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1. Accomplishing more by working together
By Judy Peppler, Chair, Alliance Board of Directors
One of the Alliance's core values and strengths is the belief that our effectiveness grows as we partner with others, including public officials, individual citizens and other business organizations. Over the past couple of years, we
have looked for projects that would give us the opportunity to work with other business organizations and, through our unity, expand the voice and effectiveness of business in our community. I am very pleased to tell you we have had some
significant successes.
At the 2007 Oregon Legislature, for example, the state's major business organizations have joined together in an unprecedented way to work on issues related to good government, taxation, education and transportation. The Alliance has
joined with Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon Business Council, Oregon Business Association, the American Electronics Association, the Smart Growth Coalition, the Oregon State Chamber and others to advocate for adequate state reserves
and fair business tax policies. Our voice in Salem has been stronger because we were together.
Earlier, we worked closely with the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations, the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, the Small Business Council and many other Portland-based groups to advocate for small business
tax relief in Portland and Multnomah County. Each of these groups brought a unique and important perspective to the effort, and, as a coalition, we successfully demonstrated to Portland City Council in January that Business License Fee
relief would help ensure healthy small businesses in our community. Now we are working together to achieve similar relief in Multnomah County.
We have joined with more than 20 other business organizations from across the metro region to develop and implement the Regional Business Plan. This effort has been exceptionally successful in building a broad business constituency to
support actions related to economic development, workforce development, transportation and land-use. Participants include such diverse entities as our partners at the region's many great chambers of commerce, the Clackamas County Business
Alliance, East Metro Economic Alliance, the Westside Economic Alliance, the Columbia River Economic Development Corporation and many others. The success of the Regional Business Plan lies with the diversity of the businesses at the table,
represented by these partner organizations.
In the area of transportation, we partnered with Metro and the Port of Portland to create the Cost of Congestion Study for the Portland-metro area. Now we are expanding on that effort to develop a statewide congestion study, partnering
with organizations and chambers across Oregon. We are also working with groups like Identity Clark County on the proposed new Columbia River crossing and other regional transportation issues.
On downtown issues, we work closely with the Building Owners and Managers Association and the Mall Management Group. On land-use issues, we frequently consult with the Commercial Real Estate Economic Coalition, the National Association of
Industrial and Office Properties, the Working Waterfront Coalition and many more.
As the leader of Qwest in Oregon, I manage a membership budget that pays for involvement in many business organizations across the state. Frankly, I like it when I hear that the Portland Business Alliance is working with, say, the Medford
Chamber of Commerce, because we're members of both. I feel that we get more bang for our buck if the business organizations work together. I hope you will join me in encouraging all of the business organizations you interact with to work
with partners because together our voice is stronger.
2. Alliance joins other organizations in support of rainy day fund
The Oregon Legislature is working on a series of measures that would create a rainy day fund, suspend the corporate kicker for 2007-2009 and increase the state's corporate minimum tax. Consideration of a package agreed to last week was
delayed to give lawmakers more time to look at the impact of the corporate minimum tax proposal.
The Alliance, along with all the state's leading business organizations, has supported the creation of a rainy day fund and strongly endorsed the plan agreed to by the legislative leadership. However, the Alliance raised concerns about the
proposed corporate minimum tax. We believe the legislature needs to provide an opportunity for full public hearings and analysis before the measure moves forward. More information on the proposed tax is available at
www.leg.state.or.us.
3. Public restrooms provide downtown relief
The Alliance is partnering with the city of Portland to open eight public restrooms downtown. Four unisex restrooms are currently under renovation, and one restroom at SW 4th and Clay is now open. The City has approved a contract with
Central City Concern to provide staffing for three restroom pilot projects.
The Downtown Business Improvement District will provide security and cleaning through its Clean & Safe program for all eight restrooms. In addition, the Alliance's Sidewalk Ambassadors will assist with routine checks on the new facilities
as they traverse downtown.
4. Local leaders raise issues with congressional delegation
Business and civic leaders from the Portland region will embark on the Alliance's fifth annual leadership trip to Washington D.C., scheduled for May 2-4, to discuss important regional issues with federal lawmakers.
