By: Ray Phelps, President
We are starting 2010 with a very important ballot measure that can have a significant negative impact on the economic vitality of businesses in the south metro area and throughout the state. Your Chamber has recommended a “NO” vote on this measure in response to our mission – business is the priority.
We will have voted before you read this commentary. Hopefully, Oregonians will have settled this issue in favor of the businesses that employ Oregonians as well as providing the needed revenue to restore some of the jobs lost during the past 12 to 18 months.
Mayor Tim Knapp shared with us in last month’s Catalyst a progress report on new business in the City. His list of new companies coming to Wilsonville and current companies operating in the city that are expanding is impressive. This is a positive indication that economic vitality is functioning in our city.
Your Chamber has been pressing various public agencies for nearly a year on the need to bring the Coffee Creek I Regionally Significant Industrial Area on line to increase jobs and revenue for our community. We learned through these efforts that “market or shovel” ready means a site needs to have the infrastructure necessary for a tenant to move onto the site and build.
The city just received a $48,562.00 grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development to prepare infrastructure plans and funding strategies to create “market ready” sites in the nearly 200-acres in the Coffee Creek I Regionally Significant Industrial Area. This area is northwest of the city between Day and Ridder Roads. This is very good news!
Construction of an “auxiliary” lane on southbound I-5 between I-205 and Elligsen Road is well underway. This is one of several transportation projects your Chamber promoted during the past three years in the I-5 to 99W Connector Project. It is nice to see that the Chamber’s effort is starting to pay a dividend for members. We will continually update you on the status of projects identified in the I-5 to 99W Connector Project report.
Your Board of Directors met on January 21, 2010 to plan specific actions to continue meeting the Chamber’s vision – create and promote economic vitality for business in the south metro area. These are exciting times and your Chamber will spend its energy finding the opportunities businesses need to grow. Your support of the Chamber’s efforts is well placed and greatly appreciated.
Together we make a difference in our community.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Small Business University- CHOOSING YOUR ROAD TO SUCCESS!
On January 20th, Chamber members gathered over lunch to get tips from one of the most respected marketing professional in our area, Bill Lovato, President of OMAC Advertising. Bill gave advice on how to avoid wasting valuable marketing money by identifying your target customer, how to market to that target, and how to measure if your promotion has worked. It is crucial that your target be correct, however your message is just as important for success to be achieved! He closed the luncheon with a great quote, “If you don’t know where you are going – any road will get you there!”
February brings our members yet another important topic – New Tax Laws that will affect small businesses. This topic will be co-presented by Bob Bennett and Frank Lilly, both local CPA’s. If you are a small business getting ready to tackle your taxes this class cannot be missed!
The Chamber’s Small Business University (SBU) Brown Bag Luncheon Series is designed to provide assistance, information, networking and opportunities for growth for small or home-based businesses. This is done by having our member experts to teach ‘classes’ on a variety of business aspects. The SBU classes begin promptly at Noon on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and conclude at 1:00 pm. For a list of upcoming speakers and topics, please visit the event calendar on our website at:
www.wilsonvillechamber.com
February brings our members yet another important topic – New Tax Laws that will affect small businesses. This topic will be co-presented by Bob Bennett and Frank Lilly, both local CPA’s. If you are a small business getting ready to tackle your taxes this class cannot be missed!
The Chamber’s Small Business University (SBU) Brown Bag Luncheon Series is designed to provide assistance, information, networking and opportunities for growth for small or home-based businesses. This is done by having our member experts to teach ‘classes’ on a variety of business aspects. The SBU classes begin promptly at Noon on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and conclude at 1:00 pm. For a list of upcoming speakers and topics, please visit the event calendar on our website at:
www.wilsonvillechamber.com
Governmental Affairs Committee
By: Wendy Buck and Elizabeth Peters
Your chamber’s government affairs committee is hard at work, keeping abreast of activities and changes that impact Wilsonville businesses. Our next meeting will feature presentations from key individuals in Salem. Rep. Matt Wingard and JL Wilson of Associated Oregon Industries will give us a forecast of what we can expect during the 2010 Special Oregon Legislative session.
