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: Opened until filled (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 $38-45,000, 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 State of Main Street
Small businesses are the job creators in our economy, and in Oregon represent nearly 98% of the employers. Small businesses create jobs and deliver essential goods and services in communities across Oregon and the country; they help to bolster development of local economies. Seen as some of the most trusted messengers in our society, small business owners are a critical link holding our communities together.
As real-life experts on the economy, and the challenges and opportunities of running a business, small business owners have important perspectives on how to shape public policies to support strong local economies. This report focuses on the experiences and views of Oregon small business owners as documented in a rolling survey conducted between June of 2013 and July of 2014. The survey evaluated small business owners’ experiences and views on the economy, taxes, access to credit, money in politics, banking, health care, retirement security, workplace benefits and immigration reform.
This report is based on a survey of 443 small business owners throughout Oregon. The majority of these “Main Street” businesses were in rural cities from Hood River to Joseph, from Astoria to Brookings, from Monmouth to Ashland and in the Bend/Redmond area. Business sizes vary from 1-100 employees, with the majority below 25 employees.
Key findings include:
THE ECONOMY, CAPITAL ACCESS & TAXES
- Oregon small business owners believe increasing consumer demand is what is needed most to create more jobs and get the economy back on track. Most small business owners report that more customers will help them to create more jobs, not lower taxes or fewer regulations.
- Small business owners across Oregon continue to face challenges with access to credit. Respondents reported they have been turned down for loans within the past year, decided to not seek bank loans due to being discouraged, and have had lines of credit called in. This has particularly impacted women business owners and business owners of color.
- Oregon small business owners believe big corporations should pay more taxes, and strongly support closing corporate tax loopholes. The majority of respondents said big corporations are paying less than their fair share of taxes. A strong majority sees closing corporate tax loopholes as an necessary revenue-raising opportunity, before making further budget cuts.
- Small business owners support local banking and public policy encouraging local lending, like partnership banks by a factor of 9 to 1. The vast majority of respondents support cities and counties moving public deposits out of Wall Street banks and depositing them in local community banks and credit unions.
JOB QUALITY, HEALTH CARE & WORKPLACE ISSUES
- A plurality of Oregon small business owners surveyed support a statewide sick leave standard for all employers. The business community is divided on a paid time off standard, but supporters see it as a public health issue, and the right thing to do. Support for a state-wide standard was even higher from women business owners.
- An increasing number of small business owners are offering insurance to their employees. There is still need for more information about the health care law, how it works for small businesses, and how to access small business tax credits for offering a health care plan.
- Small business owners in Oregon support further health care reforms to guarantee universal health coverage, beyond the Affordable Care Act. Many are in support of a “single payer” or Medicare for All type of system.
RETIREMENT SECURITY
- Small business owners in Oregon call for more retirement saving options for their employees and their families. The majority support the concept of the state creating a pooled retirement savings option for all Oregonians. Women business owners reported an even higher level of support for such a plan.
IMMIGRATION REFORM
- An increasingly strong majority of Oregon small businesses support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants. Respondents see the immigrant workforce as critical to the development, recovery and expansion of our economy.
POLITICAL SPENDING AND ELECTORAL REFORM
- Oregon small business owners are concerned about unlimited political spending in elections. Asked if the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision freeing corporations to spend unlimited money in elections was good, bad or had no impact for small businesses, a clear majority of respondents said it was bad for small businesses.
- Oregon small business owners support electoral reforms to limit the influence of money in politics. Many support a constitutional amendment declaring that corporations are not people and money is not speech, as well as other reforms to fund elections with small private donations and public matching funds rather than relying on wealthy donors and corporate money.
Leveling the playing field for small businesses must come in a variety of forms, with a particular attention to capital access for small business owners, especially for women and people of color. We must work together to find ways to support our communities, and the Main Street businesses that serve them. Increasing the ability for small businesses to grow and expand will allow them to create more jobs, and help to get the economy back on track. While access to capital plays a large role in investment in Main Street, increasing the buying power of customers is certainly a necessary piece of the puzzle.
