Our New Vision for a 20-year Tradition
In her monthly column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard, market executive, global commercial banking for Bank of America, makes a big announcement about one of our most cherished traditions at OBI.

Do You Know An Oregon Visionary?
This fall, OBI will present its first “Oregon Visionary Awards” at our annual dinner. We want to hear from you about who should be considered for this prestigious award.
 
Here are the qualities we will be looking for: An individual or a group of individuals who have stepped up to serve their fellow Oregonians, lighting a path forward on issues impacting communities throughout the state. Oregon visionaries are willing to set aside individual interests and traditional political allegiances to bring Oregonians from all walks of life together around a common set of values, as well as practical and equitable solutions to the most difficult challenges of our time.
 
Oregon visionaries are people who look to the future and who are committed to building a strong and prosperous state, full of opportunity accessible for everyone who lives here.
 
Please send us the names of Oregonians you would like to nominate for this award. We want to hear from you.
The Latest on Mask and Vaccine Verification Requirements
Yesterday, hundreds of business owners from across the state attended a webinar exploring vaccine verification challenges. OBI hosted the webinar in partnership with law firm Stoel Rives to explore the latest state mask guidance and what businesses can (and cannot) ask customers about their vaccination status. If you missed it, you can watch the recording.

OBI continues to talk with Gov. Kate Brown about the challenges Oregon businesses are facing with the new requirement that they must ask customers, employees and members of the public to show a vaccine card before allowing them to go without a face mask. Oregon is the only state in the union requiring that vaccine cards be shown.
This week, OBI arranged a meeting with the governor and more than a dozen retailers from throughout the state to discuss the challenges they are having enforcing the latest rules. The business owners told the governor that their employees are confronting angry and sometimes threatening customers as they ask for vaccine card verification. Complying with the new state rules is costly, they said, as they need staff – and sometimes security – at doors verifying vaccine status as customers enter.

We will keep you up to date as this issue develops. In the meantime, you can read the Oregon Health Authority guidance here, and the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration memo on workplace rules here.

Regardless of vaccination status, Americans still need to wear masks when traveling on public transportation, visiting hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, prisons, and other higher risk places.
Are you comfortable asking customers and employees to show their vaccine cards?
Yes
No
OBI Tells State to End All Talk of Tax Increases
In light of last week’s astonishing news that the state will end the current fiscal biennium with a $2.8 billion surplus, OBI called upon leaders to end consideration of any new tax increases.

With billions in federal aid on the way and these astonishingly strong tax collections flowing to state coffers, Oregon lawmakers have more than enough money to balance the existing budget and create a reasonable spending plan for the next fiscal biennium,” said Sandra McDonough, OBI’s president and CEO.

“Lawmakers should immediately close the books on discussions of tax increases in any form,” she continued. “With businesses just now getting back on their feet after the devastating impacts of the COVID shutdowns and other challenges over the last 15 months, the focus should be on providing assistance to business owners who lost money over the last year and Oregonians who lost their jobs. New taxes and unnecessary regulations should be off the table.”

Read the full statement here.
Thank you for your feedback!
Hundreds of OBI member companies responded to our annual survey, telling us what is most important to all of you.

We learned a lot. Most importantly, over this very difficult last year, you appreciated being able to access our events and webinars virtually. We plan to continue virtual offerings even as we start returning to in-person events to make sure all of our members can access the important information we provide.

Additionally, while concerns related to the COVID pandemic remain, you told us other issues are also top of mind these days. Specifically, employment laws and regulations are your top concerns, followed by business taxes. Looking to the future, you told us the biggest challenges facing business is increasing costs, taxes and regulations.

You can read a summary of the survey results here. This feedback is important to OBI. It helps us devise our policies and strategies and plan for the future.

And, finally, congratulations to Jeanine Fling, of McClure Associates in Eugene, who was the winner of the drawing for a $500 Target gift card! Members who completed the survey were entered into the drawing.
New Membership Benefits Now Being Offered
All OBI members should have received an email a couple weeks ago detailing exciting new membership benefits, and a quick request to update contact information at your company.

We know business is constantly evolving and we want to keep up with the changes in your organization. We want to be sure that you are maximizing your membership with us. 

Please take a few moments to review your information and make any necessary updates by accessing the online Member Information Center. Login at http://obior.memberzone.com/login.

New membership benefits include:

  • Member Directory - help other members find you with a listing in our Member Directory.
  • Job Postings - submit your own job openings to our jobs list.
  • Member-Member Offers (coming soon) - offer coupons and special deals to fellow OBI members.
  • Member Events Calendar - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to your calendar, or email to others.

If you’d prefer not to be listed in our new member directory, please contact Patti Winter.
Small Dues Increase Beginning Next Month
With the health and economic challenges of the past year, we are all experiencing unprecedented challenges and, now more than ever, OBI is working hard to advocate for you and businesses across Oregon as we recover together.

Like most organizations, our expenses have steadily increased. Even though we have faced rising expenses, we have not increased our dues in over five years. Starting in June, we are asking members for a 2.5% increase in dues at your next membership renewal to support our ongoing efforts. Recognizing that it has been a challenging year for many businesses, if this increase is a financial burden, we will work with you so you can continue your engagement with OBI and our many programs.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us any time.
Benefit Spotlight:
OBI Members Save Big on Office Supplies
As a member of Oregon Business & Industry, you are eligible to receive exclusive discounts at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® in-store and online.

Save In-Store:

Access your Store Purchasing Card (SPC) and show the card to the cashier at checkout and see your savings! You can access the card in several ways:
  1. Download the Office Depot Business App (after online account is setup)
  2. Text OBISPC to 833-602-8404
  3. Visit http://bit.ly/OregonBISPC.

Save Online:

Already have a business account? Shop Now business.officedepot.com. Your discounts are built into the site.

Need an online account? Register for an account at https://www.nationalcommercegroup.com/signup.
“Our Jobs Our Voice” Coalition Growing by the Thousands
Every month, we are celebrating more milestones in the effort to grow the Our Jobs Our Voice coalition: We now have nearly 18,000 grassroots advocates from across the state! We’re working hard to continue to grow this movement and hope you’ll join us. If you want to learn more and sign up to be part of our coalition, you can do so here.

Everyday Oregonians are connecting with their legislators on key issues like tax increases, supporting small businesses and economic recovery. As the 2021 legislature continues to meet and discuss important policy, this is one more way to ensure your voice is being heard.
OBI Members Making Headlines this Month
Welcome to Oregon Business & Industry!
OBI is thrilled to welcome 17 new members that joined in April!

Congratulations and thank you to the following businesses for joining OBI; we are a stronger organization because of you.

Watch our new member video to learn more about these great companies and where they do business.
Are you taking full advantage of your OBI membership?
Check out all of our benefit programs and start saving today!
Oregon Business & Industry
1149 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301