At our January meeting, Lt. Nick Watt, Wilsonville Chief of Police gave us an overview of services provided to the city. While still contracted with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office, the team essentially operates as a Wilsonville Police Department. It currently has 16 sworn and one non-sworn personnel and is headquartered in the old city hall.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s office covers fifty percent of the area of Clackamas County and is one of the fastest growing agencies in the state. Among the services provided are marine, search and rescue, air squadron, and SWAT/HNT. The Search and Rescue Team handles about 100 missions yearly (mostly walk-away from rest homes). Headquartered in Wilsonville are the Fusion Intelligence Center (intelligence gathering) and Intercept (child pornography).
Last year in Wilsonville, the department responded to about eight thousand 911 calls.
Cassandra Ulven, Public Affairs Officer for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVFE) gave an overview of the services provided by TVFR and updated the committee on the $77.5 million general obligation bond for capital improvements passed by voters in November 2006.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue serves Wilsonville and eight other cities with a total population of about 432,000. District-wide they take 34,000 calls a year, about 18,000 of which are in Wilsonville. Of those, approximately 250 are for fire and most of the balance for medical. They have 23 fire stations strategically located, and a majority of their employees are cross-trained paramedics. It costs about $1.6 million/year to professionally staff a fire station.
Their operations center was to have been located on Elligsen Road in Wilsonville, but due to a slow economy they were able to purchase and build in Tigard, which is more central. The Elligsen Road station may change into a health and wellness center, expanding it as a revenue center.
In November of 2006, voters in the district passed a $77.5 million general obligation bond for capital improvement projects. This bond costs each household approximately $14/year. With some of the bond proceeds, they are buying land for future fire station sites, purchasing 23 new fire apparatus (trucks) at a cost of $450,000 each, building three new fire stations and remodeling five stations including the Elligsen Road station.
Ulven noted the effort to change their service model to contend with increasing call volume. This will involve sending smaller vehicles with one or two persons, which would increase response time and decrease cost. In further efforts to reduce expenses, the district is looking at funding its own health care and cutting overtime.
The district continues to forge relationships through Memorandums of Understanding with several adjoining cities/districts such as Aurora, Lake Oswego and Hillsboro. They are pursuing grants, assisted by the lobbying efforts of Chief Jeff Johnson in his role as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
The Government Affairs Committee welcomes all members to join them for important news and updates the first Wednesday of every month, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. in the Chamber conference room.
Your chamber’s government affairs committee is hard at work, keeping abreast of activities and changes that impact Wilsonville businesses. Our next meeting will feature presentations from key individuals in Salem. Rep. Matt Wingard and JL Wilson of Associated Oregon Industries will give us a forecast of what we can expect during the 2010 Special Oregon Legislative session.
At our January meeting, Lt. Nick Watt, Wilsonville Chief of Police gave us an overview of services provided to the city. While still contracted with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office, the team essentially operates as a Wilsonville Police Department. It currently has 16 sworn and one non-sworn personnel and is headquartered in the old city hall.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s office covers fifty percent of the area of Clackamas County and is one of the fastest growing agencies in the state. Among the services provided are marine, search and rescue, air squadron, and SWAT/HNT. The Search and Rescue Team handles about 100 missions yearly (mostly walk-away from rest homes). Headquartered in Wilsonville are the Fusion Intelligence Center (intelligence gathering) and Intercept (child pornography).
Last year in Wilsonville, the department responded to about eight thousand 911 calls.
Cassandra Ulven, Public Affairs Officer for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVFE) gave an overview of the services provided by TVFR and updated the committee on the $77.5 million general obligation bond for capital improvements passed by voters in November 2006.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue serves Wilsonville and eight other cities with a total population of about 432,000. District-wide they take 34,000 calls a year, about 18,000 of which are in Wilsonville. Of those, approximately 250 are for fire and most of the balance for medical. They have 23 fire stations strategically located, and a majority of their employees are cross-trained paramedics. It costs about $1.6 million/year to professionally staff a fire station.
Their operations center was to have been located on Elligsen Road in Wilsonville, but due to a slow economy they were able to purchase and build in Tigard, which is more central. The Elligsen Road station may change into a health and wellness center, expanding it as a revenue center.
In November of 2006, voters in the district passed a $77.5 million general obligation bond for capital improvement projects. This bond costs each household approximately $14/year. With some of the bond proceeds, they are buying land for future fire station sites, purchasing 23 new fire apparatus (trucks) at a cost of $450,000 each, building three new fire stations and remodeling five stations including the Elligsen Road station.
