Advocacy is not a word often used in casual conversation, but it’s extremely important to all Chambers of Commerce. Advocacy means “to support or urge by argument, especially publicly…to plead for or in behalf of another.”

Years ago, chambers developed the reputation for “boosterism,” but today “advocacy” is a more sophisticated and assertive art of effective business organizations.

Advocacy is one of the major reasons for, and benefits of, having a Chamber of Commerce. In today’s complex public policy environment it is essential to have a professional and experienced full-time staff in the public arena. Receiving advice and background on how to be more effective advocates is beneficial for members and all of our interested allied parties.

The Chamber represents Tacoma-Pierce County’s business community, more specifically our members and the issues directly impacting them. We also speak out about the broad general principles of the American free enterprise system.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and its Government Affairs managers have been especially strong and consistent over the past several decades advocating at local, state, and national levels. Combined with the dedicated service, effective voice of volunteer business leaders and mutually interested public officials, Tacoma-Pierce County has achieved excellent leverage and outcomes.

In early May, over 30 volunteers and public officials traveled to Washington, DC to take part in the Chamber’s 19th Annual “Washington to Washington” lobbying trip to “advocate” for key legislative priorities. These included issues such as health care, transportation and Homeland Security – all of critical economic importance to our community.

Earlier in the spring, Chamber advocacy (staff and volunteers) helped achieve important state legislation to assist in the protection of Washington’s military bases from urban development (encroachment).

Chamber members and the community can be assured that legislative and public policy issues impacting our economic vitality are carefully monitored and vigorously pursued. This is done in partnership with other regional groups such as “The Regional Partnership” and other local, state and national associations like the Association of Washington Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other area Chambers.

At first glance, it may seem that the Chamber’s primary advocacy efforts are before government. This is a priority area of emphasis because so much of the public policy and regulatory control of government impacts business.

However, the Chamber is also a community advocate. Whether with newcomers or military transferees, regional or national media, the Chamber speaks out positively about our business environment, individual businesses and our community’s general quality of life and our image/reputation.

In part, this is why the Chamber developed a Media Center to assist with publicizing Tacoma-Pierce County. The Media Center works to have our area’s messages interpreted positively, and manages related projects like the development of the Website and coordination of the Washington, D.C. awards trip associated with Tacoma-Pierce County’s recent designation as “One of America’s Most Livable Communities.”

In short, the Chamber’s work with its members and allies advocates the good things we are and for the good things we desire to become.

David Graybill is the president/CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. His column appears occasionally in the Index.