Main Street Alliance of Oregon
Too often, small businesses are “spoken for” by corporate lobbyists who claim to represent us but are really pushing a Big Business agenda. We’re changing that by creating opportunities for Oregon’s small business owners to speak for ourselves – face to face with decision-makers, at public events and through the media.
* We work on the issues that matter most to small businesses and our entire communities, including health care, financial reform, jobs and the economy, energy and efficiency, among other pressing issues.
* And we’re making an impact. We have a history of accomplishments because of the involvement of our members, led by a statewide steering committee of small business leaders.
* We are affiliated with the national Main Street Alliance.
Please spend time on our website to learn more about our coalition; the issues we work on; our independent research; Main Street Alliance members in the media; find events happening near you; the latest from our blog; how you can support our work; and most importantly, how you can get involved.
Thanks!
-The Main Street Alliance of Oregon
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon is Hiring!
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:
THE MAIN STREET ALLIANCE OF OREGON IS HIRING!
Deadline to apply: June 30, 2014 (applications will be considered on a rolling basis)
Job Title: The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Small Business Organizer
Position Summary: The Small Business Organizer will organize businesses working with The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, an affiliate of the national The Main Street Alliance network and a project of the Alliance for a Just Society, to advance win-win public policies that benefit small business owners, their employees, and the communities they serve. The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Small Business Organizer will work with Main Street Alliance staff to develop a coordinated organizing plan, conduct direct canvass-based outreach to recruit small business owners to join The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, help develop and implement a grassroots fundraising plan, develop small business leaders, and mobilize small business owners to impact decision-makers, opinion leaders and the media. This position involves frequent travel around the state.
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Small Business Organizer reports to The Main Street Alliance of Oregon State Director.
Job Description:
The duties of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Small Business Organizer focus primarily on outreach/recruitment, leadership development/training, and mobilizing small business owners to engage decision-makers, the media, and the public in support of issues like health care reform, fair taxes, and high road workplace benefits. These duties include:
- Work with Oregon & national Main Street Alliance staff to develop a coordinated small business outreach and organizing plan for the state, and participate in the development of the national Main Street Alliance network.
- Conduct small business recruitment drives in key areas around the state using direct canvass-based outreach to recruit small business members; recruit and train volunteers/interns to participate in small business outreach blitzes and other outreach/contact strategies.
- Help to develop and implement a grassroots fundraising plan with a dues structure for members of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon.
- Hold organizing meetings in key areas around the state to build local small business leadership teams, engage small business owners on a deeper level, and identify potential small business spokespeople and candidates for a coalition steering committee.
- Identify and develop small business leadership/spokesperson teams for direct engagement with decision-makers, media opportunities, and peer outreach through one-on-ones, organizing meetings and small business leadership trainings.
- Engage emerging small business leaders in peer outreach and research – collecting petitions and surveys – to develop leadership and build resources for research products.
- Organize statewide and local tactics, action steps and events in coordination with the national small business campaign plan – leverage the voices of small business owners to impact the public debate.
- Recruit and staff a diverse statewide steering committee for The Main Street Alliance of Oregon.
Qualifications:
- Deep commitment to a vision of racial, social, and economic justice and to building the collective voice of small business owners in Oregon.
- At least 2 years experience in community/grassroots organizing, political campaigns and/or legislative work.
- Experience and strong canvassing and/or door knocking skills.
- Experience with grassroots fundraising.
- Ability to communicate effectively and engage members of the small business community at their level.
- Strong written and verbal skills, and ability to listen.
- Ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel around the state on a regular basis and work flexible hours required.
- Ability to work independently and strong time management skills.
- Strong facilitation skills.
- Computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet & database, Power Point, electronic communication).
- Ability to speak Spanish or other languages a plus.
- Experience with national campaigns or large municipal/state coalitions a plus.
- A passion for organizing and a sense of humor.
Evaluation:
- There will be an evaluation after the first month, again at the six-month mark, then ongoing at the end of each year.
Compensation:
- Salary DOE.
- Generous benefits, including health and dental coverage, retirement contributions, paid vacation, personal days, and holidays, as per personnel policies.
To apply, e-mail a cover letter, resumé and references to: stephen@mainstreetalliance.org and oregon@mainstreetalliance.org with subject line: The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Small Business Organizer
We are looking for committed, enthusiastic people with a sense of humor to join our organizing team! The Alliance for a Just Society and Main Street Alliance are committed to equal opportunity, and are considering applicants of all races, gender, ages, sexual orientations, national origins, ethnicities, religion, and abilities. We urge people of color, and experienced organizers and activists of all backgrounds, to apply.