Ulven noted the effort to change their service model to contend with increasing call volume. This will involve sending smaller vehicles with one or two persons, which would increase response time and decrease cost. In further efforts to reduce expenses, the district is looking at funding its own health care and cutting overtime.
The district continues to forge relationships through Memorandums of Understanding with several adjoining cities/districts such as Aurora, Lake Oswego and Hillsboro. They are pursuing grants, assisted by the lobbying efforts of Chief Jeff Johnson in his role as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
The Government Affairs Committee welcomes all members to join them for important news and updates the first Wednesday of every month, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. in the Chamber conference room.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Villebois named Community of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders
Costa Pacific Communities announced that its latest community, Villebois located in Wilsonville, Ore., received the Gold Award for the highest honorary award, Community of the Year, at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) NationalsSM Awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Jan. 19, 2010.
Villebois is a New Urbanist, pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented community featuring a mix of housing types and a Village Center located adjacent to the Westside Express Service (WES) rail line in Wilsonville.
This is not the first "Community of the Year" award for the master planner and developer. In 1999, Costa Pacific received the prestigious award for Orenco Station in Hillsboro, Ore. Costa Pacific has been recognized both nationally and internationally for the communities it creates, and is proud to have become the most awarded builder/developer in the Northwest.
"It was thrilling to be selected from such prestigious company," said Rudy Kadlub, Costa Pacific Communities CEO. "I'm overjoyed that we won this top honor. Villebois is a unique community, unlike any other in the world and I'm proud it's already being recognized for its progressive vision."
Costa Pacific did not stop at the Gold Award for Community of the Year. It brought home three more Gold awards for Best Logo, Best Website for a Community and Best Product Design of an Attached Home Plan.
"The judges were so impressed by the story of Villebois…how thoughtfully the team crafted a “new” sense of place and community, said Peter Mayer, NAHB judging chairman. “From the product chosen to the way it was brought to market...They were spot on."
Villebois offers area homebuyers a broad assortment of home styles and amenities from which to choose. Based on the intimacy and character of traditional European villages, the Villebois Village Center features everything from condominiums and row homes to apartments and mixed use buildings with ground level retail, residential or office space above. The Piazza Villebois, a dedicated community space and plaza, will serve as the heart of the Villebois Village Center and will be the future site of community events and other activities.
For more information about Villebois, please visit: www.ChangeHowYouLive.com or contact Sales and Marketing Manager Andy Green at 503.855.4661 or andy@costapacific.com.
About Costa Pacific Communities
Since 1990, Costa Pacific Communities has been building communities throughout the West Coast that enrich the lives of residents. Costa Pacific has been recognized nationally for excellence in design, master planning and marketing. Most notably, Costa Pacific received the Gold Award for Community of the Year in 2010 from the National Association of Home Builders for Villebois in Wilsonville, Ore. along with a Gold Nugget Award for Best on the Boards Site Plan at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in 2005. The master planner’s Orenco Station community in Hillsboro, Ore. received the prestigious Master Planned Community of the Year Award in 1999 from the National Association of Home Builders. Additionally, Costa Pacific has been named Developer of the Year by Oregon’s environmental watchdog group, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and twice been named Oregon’s Builder of the Year by the Oregon Building Industry Association. For more information about Costa Pacific Communities, please visit www.CostaPacific.com.
Villebois is a New Urbanist, pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented community featuring a mix of housing types and a Village Center located adjacent to the Westside Express Service (WES) rail line in Wilsonville.
This is not the first "Community of the Year" award for the master planner and developer. In 1999, Costa Pacific received the prestigious award for Orenco Station in Hillsboro, Ore. Costa Pacific has been recognized both nationally and internationally for the communities it creates, and is proud to have become the most awarded builder/developer in the Northwest.
"It was thrilling to be selected from such prestigious company," said Rudy Kadlub, Costa Pacific Communities CEO. "I'm overjoyed that we won this top honor. Villebois is a unique community, unlike any other in the world and I'm proud it's already being recognized for its progressive vision."
Costa Pacific did not stop at the Gold Award for Community of the Year. It brought home three more Gold awards for Best Logo, Best Website for a Community and Best Product Design of an Attached Home Plan.
"The judges were so impressed by the story of Villebois…how thoughtfully the team crafted a “new” sense of place and community, said Peter Mayer, NAHB judging chairman. “From the product chosen to the way it was brought to market...They were spot on."
