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
Hiring a Business Relationship Manager
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 Business Relationship Manager
Position Summary: The Business Relationship Manager will develop and manage relationships with medium sized, locally owned businesses working with The Main Street Alliance of Oregon. The Main Street Alliance of Oregon is an affiliate of the national The Main Street Alliance network and a project of the Alliance for a Just Society, that works to advance win-win public policies that benefit small business owners, their employees, and the communities they serve. The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Business Relationship Manager will work with Main Street Alliance staff to develop a coordinated outreach plan, conduct outreach to recruit small and medium locally owned and operated business owners to join The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, help develop and implement a grassroots fundraising plan, develop small and medium business leaders, and mobilize small and medium 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 Business Relationship Manager reports to The Main Street Alliance of Oregon State Director.
Job Description:
The duties of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Business Relationship Manager focus primarily on outreach/recruitment, leadership development/training, and mobilizing business owners to engage decision-makers, the media, and the public in support of issues like revenue reform, 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 & medium business outreach and organizing plan for the state, and participate in the development of the national Main Street Alliance network.
- Use existing databases, develop lists of target business owners for recruitment and engagement.
- Identify and develop a small & medium business leadership/spokesperson committee for direct engagement with decision-makers, media opportunities, and peer outreach through one-on-ones, organizing meetings and business leadership trainings.
- Engage emerging business leaders in peer outreach and research 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 & medium business owners to impact the public debate.
- Work within existing coalitions, help manage those relationships, and help identify opportunities for new relationship development.
- Help develop and build support for a small business agenda.
- Help to implement a grassroots fundraising plan with a dues structure for members of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Deep commitment to a vision of racial, social, and economic justice and to building the collective voice of small business owners in Oregon.
- Strong commitment to organizing through relationship building.
- At least 2 years experience in community/grassroots organizing, &/or political campaigns
- Ability to communicate effectively and engage members of the 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.
- Experience working with/within the Oregon business community, (current connections and relationships developed with high-profile locally owned and operated businesses a plus)
- Experience working in or with the Legislature
- Experience with grassroots fundraising.
- 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 $40-50K, 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 jobs@mainstreetalliance.org with subject line: The Main Street Alliance of Oregon Business Relationship Manager
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.
Hiring a Small Business Organizer
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 $38-42K, 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 jobs@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.
Oregon Businesses Applaud Senate Passage of Clean Fuels Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2015
Media Contact:
Jim Houser, Co-Owner of Hawthorne Auto Clinic & Co-Chair of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon
Oregon Businesses Applaud Senate Passage of Clean Fuels Program
Job creation and consumer savings to help boost Oregon’s economy
Today, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 324 to reauthorize Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, which will expand Oregon’s clean fuels market and reduce harmful pollution for cleaner air and healthier communities. Oregon business leaders, who have long supported the program for its jobs and economic growth benefits, praised the Senate reauthorization of the program as a critical step in moving forward Oregon’s homegrown, alternative fuel industry to create jobs.
“The Clean Fuels Program is a well-designed, market-based program that will spur economic activity while safe guarding businesses,” said Jim Houser, co-owner of Hawthorne Auto Clinic and co-chair of the Main Street Alliance of Oregon. “The Main Street Alliance of Oregon has supported the Clean Fuels Program since 2009, and we are pleased that the Senate today has taken us one step closer to finalizing this long process.”
An economic analysis commissioned by the Department of Environmental Quality found that expanding market access for alternative fuels, including electric vehicles, advanced biofuels, natural gas and propane, could create thousands of jobs in Oregon and save consumers more than a billion dollars.
“Reauthorizing the Clean Fuels Program will provide the regulatory certainty Oregon businesses need to invest, helping our economy and expanding family-wage jobs across the state,” said Houser.
BACKGROUND
Since 2009, business leaders have worked in conjunction with public health advocates, consumer groups, environmental organizations, labor groups, and other civic leaders in support of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program. By requiring oil importers to reduce their carbon pollution by 10% over 10 years, Oregon can reduce harmful pollution and expand Oregon’s own homegrown fuel industry.
Oregon businesses have long recognized the economic and jobs benefits of the bill. In 2014, more than a dozen companies including Waste Management, Moda Health, and ChargePoint signed on to a joint letter in support of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program.
Earlier this month, the Clean Fuels Business Advisory Committee – which included representatives from Daimler, Intel, IBEW Local 48, NW Natural, Timbers Product Company, and others – released their report and recommendations to the Governor, unanimously recommending reauthorization of the Clean Fuels Program for Oregon’s jobs and economy.