While in Washington D.C., the group will meet with the congressional delegation from the Pacific Northwest, and other key legislative representatives and administration officials. Last year, attendees met with Representatives David Wu,
Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio, Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden, and the Honorable Jeffrey Shane, Undersecretary of Transportation for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Included in the trip is lunch at The Monocle, a hot spot for elected leadership. In addition, this year will include featured speaker Charlie Cook, who is widely regarded as one of the most astute impartial analysts of the Washington
political scene and is one of the nation's leading authorities on U.S. elections.
To find out more about how you can participate, call the Alliance at 503.224.8684.
5. Are you leadership material? Join Leadership Portland in 2007
 Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Are you committed to community service and civic involvement in
Portland? Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of the next class of Leadership Portland!
"Participating in Leadership Portland is a three dimensional experience - interacting with community leaders, gaining knowledge on Portland's issues and engaging in a project to improve our city," said 2007 participant Eric Brown, Chief
Executive Officer for American Red Cross, Pacific NW Regional Blood Services. "Leadership Portland has exceeded my expectations and moved me closer to being a better leader in this great community."
The Alliance created Leadership Portland in 2003 to provide emerging leaders interested in community service with the skills and knowledge necessary for future senior leadership positions within companies, civic betterment organizations
and government in the Portland region.
"It is so stimulating to be in a room with 35 classmates from Oregon's finest companies and non-profit organizations," said Anne Naito-Campbell, Principal Shareholder at Bill Naito Company, and part of Leadership Portland's Class of 2007.
"Being able to hear from our great leaders of today up close and personal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Through Leadership Portland, participants gain an understanding of the challenges the community and region face and how to work successfully for positive change. They engage in interactive exercises and stimulating curriculum to build
leadership skills that they can use in all parts of their lives.
"Portland faces great needs and opportunities in the years ahead," said Doug Pahl, Partner at Perkins Coie and a member of the Class of 2007. "Although there are many ideas about how Portland should evolve, we are learning that new ideas
are always welcome and, more importantly, there is a great need for people to put their shoulders to the wheel and implement those ideas."
This intensive program is conducted from September 2007 through June 2008. Class members are also expected to complete and present a team community project. The program begins with a two-day retreat, and continues with class members
meeting for program days, one day a month for eight months.
Apply now on the Alliance web site. The deadline is May 31, 2007.
6. Willms named Alliance Director of Membership
 In February, the Alliance named Brian Willms as the new Director of Membership. As Director, Willms oversees the recruitment and retention of
members and ensures that members are able to maximize their membership benefits by participating in Alliance events, and business development and networking opportunities.
"The Alliance understands the importance of members receiving a good return on their membership investment," said Willms. "Membership should focus on building relationships."
Willms joined the Alliance in 2005 as the Small Business Development Manager. Before joining the Alliance, he worked as a recruiter for Randstad, USA in Portland. He came to the Pacific Northwest from Denver, Colorado, where he developed
and implemented sales training programs for Liberty Savings and US Bank.
7. Alliance newsletter will spotlight "parties, pics and people"
How would you like to publicize a successful fundraiser, ribbon-cutting or fun social gathering that you or your company sponsored recently? The Alliance is launching an entertaining new section in the bimonthly print newsletter to
spotlight business and community events hosted by our members. Send the Alliance two or three high quality digital photos with their captions within three weeks of the event for publication in the next Alliance newsletter.
Here are some general guidelines:
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Only digital images will be considered. Your digital camera must have at least 3.2 mega pixels. Please send images as JPEG attachments.
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Accuracy is important when it comes to photo captions. Double check people's names and titles and correct spelling of first and last names.
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The best photos feature two to four people enjoying themselves at the event; photos should show some spontaneity laughter, smiles and fun. Be sure to name people from left to right, starting the caption "From left
"
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Photos should show a mix of participants, who might include guests, board members, patrons and event chairpersons. Photos might also show some atmosphere - decorations, auction items, food, costumes, entertainment. Captions should explain
the photo and identify each person's relationship to the event.
Please email submissions to Beth Hoyt at
bhoyt@portlandalliance.com with "Print Newsletter" in the subject line. Submissions should include: Name of the sponsoring organization, type of event with its name or theme, date and place of the event and
the number of people who attended.
8. What's new online
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Enhanced small business section
Learn about Alliance programs and committees that help small businesses, and browse web links to more than a dozen public resources available in the region.