Villebois offers area homebuyers a broad assortment of home styles and amenities from which to choose. Based on the intimacy and character of traditional European villages, the Villebois Village Center features everything from condominiums and row homes to apartments and mixed use buildings with ground level retail, residential or office space above. The Piazza Villebois, a dedicated community space and plaza, will serve as the heart of the Villebois Village Center and will be the future site of community events and other activities.
For more information about Villebois, please visit: www.ChangeHowYouLive.com or contact Sales and Marketing Manager Andy Green at 503.855.4661 or andy@costapacific.com.
About Costa Pacific Communities
Since 1990, Costa Pacific Communities has been building communities throughout the West Coast that enrich the lives of residents. Costa Pacific has been recognized nationally for excellence in design, master planning and marketing. Most notably, Costa Pacific received the Gold Award for Community of the Year in 2010 from the National Association of Home Builders for Villebois in Wilsonville, Ore. along with a Gold Nugget Award for Best on the Boards Site Plan at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in 2005. The master planner’s Orenco Station community in Hillsboro, Ore. received the prestigious Master Planned Community of the Year Award in 1999 from the National Association of Home Builders. Additionally, Costa Pacific has been named Developer of the Year by Oregon’s environmental watchdog group, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and twice been named Oregon’s Builder of the Year by the Oregon Building Industry Association. For more information about Costa Pacific Communities, please visit www.CostaPacific.com.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
President's Column
by: Ray Phelps
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time this holiday season. I am looking forward to exciting times as Chamber president for 2010.
More than ever your Wilsonville Chamber membership is bringing the best return on the investment you made. The Board’s goal is to continually increase value and ensure the focus is always on members in keeping with the Chamber’s Vision: create and promote the economic vitality for business in the south metro region.
The momentum the Chamber has built over the past several years advocating the interests of Wilsonville’s businesses will continue. The Chamber’s Mission, “Business is the Priority,” requires that economic development in the south metro area, including transportation and transit infrastructure, be at the top of the Chamber’s 2010 agenda.
The Chamber is working proactively with Wilsonville’s public officials, the county’s Economic Development Commission and Metro to advance the economic vitality of our members. There are several pending actions exemplifying the need for Chamber involvement: Metro will complete by the end of 2009 its update of the Regional Transportation Plan directing all new transportation projects in our community; the Aurora Airport is now in process of updating its Master Plan to possibly expand the operation of this transportation facility; land in North Wilsonville between Day and Ridder Roads, referred to as Coffee Creek I, will be promoted by the Chamber for economic development; a decision by spring of 2010 to designate land for inclusion inside the region’s Urban Growth Boundary during the next 50-years.
The current economic situation has motivated the Chamber’s Board of Directors to help members receive more value from their membership, build a stronger network of business associates and clients, and increase their knowledge of developing a successful business. The Chamber hired Brandi Hereford as Membership and Events Director. Brandi will spend most of her time coordinating member services with Steve Gilmore, the Chamber’s CEO.
The Board of Directors has added new events to the Chamber’s membership portfolio. You will receive details later regarding these events. Several of these events result from comments the Chamber’s Board of Directors received from members: a new monthly after work networking event – The Last Call; a one-hour monthly brown bag luncheon seminar – Small Business University - featuring members educating members on topics such as tax laws, best way to spend your advertising budget, the basics of a good website, and more; for members without a storefront or located outside the city, there will be two Small Business Showcases in May and November.
The Board will continue building productive alliances with other chambers in the south metro area to provide a clearer and stronger business advocacy voice to city, county, regional, state and federal public officials. An example of the benefit of having a collective approach by south metro chambers on an issue that promotes the economic vitality of our members is the current improvements of I-5.
Thank you for the honor of being your president in 2010.
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time this holiday season. I am looking forward to exciting times as Chamber president for 2010.
More than ever your Wilsonville Chamber membership is bringing the best return on the investment you made. The Board’s goal is to continually increase value and ensure the focus is always on members in keeping with the Chamber’s Vision: create and promote the economic vitality for business in the south metro region.
The momentum the Chamber has built over the past several years advocating the interests of Wilsonville’s businesses will continue. The Chamber’s Mission, “Business is the Priority,” requires that economic development in the south metro area, including transportation and transit infrastructure, be at the top of the Chamber’s 2010 agenda.
