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D E FE AT O F M E A S U R E Y H I G H L I G H T S I M PA C T F U L 2018 F O R O C E A N S I D E C H A M B E R LAST YEAR , the Oceanside Chamber Board of Directors began implementation of its 3-Year Strategic Plan. The plan identified six focus areas in which the Chamber would be a catalyst for business growth through the year 2020.
We have completed the first year of that plan, and here is an update on our progress in each of our 6 key areas... farmers who desired to protect the future of farming in our community as well as preserve Oceanside’s opportunity to pursue agritourism in the South Morro Hills area of Oceanside. The BACPAC commissioned a study on the Economic Impact of the SOAR initiative, and the facts generated from this report were instrumental in the campaign to defeat Measure Y. On a statewide level, we continued to stay in close touch with the Cal Chamber and other business organizations and participated in pro-business coalitions on legislative issues of importance to business.
PUBLIC POLICY HIGHLIGHTS One of our first tasks was to update our Public Policy Platform to allow more latitude to quickly take positions on issues of importance to our business community. The Public Policy Task Force had several meetings to review and update the guidelines, and will now meet regularly to consider new items that may need to be added to keep the platform relevant. Staff has updated the guidelines on the Chamber website and has developed a printed version for distribution to members. In partnership with our Business and Community Political Action Committee (BACPAC), we held candidate forums for Oceanside Districts 1 and 2 City Council candidates. The forums were well attended by the public and 100% of the candidates showed up and participated. The Chamber did a follow-up article on the forums in the Fall 2018 edition of the Oceanside Business Journal that outlined the candidates positions on the following key issues: Cannabis, Measure X, Measure Y, and also highlighted some of the key comments of each candidate. The Chamber took a lead role in defeating Measure Y (aka the SOAR Initiative). We were instrumental in convening business & community leaders and local 8 | Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Business Journal
As a champion of a thriving community, the Chamber recognizes the need to have effective policymakers in elected office. Along those lines, the Chamber Board has directed the Business and Community Political Action Committee to create policies and procedures for endorsing/supporting business friendly candidates. Chamber staff has reached out to members of the business community for input on the qualities they would like to see in their elected leaders. Proposed policies and procedures will be brought to the board for consideration by Summer 2019.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS The Chamber partnered with the City’s Economic Development Department to hold the 1st Annual Oceanside CARES business walk. Teams from the Chamber and City staff went out for a morning of visits to dozens of Oceanside businesses, to learn about their businesses and how we can help them grow in our community in years to come. The Chamber regularly provided a much-needed pro-business voice at the City Council and Planning Commission meetings to support projects that will provide growth and employment in our community. Winter 2019 | www.oceansidechamber.com