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Downtown traffic updates
Get the latest traffic and construction news every Friday: Quick link on the Alliance home page.
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Fitness tips
Find monthly fitness tips and articles from Northwest Personal Fitness & Training.
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Downtown Retail Strategy full report
Read the updated report and action plan developed by The Alliance and the Portland Development Commission to reinvigorate Portland's downtown retail core.
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Leadership Portland
Apply online for the Class of 2008.
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Member news
Stay in touch with what our members are doing. We post the latest news and press releases from Alliance members.
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Community Calendar
Don't forget that as a member you can post your upcoming events on the Alliance's community calendar!
The Alliance web site is updated every day with the latest news about Alliance programs, events and members.
Events
9. Forum: The Future of Healthcare in Oregon
March 21, 7:30 a.m.
Governor Hotel
Former Governor John Kitzhaber and Mark Ganz, president and CEO of The Regence Group, will discuss their ideas for creating a healthcare system that provides everyone with basic health coverage. Kitzhaber will talk about his healthcare
proposal, The Archimedes Project, which aims to create a more equitable healthcare system. Ganz will discuss the importance for collaboration in reform efforts and to define a single vision in creating a sustainable healthcare system.
Event Sponsor:
Complementary Healthcare Plans, Inc.
Series Sponsors:
The ODS Companies and
Portland Tribune
10. Don't miss the largest business event of the year!
The Alliance Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 10 and presented by US Bank, is the largest gathering of business and civic leaders in the state, with more than 1,000 attendees. Richard Davis, President and Chief Operating Officer of U.S.
Bancorp, will be the keynote speaker. Davis has more than 28 years of experience in the banking industry and has led the commercial and consumer banking groups during his career with U.S. Bancorp, parent company of US Bank.
During the event the Alliance will honor the winners of the Alliance's 2006 Top Ten Growth Awards. The Top Ten Growth Awards, co-sponsored by Oregon Business magazine, recognizes some of the fastest growing companies in the
region.
The event begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Oregon Convention Center. Single tickets are available for $75 or $750 for a table of 10. To register, visit
www.portlandalliance.com.
Presenting Sponsor:
US Bank
Event Sponsors:
CH2M Hill,
JetBlue,
NW Natural,
Pacific Power,
Providence Health System and
Qwest
Media Sponsor:
Spirit Media
Visual Presentation by:
GuildWorks
Top Ten Growth Awards Sponsor:
Oregon Business magazine
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Economic Updates
11. Retailers scale back after holidays, job loss lower than normal
The Portland metro area started 2007 as it does every year with seasonal losses in non-farm employment and a higher unemployment rate. The unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in January, up from December's rate of 4.6 percent
Job levels declined by 22,600 in January. Losses are normal for this time of year as retailers scale back following the holidays, and other seasonal industries such as construction, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality continue their
winter decline. January's job loss was 1,000-2,000 fewer than typical.
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Member News
March Fitness Tip: Reduce your Portion Sizes
By Sherri and Alex McMillan
Portion size is a big problem in America. We are victims of a society that is hooked on super-sizing everything: extra-large drinks, monster-sized cookies, muffins, and bagels, and gigantic restaurant entrees. For many of us, it may not be
that our food choices are poor, but that we are just eating too much of a good thing. Here are some easy tips to help manage your portions.
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Use a smaller plate. This will force you to start with fewer calories right away. A bigger plate automatically means more calories.
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Divide your plate into four parts. A quarter of the plate will be reserved for a starch (whole grain rice, pasta, bread/roll), another quarter of the plate will be reserved for protein, and the last half of the plate should be reserved for
fruits and/or vegetables.
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Twenty minutes before you eat, have a cup of soup, a handful of walnuts, a small salad, a cup of juice, or 8-16 ounces of water. This will help suppress your appetite.
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To help control portions, keep a food log and submit it to a professional.
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To help avoid brain-dead, late-night eating, brush your teeth after dinner. Pop a breath mint. Go for a walk. Read a book. Take a bath.
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When grocery shopping, buy single servings to help control portions. Avoid buying in bulk. Studies show that when people buy in bulk, they also eat in bulk. Remember if it's there, you'll eat it!
Eat slowly. The brain needs 20 minutes to receive the signal that you're full.