The Chamber is working proactively with Wilsonville’s public officials, the county’s Economic Development Commission and Metro to advance the economic vitality of our members. There are several pending actions exemplifying the need for Chamber involvement: Metro will complete by the end of 2009 its update of the Regional Transportation Plan directing all new transportation projects in our community; the Aurora Airport is now in process of updating its Master Plan to possibly expand the operation of this transportation facility; land in North Wilsonville between Day and Ridder Roads, referred to as Coffee Creek I, will be promoted by the Chamber for economic development; a decision by spring of 2010 to designate land for inclusion inside the region’s Urban Growth Boundary during the next 50-years.
The current economic situation has motivated the Chamber’s Board of Directors to help members receive more value from their membership, build a stronger network of business associates and clients, and increase their knowledge of developing a successful business. The Chamber hired Brandi Hereford as Membership and Events Director. Brandi will spend most of her time coordinating member services with Steve Gilmore, the Chamber’s CEO.
The Board of Directors has added new events to the Chamber’s membership portfolio. You will receive details later regarding these events. Several of these events result from comments the Chamber’s Board of Directors received from members: a new monthly after work networking event – The Last Call; a one-hour monthly brown bag luncheon seminar – Small Business University - featuring members educating members on topics such as tax laws, best way to spend your advertising budget, the basics of a good website, and more; for members without a storefront or located outside the city, there will be two Small Business Showcases in May and November.
The Board will continue building productive alliances with other chambers in the south metro area to provide a clearer and stronger business advocacy voice to city, county, regional, state and federal public officials. An example of the benefit of having a collective approach by south metro chambers on an issue that promotes the economic vitality of our members is the current improvements of I-5.
Thank you for the honor of being your president in 2010.
Chamber Asks Your Opinion!
In order to continuously gain feedback from our membership, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce has begun a monthly survey program. We have had an amazing response from our first two surveys and look forward to increasing the response rate monthly. Each survey has 3-6 questions and only takes a couple minutes of your time to fill out. Each month, in the Chamber Catalyst, we will provide a short summary of the results of the previous month’s survey along with how the Chamber will be using the results to increase our benefits package, improve our events, and learn how to better serve you! So the next time you see an email asking you to complete one of our quick surveys - please do so!
NOVEMBER’S SURVEY RESULTS
1. How many Wilsonville Chamber events have you attended in 2009?
37% - 1-3 events
24% - 7-10 events
21% - 4-6 events
17% - 11 or more events
2. What events have been the most beneficial for members to attend (ranked from most beneficial to least)?
AM Eye-Openers
Holiday Party & Auction
Fall Food Fest
Small Business Showcase
Chamber 101
Wilsonville Open Golf Tournament
3. What percentage of survey respondents are interested in attending the following events:
67% - Business After Hours
64% - Small Business University
60% - Annual Awards Gala
53% - Speed Networking
4. What is your preferred method of receiving information about Chamber events?
93% - Weekly Email Update
34% - The Catalyst monthly newsletter
14% - Announcements at other Chamber events
11% - www.WilsonvilleChamber.com
2% - other methods
CHAMBER’S RESPONSE
In response to the November survey, as well as comments received from members throughout the past year, the Chamber will be adding a number of new elements in 2010. First, “The Last Call” Business After Hours will become a monthly event (on the 4th Tuesday of each month), providing valuable networking in a fun and relaxing after work atmosphere. Please join us at Parker Johnstone’s Wilsonville Honda on Tuesday, January 26th for the first Business After Hours of the Year.
The Chamber will also be adding a free brown bag luncheon series, titled Small Business University, and brought to you by Sterling Savings Bank. This educational opportunity will showcase local Chamber members, who are experts in their fields, and allow members to learn from each other. Small Business University classes will be from Noon – 1:00 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Chamber’s Conference Room, with the first being January 20th and featuring Bill Lovato of OMAC Advertising.
Since the Chamber Weekly Email Update is the #1 method that members are using learn about our upcoming events, we have updated the design and content of this weekly correspondence. The new format will be easier to read and more interactive with our online event calendar and sponsors websites. To submit items for the weekly email, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or 503-682-0411.
