1981:
The Tualatin Business Association (TBA) was formed in 1975 with 13 members. In 1980, TBA president Peggy Gensman led the charge for the TBA to evolve into the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce (TCC). By April 1981, they had officially changed to the TCC and were looking for 100 charter members. They were also planning their golf tournament, which cost $8 to play in.
GOALS:
a monthly newsletter, office space, a part-time employee, producing a business directory. Office space was secured in May at the Metro West building ($65 per month), but they were still looking for a ‘telephone answering device’; a monthly newsletter (1-2 pages) was put out, and a part-time employee was hired in June.
 Tualatin Business Association president Peggy Gensman, owner of Metro West Realty c.1980 |
HOT BUTTON ISSUES:
The Chamber submitted a budget to the City and the County in hopes of receiving a portion of the hotel/motel tax to promote tourism in Washington County, but while the Washington County Commissioners voted to raise the hotel-motel tax from 5% to 8%, they did not make any provision to allot any of it to local chambers.
MISCELLANEOUS:
• The membership met twice a month at the Tualatin Country Club for lunch. ALL MEMBERS were expected to attend.
• The Chamber was heavily involved in the Crawfish Festival, and the newsletter devoted a fair amount of space to promoting the festival and asking for Chamber volunteers to help sell festival merchandise. It was 107 that year.
• The 100th charter member was signed August 25, 1981 and 100 cultured marble plaques were distributed to the new members. (one still hangs in the Chamber office). The new Tualatin Twin Cinemas opened in mid-October.
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1982:
A new year brought on a new dues structure based on number of employees, ranging from $60 - $120 annually, and payable every January. Plans are to print the first directory in September. The city is getting a new telephone switching center in September and so will be getting new phone numbers with a 692 prefix. With the new switching station, Tualatin phones will be able to direct dial internationally! GTE told the businesses in advance what their new phone number would be, but then said there was a chance they would change when the switchover actually happened. GTE recommended they not advertise their new phone number, get stationary changed, etc., The Chamber objected on the basis that not advertising would be detrimental to businesses.
 The 1982/83 directory featured
the marble Charter Member
plaque on its cover |
GOALS:
Increase membership to 150; expand office hours; design a newcomer’s brochure; produce a slide show using a $2,500 grant from the city. The slide show was about the benefits of locating your business in Tualatin. They were also to produce a business/industrial facts sheet to compliment the slide show.
HOT BUTTON ISSUES:
The Tigard School District asked for input on what to name the new school in east Tualatin (Bridgeport Elementary); the city put together an Urban Renewal Advisory Board because citizens were concerned about the “village” concept for downtown (now the Tualatin Commons); the Chamber produced a candidate’s forum for the Mayor and City Council candidates.
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Commanche Woods II, off of Avery Street, was the Street of Dreams in 1982.
• 2nd annual Tualatin Chamber Golf Tournament, fee increased to $10!
• By the end of the year, the newsletter had increased to 2-4 pages on 8 ½ x 14 paper, and business card ads sold for $10 each (now they are $25).
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Tualatin Chamber of Commerce