By actively engaging with government entities, we advocate on behalf of our members and the business community, leveraging our collective voice to influence policies that support a healthy business environment. Our commitment lies in providing opportunities for thriving businesses while contributing to the overall prosperity of Tigard.
Our Advocacy is guided by the following objectives:
Preserve
the competitive enterprise system of business by creating a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of a strong economy, promoting intelligent business and public opinion regarding local, state, regional, and national legislative and political affairs.
Prevent
policies which are detrimental to business, creating a greater appreciation of the value of business to our local community.
Promote
healthy communities by: promoting economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all classes of business, and opportunities for employment for all.
Other Guidelines Include:
- The use of taxes should be fair and equitable in providing services and programs that benefit the economic growth and the health and welfare of citizens.
- Reasonable regulations are necessary to a growing economy, unreasonable ones stifle growth and opportunity.
- Governmental policy needs to promote economic opportunity.
- As a general rule, overall government expenditures should not grow at rates greater than populations and inflation, or rates exceeding growth in income.
- Government must look for more efficient ways to provide services to maintain quality government within cost restraints.
- Making efforts to educate and inform public officials and media about the impact potential decisions could have on the area economy and local small business.
We want to hear from YOU the business community about the City of Tigard, Washington County and State of Oregon legislative issues impacting your industry most.
Please call or email us if you see or hear anything you believe the Tigard Chamber GAPP Committee should be aware of.
Committees
Government Affairs & Public Policy (GAPP)
The GAPP Committee reviews and takes positions on a range of business related legislation and issues that align with the board-approved Business Advocacy Agenda.
Committee meetings are held online the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1pm to 2 pm.
GAPP Committee Members
Chris West – Pac/West Resources
Megan De Salvo – Tigard Chamber
Tom Engel – Vantage Point HR and Board Chair
Kim Marshall – Project Homeless Connect
John Cook – John L Cook CPA
Nina Carlson – NW Natural
KJ Lewis – PGE
Yi-Kang Hu – Tigard City Council President (Non Voting)
Interested in joining the GAPP Committee? Contact Megan for details.
Members are voted on by the Tigard Chamber Board of Directors.
Candidate Endorsement Committee (CEC)
CEC is a non-partisan, fair and equitable process focused on reviewing the qualifications and platforms of candidates in order to endorse those most likely to support business and Tigard Chamber goals, thus increasing the likelihood of pro-business candidates being elected to local offices.
The Candidate Endorsement Committee promotes a vibrant business environment by endorsing candidates who support sound public policy that strengthens the business community and the free enterprise system.
CEC Members
Chris West – Pac/West Resources
Megan De Salvo – Tigard Chamber
Maria Halsted – Washington Square Mall
Tom Engel – Vantage Point HR and Board Chair
Nina Carlson – NW Natural
Kim Marshall – Project Homeless Connect
Sara Tanner – Firenze Wealth Management
CEC Members are nominated by the GAPP Committee and voted on by the Tigard Chamber Board of Directors.