December Survey Results
1. How well do you read the Catalyst Chamber Newsletter?
36% - I read it pretty thoroughly every month
34% - Read as much of it as I can
30% - I only scan the headlines
2. How many people in your business/organization is the Catalyst read by?
64% - only the person it is sent to
30% - 2-3 people
5% - 7+ people
2% - 4-6 people
3. What sections do you feel are most important to include in the monthly newsletter (ranked from most important to least).
Chamber Calendar of Events
Information about Chamber Sponsored Activities
Community Calendar of Events
Member News
New Member Spotlights
Chamber Contact Information
Committee Updates
Government Affairs
President/CEO Column
Business Education Articles
Chamber’s Response
The Chamber will encourage member businesses and organizations to forward the newsletter and weekly email updates on to fellow employees so that more readerships happen. We will also focus on updating our monthly newsletter with new sections and articles, as well as with a more appealing appearance. Watch for the new format in early spring!
NOVEMBER’S SURVEY RESULTS
1. How many Wilsonville Chamber events have you attended in 2009?
37% - 1-3 events
24% - 7-10 events
21% - 4-6 events
17% - 11 or more events
2. What events have been the most beneficial for members to attend (ranked from most beneficial to least)?
AM Eye-Openers
Holiday Party & Auction
Fall Food Fest
Small Business Showcase
Chamber 101
Wilsonville Open Golf Tournament
3. What percentage of survey respondents are interested in attending the following events:
67% - Business After Hours
64% - Small Business University
60% - Annual Awards Gala
53% - Speed Networking
4. What is your preferred method of receiving information about Chamber events?
93% - Weekly Email Update
34% - The Catalyst monthly newsletter
14% - Announcements at other Chamber events
11% - www.WilsonvilleChamber.com
2% - other methods
CHAMBER’S RESPONSE
In response to the November survey, as well as comments received from members throughout the past year, the Chamber will be adding a number of new elements in 2010. First, “The Last Call” Business After Hours will become a monthly event (on the 4th Tuesday of each month), providing valuable networking in a fun and relaxing after work atmosphere. Please join us at Parker Johnstone’s Wilsonville Honda on Tuesday, January 26th for the first Business After Hours of the Year.
The Chamber will also be adding a free brown bag luncheon series, titled Small Business University, and brought to you by Sterling Savings Bank. This educational opportunity will showcase local Chamber members, who are experts in their fields, and allow members to learn from each other. Small Business University classes will be from Noon – 1:00 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Chamber’s Conference Room, with the first being January 20th and featuring Bill Lovato of OMAC Advertising.
Since the Chamber Weekly Email Update is the #1 method that members are using learn about our upcoming events, we have updated the design and content of this weekly correspondence. The new format will be easier to read and more interactive with our online event calendar and sponsors websites. To submit items for the weekly email, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or 503-682-0411.
December Survey Results
1. How well do you read the Catalyst Chamber Newsletter?
36% - I read it pretty thoroughly every month
34% - Read as much of it as I can
30% - I only scan the headlines
2. How many people in your business/organization is the Catalyst read by?
64% - only the person it is sent to
30% - 2-3 people
5% - 7+ people
2% - 4-6 people
3. What sections do you feel are most important to include in the monthly newsletter (ranked from most important to least).
Chamber Calendar of Events
Information about Chamber Sponsored Activities
Community Calendar of Events
Member News
New Member Spotlights
Chamber Contact Information
Committee Updates
Government Affairs
President/CEO Column
Business Education Articles
Chamber’s Response
The Chamber will encourage member businesses and organizations to forward the newsletter and weekly email updates on to fellow employees so that more readerships happen. We will also focus on updating our monthly newsletter with new sections and articles, as well as with a more appealing appearance. Watch for the new format in early spring!
Economic Impact of Substance Abuse in Oregon
By Mimi Bushman, Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative
Oregon leads the nation in virtually every measure of substance abuse. The rate of marijuana use by adult Oregonians is 50% higher than that of the nation, and Oregon is one of the top seven marijuana-producing states. Oregon ranked seventh in the nation for methamphetamine abuse and fourth nationally in prescription drug abuse in 2007. Oregon adults have higher rates of alcohol abuse, and alcohol use by Oregon 8th graders is 76% higher than the national rate. Eighth and eleventh graders in Oregon are more likely to smoke marijuana than cigarettes.
