Governmental Affairs Committee

Policy and Procedures
2007 - 2008

Purpose:

To enhance the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce's ability to respond more timely to important public policy issues impacting Chamber member businesses and the local business community, particularly during the legislative session when bill hearings arise weekly. To facilitate this, the Government Affairs Committeel (GAC) will operate under the following authority:

The Government Affairs Committee is guided by the following objectives:

1. Preserving the competitive free-enterprise system of business by creating a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of the local business community and a concern for its problems; creating an informed opinion regarding city, county, regional, state and national affairs; resolving controversies which are detrimental to business and the community; creating a greater appreciation of the value of competitive business.

2. Promoting business and community growth and development by promoting economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all classifications of business within the Chamber's trade area; promoting programs of a civic, social and cultural nature, which are designed to improve the functional and aesthetic values for the community; discovering and correcting any abuses which prevent or impede the promotion of business and/or community growth.

Other Committee guidelines include:

1. To promote fairness and equitability in using taxes to provide services and programs benefiting economic growth and the education, health, welfare and the quality of life of citizens.

2. Reasonableness of regulations necessary for a growing economy.

3. Advocate government policy which promotes economic opportunity.

4. Advocate that government expenditures increase no greater than population and inflation growth rates.

5. Advocating governmental efficiencies are maximized in providing services and maintaining governmental quality within existing budgetary constraints.

Goals for the 2007& 2008 Legislative Year:

1. Provide venues for the public to hear about and question initiatives, referendums, ballot measures and/or proposed legislation that affect business and/or the economy at any level of government.

2. Issue Chamber positions on initiatives and/or propositions affecting business'.

3. Advocate for increases in industrial and professional business development and the infrastructure to support such future business development.

4. Advocate for legislation that protects and enhances the educational systems of the area and state.

5. Promote public awareness of community programs and projects that relate to the business community.

6. Provide awareness to the membership of the Chamber regarding opportunities for citizen involvement on programs and projects that affect the business community of the Lakewood area.

7. Take under advisement endorsements for candidates for elective office.

Committee's Powers to adopt and express positions are granted when:

1. Such action taken or policy adopted is consistent with the aforementioned guidelines and objectives; and,

2. Sixty percent of the Council's membership (at least three) in attendance or via telephone, or internet poll, arrive at a consensus in support of the issues; and,

3. All candidate endorsements must be forwarded to the Board of Directors for approval in accordance with the "Endorsement Policy" adopted by the Board of Directors.

Government Affairs Committee action may consist of:

1. Contacting elected representatives and staff to promote the Chamber position on issues.

2. Working with the Chamber staff to formulate and issue media press releases.

3. Corresponding with the appropriate elected officials and staff regarding key issues and bills. The Council will always solicit any participation it can from general Chamber membership and/or the Board of Directors.

The Committee will then validate its previous actions on issues at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors.

These powers granted by the Chamber to the Government Affairs Committee are designed to provide reasonable checks and balances to the response process, involves additional Chamber members, where possible, in the decision-making process and enables the Chamber to be more efficiently reactive to the important local, regional, state and federal government issues affecting our area and businesses.

Committee Structure:

1. The chair of this committee shall be appointed by the board of directors.

2. The committee shall be composed of no more than 20 members to be recruited by the chair.

3. It is deemed advisable that members serve over a two year term matching the state's legislative period.

4. New members of the committee shall attend a minimum of three meetings before they are allowed voting rights.