Government Affairs Committee
Every business, no matter how large or small, operates within a world of policy, regulations, laws, and long-range planning. Most government officials want to have a strong relationship with the people they serve. Therefore, businesses and the organizations that represent them (such as the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce) have a duty to express their opinions and interests on matters that affect their community. Whether in Washington DC, the state capitol or town hall, the opinions of people in the officials’ home district are the most important influences on their decision.
Government Affairs Committee Purpose Statement
The Government Affairs Committee of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce is committed to reviewing, developing, and supporting issues that promote a positive, pro-active economic environment with social progress and enhanced quality of life. The chamber believes that laws and regulations should serve the public without acting as a detriment to business development and growth.
Our purpose is to influence our elected officials to establish regulations and policies that will improve the ability of a business to compete in the worldwide economy and continue to generate income and jobs that will help to enhance the Wake Forest Area. The issues are raised by the chamber members and evaluated by the Government Affairs Committee with a recommendation to the Board of Directors of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce.
Legislative Committee Objectives
- Work with the Chamber to review local, state, and federal issues that affect business
- Build and influence relationships/partnerships with state legislators, Town Board, and school board members, and county commissioners. Events to include:
- Organize “Roundtables” event
- Legislative Reception
- Conduct “Meet the Candidate Night”
- Coordinate “Election Academy”
- Communicate the recommendation of the Government Affairs Committee to the Chamber Board for approval.
- Represent Chamber members at public forums and work with public leaders to create and develop pro-active legislation and policies.
- Educate and inform chamber members of relevant issues researched and positions taken if applicable.
Government Affairs Committee Agenda
The intent of documenting the Government Affairs Committee’s agenda is to articulate the issues that have been identified as particularly important by our Chamber membership. It is through this effort as well as through advocacy that the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce intends to communicate these issues to policy makers at the Federal, State, and local level.
The following are issues identified by Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce membership as continuing areas of concern:
- Economic Development
- Education and Workforce Development
- Health Care
- Taxation
- Transportation
- Infrastructure
- Safety/OSHA
- Workers’ Compensation
- Unemployment Insurance & Issues
- Community Development
- Social Progress
Analysis and Action
It is the Government Affairs Committee’s intent to produce a process that is both simple and well defined so as to ensure a quick response. Working backward from a “need by” date, the committee may easily identify the maximum allowable time frame to gather all information and confirm all relevant facts.
Role of the Government Affairs
- Developing and supporting legislation and other governmental action which promotes a strong business climate and job growth opportunities.
- Establishing productive relationships between business interests and public officials.
- Providing forums to inform public officials and candidates for public office on issues impacting the business community.
- Communicating official Chamber positions to the appropriate public officials prior to their action on a given issue.
- Endeavoring to hold public officials accountable for their actions and the resulting impacts on the business community. This may be accomplished by the circulation of public official voting records to Chamber membership on any issue on which the Chamber has communicated an official position.
Procedure followed by Government Affairs Committee regarding an issue:
- Request and confirm factual information offered by all interested parties, in a timely manner.
- Determine who will be affected by the issue.
- Determine how the issue will impact the business membership and community.
- Provide the Chamber Board information in advance of the board meeting.
- Offer opportunity for the Chamber Board to submit questions regarding issues.
- Make committee recommendation of a position for Chamber Board to approve.
After analysis Chamber Board will:
- Take NO ACTION OR
- Level 1: Help to educate our members on the issue or (simple majority)
- Level 2: Educate our members and broader community OR (super majority)
- Level 3: Educate our members and actively enlist their full support and assistance in funding and assisting with the campaign, take a key leadership role in the campaign, actively work to educate the community and influence public opinion. (super majority)
Retrospective Review of Procedure
After the determination of an issue, the Government Affairs Committee & Board should review the process taken by asking:
- Were the facts thoroughly reviewed and independently confirmed?
- Was information properly sought from all interested parties?
- Are there any conflict of interest not disclosed?
- Was the decision consistent with the results of the standards applied?
- Was the decision consistent with the stated ideals of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce?
- Would a second group of disinterested review committee members likely reach the same decision or draw the same conclusions?
- Did our membership agree with and/or support our committee decision?
- Did we develop sufficient information, leadership and communications to positively impact the outcome?
