OSCC MEMBER NEWS
November 8, 2017
Oregon Business Plan Summit - Is Oregon Future Ready?
 
Join leaders from business, government, nonprofit, and civic sectors at the Oregon Leadership Summit - Oregon's premiere economic policy event - on December 4, 2017 at the Oregon Convention Center.

This year's event will focus on preparing Oregon for an uncertain future by discussing major challenges and opportunities that will shape the state over the next decade, including Oregon growing fiscal crisis and the future of work and our economy. Click here to learn more and register
Timm Slater Named 2017 Executive of the Year

OSCC honored Timm Slater, Executive Director of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, as the 2017 Executive of the Year.

Slater was recognized for his leadership and dedication in working for the betterment of the business community. His efforts have led to the Chamber becoming a leading organization in the area. During his tenure, he has encouraged both members and the Board of Directors to follow their passion, which has attracted young, business-minded entrepreneurs to serve in the Chamber and community roles. This evolution has built momentum, leading to a new sense of pride and ownership in the community, as well as growth for the Chamber.
 
2017 Annual Conference Helps Chambers Elevate Their Value to Members

More than 80 executives and staff representing 40 Chambers participated in the Annual Conference held in Florence October 25-26th.

A key message of the Conference was how to improve membership retention by focusing on the value your Chamber provides. C ustomizing messaging to specific audiences within your membership is a key component to achieving this. Keynote speaker Cathi Hight was described as, "Awesome but challenging," and "helpful, educational, motivating."

Here's what attendees had to say about the conference overall:

"Lots to take back to implement or think about for the future."

 

"I really enjoyed engaging with diverse Chamber professionals."

 

The 2018 OSCC Conference will be held on October 24-25th in Springfield, OR. Mark your calendar.
OSCC Honors Chambers for Publications Excellence

OSCC honored Chambers of Commerce for publications excellence at the 2017 Annual Conference. Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges who critiqued each publication on design and editorial content. Additional areas considered were unique features, portraying a strong business image, and the overall impact the piece has on membership.

Recipients were recognized in three categories: directory and visitor guide, e-newsletter, and website. The winners in each category are as follows:
Be a Small Business Champion

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives is proud to support Small Business Saturday®, which unites communities each year in support of all kinds of small businesses - from local bookstores to food carts to barber shops. We hope you will join us in celebrating this Nov. 25 and help make the day a success by applying to be a Neighborhood Champion.

Learn more at ShopSmall.com/ACCE
Second Chance Employment Tour to Address Workforce Challenges

The Oregon business community has an important role to play in helping to build a strong workforce. On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, the Oregon Governor's Reentry Council Business Community Implementation Team will kick-off the Second Chance Employment Tour at the Salem Convention Center.

This will launch a series of workshops for regional audiences around the state, with the goal of engaging and educating Oregon's businesses about the benefits of employing people with criminal records. Workshops will cover employer/employee perspectives, community impact, debunking myths, connecting talent to jobs, and employer incentives. Learn more about the events
Registration Now Open for 2018 Youth Entrepreneur Business Week
 
Young Entrepreneurs Business Week (YEBW) is a statewide initiative to educate and inspire the next generation of business leaders across Oregon and beyond.

Each summer, students and business community volunteers unite for YEBW at University of Portland, Oregon State University or University of Oregon. Experiential learning programs including Business Week, Investing Week and Entrepreneur Week, are led by real entrepreneurs, executives, educators and business professionals.

Registration is now open for 2018. YEBW offers three programs - Business Week, Investing Week, and Entrepreneur Week - at select universities. Learn more
November Legislative Days

November Legislative Days will run from Monday, November 13th - Wednesday, November 15th. View the committee schedule here. Legislative Days offers an opportunity for engagement between sessions. During Legislative Days, Committees hold informational hearings on topics that could lead to legislation in upcoming sessions, hear updates on implementations of past legislation, hear reports from state agencies and Task Forces, and keep current on the subject areas which affect Oregonians.  
A Message from Brighter Oregon

 
The effort to address the existing $25 billion PERS deficit is to be commended, the task force list looks to be focused on one-time events like the sale of a public asset or sweeping reserve funds intended for other purposes.  These one-time efforts don't offer sustainable relief from Oregon's shaky government pension plan for schools and taxpayers. Some Task Force ideas might deliver short-term satisfaction but little long-term benefit. The ideas won't lower the ongoing PERS obligations that have been looming over our state for far too long.

The Task Force was charged with finding a way to buy down about $5 billion of the pension fund's existing liability. It was asked to do so without considering changes to the rich benefits or lack of employee contributions to PERS that cause perpetual deficits. Ideas considered at meetings have included:
  • Taking money from SAIF reserves (State Accident Insurance Fund)
  • Boosting fees and taxes from the liquor sales
  • Sweeping money in state rainy day funds to spend on PERS
  • Selling some state assets
None of the ideas fundamentally change the ongoing PERS toll on the budgets of Oregon schools, local governments and the state.
 
Tapping money from SAIF's reserves would increase workers' compensation costs for small businesses across the state. And a decrease in rainy day funds would make Oregon schools and state services more vulnerable to the next economic downturn.
  
It's time to get serious about the underlying problems with PERS, and address Oregon's structural budget deficit in a comprehensive, bipartisan manner. 

OregonSaves Wave 1 Registration

November 15, 2017 is the deadline for employers with 100 or more employees in Oregon to either register to facilitate OregonSaves or certify that they are exempt from the program.
  
Employers who register to facilitate OregonSaves will have 30 days after registration to add all of their employees to the system. Learn more about program specifics and how they will impact your member businesses.
OSCC Requests Member Logos

OSCC is collecting member logos to include on the membership directory page of our website, OregonChamber.org. Please send your logo to Jessica Chambers.
In This Issue
Important Dates

 

  • December 4:
    Oregon Business Plan 15th Oregon Leadership Summit
  • January 3-7, 2018: U.S. Chamber Winter Institute
  • February 7-9, 2018:
     
    WACE Annual Conference
     
Thank You to our Vision Sponsors
 
The following members have stepped up to provide additional funding on top of their dues to contribute to OSCC's advocacy efforts. We are greatly appreciative of this support.
 
Communications Tip

If you have a website, chances are your webmaster applied SEO best practices to your site before it first launched. The key now is KEEPING your website search engine optimized as you add new content. Search engines change their search ranking algorithm periodically, so your website may be lacking in best practices as time passes.
 
Take a look at this article from ChamberMaster for helpful tips for SEO.
Save the Date
  • 15th Annual Oregon Leadership Summit - December 4, 2017 at the Oregon Convention Center - Register now 
  • U.S. Chamber Winter Institute - January 3-7, 2018 in Tucson, AZ - Learn more
  • WACE Annual Conference - February 7-9, 2018 at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV - Learn more