GOALS:
Participation on the Metro Chambers Economic Development Council; produce an industrial area tour; prepare a City of Tualatin brochure; survey membership to determine deterrents to development.

IMPORTANT ISSUES:
The Chamber’s Legislat ive committee serves as a vital link between Tualatin’s business owners and what is happening in Salem during the Legislative sessions, and during the interim study period. The Legislative committee studies significant issues affecting local businesses, and provides forums and information on issues which might impact local business.

1984 president Michael Bunce, Formerly with Dietrich, Bye, Griffin & Youel, CPA’s

MISCELLANEOUS:
• Bylaws committee formed to review and assist in updating the chamber’s bylaws.
• 29 people played in the golf tournament which was held at Sandalie.
• Survey showed half the members were in favor of a breakfast meeting so Networking AM’s were started.
• Lunch held twice per month. $4.50 at the Tualatin Inn, $5.00 at the Tualatin Country Club.
• Chamber newsletter expands to 4 pages, booklet style
• Ended the year with 225 members.

An Essential Piece of the Chamber Puzzle:
The City of Tualatin

The relationship between a chamber and its city can be invaluable to both organizations, and Tualatin is no exception. A happy residential citizenship is vital, but a community cannot survive without a healthy business sector as well. Over the past 25years the city and chamber have worked hand-in-hand to help Tualatin prosper.

We are proud that all Tualatin mayors over the last 25 years were members. Current Mayor Lou Ogden, also a member, believes “the Chamber and City Hall are true and absolute partners in the common mission to ‘enhance the livability of the greater Tualatin area’. The Tualatin Chamber understands and operates from the premise that what is good for Tualatin is good for its business community as well as its residential community; that all interests in town are shared by both sectors. The spirit of “community” is no stronger anywhere in town than within our Chamber of Commerce and that is demonstrated repeatedly in all the Chamber does for and contributes toward the betterment of our city.”

The business community benefits because city staff wants to hear your opinions and ideas before making decisions that affect you, like city ordinances or codes, infrastructure, UGB expansion, etc. The Chamber benefits because the city is also involved with important projects such as the Crawfish Festival, Celebrate Tualatin and the Tualatin Leadership program. The membership benefits because you are able to provide your thoughts, ideas and opinions, and we can educate you about what’s happening.

Chamber leaders continue to be impressed by the devotion of city manager Steve Wheeler and his staff, the city council, and especially Mayor Ogden. Bill Phillips, president-elect of the Chamber board, recently was heard saying “I always believed politicians were paid, so I was really surprised to learn that Lou Ogden is not paid to be the Mayor. He does it as a volunteer; and knowing all the hours he, and the City Council, put in – as volunteers – really impresses me.”

Executive Director Hope Howard commented, “We are very fortunate to have someone like Mayor Ogden who is so passionate about the Tualatin Chamber and its mission. The charm of a small community such as Tualatin is that the mayor wants to attend every ribbon cutting; whether it’s the Fabric Gallery or Bridgeport Village, he knows all are important to the health of Tualatin.”

And it is great to know that the City Manager, department heads and city staff want the opinions of the business community before making decisions that affect them. They are all truly an essential piece of the Chamber’s puzzle; we wouldn’t be complete without them.