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Small Businesses Support Single Payer!
Salem, OR
Senator Dembrow
Over 1,500 Oregonians came together on Wednesday, February 11th on the Capitol steps to demonstrate the growing support for Health Care for All Oregon, the single payer/medicare for all movement alive and well (and healthy) in Oregon. Health Care for All Oregon is a coalition of over 100 organizations, including The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, supporting the HCAO mission: “To create a comprehensive, equitable, affordable, publicly funded, high quality, universal health care system serving everyone in Oregon and the United States.”
Representative Williamson
Representative Smith Warner
The crowd gathered on the steps of the Oregon Capitol building in Salem. The Rally program included music from Oregon performers such as Norm Sylvester singing The Health Care Blues, the Raging Grannies, Salem’s Dr. Atomic, Anne Weiss, and David Rovics, and “Mad As Hell Doctors.” The Rally also featured inspiring speakers, including elected officials, Senator Michael Dembrow, Representative Williamson & Smith-Warner, as well as many other community members.
Main Street Alliance of Oregon Statewide Leadership Circle member & owner of Freilinger Electronics, Jason Freilinger, spoke about the small business support for HCAO and for the universal health care movement. He echoed the feelings of thousands of small business owners from across Oregon, calling for the State to take action to help Oregon small business owners get out of the health insurance business, and back to focused on running their own businesses—that’s better for everyone.
Jason Freilinger, Owner Freilinger Electronics
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon and small business owners around the state continue to push for further health care reforms. There are important opportunities this Legislative Session that will move our state closer to understand exactly how we can create a universal health care system. Main Street Alliance of Oregon Executive Team member, and President of HCAO, Lee Mercer closed the rally with inspiring words, echoing the theme of the day, “everybody in, nobody out.”
Lee Mercer, HCAO President & MSAO Exec Team Member
Main Street Leaders meet with State Officials to talk about Retirement Security
Last week, members of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon met with Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler in Salem and again with the Treasurer and Representative Margaret Doherty in Tigard to talk about the state of small business in Oregon.
Business owners from the communities voiced there concerns about the looming retirement security crisis. Today, nearly half of all Oregonians do not have a retirement plan at work. As a result, many are at risk of living in poverty when they retire – unable to cover basic living and medical expenses. This not only means that more Americans will need to rely on social services, but also that those with little or no retirement savings won’t have the resources to keep shopping in their local small businesses.
The Main Street Alliance of Oregon is a part of the Save Today, Secure Tomorrow coalition, together we’ve found that:
- More than 70 million American workers do not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
- 79% of working Oregonians support a state-run retirement savings plan to help the thousands of workers who don’t have access to a retirement savings program at work.
- The Bureau of Labor Statics estimates that at least 10 percent of Americans age 75 or older will be working or seeking employment by 2018.
- Less than half of African American, Latino and low-income workers have access to a retirement plan at their job.
- Over half of women age 75 or older live alone; almost half of those are living at or near the federal poverty line.
In 2013, The Main Street Alliance of Oregon worked with our allies to pass a bill to create a Task Force to study a pooled retirement option for working Oregonians. Treasurer Wheeler chaired the Task Force, which had representative from diverse communities. Main Street Alliance of Oregon Co-chair, Jim Houser, was the small business representative.
In September 2014, the Task Force unanimously recommended a structure for a state-sponsored retirement plan. After reviewing extensive research of best practices from academic and financial industry experts, the Task Force recommended that Oregon’s savings program include the following key elements:
- Easy for employers to implement – savings contributions will be automatically deducted from existing payroll and employers will not be required to make a contribution
- Includes auto-enrollment – 87 percent of individuals working for companies with auto-enrollment actively participate in the programs
- Portable for individuals – the plan will follow Oregonians from job to job throughout their career.
- Limits the state’s exposure to risk – as directed by the legislature, the plan will not incur any liability for the state.
The next step is to create a board with the authority to implement and manage a retirement savings program.
By giving every working Oregonian an easy way to save for retirement, we can help every Oregonian provide security for themselves, their families, and our community. It’s time to put Oregonians back in charge of their financial future.
It is critical that we find solutions to this problem—when more Americans are financially stable in their retirement, they keep spending money in local businesses, keeping money circulating through our communities. Additionally, when more families are secure in their own retirement, there’s less need for social safety nets, ensuring that those who really need the support have it to count on.