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon releases new report on Paid Sick Days in Eugene
Earned paid sick time is an issue that affects a significant proportion of workers and employers in Eugene, including small business owners and their employees.
Having the opportunity to earn paid sick time is clearly a benefit for workers. But offering employees this opportunity also has benefits for employers. These benefits include protecting workplace productivity, decreasing turnover and associated costs, and reducing health care costs.
For more information, read The Main Street Alliance of Oregon’s new report on Understanding Paid Sick Time in Eugene.
Tell Senator Wyden to End GE’s $3 Billion Tax Refund!
General Electric is one of the worst corporate tax dodgers out there. It has managed to pay ZERO dollars in federal income taxes over five recent years — thanks to some big tax loopholes and some clever accounting. You may well have paid more in taxes in one year than GE paid on $27 billion in profits over those five years.
The company has mobilized a small army of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., this year, because two of its most profitable tax loopholes have just expired. These arcane-sounding loopholes — known as the “active financing” loophole and the CFC lookthrough rule — let General Electric and other big corporations avoid paying their U.S. taxes when they shift profits to offshore tax havens.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, is about to have his committee vote on a plan that would bring these two loopholes back. If they are revived, they will cost us $80 billion over the next 10 years.
Our country should not go further into debt to keep tax loopholes open for profitable, tax-dodging corporations like General Electric.
Sign on to Support Universal Health Care in Oregon
While Cover Oregon and the Affordable Care Act will increase the number of Oregonians covered by health insurance, many small business owners and individuals will still lack adequate coverage.
Health Care for All Oregon, a coalition of health reform advocates and organizations and Main Street Alliance of Oregon, a network of statewide independent small business owners, support the creation in Oregon of a universal, comprehensive, publicly funded, high quality and equitable health care system serving all Oregonians.
In a statewide survey of small business owners, Voices of Main Street, we found that a majority (61%) support “a universal healthcare system where employers are not solely responsible for health care costs such as a ‘single payer’ or Medicare for All model.”
How Oregon Small Businesses Would Benefit From Universal Publicly Funded Health Care
Click here to support universal healthcare in Oregon
Download a sign-on sheet (PDF) with which to recruit other small businesses to this campaign!
Join These Oregon Business Owners in Support of Universal Health Care
Paco Maribona, AAA Advanced Benefits, Gleneden Beach
Peter Tofalvi, Abacus Energy Solutions, Beaverton
Rober Lewis, Able Glass Works, Sherwood
Travis Anderson, Adso Ink, Eugene
Dr. Mark Gabriel, Advanced Wellness Center, Portland
Michael Wade, Application Development Services, Portland
Andrea Dean, Andrea, Eugene
Andrew Elliott, Attorney at Law, Oregon City
Steven Baker, Authentica Wines, Eugene
Terri Wamsley, Bar-n-Dee Discount Trophies, Eugene
Stephen Farish, Bayview Finish and Construction, Waldport
Laurie Chadwick, Bed and Biscuits LLC, Silverton
David Funk, Bell & Funk, Eugene
William Cervarich, betsy & iya, Portland
Carol Kulog, Betty’s Books, Baker City
Paul Nicholson, Bicycle Way of Life, Eugene
Keenan Dellabough, Big City Gamin’, Eugene
William Brewer, Bill Brewer Hair, Eugene
Peter Ogura, Black Sun Books, Eugene
Naja Rossoff, Bounce Gymnastics, Inc., Eugene
Mark Kellenbeck, BrainJoy LLC, Medford
Richard Burchfield, Cafe du Hall, Eugene
Mike Sumner, Case Automotive Inc, Woodburn
Alpa Patel, Courtesy Inn, Eugene
Tony Stirpe, Crumb Together, Eugene
Miguel Belloso, De Belloso, Eugene
Steve Robinson, Decision Metrics, Eugene
Julie Johnson, Discount Carpet, Eugene
David Doucet, David Doucet Violins, Eugene
Josh Goldfarb, David Minor Theater, Eugene
Steve Robinson, Decision Metrics, Eugene
Mitra Chester, Deluxe, Eugene
Michael Barthmus, Doppio Coffee and Lounge, Hood River
Susan Boyd, Dora’s Garden LLC, Union
David Eatwell, Economic Development Consulting, Fairview
Craig Williams, Evergreen Nutrition, Eugene