Sherri and Alex McMillan own Northwest Personal Training & Fitness Education and have been in the fitness industry for more than 18 years. They were recently awarded the 2006 IDEA International Fitness Directors of the
Year. Visit their web site at
www.nwpersonaltraining.com. |
13. Rose Festival centennial celebration begins in May
The Rose Festival Court in 1938. Photo courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society (OrHi 83705).
This year, the Rose Festival is celebrating 100 years of "Tradition, Innovation and Celebration" in the Portland community with a special centennial event. May 31 marks the beginning of this tribute to Portland's history, culture and
community
After the city's first floral parade on June 10, 1904 and on the heels of the success of the Lewis & Clark Exposition of 1905, Mayor Harry Lane decided the city should have a festival of roses. An electrical parade was a sparkling feature
at the first festival in 1907 and was described as the most lavish spectacle of its kind on the continent. Following the 1907 event, a group of businessmen formally organized the Portland Rose Festival as a non-profit civic enterprise to
plan and finance the annual event. In these early years, the Rose Festival highlights included horse drawn floats in the floral parade, aquatic events in the nearby harbor, and fireworks at night.
In honor of this year's special celebration, the Alliance will continue to feature news and upcoming events for the festival. The anniversary celebration includes a Centennial Ball at the Oregon Convention Center and a Centennial
Exposition featuring a vaudeville show and Rose Festival documentary. Stay tuned for a full calendar of
Centennial events.
14. Former President Clinton to speak in Portland this April
The World Affairs Council of Oregon announced its 2007 International Speaker Series:
April 17
Former U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton
Global Interdependence
May 18
President Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia
Building Democracy in Africa
May 29
Sheri Liao: Beijing Olympics Green Ambassador
This Endangered Planet: A Chinese View
June - TBA
Middle East Diplomat
An Arab View of U.S. Foreign Policy
World Affairs Council of Oregon offers a variety of programs on international politics and culture, as well as professional exchanges, assistance to schools, and educational travel, all in service of our mission to enhance public
understanding of international affairs and Oregonians' connections to the rest of the world. For more information, go to
www.worldoregon.org.
15. Oregonians travel to New Orleans
A group of Oregonians, in collaboration with Portland-based Mercy Corps, will embark on a three-day goodwill trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 1, 2007. The "Flight of Friendship" venture follows in the spirit of the "Flight of
Freedom" to New York City after the terrorist attack on September 11.
Organized by a committee of business and public leaders, the purpose of this trip is to draw attention to the terrible devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Participants will gain first-hand knowledge of the impact of the hurricanes and the revitalization process underway. They will interact with Mercy Corps program partners from neighborhoods throughout the city, participate in recovery
projects, and provide financial and moral support.
All are welcome, including grassroots activists, business and civic leaders, elected and public officials, and all who love New Orleans.
To find out more about the Flight of Friendship, go to
www.flightoffriendship.com.
16. MassMutual supports breast cancer outreach and awareness program
Left to right - Sharon Henifin, executive director Breast Friends, Jessica Benedetti, MassMutual,
Becky Olson, president Breast Friends
Breast Friends of Beaverton recently received a generous donation from Alliance member MassMutual as a result of a program offered last year by the financial network. The program offered financial education seminar programs in recognition
of breast cancer awareness.
Nationally, MassMutual's agents conducted 93 "Pearls of Wisdom" financial education seminars across the country during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2006, providing women and their families and friends with financial information
they can use to build a more secure financial future. For each seminar, MassMutual's U.S. Insurance Group made a sizable contribution to a cancer research, detection or support program of the agent's choosing.
"We are thrilled that MassMutual chose our organization to be one of the recipients of funds generated by this outstanding program," said Becky Olson, President and co-founder of Breast Friends.
17. Upcoming Meetings
March 9, President's Council, noon
March 13, Transportation Committee, noon
March 16, Membership Committee, 7:30 am
March 20, Downtown Retail Council, 7:30 am
March 20, Communications Committee, noon
March 20, Cornerstones for Success Committee, 3:30 pm
March 27, Public Safety Sub-Committee, 8 am
March 28, Government Relations Committee, 7:30
March 28, Small Business Council, 3 pm
April 4, Central City Standing Committee, noon
18.
Print a copy of this month's Calendar of Events or
view online calendar
19. To unsubscribe to this newsletter, follow the instructions at the bottom of this email.
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