OPINION: Part I: How does the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce stack up?

OPINION:  The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce isn't often held under "the looking glass".  I think the Chamber should be reviewed by the public every once in a while.  Here's my try.  Your comments are certainly welcome.

My method  was to study the Redmond Chamber website and compare it with the Beaverton, OR. and Hillsboro, OR Chamber websites to look for patterns and trends.   I selected the Oregon cities for their similarity to Redmond, WA. in demographics, hi-tech businesses (and Nike), transportation, and close location to a major city. 

The Redmond Chamber newsletter is full of articles and resources, many with City of Redmond topics.  
The standard chamber mission statement is found on each site --  promote community, strengthen the economy, representing business to government (city, school district, etc), and networking.  Hillsboro adds "presenting relevant business education".

Of the three Chamber websites, I found the Redmond Chamber (RC) the most lop-sided with city and hospital government representation (almost 25%).  The RC has three city government officials and two hospital government officials on the Board.  Councilmember Cole is an officer, Councilmember Pat Vache' a director (trustee), as is City Planning/Development Director Rob Odle.  Evergreen Hospital Auggie Kempf (Evergreen Board of Directors) and Tom Martin are trustee officers and trustee William Biggs is a Group Health official.  It appears government is representing itself to business rather than the other way around! 

The RC has only one Director in high-tech.  Hillsboro and Beaverton Chambers don't have a single officer, director, or board member associated with their city government.   Notably both include the Superintendent of Schools, Mayor, and Chamber President as  "Ex-Officios".   Hillsboro also includes fire and rescue district officer. Do you think giving more representation to high-tech businesses and less to city and hospital government would energize, renew and bring vitality to our Chamber, the community and our economy?

The Oregon city chambers offer three "added values".  Hillsboro Chamber has an incredibly exciting "School to Work" program (with 3 staff) and Beaverton has "Leadership Beaverton".  I'll post a description of the programs soon.  

As Microsoft is to Redmond so is Intel to Hillsboro.  The Hillsboro Chamber hosts the "Intel Technology Center" to promote the use of advanced technology in the workplace.  The Center has 10 IBM laptop computers with Intel mobile technology.  Chamber members can use the center for staff training and to learn what the latest technology can do for the bottom line.  The total investment was $25,000 to $40,000.

So what's stopping our Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce from moving forward with Greater Redmond's high-tech businesses?   Do you think less government and more high-tech business on the Board would energize our community and economy?

Opinion by Bob Yoder

http://www.redmondchamber.org/
http://www.beaverton.org/
http://www.hillchamber.org/