what ’ s working
advocacy and information
The Grassroots Alliance was the brainchild of AWB President and CEO Kris Johnson and the late Rich Hadley , former president and CEO of Greater Spokane Inc . The main purpose is to bring together chambers from across the state and mobilize their local networks to better advocate for the business community .
“ The Grassroots Alliance activates the chambers , and the chambers activate their members ,” said Matt Murphy , government and regional affairs director at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce . “ Sometimes chambers want to be involved in politics , and sometimes they don ’ t . The thing about the Grassroots Alliance is it ’ s not partisan . It ’ s issue-based , and it helps you identify issues that may impact the business community .”
AWB keeps Grassroots Alliance members informed of key issues in several ways , including webinars , emails and newsletters . During the legislative session , members are invited to weekly calls to hear updates on the progress of current bills from AWB ’ s government affairs team .
“ It really doesn ’ t matter how big or small your chamber is ,” Murphy said . “ None of us have the time to keep track of all those details . The information that is available as a result of membership in the Grassroots Alliance is indispensable in our ability to advocate for businesses .”
Andrea Reay , president and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber , appreciates the opportunity to hear from colleagues around the state during the member calls .
“ Our perspective here in the South Sound is going to be different from the perspective in Spokane ,” Reay said . “ Learning about the potential impact of proposed legislation on businesses in different areas of the state makes our advocacy work more robust and more inclusive .”
“ The information that is available as a result of membership in the Grassroots Alliance is indispensable in our ability to advocate for businesses .”
— Matt Murphy , government and regional affairs director at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
networking and support
Grassroots Alliance members also benefit from networking and other support . This was especially important with the arrival of the pandemic in 2020 .
“ The pandemic took the Grassroots Alliance to a whole other level ,” Garson said . “ Everybody wanted to know what was going on . Many businesses were shuttered , and chambers wanted to do everything they could to assist their members . We were able to serve as that clearinghouse of information .”
Without events and other revenue opportunities , Grassroots Alliance members themselves also struggled during the pandemic . AWB worked with the Washington State Department of Commerce to secure $ 2.2 million in funding specifically for local chambers .
“ Our chamber community did an amazing job helping their members find technical assistance or grants to keep their businesses afloat ,” said Garson . “ But the chambers needed support , too , and we were able to find funding to help them keep the lights on .”
In 2022 , the Grassroots Alliance hosted its first annual workshop , held in conjunction with AWB ’ s Spring Meeting . In addition to sessions on best practices and current issues , the workshop offers an opportunity for members to connect and network with one another . In many cases , members build lasting relationships that allow them to grow both personally and professionally .
“ The Grassroots Alliance allows us to share what we were doing and what we have learned ,” Reay said . “ It provides a safe space to share some of our failures , too . I ’ m so grateful to be able to tap into that extensive network of professionals and seek the wisdom of everyone at the table . It ’ s an opportunity for all of us as an industry to level up .”
Members of the AWB Grassroots Alliance walk through downtown Vancouver , Wash . during a break in their first-annual meeting .
“ As an individual chamber , your voice is important . But as a member of the Grassroots Alliance , you ’ re able to amplify your voice .”
— Dru Garson , AWB director of chamber relations
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