Oregon small business owners are supportive of giving Oregon families a fair shot—real opportunities to succeed and prosper with policies like basic standards for paid sick days as well as safe, secure, and effective retirement savings vehicles for small business owners and their employees. Women small business owners and business owners of color are particularly supportive of these policies. There is a clear call from the small business community that it’s time to rethink the “business as usual” agendas promoted by big business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We need to move towards understanding the whole picture of how our businesses interact with the communities we serve.
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon hopes lawmakers, the media and other decision makers will look closely at the results of this survey in planning public policy. We encourage them to listen and respond to the truevoices of Main Street.
Main Street Leaders Meet with Congresswoman Bonamici
Main Street Leaders meet with Congresswoman Bonamici – Women and working family issues addressed in new State of Main Street report
Sara Howe addresses Congresswoman Bonamici on issues impacting her small web, social media and marketing firm.
Portland, OR - This morning, Main Street Alliance of Oregon leaders, Deborah Field, co-owner of Paperjam Press, and Sara Howe and Christy Cushing, co-owners of Howe Innovative Design, met with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici to release the new survey report, State of Main Street. This report challenges conventional perceptions of small business owners’ thoughts on key policy issues. It details responding business owners’ views on key issues facing Oregon and the nation.
Oregon small business owners are supportive of giving Oregon working families a fair shot—real opportunities to succeed and prosper with policies like basic standards for paid sick days as well as safe, secure, and effective retirement savings vehicles for small business owners and their employees. Women small business owners and business owners of color are particularly supportive of these policies. There is a clear call from the small business community that it’s time to rethink the “business as usual” agendas promoted by Big Business and special interest groups. We need to move towards understanding the whole picture of how our businesses interact with the communities we serve.
Sara Howe, Christy Cushing, Deborah Field, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Stephen Michael, and Sean Place. Photo credit: Kristin Rasmussen, Dist. Rep for Suzanne Bonamici
(left to right)
“Small businesses are a critical part of Oregon’s economy, especially in rural areas. Policies that support small businesses help create economic security and stability for working Oregonians. These policies include access to capital for those who want to start a new business, quality education, stable housing, and affordable health care,” Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said. “When families earn a living wage, can take paid leave, and do not struggle to pay for child care, they are more likely to succeed and thrive. The Main Street Alliance report recognizes that these policies are good for small businesses because they lead to healthier families, a stronger local work force, increased consumer spending, and ultimately a stronger local economy.”
“As we continue to recover from this recession, I am committed to helping small businesses remain competitive in today’s market,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “This report, issued by The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, clearly outlines some of the challenges that remain. While I’m concerned the benefits of our economic recovery aren’t being broadly felt, it’s encouraging to know Oregon’s small businesses feel as strongly as I do about the importance of affordable, quality healthcare, reforming our broken immigration system, and ensuring fair and equitable access to credit.”
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon hopes lawmakers, the media and other decision makers will look closely at the results of this survey in planning public policy. We encourage them to listen and respond to the true voices of Main Street.
Press Release – SURVEY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS STAND UNITED ON KEY POLICY ISSUES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 27, 2014
CONTACT: Stephen Michael, 503-610-6726, stephen@mainstreetalliance.org
SURVEY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS STAND UNITED ON KEY POLICY ISSUES
Small business owners across Oregon support closing corporate tax loopholes, comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship, moves towards universal health care, and more.
** Download The State of Main Street report here **
Portland, OR – Small business owners are often perceived as anti-tax, anti-government programs and regulations, and against initiatives like healthcare reform. Today, Main Street Alliance of Oregon leaders met with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici to release their most recent report, The State of Main Street. This report challenges conventional perceptions of small business owners’ thoughts on key policy issues. It details responding business owners’ views on key issues facing Oregon and the nation.
Oregon small business owners are supportive of giving Oregon working families a fair shot—real opportunities to succeed and prosper with policies like basic standards for paid sick days as well as safe, secure, and effective retirement savings vehicles for small business owners and their employees. Women small business owners and business owners of color are particularly supportive of these policies. There is a clear call from the small business community that it’s time to rethink the “business as usual” agendas promoted by Big Business and special interest groups. We need to move towards understanding the whole picture of how our businesses interact with the communities we serve.
