Gilroy Chamber of Commerce officials are defending the body’s
undemocratic endorsement process. That’s a shortsighted view for an
organization devoted to serving the business community.
Some chamber members are outraged
– and rightly so – that the board of directors overturned a
membership vote to endorse a candidate for the state Assembly.
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce officials are defending the body’s undemocratic endorsement process. That’s a shortsighted view for an organization devoted to serving the business community.
Some chamber members are outraged – and rightly so – that the board of directors overturned a membership vote to endorse a candidate for the state Assembly. That paternalistic decision is disturbing.
Chamber president Susan Valenta defended the action with: “We represent business interests. Our agenda is very clear.”
Tim Day, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, called the membership vote that launched the controversy “a hiccup” and said the full membership should never have voted on the endorsement at all.
It’s awfully arrogant to assert that any chamber official or the board of directors has exclusive knowledge of what business interests are. Rather, just like any group you could name, business interests are diverse. The issues that keep a small grocery store owner awake at night will very often be opposite of what worries the manager of a big-box retailer. The positions a landscaping company takes on issues could be very different than the positions advocated by a CPA.
That’s why taking a vote on endorsements is key – so that the results truly reflect the will of the entire membership, not just a few committee members or directors.
While the chamber has the right to establish its endorsement procedures, it’s hard to believe that Gilroy business owners will continue to support an organization that will not give them a voice on candidates and legislation.
Further, the current “board of directors knows best” process weakens the endorsements because they really do not reflect the opinions of the members, but of a few committee members.
The chamber would be better served by using a legislative committee to present recommendations on candidates and legislation, but to seek a vote of the membership before issuing actual endorsements.
A reasonable voting period with an enforced deadline, using electronic mail as a voting method, would make polling the entire membership a practical and inexpensive undertaking.
Finally, those voting results should not be subject to the “veto” power of anyone in the chamber’s hierarchy.
The chamber exists to promote the interests of its membership, not the political preferences of a committee or highly placed official. It’s an important role that should not be taken lightly.