The cost of substance abuse to the Oregon economy was a staggering $6 billion in 2006, the equivalent of the entire K-12 education budget. This included $4.15 billion in lost productivity, which directly affects business competitiveness, and $1.5 billion in other costs, such as health care, crime, and social welfare programs. For example, 62% of children placed in foster care in Oregon were removed from their home because of parent drug abuse, and 70-80% of inmates have substance abuse problems ranging from moderate to severe addiction.
Every company in Oregon – large or small – faces its own set of cost implications. Employees who use drugs cost their employers twice as much in medical claims and are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. They have higher instances of theft, turnover, absenteeism and workplace violence, and are a high safety risk in hazardous occupations. Employees who use drugs are routinely less productive at work and the quality of their performance, as well as the volume of work they are able to accomplish, suffers measurably.
In addition, businesses in five of nine Oregon Business Plan bus tour stops reported drug use was a key obstacle to hiring otherwise qualified workers. In Oregon, the drug test failure rate is 6%, but in some locales, smaller businesses report a 60-80% pre-hire failure rate. All but 80 of 300 applicants failed the drug test at a large retailer opening on Oregon’s coast last fall.
National studies have shown, however, that Drug-Free Workplace programs help employers create safe and healthy workplaces. The Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative (OEDI) was launched in January, 2006 as an Oregon Business Plan Initiative to significantly increase the percentage of employers with drug-free workplace programs.
Statewide surveys conducted by Oregon Employment Department for OEDI in 2006 and 2008 showed that only 12% of Oregon businesses have such programs in place. The primary benefit reported was a safer and more productive workplace. Barriers identified included denial of any workplace drug problem, concern over the program’s cost, and the fear of losing hard-to-replace employees.
To assist businesses in overcoming these barriers, OEDI offers education and training by Oregon’s top drug-free workplace experts through a network of 14 local partners, including now the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like to learn more about participating on the Chamber’s Drug Free Workplace Committee, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director, at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or by calling 503-682-0411.
Oregon leads the nation in virtually every measure of substance abuse. The rate of marijuana use by adult Oregonians is 50% higher than that of the nation, and Oregon is one of the top seven marijuana-producing states. Oregon ranked seventh in the nation for methamphetamine abuse and fourth nationally in prescription drug abuse in 2007. Oregon adults have higher rates of alcohol abuse, and alcohol use by Oregon 8th graders is 76% higher than the national rate. Eighth and eleventh graders in Oregon are more likely to smoke marijuana than cigarettes.
The cost of substance abuse to the Oregon economy was a staggering $6 billion in 2006, the equivalent of the entire K-12 education budget. This included $4.15 billion in lost productivity, which directly affects business competitiveness, and $1.5 billion in other costs, such as health care, crime, and social welfare programs. For example, 62% of children placed in foster care in Oregon were removed from their home because of parent drug abuse, and 70-80% of inmates have substance abuse problems ranging from moderate to severe addiction.
Every company in Oregon – large or small – faces its own set of cost implications. Employees who use drugs cost their employers twice as much in medical claims and are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. They have higher instances of theft, turnover, absenteeism and workplace violence, and are a high safety risk in hazardous occupations. Employees who use drugs are routinely less productive at work and the quality of their performance, as well as the volume of work they are able to accomplish, suffers measurably.
In addition, businesses in five of nine Oregon Business Plan bus tour stops reported drug use was a key obstacle to hiring otherwise qualified workers. In Oregon, the drug test failure rate is 6%, but in some locales, smaller businesses report a 60-80% pre-hire failure rate. All but 80 of 300 applicants failed the drug test at a large retailer opening on Oregon’s coast last fall.
National studies have shown, however, that Drug-Free Workplace programs help employers create safe and healthy workplaces. The Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative (OEDI) was launched in January, 2006 as an Oregon Business Plan Initiative to significantly increase the percentage of employers with drug-free workplace programs.
Statewide surveys conducted by Oregon Employment Department for OEDI in 2006 and 2008 showed that only 12% of Oregon businesses have such programs in place. The primary benefit reported was a safer and more productive workplace. Barriers identified included denial of any workplace drug problem, concern over the program’s cost, and the fear of losing hard-to-replace employees.
To assist businesses in overcoming these barriers, OEDI offers education and training by Oregon’s top drug-free workplace experts through a network of 14 local partners, including now the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like to learn more about participating on the Chamber’s Drug Free Workplace Committee, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director, at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or by calling 503-682-0411.
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