ADVOCACY WORKS

USING ADVOCACY TO DRIVE CHANGES

We are all advocates at heart. We work to drive social justice and improve healthy behaviors. We advocate because we hoped to “be the change we wanted to see in the world.”

Yet somehow a misunderstanding of the

GH¿QLWLRQ RI DGYRFDF\ DQG WKH QRQSUR¿W rules that surround it have struck fear in many of us. That fear has stopped us from acting on our hearts and minds with one of the most powerful tools in our toolbox— our expertise to inform and express our advocate’s voice. And we can use that voice while we simultaneously dedicate our days (and sometimes our evenings, and—let’s face it—far too many weekends) to helping others. Lobbying and advocacy for a more conducive economic environment are a core activity of Chambers of Commerce. By actively engaging in advocacy, a Chamber

RI &RPPHUFH UDLVHV LWV SUR¿OH DPRQJ policymakers and enhances its reputation within the business community.

THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS

Every year, members—made up of corporate members, local chambers, and boards of

WUDGH²GHYHORS SROLFLHV WKDW UHÀHFW WKH QHHGV of B.C. businesses. Through this grassroots policy process all membership endorses approximately 70 new policies every year. These policies are then advocated to elected

RI¿FLDOV DQG WKH SRZHUV WR EH IRU FKDQJH 7R review the Chambers past Advocacy efforts visit https://www.penticton.org/advocacy/ past-successes-ongoing-efforts/.

ADVOCACY IS LIKE INSURANCE

$GYRFDF\ ,QÀXHQFH LV RQH RI WKH SULPDU\ EHQH¿WV RIIHUHG WR &KDPEHU PHPEHUV KRZHYHU LW LV DOVR WKH PRVW GLI¿FXOW WR TXDQWLI\ $V D EXVLQHVV RZQHU ZKDW LI RQH GD\ \RX ¿QG yourself ‘victim’ of a municipal, provincial or federal government decision that limits your effectiveness or impacts your bottom line? Wouldn’t it be great if you had someone with LQÀXHQFH WR JR WR EDW IRU \RX" :RXOGQ¶W LW EH JUHDW LI WKDW LQÀXHQFH FDUULHG WKH ZHLJKW of hundreds of other businesses and had a positive track record of results? That’s what you get with a Chamber of Commerce membership; hundreds of voices all primed to come to your business’ aid if ever necessary. That’s what we call Advocacy. Advocacy is like insurance. You may never need it, but it’s nice to know you have it. Consider our Advocacy your business insurance. Keep it in your back pocket. In case you ever need it, it’s priceless. Our Advocacy Committee gathers feedback from you, our members, on issues of importance. The committee carefully researches and develops solution based recommendations. Together with

WKH %RDUG RI 'LUHFWRUV DQ RI¿FLDO VWDQFH LV determined and the issue is advanced with the appropriate authorities.

RELATIONS WITH THE MUNICIPALITY

The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce works diligently to maintain accountability and communication with the City of Penticton as often as possible. On matters that are important to businesses and the community as whole, volunteer Board members are present at City Council meetings, ensuring business interests and Chamber members are represented. Additionally, this constant presence guarantees that important municipal issues

DUH TXLFNO\ FRPPXQLFDWHG EDFN WR WKH %RDUG of Directors. Furthermore, City Councillors have one (1) non-voting seat on the Board of Directors to act as a liaison between the City

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by Councillor Campbell Watt. Councilors

DQG 0D\RU -RKQ 9DVVLODNL IUHTXHQWO\ DWWHQG Chamber events in order to further develop a collaborative relationship with our Chamber and meet other Penticton business leaders. These links help to create a sustained dialogue between the Chamber and the City of Penticton. On issues of importance to Penticton business and development, the City turns to the Chamber for solutions and we are happy to continue our role as the Voice of Business in Penticton.

CONNECTING ACROSS CANADA THE BIGGER PICTURE

The BC Chamber of Commerce’s dynamic, grassroots policy-building process is key to success as B.C.’s premier business advocate. Their network of local Chambers and their member businesses include sole proprietorships, micro-businesses and BC’s largest corporate players, capturing the views of every region and sector in the province. Their advocacy efforts carry the backing of our 36,000 represented businesses. The BC Chamber’s rigorous policy-building process, coupled with the strategic advocacy efforts, has driven their outstanding track record of policy results. In addition, they offer MindReader, a free

PHPEHU EHQH¿W WKDW ZLOO DOORZ \RX WR SURYLGH your opinion on emerging issues that affect your business and team. This provincewide digital network will allow all B.C.-based Chambers to unite their voices and share views on doing business in BC so that we can cut more red tape on your behalf. To participate, just register. It’s simple and free to join https://www.bcmindreader.com/ hub. The BC Chamber works closely with our national partner, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to ensure that made-inB.C. policies have national impact. The BC Chamber annually participate in the Canadian Chamber’s policy process and bring B.C.’s needs and innovative solutions before their peers from across the country. Since 1925, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has connected businesses of all sizes, from all sectors and from all regions of the country to advocate for public policies that will foster a strong, competitive

HFRQRPLF HQYLURQPHQW WKDW EHQH¿WV businesses, communities and families across Canada. Representing 200,000 businesses, the Chambers are the largest business association in Canada, and the

FRXQWU\¶V PRVW LQÀXHQWLDO 2XU YLHZV DUH sought after and respected by government, business leaders and the media thanks to our well-researched reports, analyses, position papers and policy resolutions that

UHÀHFW D EURDG EXVLQHVV SHUVSHFWLYH That’s it – your Chamber 101 lesson on Advocacy and one of the many reasons for being a Chamber member.