We are very fortunate to have a very generous and loyal membership that invests heavily into our organization. We could not be a successful organization without our partners and we appreciate all of you very much.
If you are interested in sponsoring or promoting your business with Chamber opportunities in the future please contact Brandi Hereford for more information at brandi@wilsonvillechamber.com or give her a call at (503) 682-0411.
As always if you have any thoughts or suggestions for the Chamber please feel free to contact me directly at steve@wilsonvillechamber.com or at (503) 682-0411. I love to receive your feedback, suggestions, and criticisms because it makes us better and helps us serve you better.
Steve Gilmore
CEO
The Wilsonville Chamber just wrapped up a very successful Wilsonville Open Golf Scramble, presented by West Coast Bank. I would like to thank all of our sponsors for this event and to our sponsors throughout the year.
Through sponsorships and marketing opportunities, the Chamber aims to create and maintain win-win partnerships with our members. By helping businesses in the south metro region achieve their marketing objectives through sponsored events, publications and web pages, the Chamber helps fosters the growth of business. Every sponsorship dollar invested in the Chamber goes immediately back into our membership through additional no-cost networking events, educational forums, programming, and governmental affairs.
We are very fortunate to have a very generous and loyal membership that invests heavily into our organization. We could not be a successful organization without our partners and we appreciate all of you very much.
If you are interested in sponsoring or promoting your business with Chamber opportunities in the future please contact Brandi Hereford for more information at brandi@wilsonvillechamber.com or give her a call at (503) 682-0411.
As always if you have any thoughts or suggestions for the Chamber please feel free to contact me directly at steve@wilsonvillechamber.com or at (503) 682-0411. I love to receive your feedback, suggestions, and criticisms because it makes us better and helps us serve you better.
ENGAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP
By:
Brandi Hereford
Membership and Events Director
brandi@wilsonvillechamber.com
Do you wish that you could maximize your membership by having a visible presence at Chamber networking events, educational luncheons, or committees…but just don’t have the time? We have a solution for you – engage your employees in your membership!
If you hire someone to work for your business, wouldn’t you trust them to represent you inside and outside of your business? Having representation at the Chamber leads to referrals, cross-marketing, and countless opportunities to promote your brand. Think what the impact could be if you had a representative at every Chamber function! Hundreds of potential new clients!
Participation in the Chamber also is valuable for that employee as they are able to learn crucial networking skills, improve their public speaking, and become invested in the mission and purpose of your business. This involvement may lead an employee to seek a higher leadership role in the company or become your best salesperson.
Remember that your business is being referred everyday by each and everyone of your employees – so put them to work for you by encouraging them to attend Chamber networking events, educational seminars, and building a contact list.
Brandi Hereford
Membership and Events Director
brandi@wilsonvillechamber.com
Do you wish that you could maximize your membership by having a visible presence at Chamber networking events, educational luncheons, or committees…but just don’t have the time? We have a solution for you – engage your employees in your membership!
If you hire someone to work for your business, wouldn’t you trust them to represent you inside and outside of your business? Having representation at the Chamber leads to referrals, cross-marketing, and countless opportunities to promote your brand. Think what the impact could be if you had a representative at every Chamber function! Hundreds of potential new clients!
Participation in the Chamber also is valuable for that employee as they are able to learn crucial networking skills, improve their public speaking, and become invested in the mission and purpose of your business. This involvement may lead an employee to seek a higher leadership role in the company or become your best salesperson.
Remember that your business is being referred everyday by each and everyone of your employees – so put them to work for you by encouraging them to attend Chamber networking events, educational seminars, and building a contact list.
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