“Small businesses are a critical part of Oregon’s economy, especially in rural areas. Policies that support small businesses help create economic security and stability for working Oregonians. These policies include access to capital for those who want to start a new business, quality education, stable housing, and affordable health care,” Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said. “When families earn a living wage, can take paid leave, and do not struggle to pay for child care, they are more likely to succeed and thrive. The Main Street Alliance report recognizes that these policies are good for small businesses because they lead to healthier families, a stronger local work force, increased consumer spending, and ultimately a stronger local economy.”
Some key findings of The State of Main Street:
On the economy, capital & taxes:
- Business owners say more customers, not lower taxes or fewer regulations, will help create more jobs and get the economy back on track
- Women and minority business owners have increasingly difficult time accessing capital to grow businesses
- 74% of small business owners surveyed feel large corporations are paying less than their fair share of taxes & 81% of those surveyed support closing corporate tax loopholes to increase revenues over making further budget cuts
On job quality, health care, and workplace standards:
- 48% of all business owners surveyed, and 51% of women business owners surveyed, support a statewide paid sick days standard.
- Increasing percentage of small business owners offering health care to their employees; 65% support further healthcare reforms to guarantee universal health coverage, beyond the Affordable Care Act, like a “single-payer” or Medicare for All type system.
On retirement security:
- 71% of all respondents, and 76% of women respondents, support Oregon creating a pooled retirement option for small business owners and their employees
On immigration:
- 82% support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants
On money in politics:
- 74% said the Citizens United decision was bad for small business and 78% support a constitutional amendment declaring corporations are not people and money is not speech
“As we continue to recover from this recession, I am committed to helping small businesses remain competitive in today’s market,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “This report, issued by The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, clearly outlines some of the challenges that remain. While I’m concerned the benefits of our economic recovery aren’t being broadly felt, it’s encouraging to know Oregon’s small businesses feel as strongly as I do about the importance of affordable, quality healthcare, reforming our broken immigration system, and ensuring fair and equitable access to credit.”
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon hopes lawmakers, the media and other decision makers will look closely at the results of this survey in planning public policy. We encourage them to listen and respond to the true voices of Main Street.
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The Main Street Alliance of Oregon is a network of more than 2,500 small businesses across Oregon. We work strategically to provide small businesses a voice on the most pressing public policy issues of our time. Our advocacy promotes vibrant businesses and healthy communities, and fosters leadership development of socially responsible business leaders. oregon.mainstreetalliance.org
Money on a Mission on Main Street
Portland, OR — Last night, October 22, hundreds of small business owners and small business supporters braved the rain storms and came together at HATCH to celebrate small business and connect Main Street business owners with local lenders.
Money on a Mission, sponsored by Beneficial State Bank and HATCH, brought together the top local small business lenders: Albina Community Bank, Albina Opportunities Corporation, Beneficial State Bank, Community Sourced Capital, Craft3, HATCH, Kiva Zip, Mercy Corps Northwest, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, & Portland Development Commission.
There’s no question that there is a large gap in access to capital for Main Street businesses, especially for women business owners and business owners of color. More and more, tradition forms of lending aren’t working for small businesses across Oregon and nationally. By bringing together local alternative lenders and expert panels on business development and growth, all in one room, Main Street business owners were able to think outside the box and find creative ways to fill their capital access needs.
The event kicked off with welcoming remarks (and trademark song) from Kat Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Beneficial State Bank and Amy Pearl, Founder of HATCH. Then there was plenty of time for business owners in the room to network with each other and all 11 of the local lenders on site. There were expert panels in small breakouts for budding entrepreneurs on accessing early stage funds and for established businesses working to grow to the next level.
While it was inspiring to have all of these lenders presenting their alternative forms of capital, we know that there’s still a gap for those businesses who need smaller amounts. That’s why The Main Street Alliance of Oregon and Hatch Innovation have come together to work on creating streamlined ways for Oregonians to directly invest in Oregon-owned and operated businesses. To find out more about what’s coming down the pipe line, contact oregon [at] mainstreetalliance.org.
