The Powerful Chamber of commerce

1. W.A.C.E. - Advocacy The PowerfulChamber of commerce

2. What is Advocacy? Advocacy by an individual or by an advocacy group normally aim to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an asset of interest. Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research or polls or the 'filing of friend of the court briefs'.

3. What is Advocacy? WOW! We can do this?? …..media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research or polls or the 'filing of friend of the court briefs'.

4. Is Your Chamber the Watch Dog? How the city of Bell hit bottom By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARDLos Angeles Times Published: Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 - 5:04 am LOS ANGELES -- The new boss kept his office Spartan and impersonal, the walls stripped of photos, the desk conveying no hint of his life beyond the red-brick walls of City Hall. It was 1993, a bleak, recession-bit year, and Robert Rizzo arrived in Bell trailing the vague whiff of scandal. His last city administrator job, in the high desert city of Hesperia, had ended badly, with accusations that he'd steered city improvement funds toward salaries…… Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/30/3288814/how-the-city-of-bell-hit-bottom.html#ixzz1A0laZJ66

5. Continued.. Bell's merchants have rebelled against the Chamber of Commerce, where Rizzo was a longtime member of the board. The organization came to be seen as an extension of his power. On a recent night, hundreds of merchants crowded into a banquet hall to inaugurate an alternative, the Bell Business Association. They took turns detailing the abuses they had suffered at the hands of City Hall: arbitrary fees, long waits for permits and the ever-present threat of code enforcement to deter potential complaints.

6. Advocacy - What Will You Gain? A reputation A voice in the process – a good thing Respect (if advocacy is done right) Members - BIG COMPANIES Leaders that are pro-business Influence

7. The Objections - We will lose… Members? – VERY FEW if any Friends? - We will no longer be the “nice guy” to every politician in town City Dollars or Support? - We get money from our city and they will be mad at us so they will pull the funding Non-Profits Status? – Chambers are not charities. You are allowed to advocate Bylaws need to allow it

8. Without Advocacy, What Does Your Chamber Offer? Our great maps and directory! Networking! We are now competing with Face book, twitter, LinkedIn, and other networking groups. Events! Your events better have a purpose. Our website! The Opportunity to Volunteer! They will volunteer if it is their hot issue.

9. How Do You Know You are Effective? Council members pay attention when the President/ CEO walks in the council meeting. The local paper reports on the Chambers stand on the latest business. You have the Mayor’s cell phone in speed dial and visa versa and communicate on issues regularly. You meets regularly with the city manager and other key personnel and is a decision maker in the community. Your members post or tweet about the Chamber’s latest hot business issues. Others?

10. How to Start an Advocacy Program Get Educated! W.A.C.E. Talk to other Chamber CEO/Staff. Talk to board members or business staffers that understand advocacy. Have a professional staff person or a consultant present at a Board retreat.

11. The Structure Chamber Committees Controlled by the Chamber via the Structure of the PAC Governmental Affairs (GAC) Political Action Committee (PAC) Legislative Action (LAC)

12. The Road Map Set Up Your Committee (GAC and/or LAC) Chairman, CEO, Board members, Governmental Affairs staff from larger companies, outspoken members. NO elected officials or staffers. Develop Policies Gives you the ability to act quickly - W.A.C.E. website Survey Your Members On line, at events, email. W.A.C.E. can help. Get Board Approval

13. Communicate Your Issues Let Your Members Know! (No one likes surprises or you will get calls) Newsletters e-communications Voter guides Press Releases Website Let Your Elected Officials Know Post on your website. Send a letter. Office visits. Media Send out press releases.

14. Regional Alliances A Great Way to Get a Greater Voice Example: Regional Legislative Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties – Representing 300,000 jobs! The benefits of the Regional Legislative Alliance are: (a) a forum for a broader discussion of issues and an organized way to cooperate and collaborate; (b) more clout that can be achieved by a larger constituency; (c) current and accurate information and analysis of key issues; (d) assistance for chamber CEO’s, their staffs and their government affairs committees; and (e) a tool for member recruitment and retention. NOCLA: North Orange County The North Orange County Alliance represents a unified and strong voice for the business communities of Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, and Yorba Linda through combined legislative advocacy efforts. Combining the power and influence of five chambers of commerce, they use the increased representative weight to be a premier advocate for public policy that encourages business growth and economic expansion. The group assertively targets and tracks significant legislation and initiatives that impact the business community and engages in advocacy on those issues on behalf of its members.

15. Setting Up a PAC Get Educated Cal Chamber or WACE Workshops Hire a professional Get Legal Bylaws Legal counsel Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) You have to file your PAC with the FPPC! Get Money Hold a fundraiser Add optional/volunteer contribution on invoices Get Started Now

16. Favorite Quotes If not us, who? If not now, when? - Unknown – People simply need to replace their wishbone with a backbone. – John St. Augustine – We live by demands when we should live by priorities. -  J. A. Motyer  -

17. W.A.C.E. - Advocacy Heidi Larkin-Reed714/538-03581hlarkin-reed@orangechamber.com