Washington Business Spring 2015 | Page 35

business backgrounder | economy While the endeavor is still in its infancy, feedback from Grassroots Alliance members suggests things are off to a good start. Mattson said she is taking full advantage of the partnership to better educate her membership on the impacts of legislation being discussed in Olympia. “Our Government and Economic Affairs Director participated in each of the conference calls and is receiving up-to-date information through the Alliance,” Mattson said. “Access to timely information is extremely valuAWB Government Affairs Director Sheri Nelson talks with Grassroots Alliance member able to us since the Legislature can Shiloh Schauer, executive director of the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce. One of the benefits of being part of the Grassroots Alliance is the ability to tap into move very quickly and we need to be the expertise of AWB’s government affairs staff. prepared to act.” As one of nine Grassroots Alliance members that participated in Senate Transportation “The relationship between AWB and local chambers of Committee public hearing in February, Mattson said that commerce has always been strong,” Johnson said. “But it testifying with AWB in support of the transportation was clear as we looked ahead to the 2015 legislative session funding package was one of the highlights of the session. and the issues that would be debated, there was a clear It is this type of responsiveness and teamwork AWB need to be unified in a way we have not been historically.” hoped would be fostered by the formalized network. As the idea picked up speed last summer, Johnson tapped Hadley to be the lead architect for the new Grassroots Alliance. banding together empowers leaders, communities Hadley began the process last fall by meeting with chamber leaders throughout the state to build the foundation for the Alliance. “Chambers of commerce are important assets,” Hadley said. “With the early support I received from chamber executives on the concept of an active grassroots network, it was clear we had the momentum to propel the idea for the Alliance to action by the start of the legislative session.” Hadley’s efforts immediately generated the support of 34 chambers of commerce. Eight more chambers later followed suit, making the Alliance 42 strong by April. As the framework for the Alliance began to take shape, more than 200 Washington chambers were surveyed to determine their top three issues for the 2015 legislative session. They chose: education and workforce development, transportation infrastructure investments and the minimum wage. The group then agreed on communications tools and a structure that allowed for sharing of detailed information and issue updates to best leverage the knowledge and experience of the AWB staff and the on-the-ground perspectives and needs of local chambers. “Through the Grassroots Alliance, our chamber has access to timely information and resources that help us be more successful advocates for our membership.” — Lori Mattson, president and CEO of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce “As partners, both the chambers and AWB play a role in assisting each other,” said Stephanie Hamilton, executive director for the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. “Our chamber knows that with the current business climate in Washington state, we need to band together to ensure the health of our small-business owners.” success rides on sharing information The cornerstone of the Grassroots Alliance is keeping the dialogue open and information flowing through social media tools, issue briefs, conference calls each Friday, emails and calls to action on legislative issues. The two-way dialogue is yielding results for both AWB and the chamber partners. “Through the Grassroots Alliance, our chamber has access to timely information and resources that help us be more successful advocates for our members,” Mattson said. spring 2015 35