Keta Tom, The Fingerboard Extension, Corvallis
Flora Melhouse, Flora Herminia Consulting, Portland
Jim Robison, Forward Support Inc, Portland
Mike Kaszycki, Fox Hollow Creek Nursery, Eugene
Jason Freilinger, Freilinger Electronics, Silverton
Sharon Aly, Friends & Neighbors Realty, Eugene
Amy Isler Gibson, The Gallery at the Watershed, Eugene
Joan Kleban, Greater Goods, Eugene
David Wollner, The Green Store, LLC, Eugene
Thea Snyder, Haven Décor LLC, Coos Bay
Jim Houser, Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Portland
Henry Elder, Dr. Henry Elder, MD, Canby
Katherine Lavine, Holy Cow Foods, Eugene
Larry Gunn, Human Ecology Center, Eugene
James Yank, James Yang Physical Therapy, Ashland
Hank Keeton, Phd, Keeton Corporation, Scotts Mills
Mike Webb, Knipe Realty NW Inc, Keizer
C. Fuji Kreider, Kreider Consulting, La Grande
Alicia Markus, Landscaper, Eugene
M. Lazar, Lazar’s Bazar, Eugene
Alan Leiman, Leiman & Johnson LLC, Eugene
Marina Hajek, Marina’s Art Studio, Eugene
William Little, Mezza Luna Pizza, Eugene
Mindy Patterson, Mindy’s Needlepoint Factory, Eugene
Denise Sprengelmeyer, Modern, Eugene
Rebecca & Norman Kagawa, Mother Ship Food Cart, Eugene
Laura Kirwin, Nebbiolo Wine Bar, Oregon City
Brian and Kate Johnstone, Nehalem Clayworks, Nehalem
April Unruh, Noble Cafe and Espresso, Eugene
Jim Gilbert, Northwoods Nursery, Molalla
Deborah L. Field, Paperjam Press, Portland
Barbara Baker, PDX Metro Solutions, Portland
Paige Shumway, Pegasus Frame Studio & Gallery, Corvallis
Aaron Chester, Perk, Eugene
Dominic & Jacqui Chavarria, Personally Yours, Eugene
Chris DeVito, Pinnacle Insurance, Silverton
Richard Ragatz, Ragatz Associates, Eugene
Wende Jarman, “Red’s” Barbershop, Florence
Robert Manders, Robert P Manders, Attorney, Eugene
Ronald Goldfarb, Ronny’s Audio Vision, Eugene
Mark Wheeler, Roots Realty, Portland
Jeffrey Passertotti, Rye Food & Drink, Eugene
Nancy Arnston, Salem Community Acupuncture, Salem
Stephen Michael, Sasquatch Environmental Consulting, Portland
Felicia Colden, Sol Botanicals, Eugene
Gavin McComas, Sundance Natural Foods, Eugene
Catherine Reinhart, Sweet Life Patisserie, Eugene
Tamara B. Maher, Tamara B Maher PC, Portland
Tom Dwyer, Tom Dwyer Automotive, Portland
William Duarte, Total Health Clinic, Portland
Brian Setzler, TriLibrium, Portland
Trudy Cooper, Trudy Cooper & Associates, Portland
Eva Promen, Uncommon Scents at Meridian, Eugene
Mike Nagle, Uppercut Barber Shop, The Dalles
Paul Perkins, Virtual Assistant, Beaverton
Helen Burmingham, Wellspring West, Portland
Joseph Eusterman, Western Occupational Environmental Services, Wilsonville
Dan & Barbara Gleason, Wild Birds Unlimited of Eugene, Eugene
Karen Alexander-Brown, Wind Song at the Sea Gypsy, Lincoln City
Christi Ross, Wrightberry’s Cakes and Cupcakes, Oregon City
Download a sign-on sheet (PDF) with which to recruit other small businesses to this campaign!
New Study Reveals that Failure to Pass Immigration Reform will Hurt Oregon’s Economy
New study provides one more reason House Republicans should not delay passage of immigration reform
Last Friday, Oregon Congressman Greg Walden told reporters that the U.S. House could take up an immigration overhaul next year. Congressman Walden’s statement came just days after Speaker John Boehner told reporters that he is unwilling to work with the U.S. Senate to fix our nation’s broken immigration system–something that polls show a majority of Americans want.
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon’s new report, “Whats on the Line: The Costs of Delaying Immigration Reform”, details how delaying immigration reform can cause a loss in jobs and economic activity for Oregon.
According to the 2014 projection for Oregon included in the report, the longer that immigration reform is delayed the more harm it does to Oregon’s economy and the more jobs are lost.
- Every month of delay costs Oregon $32.4 million in economic activity and 386 jobs.
- Delaying immigration reform and its economic impacts for three month costs Oregon $97.3 million in economic activity and 1,157 jobs.
- Delaying immigration reform for six months will cost Oregon $194.5 million in economic activity and 2,314 jobs.”
The report also revealed that every day immigration reform is delayed, the United States would lose $106 million in economic activity and 1,190 jobs, while every month of that delay would cause a $3.2 billion loss in economic activity and 36,200 jobs.
