This program is open to all Chamber members. We’re looking for leaders from the business community who are willing to build relationships with policymakers and share their unique experiences to advance policies that benefit our regional economy.
The Portland Metro Chamber has been a proud advocate for our regional business community for over 100 years, and we’ve earned the reputation of one of the most influential and effective business organizations in the state.
We could not have done that without our members, who help develop our policy positions, inform the community, and advance our priorities with elected leaders and other key stakeholders. Thank you!
Building on these successes, we are proud to announce a new way for members to advocate on behalf of the business community: the Portland Metro Chamber’s Community Leaders Network. This new advocacy development program will help our members build relationships with policymakers and advocate for the Chamber’s policy priorities by using their unique skills, interests, and perspectives.
The Community Leaders Network is designed to empower individual members and leverage their unique skills to build relationships with policymakers and advance the Chamber’s larger public policy agenda.
Elected representatives listen when they hear from leaders in the business community. As such, we want to position our members to be resources for decision makers, as well as advocates for responsible, pragmatic public policy.
Ready to lend your voice? Let us know and we’ll get you involved.
This program is open to all Chamber members. We’re looking for leaders from the business community who are willing to build relationships with policymakers and share their unique experiences to advance policies that benefit our regional economy.
Your engagement can be as active (or passive) as you like; it’s truly a “choose your own adventure” type of program. Here are some examples of ways you might participate:
You tell us how you want to participate and we let you know when the right opportunity arises.
No! Having some background in public policy and advocacy work is certainly helpful, but it isn’t a prerequisite.
We’re looking for business leaders who are ready to engage and inform our elected representatives. Bring your unique perspective, your experience, your connections and commitment to Portland… everything else is of secondary importance.
The Chamber is engaged in a wide range of policy areas to help our region continuously improve. We don’t expect our Community Leaders to be a experts (or even involved) in all of these topics–just those where you have the most interest or expertise.
When you join the program, you let us know what topics are of the greatest interest or importance and we’ll get you plugged into the right opportunities.
Supporting pragmatic, solution-oriented candidates who appreciate the role of businesses is certainly part of the Community Leaders Network. But it is only one aspect of the program.
We’ll also rally our Community Leaders to support and inform the important policy processes that happens outside of elections: meeting with elected officials, testifying at council meetings, serving on commissions, and more.
Yes! The Chamber’s Public Affairs team will provide optional trainings and updates to help you hone your skills–and perhaps learn some new ones.
Often, these trainings will include the region’s top political, economic and policy experts, sharing their advice.
As much or as little as you want! Monthly check-in meetings and periodic trainings will always be optional–and most will be availble as virtual (online) meetings.
Please complete the Community Leaders Network intake form to provide our Public Affairs team with some basic information about yourself, your background and your policy interests. We’ll get back to you soon with next steps.
If you have more questions about the program or how you can get involved, please reach out to Jay Clark, Director of Public Affairs.