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| Chamber President Tom Martin |
Possible closure, as we know it, is anticipated.
Updated, 9/10: Chamber President Tom Martin, Evergreen Hospital executive, summarized the Chamber's situation during an October 30, City Council "study session":
"Membership declined to 350** from 520-530 about four years ago; so one of our presenting problems is declining membership. The decline is both the function of the economic times and function of the relevance of the chamber...the mission we historically have had.
The question we continue to ask ourselves is how do we retain and create relevance for our membership? [August Kempf, Evergreen Public Hospital Commissioner, is the Membership Chair]. Our mission is around vitality for the business of the City of Redmond and focused on: 1) advocacy at the city, county, and state level and 2) creation of networking events.Martin cited a local model similar to the Redmond study IE. Everett-South Snohomish Chamber and Snohomish County Economic Development Alliance merged into one economic development alliance.
Last January we sat down to talk to John [mayor] about how to coordinate fundraising activities [and participate with "Redmond Economic Development Association" (REDA) and "Realize Redmond" in a common vision.] With a bit of stress from our Executive Director vacancy and declining membership and the request to hold off on fundraising... we look for consolidation and coordinating fundraising activities. We support the common vision.
Bill Biggs, Chair of REDA (affiliated with Group Health) said at the August 30 meeting, "we may look at structuring ourselves differently on the basis of the study...because people who invest expect to see no waste and enhanced alignment."
Incumbent Councilmember David Carson said, "250 chambers have..closed their doors in the last three years." In response to a question from Carson, Biggs said REDA and the Chamber "may not need two executives to drive forward."
Mayor Marchione expects completion of the consultant study in two weeks and urges an October 30 deadline for action. Councilmember Pat Vache', a Trustee of the Chamber and Director of REDA concluded, "the community" is the driving force to consolidate. Formal announcement of the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce possible closure (as we know it) is anticipated by the end of this year.
**Tom Martin informed me today (9/14) Chamber membership is 450 not 350. Mr. Martin quoted 350 members in his August 30 Council presentation.
Opinion By Bob Yoder
Source: Video - Redmond City Council Study Session, 9/30/11
August Kempf is running un-opposed in November for County Public (Evergreen) Hospital District #2. Board of Commissioners, Position No. 3. auggie@kempfco.com
With hindsight, I admit to misinterpreting the “One Redmond” study session with city council on August 30. My error was assuming that the Chamber’s "consolidation" meant merger -- not strengthening or positioning. What's important is we ALL support the vision of One Redmond...and not let misunderstandings block us.
ReplyDelete“Consolidation,” a loose term with broad meaning, was used unsparingly throughout the One Redmond discussion. Statements by Martin, Carson, and Marchione and Vache' led me to believe a Merger between REDA and the Chamber was at hand. I’ll admit, it was a leap.
Mr. Martin agreed to “consolidation” and coordinated fund raising at the council meeting. Carson blurted, “250 Chambers went under in the last four years.” Martin responded with a reference to a successful CHAMBER-EDA merger in Snohomish. Then, there was the mayor’s urgency for October action. Councilmember Pat Vache’ ended the meeting,saying "it’s the Community that’s asking for consolidation.” Vache’ is a Director for the Chamber and REDA, and Council Vice President.
Their comments strengthened my opinion a merger or consolidation was in the offing --possibly after October - perhaps by year-end.
Yes, this was a Leap. But, it was my opinion. Mr. Martin contacted me; and I updated my blog on my own volition.
Mr. Martin explained his intentions for the chamber, writing: “Creation of new services to augment what we already do under a revised organization is the likely scenario.”
My hand goes out to Mr. Martin and his leadership.